Hunters in Alabama have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of species, including quail, turkey, deer, and alligator. Hunting seasons in Alabama are not only different from one region of the state to the next, but individual counties may also have their own opening and closing dates, in addition to their own bag limitations.
- To obtain further information, please check out the webpage for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
- The state of Alabama now accepts online applications for hunting licenses and permits, as well as online purchases of these items.
- In addition, hunters may quickly report their harvests through a variety of mediums, including online, through the phone, or through an app on their mobile device.
Seasons for Hunting Deer in Alabama
| Archery or Spear | Oct.15-Feb.10** |
| Firearms | Nov.20-Feb.10** |
| Dog Hunting, Where Allowed | Nov.6-Jan.1** |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | Nov.1-Nov.5** and Nov.15-19** |
*The specific dates of each season vary according to both the antlered and antlerless status of the deer. When shooting deer, the state of Alabama permits the use of hand-thrown spears as well. The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited in a significant number of Alabama’s counties.
| Fall (No Decoys Permitted) | Nov.20-28** and Dec.11-Jan.1 |
| Spring (Decoys Permitted) | March 25-May 8** |
| Special Youth Hunt | Saturday and Sunday before spring season opens |
| Special Disabled Hunt | One day before regular season opening day** |
*Dates of the seasons differ from zone to zone. It is possible for bag restrictions and particular hunting dates to differ from county to county. Visit the website of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for additional information regarding the obligatory Game Check and Harvest Record as well as the limitations that are in place. Alabama Alligator Seasons
| By Special Permit Only | Sunset Aug.12-Sunrise Oct.4** |
*Dates of the seasons differ from zone to zone. Alligator hunts require a specific permit in order to take place. Only Alabama citizens are eligible to get an alligator permit, and online registration is the only method available for obtaining one of these permits.
| Bobwhite Quail | Nov.6-Feb.28 |
| Rabbit, Squirrel | Sept.11-March 6 |
| Raccoon | Open season |
| Opossum | Open season |
| Feral Swine | Special nighttime season, May 1-Aug.31; Open season, daylight hours only |
| Starlings, Crows, English Sparrows | Open season |
| Bobcat, Coyote, Fox | Open season, daylight hours only |
| Bullfrog and Pig Frog | Open season |
| Beaver, Nutria, Groundhog | Open season |
*Dates of the seasons differ from zone to zone. There are differences in Alabama’s bag limits, special seasons, and other hunting rules for different animals and different hunting seasons. In this state, hunting using bait is illegal, and the kind of guns that can be used depend on the target species.
What day does gun season start in Alabama?
Hunters in Alabama have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of species, including quail, turkey, deer, and alligator. Hunting seasons in Alabama are not only different from one region of the state to the next, but individual counties may also have their own opening and closing dates, in addition to their own bag limitations.
To obtain further information, please check out the webpage for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The state of Alabama now accepts online applications for hunting licenses and permits, as well as online purchases of these items. In addition, hunters may quickly report their harvests through a variety of mediums, including online, through the phone, or through an app on their mobile device.
Seasons for Hunting Deer in Alabama
| Archery or Spear | Oct.15-Feb.10** |
| Firearms | Nov.20-Feb.10** |
| Dog Hunting, Where Allowed | Nov.6-Jan.1** |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | Nov.1-Nov.5** and Nov.15-19** |
*The specific dates of each season vary according to both the antlered and antlerless status of the deer. When shooting deer, the state of Alabama permits the use of hand-thrown spears as well. The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited in a significant number of Alabama’s counties.
| Fall (No Decoys Permitted) | Nov.20-28** and Dec.11-Jan.1 |
| Spring (Decoys Permitted) | March 25-May 8** |
| Special Youth Hunt | Saturday and Sunday before spring season opens |
| Special Disabled Hunt | One day before regular season opening day** |
*Dates of the seasons differ from zone to zone. It is possible for bag restrictions and particular hunting dates to differ from county to county. Visit the website of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for additional information regarding the obligatory Game Check and Harvest Record as well as the limitations that are in place. Alabama Alligator Seasons
| By Special Permit Only | Sunset Aug.12-Sunrise Oct.4** |
*Dates of the seasons differ from zone to zone. Alligator hunts require a specific permit in order to take place. Only Alabama citizens are eligible to get an alligator permit, and online registration is the only method available for obtaining one of these permits.
| Bobwhite Quail | Nov.6-Feb.28 |
| Rabbit, Squirrel | Sept.11-March 6 |
| Raccoon | Open season |
| Opossum | Open season |
| Feral Swine | Special nighttime season, May 1-Aug.31; Open season, daylight hours only |
| Starlings, Crows, English Sparrows | Open season |
| Bobcat, Coyote, Fox | Open season, daylight hours only |
| Bullfrog and Pig Frog | Open season |
| Beaver, Nutria, Groundhog | Open season |
*Dates of the seasons differ from zone to zone. There are differences in Alabama’s bag limits, special seasons, and other hunting rules for different animals and different hunting seasons. In this state, hunting using bait is illegal, and the kind of guns that can be used depend on the target species.
Can you shoot a trespasser in Alabama?
A person is allowed under the law of Alabama to use the proper and reasonable amount of force that he or she feels is necessary and sensible to defend oneself or a third party (someone else) in a specific scenario and set of circumstances. This includes the use of deadly force.
Can you bait turkeys in Alabama?
07.05 – It Is Illegal to Hunt Turkeys While Using Bait; All Regulations Are Currently Open for Comment View Regulation with History Large PDF Small PDF Parental Unit Before the Next Date of Approval: May 19th, 2022 Date of Entry Into Force: June 27th, 2022 It is against the law to hunt wild turkeys with the help of baiting, as well as to hunt on or above any area that has been baited, if the person doing the hunting knows or reasonably should know that the area has been baited in the past.
Do you need tags to hunt deer in Alabama?
License Requirements – Both citizens and non-residents of Alabama are required to have the following in order to shoot white-tailed deer in the state: Hunting Permit for All Species of Game (unless exempt) Record of the Harvest (paper form or on the app) Hunting on wildlife management areas requires both a license and a map permission.