Many species of game may be pursued in Alabama Hunting Season, including quail, turkey, deer, and even alligator. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the exact restrictions and schedules in the county and region in which you want to hunt.
In this page, you’ll find information about complete games available in the state of Alabama, including when they are and how to prepare for them, along with dates and information on the various licenses and regulations that apply.
Important AL Game Resources
Alabama Hunting Seasons Guide
🦌 Deer Hunting
🏹 Archery Seasons
| Zone | Dates | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | Oct 15, 2025 – Feb 10, 2026 | Either sex |
| B | Oct 15-24, 2025 | Antlered only |
| Oct 25, 2025 – Feb 10, 2026 | Either sex | |
| C | Oct 15, 2025 – Feb 10, 2026 | Either sex |
| D | Oct 1, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026 | Either sex |
| Jan 16-27, 2026 | Antlered only | |
| E | Oct 1, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026 | Either sex |
| Jan 16-27, 2026 | Antlered only |
Zone Map
🔫 Firearms (Private/Leased Land)
| Zone | Dates | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A & B | Nov 22, 2025 – Feb 10, 2026 | Either sex |
| C | Nov 22-30, 2025 | Either sex |
| Dec 1-12, 2025 | Antlered only | |
| Dec 13, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026 | Either sex | |
| Jan 2 – Feb 10, 2026 | Antlered only |
🎯 Special Hunts
| Type | Dates | Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzleloader & Air Rifle | Nov 17-21, 2025 | A, B, C |
| Nov 3-7, 2025 | D, E | |
| Youth (Under 16) | Nov 14-17, 2025 | A, B, C |
| Oct 31 – Nov 3, 2025 | D | |
| Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2025 | E |
🦃 Turkey Hunting
🌷 Spring Season
| Zone | Youth Dates | Disabled Dates | Regular Season | Decoys Allowed From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 21-22, 2026 | Mar 24, 2026 | Mar 25 – May 8, 2026 | Apr 4 |
| 2 | Mar 28-29, 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 | Apr 1 – May 8, 2026 | Apr 11 |
| 3 | Mar 21-22, 2026 | Mar 24, 2026 | Mar 25 – May 8, 2026 | Apr 4 |
🍂 Fall Season (Zone 3 Only)
- Nov 15-23, 2025
- Dec 13-28, 2025 (No decoys allowed)
🦫 Furbearers & Small Game
Trapping & Hunting
| Species | Season Dates | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat, Fox, Skunk | Oct 25, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | – |
| Mink, Muskrat, Otter | Oct 25, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | Trapping only |
| Coyote, Beaver, Nutria, Feral Swine | No closed season | – |
🐇 Small Game
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Squirrel & Rabbit | Sep 13, 2025 – Mar 1, 2026 | 8 each |
| Quail | Nov 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 8 |
| Woodcock | Dec 13-14, 2025 & Dec 20, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | 3 |
🦆 Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
🦆 Duck & Goose Seasons
| Species | Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Teal | Sep 13-21, 2025 | 6 |
| Ducks, Coots, Mergansers | Nov 28-29, 2025 & Dec 5, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | 6 |
| Geese | Sep 6 – Oct 5, 2025 | 5 |
| Oct 18 – Nov 1, 2025 | 5 | |
| Nov 28-29, 2025 | 5 | |
| Dec 5, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | 5 |
Special Hunts
- Youth/Military/Veteran Days: Nov 22, 2025 & Feb 8, 2026
- Sandhill Crane (Quota Permit Required):
- Nov 28, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Jan 12-26, 2026
🐊 Other Species
- Alligator: Permit-only (June 2025 registration)
- Bear & Mountain Lion: No open season
- Ruffed Grouse: No open season
Alabama is home to a wide range of wildlife because to its huge public hunting land of over 1.3 million acres and its relatively relaxed shooting seasons and bag limits. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, mourning doves, bobwhite quail, feral pigs, ducks, rabbits, and squirrels are just few of the animals available to hunters.
