Hunting Regulations in Alabama
Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and tips — updated 2026-03-05
Always verify current regulations before hunting. Regulations change frequently. Visit the official Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website for the most up-to-date rules, emergency closures, and special regulations.
🎫 Hunting License Fees
2025–2026Resident License
Non-Resident License
Senior Discount
Youth
Residents 65+ and residents born before January 1, 1982 may hunt license-free. HIP registration required for migratory birds (dove, waterfowl). Federal Duck Stamp required for waterfowl. Mandatory Game Check for deer and turkey via app or phone.
🦌 Season Dates & Bag Limits
| Species | Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer – Archery (Stalk) | October 15, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | 1 antlered buck per day; aggregate limits apply by zone | Varies by zone; many areas require minimum 4-point antler restriction | Zone A stalk archery runs Oct 15 – Feb 10. Either-sex periods vary by zone and land type. Mandatory Game Check within 24 hours of harvest. |
| White-tailed Deer – Muzzleloader | November 8, 2025 – November 16, 2025 | 1 antlered buck per day | Antler restrictions vary by zone | Youth firearms season: Nov 8-11. Special muzzleloader season: Nov 12-16. Muzzleloaders and shotguns with slugs permitted. |
| White-tailed Deer – General Firearms | November 22, 2025 – January 15, 2026 | 1 antlered buck per day; either-sex on private lands Nov 22 – Jan 15 | Antlered bucks only Jan 5 – Feb 10 on public permit lands | Dog deer hunting allowed where permitted on private and leased lands. Late archery-only bucks: Jan 5 – Feb 10 statewide. |
| Wild Turkey – Spring | March 15, 2026 – May 1, 2026 | 5 gobblers per season | Gobblers only | Season dates vary slightly by zone. Youth turkey hunt held weekend before opener. No running of dogs on public permit lands during spring turkey. Mandatory Game Check required. |
| Wild Turkey – Fall | October 15, 2025 – November 22, 2025 | 1 per day | Either sex | Fall turkey runs concurrent with early archery deer season in many zones. Shotgun, archery, and crossbow permitted. |
| Waterfowl / Duck | November 2025 (dates set by federal framework) – January 2026 | 6 ducks per day (species-specific limits apply) | None | HIP registration and Federal Duck Stamp required. Split seasons typical. Check USFWS and ADCNR for final framework dates each year. |
| Mourning Dove | September 1, 2025 – January 12, 2026 | 15 per day | None | Three-split season structure. HIP registration required. Collared doves do not count toward the mourning dove bag limit. |
| Small Game – Rabbit / Squirrel | October 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026 | Rabbit: 8 per day; Squirrel: 8 per day | None | Cottontail and swamp rabbit combined. Fox and gray squirrel combined daily bag of 8. |
| Feral Hog | Year-round | No limit | None | No closed season, no bag limit on feral hogs. May be taken at night on private land with landowner permission. |
Source: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (outdooralabama.com). Last updated: 2026-03-05. Regulations may have changed — always verify with the official agency.
About Hunting in Alabama
Alabama is one of the premier hunting destinations in the Southeast, boasting over 1.3 million acres of public hunting land and some of the most generous seasons and bag limits in the nation. The state's diverse landscape — from the lush hardwood bottoms of the Black Belt prairies to the longleaf pine forests of the Coastal Plain — supports thriving populations of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mourning dove, and waterfowl. Alabama's Black Belt region, named for its rich dark soils, is legendary for producing trophy-class bucks. Hunters here enjoy long archery seasons stretching from mid-October all the way to February.
The state's liberal feral hog regulations and strong small game populations make Alabama a year-round destination for hunters of all types. Alabama requires mandatory Game Check for deer and turkey harvests through a mobile app or phone system, ensuring data-driven wildlife management. Whether you're chasing trophy whitetails in the Black Belt, calling spring gobblers in the Bankhead National Forest, or busting doves over sunflower fields in the Wiregrass region, Alabama delivers exceptional hunting opportunity.
Best Times to Hunt in Alabama
🌱 Spring
Spring turkey season runs March through May — one of the most exciting times afield in Alabama. Gobblers are vocal and responsive to calls, especially in the first two weeks of season.
☀️ Summer
Summer scouting is productive — set trail cameras on mineral licks and food plots to pattern bucks. Feral hog hunting is excellent year-round and peaks in summer corn fields.
🍂 Fall
October through December is prime time for deer hunting. Archery season opens October 15 and firearms open November 22, coinciding with the rut in most of the state.
❄️ Winter
Late-season deer hunting in January offers quality stalking opportunities as pressure drops. Waterfowl season peaks December–January on Alabama's river sloughs and impoundments.
🎯 Expert Hunting Tips for Alabama
- Focus on the Black Belt WMA region in Sumter and Marengo counties for trophy whitetails — the fertile soils produce big-bodied deer with heavy antlers.
- Scout food plots and hardwood drains on Barbour WMA early in the archery season before firearms pressure pushes deer nocturnal.
- Alabama's liberal hog regulations mean you can hunt hogs year-round on private land — combine pig hunting with deer season to maximize time in the field.
- For spring turkeys, work the creek bottoms and ridge lines of Talladega National Forest where gobblers strut in open hardwood flats after leaf-out.
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
https://www.outdooralabama.com
📞 (334) 242-3465
🗺️ Nearby States (Southeast)
Also available: Fishing Regulations in Alabama — season dates, bag limits, size limits, and license info.