Key takeaway: Alabama's deer season runs roughly mid-October through February with zone-specific dates; turkey opens in spring; dove season spans fall. Always confirm exact dates with Outdoor Alabama before you go. This guide covers the full 2026-2027 Alabama hunting season calendar, license requirements, zone maps, bag limits, and practical tips for resident and non-resident hunters.

Alabama Hunting Seasons 2026-2027: The Big Picture

Alabama is one of the most hunter-friendly states in the Southeast, with long seasons, abundant public land, and a deer herd that produces roughly 200,000 harvested animals in a strong year. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF), sets all seasons via Administrative Code Rule 220-2-.01. The rule is updated annually, and the 2026-2027 season was finalized in mid-2026.

Alabama is divided into multiple deer zones (A through E plus a Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone, or CMZ) and turkey zones (1, 2, and 3). Your zone is determined by the county or portion of a county where you hunt, so the first step for any hunter is identifying your zone on the official Outdoor Alabama deer zone map and turkey zone map before planning a trip.

Deer Season 2026-2027: Zone-by-Zone Dates

Deer is Alabama's most popular big game animal, and the season is long. Here are the key dates by zone for the 2026-2027 season. All dates are drawn from Administrative Code Rule 220-2-.01 and the Outdoor Alabama season page; verify before you hunt.

• Archery / Stalk Hunting (all zones): October 15, 2026 through February 10, 2027. Zone B is antlered bucks only from October 15-24, then either sex from October 25 onward. All other zones allow either sex from the archery opener.
• Special Youth Gun Hunt (statewide): November 13-16, 2026 in Zones A, B, C, and CMZ. Zones D and E hold the youth hunt October 30 through November 2, 2026.
• Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle (all zones): November 16-20, 2026 on privately owned or leased land and open permit-public lands (stalk hunting only).
• Gun Deer Stalk Hunting: Opens November 21, 2026 statewide. On private land, Zones A, B, D, E, and CMZ run straight through to February 10, 2027 (either sex). Zone C on private land has split periods: either sex November 21-29, antlered bucks only November 30 through December 11, either sex December 12 through January 1, and antlered bucks only January 2 through February 10.
• Open Permit-Public Land: All zones follow a pattern of antlered bucks only from November 21 through December 11, 2026, then either sex from December 12, 2026 through January 3 (or January 1 in Zone C), then antlered bucks only through February 10, 2027.
• Dog Deer Hunting: Where allowed, dog deer hunting on private land runs November 21, 2026 through January 15, 2027. On public land, it follows the same antlered-bucks-only and either-sex split periods as stalk hunting.

Bag limits: The statewide antlered buck limit is three per hunter across all combined seasons, one per day. One of the three must have at least four antler points one inch or longer on one side, except in Barbour County, where bucks must have a minimum of three points on one side. The unantlered deer limit in Zones A, B, D, E, and CMZ is two per day (or one unantlered plus one antlered buck) during gun, muzzleloader, archery, and youth seasons. Zone C allows one unantlered deer and one antlered buck per day.

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)

Alabama has established a CMZ to monitor and contain chronic wasting disease (CWD), which has been detected in portions of the state. If you hunt in the CMZ — which covers parts of Lauderdale, Colbert, and other north Alabama counties — you face additional requirements:

• Mandatory CWD sampling for certain deer harvested in the zone
• Restrictions on transporting deer carcasses and heads out of the zone
• Restrictions on feeding and baiting wildlife within the CMZ
• Different bag limits on some WMAs within the CMZ

Check Regulation 220-2-.167 for the full CMZ rules before you hunt in north Alabama. WMA bonus buck harvests in the CMZ are validated at the WMA check station by WFF personnel.