Hunting 101 Workshop
| Alabama Hunting 101 Workshop | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Alabama’s Adult Mentored Hunting (AMH) program |
| Program Objective | Teach hunting skills to individuals with little to no hunting experience |
| Workshop Name | Hunting 101 workshop |
| Workshop Content | • Learning hunting basics • Firearm safety and handling • Where to hunt • Equipment needed |
| Workshop Location | Various Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout Alabama |
| Small Game Hunting | After the course, participants are invited to go small game hunting on the WMA with knowledgeable guides. |
| Registration Fee | $20 per workshop |
| First Workshop Date for 2023-2024 Season | 16-Sep-23 |
| Eligibility | Participants must be at least 19 years old and possess a valid driver’s license |
| AMH Hunt Eligibility | Attending Hunting 101 is required to become eligible for a three-day AMH hunt for deer |
| Notification for AMH Hunt | Workshop attendees will be notified by email if selected for an AMH hunt |
| Additional Workshop Dates for 2023-2024 Season | • September 23 at Swan Creek WMA near Decatur • September 30 at the Upper Delta WMA near Mobile |
| Official Program Website | www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/adult-mentored-hunting-program |
| Contact Person and Quote | Hunting 101 is for anyone interested in hunting." WFF Conservation Enforcement Officer and AMH/Assistant R3 Coordinator Brandon Holloway |
| Promoting Organization | Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) |
| Official Website of Promoting Organization | www.outdooralabama.com |
AL Hunting License Cost
Resident Licenses
| License Type (Resident) | Cost |
|---|---|
| State: All Game* (Hunting License) | $30.25 |
| State: Small Game* (Hunting License) | $20.05 |
| Annual (Bait Privilege License) | $16.35 |
| Annual (Nighttime Feral Swine and Coyote Hunting License) | $15.90 |
| Annual All Game (totally disabled-Physically Disabled Hunting License) | $6.70 |
| State: All Game (50% Physically Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License) | $15.65 |
| State: All Game (100% Physically Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License) | $3.30 |
| State: All Game (Physically Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation 3-Day Hunting Event License) | $152.55 |
| Annual (Game Check H.E.L.P. Number) | N/C |
| Annual (Wildlife Heritage License) | $12.40 |
| State (Duck Stamps) | $11.00 |
| Federal | $28.00 |
| Annual (Wildlife Management Area License) | $20.05 |
| Annual (Fur Catchers License) | $24.60 |
| 7-Day (Commercial Fowl Hunting Preserve License) | $10.00 |
Note: Licenses for resident hunters are valid from September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023. (unless otherwise indicated)
Nonresident Licenses
| License type (Nonresident) | Cost |
|---|---|
| All Game: Annual (Hunting License) | $350.15 |
| All Game: 10-Day Trip (buyer is born on or after August 1, 1977. ) | $216.20 |
| All Game:3-Day Trip | $152.55 |
| Small Game: Annual | $114.25 |
| Small Game:10-Day Trip | $69.60 |
| Small Game:3-Day Trip | $50.45 |
| Annual (Bait Privilege License) | $55.70 |
| Annual | $54.15 |
| State: All Game (Nighttime Feral Swine And Coyote Hunting License) | $152.55 |
| Annual (Game Check H.E.L.P. Number) | N/C |
| State (Duck Stamps) | $11.00 |
| Federal | $28.00 |
| Annual (Wildlife Management Area License) | $20.05 |
| Annual (Fur Catchers License) | Varies |
| 7-Day (Commercial Fowl Hunting Preserve License) | $10.00 |
Note: Nonresident Licenses are valid from September 1, 2022, until August 31, 2023.
Dates Source: outdooralabama.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hunt in Alabama?
The cost of hunting license varies on category and residence. Residents pay $32.55 for an all-game license, while non-residents pay $332.25. Small game permits cost $21.55 for locals and $121.05 for non-residents. Military veterans and handicapped hunters get special permits. Beyond license fees, Alabama outdoor pursuit costs depend on the type of hunt and outfitter. For instance, a three-day early season deer rifle hunt costs $1,850, but late season/rut, black powder, and family specials cost different amounts. Game packages usually exclude permits but include food, lodging, and transportation.
Can you hunt in Alabama without a license?
Under specific exemption allows state residents and their immediate family to hunt on private land without a license. Both landowners and non-residents need game licenses. Hunters on private property must follow extra rules regardless of place of residence. Remember that this exemption only applies to hunting licenses, not other recreational permits.
How long is deer season in Alabama?
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources runs Archery Season from October 14, 2023, to February 10, 2024, changing per zone, allowing either sexes to hunt. Zones A and D and E have Special Youth Gun Seasons on November 10-13, 2023, and October 27-30, 2023, for either sex hunt. Special Muzzleloader Season is November 13-17, 2023, in Zone A and October 30–November 3, 2023, in Zones D and E. Only stalk hunting is allowed, no dogs. Gun Deer Season runs from November 18, 2023, to February 10, 2024, with zone-specific dates and buck or sex designations. November 18, 2023, to January 15, 2024, is Gun Dog Deer Season.
Can you hunt at night in Alabama?
The Alabama Code Section 9-11-251 prohibits hunting at night for some species, such as deer, to reduce the risks of pursuing injured animals at night. Using lights or other techniques to capture or kill deer at night is illegal. Feral swine and coyote pursuing at night is exempt. A $15 license (or $51 for non-residents) allows residents to shoot wild pigs and coyotes at night. This license enables hunters to employ night vision or thermal optics and attach lights to rifles to manage these species during their more active nighttime times.
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