In Alabama, hunting various animals is permitted using an array of authorized firearms and ammunition. The kind of animal being hunted and the applicable laws will determine what kind of equipment is best. Alabama allows the following types of arms and ammunition for hunting:
| Species | Legal Arms & Ammunition | Special Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| General | • Various firearms and bows | • Submission for inspection • No laser sights, attachments, or light sources projecting a beam forward, unless specified licenses • No possession of night vision equipment • No hunting with fully automatic firearms |
| Deer | • Rifles (centerfire, mushrooming ammunition), • air-powered guns (.30 caliber or larger), • arrow shooting rifles (broadhead with 7/8-inch cutting diameter, • 2 sharpened edges), • shotguns (10 gauge or smaller with buckshot, slugs, or single round ball), • muzzleloaders and black powder handguns (.40 caliber or larger), • bows and crossbows | • No hunting with fully automatic firearms |
| Turkey | • Shotguns (10 gauge or smaller with standard No. 2 shot or smaller), bows and crossbows | • Possession of rifles, shotgun/rifle combinations, buckshot, and slugs allowed for stalk hunting deer and turkey, but no turkey hunting with rifles or shotguns using buckshot or slugs • Pre-charged pneumatic arrow shooting rifles allowed with specific broadhead criteria |
| Migratory Birds | • Shotguns (10 gauge or smaller, plugged), bows and crossbows | • Waterfowl hunters must use approved shot compositions and shot sizes without lead shot |
| Raccoon & Opossum | • Nighttime: Shotguns (No. 6 shot or smaller), .22 caliber rimfire firearms • Daytime: Refer to "Other Game Birds or Animals" | - |
| Bobcat, Groundhog, Unprotected Wildlife, Fox, Coyote & Feral Swine | • Rifles, handguns, shotguns (10 gauge or smaller), • air-powered guns (.25 caliber or larger), • bows and crossbows, • muzzleloaders and black powder handguns (any caliber), • pre-charged pneumatic arrow shooting rifles (broadhead with 7/8-inch cutting diameter, 2 sharpened edges), Sharpened/Spear blade | - |
| Bullfrog and Pig Frog | • Air-powered rifles (.25 caliber or smaller), gig or spear, bows and crossbows, hand or dip net | - |
| Other Game Birds or Animals | • Rifles (rimfire or air-operated), muzzleloaders and black powder handguns (any caliber), • bows and crossbows, shotguns (10 gauge or smaller with standard No. 4 shot or smaller), • handguns or pistols, blowguns (hunter’s breath-propelled darts), sling shots | - |
Important AL Game Resources
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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