Turkey Season 2026-2027

Alabama's spring turkey season is one of the best in the Southeast, with healthy Eastern wild turkey flocks across the state. The 2026-2027 spring gobbler season runs as follows:

• Zone 1 and Zone 3: March 20 through May 3, 2027 (daylight to 1 p.m.; decoys allowed)
• Zone 2: March 27 through May 3, 2027 (daylight to 1 p.m.; decoys allowed)
• Special Youth Hunt: March 20, 2027 (daylight to 1 p.m.) in Zones 1 and 3; March 27, 2027 in Zone 2
• Special Disabled Hunt: March 19 or March 26, 2027 depending on zone (daylight to 1 p.m.)

The daily bag limit is one gobbler per day. The spring season is the primary turkey season in Alabama; fall turkey hunting is limited and varies by zone. Spring hunting ends at 1 p.m. statewide to reduce disturbance to nesting hens. Always confirm turkey zone boundaries on the Outdoor Alabama turkey zone map before you hunt, since the zones differ from the deer zones.

Dove and Small Game Seasons

Dove hunting is a southern tradition and the social kickoff to fall hunting. The 2026-2027 mourning and white-winged dove season is split into multiple segments:

• North Zone: September 6 through October 18, 2026; November 21-29, 2026; and December 12, 2026 through January (check the current Outdoor Alabama dove page for the exact closing date, as it varies by year)
• South Zone: Similar split seasons with dates offset slightly from the north zone
• Daily bag limit: 15 doves per day
• Dove may be hunted during daytime and, in some zones, nighttime hours — check the current regulation

Small game seasons in Alabama include:

• Squirrel: Fall and winter seasons, typically October through February, with a generous daily bag limit
• Rabbit: Fall and winter seasons, typically October through February
• Feral hogs: Year-round on private land with a landowner's permission; on WMAs, hog hunting is allowed during scheduled hunts or as a management tool — check the specific WMA permit
• Woodcock: December 18, 2026 through January 31, 2027, with a daily limit of 3
• Snipe and other migratory birds: Varies; check federal frameworks and state rules

Alabama Hunting License Requirements and Fees

Every hunter in Alabama needs a valid hunting license, with limited exemptions for landowners hunting on their own land and youth under certain ages. The license year runs from August 1 through July 31. Key fees for 2026-2027:

• Resident All Game (includes deer and turkey): Approximately $34.35 (includes state duck stamp and harvest record)
• Resident Small Game: Approximately $18.00
• Wildlife Management Area (WMA) License: $22.75 for residents (required to hunt big game on any WMA)
• Non-Resident All Game (annual): $399.50
• Non-Resident 10-Day Trip (all game): $246.60
• Non-Resident 3-Day Trip (all game): $173.90
• Non-Resident WMA License: $30.00 (required for non-residents hunting big game on WMAs)
• Youth (under 16): Free or reduced-fee licenses; resident youth hunting on a parent's land may not need a license

You can purchase licenses online at the Outdoor Alabama website (alabamainteractive.org/dcnr_hf_license) or at any license agent (most sporting goods stores and probate offices). WMA hunting also requires the WMA license and, for some WMAs, a special permit or drawn hunt application. Check the current WMA permit booklet for specific hunt dates and rules.

Hunter Education Requirement

Alabama requires hunter education certification for anyone born on or after August 1, 1977, before purchasing a hunting license. The course covers firearm safety, wildlife identification, ethics, and survival. Options include a traditional in-person course, an online course with a skills day, or a fully online course for those 16 and older. If you were born before the cutoff date, you are exempt but encouraged to take the course. Out-of-state hunter education certificates are accepted.

Public Land Hunting in Alabama: WMAs and National Forests

Alabama offers over 1 million acres of public hunting land through the WMA system, plus hundreds of thousands of acres in national forests. Key public hunting opportunities include:

• Black Warrior WMA: Tough terrain, fewer hunters, better trophy potential in the Bankhead National Forest area
• Barbour WMA: Prime southeastern deer territory with a special antler restriction (three points on one side)
• Mulberry Fork WMA: Hardwood bottoms and pine stands in north-central Alabama
• Bankhead National Forest: Big country with big bucks and low pressure if you hike in past the roads
• Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge: Large public tract near the Tennessee River with managed hunts

For more detail on public deer hunting, see our best public deer hunting spots guide. When hunting public land, always carry your WMA permit, follow stand and baiting restrictions (baiting is prohibited on most WMAs), and check in at the WMA check station where required.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Hunting Season 2026

When does deer season start in Alabama in 2026?

