The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources controls the Alabama Deer season in order to preserve a robust deer population. There are many zones within the game schedule, each with its own set of rules and dates. Depending on the zone, the hunt often begins in October and lasts until February.
Important AL Game Resources
Alabama Deer Hunting Season
Alabama is a popular location for hunters looking to take down the elusive white-tailed deer. Deer are the most popular game species in the state, which makes deer hunting quite popular. Each year, millions of man-days are spent by hunters in search of their prey. This sport not only offers the hunters exhilarating experiences, but it also significantly boosts the local economy in rural Alabama. Hunters may anticipate taking down a sizable number of deer yearly, with varied harvest numbers.
Below here is a guide for the complete Deer season in Alabama:
Zone A
| Season | Dates | Land / area | Bag / sex rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | October 15, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Statewide Zone A | Either sex. |
| Special Youth Gun | November 14–17, 2025 | Statewide Zone A | Either sex. |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | November 17–21, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land and open permit public lands, stalk hunting only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22 – December 12, 2025 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | Open permit public land | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 5 – February 10, 2026 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Dog Deer Hunting | November 22, 2025 – January 15, 2026 | Where allowed on privately owned or leased land | Either sex. |
Location
- Begins at the intersection of the Alabama/Mississippi state line and US Hwy. 80 (Sumter County)
- East US Hwy. 80 to the US Hwy. 80 Bypass in Selma (Dallas County)
- East US Hwy 80 Bypass to the Alabama River
- East the Alabama River to I-65
- South I-65 to the intersection with I-85
- North I-85 to AL Hwy. 169 (Exit 60 – Lee County)
- South AL Hwy. 169 to AL Hwy. 1/US Hwy. 431
- South AL Hwy. 1/US Hwy. 431 to AL Hwy. 26
- West AL Hwy. 26 to Russell County Road 65
- South Russell County Road 65 to Road 4
- West Russell County Road 4 to Road 49
- South Russell County Road 49 to US Hwy. 82
- East US Hwy. 82 to the Chattahoochee River
- South the Chattahoochee River to AL Hwy. 10
- West AL Hwy. 10 to Henry County Road 57
- South Henry County Road 57 to Road 99
- South Henry County Road 99 to US Hwy. 431
- South US Hwy. 431 to Ross Clark Circle (bypass around Dothan)
- East Ross Clark Circle to US Hwy. 231
- South US Hwy. 231 to the Alabama/Florida state line
- East the Alabama/Florida state line to the Chattahoochee River
- North the Chattahoochee River to US Hwy. 82
- West US Hwy. 82 to US Hwy. 431
- North US Hwy. 431 to US Hwy. 280
- East US Hwy. 280 to Alabama/Georgia state line
- North Alabama/Georgia state line to I-20
- West I-20 to AL Hwy. 21
- North AL Hwy. 21 to US Hwy. 278
- East US Hwy 278 to the Alabama/Georgia state line
- North the Alabama/Georgia state line to the Alabama/Tennessee state line
- West the Alabama/Tennessee state line to the Lauderdale /Limestone County line
- South the Lauderdale/Limestone County line to the Tennessee River
- West the Tennessee River to the Colbert/Lawrence County line
- South the Colbert /Lawrence County line to the Colbert County/Franklin County line
- West the Colbert/Franklin County line to the Alabama/Mississippi state line
- South the Alabama/Mississippi state line ending at US Hwy. 80 (Sumter County)
Note: Excluded Zones: C, D, E
Zone B
| Season | Dates | Land / area | Bag / sex rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | October 15–24, 2025 | Zone B | Antlered bucks only. |
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | October 25, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Zone B | Either sex. |
