Alabama Hunting Season Guide 2024

1. Game Species in Alabama

Alabama offers a diverse range of game species for hunting. Major species include:

White-tailed Deer
Eastern Wild Turkey
Feral Hogs (Wild Pigs)
Waterfowl (ducks, geese)
Small Game (squirrels, rabbits, quail)
Predators & Furbearers (coyotes, bobcats, foxes)
Migratory Birds (doves, woodcocks, crows)

2. Hunting Seasons & Zones

Hunting seasons vary by species and region. Below is a summary of key seasons. Please refer to the official Hunting Season Calendarfor the full list.

Species	Zone/Area	Season Dates
White-tailed Deer	Statewide (Zones A, B, C)	Oct 14, 2024 – Feb 10, 2025
Turkey (Spring)	South Zone	Mar 15 – May 1, 2025
Turkey (Spring)	North Zone	Mar 29 – May 15, 2025
Dove	Statewide	Sept 7, 2024 – Jan 15, 2025
Waterfowl	Statewide	Nov 22, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025
Feral Hog & Coyote	Private & Certain Public Lands	Year-round (with permit)

🔄 What’s New in 2025?

New season dates for turkeys and updated zone lines.
Some WMAs now require online draw permits through the Outdoor AL app.

3. Hunting Licenses, Fees, and Requirements

All Alabama hunters aged 16–64 must have a valid hunting license. Residents and non-residents can choose from daily, annual, or lifetime options.

License Type	Resident Fee	Non-Resident Fee	Notes
Annual Hunting License	$20.55	$351.80	Required for general game species
WMA License	$18.40	$18.40	Required to hunt on Wildlife Management Areas
Bait Privilege License	$15.00	$51.00	For hunting deer/feral hogs over bait (not valid in all counties)
Wildlife Heritage License	$11.85	N/A	Allows small game hunting on select public lands
Lifetime License	$322.90–$1032.30	N/A	Based on age; for Alabama residents only

Full license details: License Types & Costs

🔁 Reciprocity or Substitutes?

Hunter Education Certificate: Mandatory for those born after Aug 1, 1977. Can substitute for supervised hunting.
Apprentice License: Lets new hunters hunt for one year without hunter ed (must hunt with licensed adult).

Learn more: Apprentice License

4. Hunting Regulations & 2025 Changes

Alabama’s hunting regulations are updated annually. Here are key highlights:

Key Regulations:

Hunter Orange Requirement: Mandatory for deer and hog gun hunters.
Bag Limits: Vary by species. Example: 3 gobblers per spring turkey season.
Night Hunting: Allowed for feral hogs and coyotes with a special night permit.
Baiting: Only legal with the Bait Privilege License and in approved areas.

2025 Updates:

Zone adjustments for turkey and deer.
New SOA draw hunts and youth hunt opportunities.
Increased enforcement of Game Check reporting compliance.

Full legal digest: Hunting and Trapping Digest (PDF)

5. Hunter Education for Beginners

Alabama offers comprehensive hunter education programs for both youth and adult beginners. These courses are required for any individual born on or after August 1, 1977, unless they are hunting under the direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter.

Education Options:

In-person Traditional Course (8–10 hours, includes hands-on training)
Online Only Course (self-paced, available for adults aged 16+)
Internet + Field Day Option (complete the course online, then attend a field day to finish)

Where to Access:

Alabama-approved courses are listed on the Hunter Education page.
Online providers include:
- Hunter-Ed.com
- Kalkomey
- NRA Hunter Education

These courses cover firearm safety, wildlife identification, hunting ethics, and laws.

Youth Hunting Events & Mentored Programs:

The state also supports mentored youth hunts, where beginners are paired with experienced hunters. These are great for learning in the field. Learn more at the Special Youth Hunting Events page.

6. Hunting Reminders, Reporting, and Public Lands

Harvest Reporting

Mandatory Game Check: Hunters must report any harvest of white-tailed deer or turkey within 48 hours using the Game Check system.
Options for reporting:
- Outdoor AL app
- Online via Game Check Portal
- Call 1-800-888-7690

Public Hunting Lands

Alabama has over 35 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) open to public hunting, plus Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) and Forever Wild lands.

You must have a WMA permit and follow each WMA's specific season and bag limits.
Use this map to locate areas: Public Hunting Lands Map

General Hunting Regulations

Hunter Orange: Required when hunting deer or feral hogs during gun season.
Bag Limits: Vary by species – e.g., 3 gobblers per spring season for turkeys.
Baiting: Only legal with a purchased Bait Privilege License and only for deer and feral swine.
Night Hunting: Allowed for feral hogs and coyotes with the appropriate nighttime permit.

More detailed rules are outlined in the Alabama Hunting and Trapping Digest.

⚠️ Disclaimer

All information is based on publicly available data from the official Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website: Outdoor Alabama. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to official regulations and announcements.