Alabama Hunting Guide 2026
Complete Alabama hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
Alabama DCNR Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Alabama Hunting Seasons
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Oct 15 | Feb 10 |
| Rifle | Nov 18 | Feb 10 |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 6 | Nov 10 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 3 bucks, 1 doe per day during doe days
Three antlered bucks per season. Antlerless deer may be taken on designated either-sex days. Dog hunting allowed in some counties.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Mar 15 | Apr 30 |
| Archery | Mar 15 | Apr 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 5
Generous 5-bird season limit. Alabama is considered one of the top turkey hunting states. Gobblers only in spring.
Duck/Waterfowl
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Nov 18 | Jan 28 |
Bag limits: daily: 6, season: No season limit
Federal duck stamp required. Wheeler and Eufaula NWR offer excellent public waterfowl hunting.
Wild Hog
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Jan 1 | Dec 31 |
Bag limits: daily: No limit, season: No limit
No closed season on private land. Valid hunting license required. Considered nuisance animals. Night hunting with permission.
Planning Tools
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