| Special Youth Gun | November 14–17, 2025 | Statewide Zone B | Either sex. |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | November 17–21, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land and open permit public lands, stalk hunting only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22 – December 12, 2025 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | Open permit public land | Either sex |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 5 – February 10, 2026 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Dog Deer Hunting | November 22, 2025 – January 15, 2026 | Where allowed on privately owned or leased land | Either sex. |
Zone map
Locations
- Beginning at the intersection of the Mississippi state line and US Hwy. 80 (Sumter County)
- East US Hwy. 80 to the US Hwy. 80 Bypass in Selma (Dallas County)
- East US Hwy. 80 Bypass to the Alabama River
- East the Alabama River to I-65
- South I-65 to the intersection with I-85
- North I-85 to AL Hwy. 169 (Exit 60 – Lee County)
- South AL Hwy. 169 to AL Hwy. 1/US Hwy. 431
- South AL Hwy. 1/US Hwy. 431 to AL Hwy. 26
- West AL Hwy. 26 to Russell County Road 65
- South Russell County Road 65 to Road 4
- West Russell County Road 4 to Russell County Road 49
- South Russell County Road 49 to US Hwy. 82
- East US Hwy. 82 to US Hwy. 431
- South US Hwy. 431 to US Hwy. 82
- East US Hwy. 82 to the Chattahoochee River
- South the Chattahoochee River to AL Hwy. 10
- West AL Hwy. 10 to Henry County Road 57
- South Henry County Road 57 to Road 99
- South Henry County Road 99 to US Hwy. 431
- South US Hwy. 431 to Ross Clark Circle (bypass around Dothan)
- East Ross Clark Circle to US Hwy. 231
- South US Hwy. 231 to the Alabama/Florida state line
- West the Alabama/Florida state line to the Alabama/Mississippi state line
- North the Alabama/Mississippi state line ending at US Hwy. 80 (Sumter County).
Note: Excludes Zone E description below.
Zone C
| Season | Dates | Land / area | Bag / sex rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | October 15, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Zone C | Either sex. |
| Special Youth Gun | November 14–17, 2025 | Statewide Zone C | Either sex. |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | November 17–21, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land and open permit public lands, stalk hunting only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22 – November 30, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 1–12, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land only | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 2 – February 10, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22 – December 12, 2025 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | Open permit public land | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 2 – February 10, 2026 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
Locations
- Beginning at the Colbert/Franklin County line on US Hwy. 43/13
- South US Hwy. 43/13 to Spruce Pine (Franklin County)
- South AL Hwy. 13 to AL Hwy. 195 in Haleyville (Winston County)
- North AL Hwy. 195 to Winston County Road 93
- North Winston County Road 93 to Franklin County Road 93
- North Franklin County Road 93 to Road 81
- North Franklin County Road 81 to Road 83
- North Franklin County Road 83 to AL Hwy. 24
- East AL Hwy. 24 to intersection with AL Hwy. 157 in Moulton (Lawrence County)
- South AL Hwy. 157 to Cullman County Road 1114
- South Cullman County Road 1114 to US Hwy. 278 in Jones Chapel (Cullman County)
- West US Hwy. 278 to Helicon Road (Winston County Road 77)
- South Helicon Road (Winston County Road 77) to Winston County Road 41 in Arley (Winston County)
- South Winston County Road 41 to the Sipsey Fork
- South the Sipsey Fork to US Hwy. 69
- North US Hwy. 69 to I-65
- South I-65 to I-59
- North I-59 to US Hwy. 11
- North US Hwy. 11 to Etowah/Dekalb County line
- West Etowah/Dekalb County line to Dekalb County/Marshall County line
- North Dekalb/Marshall County line to Marshall County/Jackson County line
- North Marshall/Jackson County line to Tennessee River
- West Tennessee River to the Colbert County/Lawrence County line
- South the Colbert/Lawrence County line to the Colbert County/Franklin County line
- West the Colbert/Franklin County line ending at US Hwy. 43/13.
Note: Excludes Zone D description below.
