For a passionate hunter, like YOU, Alabama hunting season is a perfect time for hunting many different species, such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, feral hogs and many more.
Alabama is a state with enormous natural diversity and has more than 1.3 million acres of public hunting land. It has one of the longest seasons and liberal bag limits. The fact that has the most significant impact on hunters is the opportunity to participate in their hunting heritage and to hunt at least one species during every month of the year.
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The Hunting Seasons of the Alabama State and All Available Games
1. Alabama Deer Seasons
Hunting type | Either sex | Antlered Bucks Only |
|---|---|---|
Bow and Arrow – stalk Hunting | October 15 – February 10 (Zone A & Zone C) October 25 – February 10 (Zone B) | October 15 – October 24 (Zone B) |
Gun deer – Stalk hunting: On leased or privately owned land | November 17 – February 10 (Zone A & Zone B) November 17 – November 25 & December 22 – January 1 (Zone C) | November 17 – February 10 (Zone C) |
On open permit – Public land | December 15 – January 1(Zone A & Zone B) December 22 – January 1 (Zone C) | November 17 – February 10 (All Zones) |
Dog deer hunting: Where allowed | November 17 – January 15 (Zone A & Zone B) November 17 – November 25 & December 22 – January 1 (Zone C) | November 17 – January 15 (Zone C) |
* There might be slight differences in date ranges and types of the game due to different zones. For more information about the zones please refer to this image below.
For more information, click on the image.
Alabama: 2018-2019 Deer Season Zone Map. Source: OutdoorAlabama.com
2. Alabama White-Winged and Mourning Dove Seasons
*North Zone | **South Zone |
|---|---|
September 8 - October 14 | September 15 – October 21 |
November 17 – November 25 | November 17 - November 25 |
December 15 – January 27 | December 15 - January 27 |
*North zone – All other counties except the ones listed above.
**South zone – Barbour, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Houston, Mobile counties, Henry, Escambia, Coffee and Baldwin.
3. Alabama Turkey Seasons
Zones | Seasons |
|---|---|
Zone 1 | March 16 - April 30 |
Zone 2 | March 30 - April 30 |
Zone 3 | April 20 - April 24 |
Zone 4 | November 17 - November 29 December 15 - January 1, 2019 March 16 - April 30 |
Zone 5 | No Season |
For more information, click on the image.
2018-2019 Turkey Zones Alabama. Source: OutdoorAlabama.com
4. Alabama - Other Games & Seasons
Games | Seasons |
|---|---|
Bobwhite Quail | November 3 - February 28 |
Rabbit | September 15 - March 3 |
Squirrel | September 15 - March 3 |
Raccoon | No Closed Season |
Opossum | No Closed Season |
Bobcat, Coyote, Feral swine and Fox | No Closed Season |
Feral Swine (Leased and privately owned lands) | May 1 - August 31 |
Alligator | By Special Permit Only |
Beaver, Nutria and Groundhog | No Closed Season |
Starlings, Crows and English Sparrows | No Closed Season |
Bear, Mountain Lion, and Ruffed Grouse | No Open Season |
Woodcock | December 14 - January 27 |
Snipe | November 10 - February 24 |
Clapper Rail, Virginia Rail, Sora and Gallinule | September 8 - September 23; November 23 - January 15 |
Bullfrog and Pig Frog | No Closed Season |
Special Teal Season | September 8 - September 23 |
Geese Statewide | September 1 - September 30 |
Geese (Dark and Light) | October 13 - October 27 |
Special Youth Waterfowl | November 17, 2018, and February 2, 2019 |
License Requirements
By law, recreational hunting licenses can be issued to residents and non-residents in Alabama. Landowners and immediate family can hunt on their property without a license. Alabama residents of 65 years of age or over are excluded from purchasing the following licenses:
Residents of 65 years of age or over must have a driver’s license or proof of permanent residence and age.
In Alabama, it’s possible to purchase an appropriate license at the age of 16 that is for residents and non-residents as well.
Hunting during the night is possible, but using any kind of night vision equipment is prohibited by General Prohibitions in Alabama. Also, any light source that is capable of casting a beam of light which aids you in aiming during the night is not permitted.
Where to Hunt in Alabama?
1. Wildlife Management Areas
The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries maintains 35 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across Alabama. These WMAs range in size from 400 acres to 91,263 acres.
2. Special Opportunity Areas
Freshwater Fisheries and Division of Wildlife offers Special Opportunity Areas as properties of a new format of hunting for the public. Even though they are usually smaller than the Wildlife Management Areas, these are perfect for a limited quota hunting format to improve the quality of the hunt.
3. Physically Disabled Hunting Areas
The trails here were developed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Registration isn’t required for these shooting and fishing sites. However, all potential users must have a proper license and must respect the regulations.
4. U.S. Forest Service
This includes thousands of acres of forests which are outside of the Alabama WMA system. The forests such as Conecuh National Forest, Tuskegee National Forest, Talladega National Forest and Bankhead National Forest are within the area owned by U.S. Forest Service and suitable for big game hunting.
5. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
By the various rivers of Alabama State, there are several tracts of land where public hunting is allowed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Since these properties are small, their use is more restricted regarding regulations. A free permit must be acquired from an official US Corps of Engineers office before hunting on any of these properties.