Archery deer season opens October 15, 2026 statewide. Gun deer season opens November 21, 2026 statewide, running through February 10, 2027 on private land in Zones A, B, D, E, and CMZ. Zone C has split antlered-bucks-only and either-sex periods within that window. Always check the current Outdoor Alabama season page for your specific zone before you hunt.

How many deer can I harvest in Alabama?

The statewide antlered buck limit is three per hunter across all combined seasons (one per day). One of those three must have at least four antler points one inch or longer on one side, except in Barbour County, where the minimum is three points on one side. Unantlered deer limits are two per day in Zones A, B, D, E, and CMZ, and one per day in Zone C, during gun, muzzleloader, archery, and youth seasons. WMA bonus bucks do not count toward your statewide three-buck limit on designated WMAs.

How much does an Alabama hunting license cost?

A resident all-game license (which covers deer and turkey) is approximately $34.35. A resident small-game license is about $18. The WMA license is $22.75 for residents. Non-resident all-game licenses are $399.50 for an annual, $246.60 for a 10-day trip, or $173.90 for a 3-day trip. Non-resident WMA licenses are $30. Youth licenses are free or heavily discounted. Buy online at Outdoor Alabama.

Do I need a WMA permit to hunt public land in Alabama?

Yes. Hunting on any Wildlife Management Area for big game (deer or turkey) requires a WMA license ($22.75 for residents, $30 for non-residents) in addition to your regular hunting license. Some WMAs also require special permits or drawn hunt applications for specific hunts. Check the current WMA permit booklet for the specific dates and rules for your WMA.

When does turkey season open in Alabama in 2027?

Spring gobbler season opens March 20, 2027 in Zones 1 and 3, and March 27, 2027 in Zone 2. All zones close May 3, 2027. Hunting hours are daylight to 1 p.m. Decoys are allowed. The daily limit is one gobbler. A special youth hunt precedes the regular opener by one week.

Can I hunt feral hogs year-round in Alabama?

On private land, yes — feral hogs may be hunted year-round with the landowner's permission. On WMAs, hog hunting is limited to scheduled hunts or designated management periods. Always check the specific WMA rules. Hogs are an invasive species and the state encourages their removal, but rules on public land are strictly managed.

What is the CWD Management Zone in Alabama?

The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ) covers portions of north Alabama where CWD has been detected in deer. Hunting in the CMZ comes with additional requirements: mandatory CWD sampling for some deer, restrictions on transporting carcasses and heads, and restrictions on feeding and baiting. See Regulation 220-2-.167 for full rules before hunting in the CMZ.

Do I need hunter education to hunt in Alabama?

If you were born on or after August 1, 1977, you must complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. The course is available in person, online with a skills day, or fully online for those 16 and older. If you were born before the cutoff, you are exempt but encouraged to take the course.

Practical Tips for Alabama Hunters

Alabama's long season and mild winter make it an ideal state for hunting, but a few practical points will improve your success:

• Scout early: Deer patterns shift from pre-rut to rut to post-rut. Use trail cameras in October before the November gun opener.
• Hunt the rut: The Alabama rut typically peaks in late December through January, depending on the region. This is your best shot at a mature buck on public land.
• Bring rain gear: Alabama winters are wet. A lightweight, quiet rain suit is essential for still-hunting and stand hunting.
• Check your zone: Some counties sit on zone boundaries. Confirm your exact zone on the Outdoor Alabama map before you plan dates.
• Report your harvest: Alabama requires harvest reporting through the Game Check system for deer and turkey. Use the Outdoor Alabama app or website to report within 48 hours.

For the right rifle, browse deer rifles in the classifieds where Alabama hunters buy, sell, and trade firearms face-to-face. See our guide to the best public deer hunting spots in Alabama for detailed WMA information.

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