Zone D
| Season | Dates | Land / area | Bag / sex rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | October 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 | Zone D | Either sex. |
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | January 16–27, 2026 | Zone D | Antlered bucks only. |
| Special Youth Gun | October 31 – November 3, 2025 | Statewide Zone D | Either sex. |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | November 3–7, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land and open permit public lands, stalk hunting only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 8–21, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land only | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22 – November 30, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 1–12, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land only | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 2–27, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 8 – December 12, 2025 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | Open permit public land | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 2–27, 2026 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
Locations
- Beginning at the intersection of AL Hwy. 157 and AL Hwy. 24 in Moulton (Lawrence County)
- South AL Hwy. 157 to Cullman County Road 1114
- South Cullman County Road 1114 to US Hwy. 278 in Jones Chapel (Cullman County)
- West US Hwy. 278 to Helicon Road (Winston County Road 77)
- West Helicon Road (Winston County Road 77) to Winston County Road 41 in Arley (Winston County)
- South Winston County Road 41 to the Sipsey Fork
- South the Sipsey Fork to the Winston/Walker County line
- West the Winston/Walker County line to AL Hwy. 5
- North AL Hwy. 5 to AL Hwy. 13 at Natural Bridge (Winston County)
- North AL Hwy. 13 to AL Hwy. 195 in Haleyville (Winston County)
- North AL Hwy. 195 to Winston County Road 93
- North Winston County Road 93 to Franklin County Road 93
- North Franklin County Road 93 to Road 81
- North Franklin County Road 81 to Road 83
- North Franklin County Road 83 to AL Hwy. 24
- East AL Hwy. 24 ending at intersection with AL Hwy. 157 in Moulton (Lawrence County).
Zone E
| Season | Dates | Land / area | Bag / sex rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | October 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 | Zone E | Either sex. |
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | January 16–27, 2026 | Zone E | Antlered bucks only. |
| Special Youth Gun | October 31 – November 3, 2025 | Statewide Zone E | Either sex. |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | November 3–7, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land and open permit public lands, stalk hunting only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 8, 2025 – January 15, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 16–27, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 8 – December 12, 2025 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | Open permit public land | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | January 2–27, 2026 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
Locations
- Beginning at the intersection of US Hwy. 82 and US Hwy. 431 in Eufaula (Barbour County)
- North US Hwy. 431 to US Hwy. 280
- East US Hwy. 280 to the Chattahoochee River
- South the Chattahoochee River to US Hwy. 82
- West US Hwy. 82 ending at intersection with US Hwy. 431 (Barbour County)
- Beginning at the intersection of I-20 and AL Hwy. 21 (Calhoun County)
- North AL Hwy. 21 to AL Hwy. 9 in Piedmont (Calhoun County)
- North AL Hwy. 9 to US Hwy. 278
- East US Hwy. 278 to the Alabama/Georgia state line
- South the Alabama/Georgia state line to I-20
- West I-20 ending at intersection with AL Hwy. 21 (Calhoun County).
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone
| Season | Dates | Land / area | Bag / sex rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery-Stalk Hunting | October 15, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone | Either sex. |
| Special Youth Gun | November 14–17, 2025 | Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone | Either sex. |
| Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle | November 17–21, 2025 | Privately owned or leased land and open permit public lands, stalk hunting only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | November 22 – December 12, 2025 | Open permit public land | Antlered bucks only. |
| Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting | December 13, 2025 – February 10, 2026 | Open permit public land | Either sex. |
| Gun Deer-Dog Deer Hunting | November 22, 2025 – January 15, 2026 | Privately owned or leased land only | Either sex. |
Location
- The CWD Management Zone includes all of Lauderdale and Colbert Counties.
- The High-Risk Zone is located within the CWD Management Zone, and includes the portion of Lauderdale County with the following boundaries:
- Beginning at the intersection of the Tennessee River and the Alabama/Mississippi State line, north the Alabama/Mississippi State line to the Alabama/Tennessee State line
- East the Alabama/Tennessee State line to US Hwy. 43
- South US Hwy. 43 to the Tennessee River
- West the Tennessee River ending at the Alabama/Mississippi State line
- The Buffer Zone is also located within the CWD Management Zone and includes those portions of Lauderdale and Colbert Counties with the following boundaries:
- Beginning at the intersection of the Tennessee River and the Alabama/Mississippi State line, south the Alabama/Mississippi State line to the Colbert/Franklin County line
- East the Colbert/Franklin County line to the Colbert/Lawrence County line
- North the Colbert/Lawrence County line to the Tennessee River
- East the Tennessee River to the Lauderdale/Limestone County line
- North the Lauderdale/Limestone County line to the Alabama/Tennessee State line
- West the Alabama/Tennessee State line to US Hwy. 43
- South US Hwy. 43 to the Tennessee River
- West the Tennessee River ending at the Alabama/Mississippi State line.
Bag Limits
| Alabama Deer Season | Bag Limits |
|---|---|
| Antlered Bucks | 3 antlered bucks/year (1 of them must have at least 4 antler points 1" long on one side) |
| Un-antlered Deer | 1 un-antlered deer/day |
| Gun Dog Deer Hunting | Varies depending on date and area |
Regulations for Deer Hunting
- The usage of guns is one of the most crucial restrictions to take into account. Hunters in Alabama must abide by the tight restrictions controlling the use of weapons when hunting in order to stay out of trouble with the law. The state also mandates that hunters submit their harvest to the authorities and possess a current license.
- All deer and turkey hunters are expected to use Game Check to report their kills, and they must also have a deer/turkey harvest record (available in print or digital form) on hand.
- With a few exceptions, hunting on private grounds requires written permission from the proprietor.
- Deer may be legally hunted from 30 minutes before official dawn to 30 minutes after official dusk.
- When hunting, all necessary permits and stamps must be in your possession (either in paper or digital form).
- Hunting on public lands requires using a hunter orange, a kind of open permission. Before visiting the state wildlife management areas, check the Wildlife Management Area Permit for specific guidelines.
- The parties in charge of hunting rights may decide to set seasons and bag limitations that are more stringent than required.
- On public lands, bait is not allowed (including WMA, SOA, USFS, TVA, Corp. of Engineers and public and private land within the CWD CMZ).
- Hunters may shoot one buck with antlers above the natural hairline every day in any county. Each hunter may also take three white-tailed bucks with at least four antler points that are at least one inch long throughout both seasons, except in Barbour County. Antler bucks in Barbour County must have three points on one side, except for statewide juvenile deer shooting days. Hunters may also take one buck from a restricted number of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) without counting it against their three-buck quota.
- Hunters may take one deer and one buck per day during the Unantlered Deer Gun, Special Muzzleloader, Bow and Arrow, and Special Youth (under 16) Seasons. Certain places on US Forest Service properties allow just one deer each day. These limits enable hunters to kill a variety of deer during the season while yet protecting the environment.
- Youth hunters under 16 may hunt November 11–14 and October 28–31, depending on the zone. Dog hunting is allowed in counties or parts of counties during the regular dog deer hunting season. Hunters should check the latest Wildlife Management Area Permits for young deer schedule and other data. Deer season guns and ammo are allowed. Young hunters may hunt safely.
Licenses & Requirements
In order to hunt deer in Alabama, you need four things: a hunting license, a record of your harvest, a license and map permission if you’re pursuing in a wildlife management area, and the completion of the necessary paperwork once you’ve taken down a deer. There are many different kinds of permits available, such as a lifetime permit and a disabled game permit for veterans. Some people are excluded from needing a license, including those over 65 and resident landowners and their close families. Additionally, a special bait-privilege permission must be purchased, and only private property may be used for baiting deer.
Note: For complete license fees and cost you may read our article Alabama Hunting Seasons.
Dog Deer Hunting
Only the stalking technique is allowed when dog-assisted hunting is outlawed. This will decrease the impact on the local environment and safeguard hunters and deer from injury.
Dog Deer Hunting Prohibited Except by Special Permit from the Department (Counties)
| (Counties) | Dog Deer Hunting Prohibited Except by Special Permit from the Department (Boundaries) |
|---|---|
| Baldwin | Dog deer hunting prohibited |
| Chambers | Dog deer hunting prohibited, except for individual property owners on their own property |
| Choctaw | Dog deer hunting prohibited in the area south of AL Hwy. 10, west of AL Hwy. 17, and north of County Rd. 18 from AL Hwy. 17 to County Rd. 14, then north of County Rd. 14 to the Mississippi state line |
| Colbert | West of US Hwy. 43 |
| Coosa | Dog deer hunting prohibited, except for individual property owners on their own property |
| Covington | North of US Hwy. 84 |
| Elmore | From the Coosa County/Elmore County line at the east bank of Lake Jordan to AL Hwy. 9, south along AL Hwy. 9 to the intersection of US Hwy. 231, south along US Hwy. 231 to the intersection of AL Hwy. 14, west along AL Hwy. 14 to the east bank of the Coosa River, north along the east bank of the Coosa River to Lake Jordan, back to the Coosa County/Elmore County line |
| Geneva | Dog deer hunting prohibited |
| Henry | Dog deer hunting prohibited |
| Macon | From County Rd. 24 at the Lee County line, west and south to County Rd. 26, west to County Rd. 10, southeast to County Rd. 5, south to County Rd. 47, south to County Rd. 2, east to the Russell County line |
| Marengo | Dog deer hunting prohibited |
| Monroe | Dog deer hunting prohibited |
| Pickens | Dog deer hunting prohibited in the area north of US Hwy. 82 |
| Tallapoosa | Dog deer hunting prohibited |
| Wilcox | Dog deer hunting prohibited |
| Open Permit-Public Land | Dog deer hunting not allowed (as per 220-2-.85) |
Dog Deer Hunting-By Stalk Hunting Only, (No Dogs)
| County | Dog Deer Hunting-By Stalk Hunting Only, (No Dogs) (Boundaries) |
|---|---|
| Bibb and Perry | east of AL Hwy. 219, south of US Hwy. 82 and north of AL Hwy. 183 |
| Butler | south of AL Hwy. 106 and east of I-65 |
| Coffee | AL Hwy. 134 from the Covington County Line, east to County Rd. 460, south to the Geneva County line, east to the Dale County line, north to AL Hwy. 134, west to AL Hwy. 87 north to US Hwy. 84, west to AL Hwy. 189, south to AL Hwy. 141, north to US Hwy. 84, west to the Covington County line |
| Cherokee | /-- |
| Chilton | /-- |
| Cleburne | /-- |
| Crenshaw | north of AL Hwy. 10 and that area inside the following boundaries, from the east city limit of Luverne, US Hwy. 29 east to the junction of County Rd. 57, County Rd. 57 south to the junction of Davis Rd., Davis Rd. west to County Rd. 41, County Rd. 41 south to US Hwy. 331, US Hwy. 331 north to County Rd. 41, County Rd. 41 north to County Rd. 39, County Rd. 39 north to the Luverne city limit |
| Dale | that area inside the following boundaries: Judy Creek south to Dale County Rd. 36, east to AL Hwy. 27, north to the Henry County line, north to the Barbour County line, west to Judy Creek |
| DeKalb | Elmore (that area inside the following boundaries: east of US Hwy. 231, south of AL Hwy. 14, west of Tumkeehatchee Creek and north of the Tallapoosa River) |
| Fayette | that area inside the following boundaries: west of US Hwy 43 and north of AL Hwy. 18 |
| Hale and Perry | that area inside the following boundaries: from County Rd. 32 at the Hale County Line, west to the intersection of AL Hwy. 25, AL Hwy. 25 north until it intersects with the Talladega National Forest boundary, following the boundary south until it intersects the Perry County line, following the National Forest boundary east to Perry County Rd. 23, south to the intersection of Perry County Rd. 29, south to the Spring Hill Church |
| Franklin | /-- |
Fines & Penalties
| Offense | Fine | Other Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting without a license | $75 | - |
| Borrowing a license | $250 | - |
| Hunting at night | $2,000 | Loss of hunting privileges, jail time (at judge's discretion) |
| Other offenses (vary widely) | Varies | Varies (at judge's discretion) |
FAQs related to Alabama Deer Season
What time of year is Alabama's stalk bow and arrow hunting season?
The Alabama bow and arrow deer season runs from October to February. During this time, it is permitted to stalk and hunt deer with a bow and arrow.
When is Special Youth Deer Hunting Season?
It is held in November and usually lasts 4 days.
When is the Muzzleloader and Air Rifle Season in Alabama?
The Muzzleloader and Air Rifle hunt normally takes place right after the Youth Season.
When is the Gun Dog Deer Hunting season?
It generally lasts from November through December and into January.
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John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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