Field Guide / State Hunting Guide
The Guide to Alabama Hunting Seasons 2026
Alabama hunting in 2026 could be your best season yet! Whether you’re excited about turkey, deer, waterfowl, or smaller game like dove, you need to know when the seasons start, your zones to hunt, and how to get your license so you can tag out this year.
HuntWise has the information hunters need for a successful season (or several) this year! We’ve compiled a guide to Alabama hunting for the upcoming season. Plus, with our app, you’ll be able to find private and public land and mark it to find the game you’re after.
Let’s get you out in the field! Here’s what Alabama hunters need to know.
Updated July 28, 2026
When Can I Hunt in Alabama?
Before packing your gear and getting up early, make sure it’s the right time to hunt the game you're after! While season start and end dates remain relatively consistent from year to year, always check with state regulators to make sure you don’t miss opening day.
You’ll also want to check your zones for deer season, as open and close dates vary by Zones A-E. Alabama turkey season dates vary for Zones 1-3.
For more details about season specifics and changes in Alabama, visit the Outdoor Alabama website.
Alabama Hunting Season Dates | |
AlligatorAlligator hunting requires a special permit. Dates and hunting hours vary by zone. If you receive an alligator tag, you can harvest one alligator. | Bear and Mountain LionNo open seasons |
Deer SeasonArchery Stalk Hunting
Privately Owned or Leased Land and Open Permit Public Lands
| Turkey Seasons
Do plenty of research about how to find and hunt turkeys in Alabama for success this season! |
Waterfowl SeasonsAlabama offers special youth, active military, and veteran waterfowl hunting days. If you fall into these categories, check the latest updates from Outdoor Alabama (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) for the dates that apply to you.
Note: decoy restrictions have been lifted statewide. Decoys are allowed during the entire season in every zone. | Dove SeasonWhen hunting dove in Alabama, pay close attention to the zones, split seasons, and shooting hours. Generally, shooting can begin one-half hour before sunrise and continue through sunset, but these can vary based on open dates.
|
Bobwhite QuailNovember 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027 | Small Game
|
Trapping SeasonsTrapping for coyote, beaver, nutria, feral swine, opossum, and raccoon has no closed season in Alabama. Bobcat, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Otter & Striped Skunk: Last Saturday in October through the last day of February. | Coyote and Feral SwineNo closed season |
What Are the Bag Limits for Hunting in Alabama?
How many alligators or deer can you bring home this season? To comply with Alabama hunting regulations, make sure you know the bag limits for everything you plan to hunt.
Alabama Hunting Season Bag Limits | |||
| White-tailed Antlered Buck | 3 per hunter for all combined seasons, 1 per day | Sandhill Crane | 3 per person per permit |
| Unantlered Deer |
| Rail | 15 per day |
| Teal | 6 per day | Squirrel | 8 per day (8 in possession) |
| Duck | 6 per day | Rabbit | 8 per day (8 in possession) |
| Dark Geese | 5 per day | Woodcock | 3 per day |
| Light Geese | 5 per day | Snipe | 8 per day |
| Turkey | 1 gobbler per day (4 gobbler limit combined spring and fall) | Coyote | No limit |
| Dove | 15 per day | Feral Swine | No limit |
| Alligator | 1 for permit holders only | Bobwhite Quail | 8 per day (8 in possession) |
What Do I Need to Know About Hunting Licenses?
Alabama hunting licenses are fairly simple. Residents and non-residents can purchase a state license that covers all game (including deer and turkey) for the season.
As of 2025, the costs are:
- For residents
- The annual All-Game license is $34.35
- The Small Game annual license is $22.75
- The annual license for non-residents is $399.50. Non-residents can also purchase licenses at a lower cost that cover shorter timeframes, like 10 days or 3 days.
Hunters must also purchase additional licenses for hunting variations, like bait privilege or nighttime coyote and feral hog hunting.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Alabama?
If you live for whitetail season, Alabama is the place to hunt. The state offers liberal bag limits for deer so you can bring home more meat each season.
However, if deer isn’t your game of choice, Alabama offers much, much more for those ready to get outdoors this season. Hunters have plenty of opportunities to hunt alligator, turkey, wild hogs, and smaller game like rabbits, mourning doves, squirrels, and bobwhite quail.
If you like to hunt year-round, there are plenty of options for open seasons and lots of game!
Where Should I Hunt?
Alabama's terrain varies greatly. While you may not find much game to hunt on the sandy beaches, the state also has valleys, mountains, and pinewood forests—home to many legal-to-hunt wild animals.
At one extreme, the state is home to parts of the Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains. You can also work your way into lowlands and swamps, where you will likely find alligators.
Remember: no matter which parts of Alabama you hunt, HuntWise can help you target (and mark) the best hunting areas using the app's cutting-edge mapping features. When it’s time for deer or waterfowl season, you’ve already planned where to go for a successful day in the field.
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
Alabama requires a hunter safety certification for all hunters born on or after August 1, 1977, before you can get your license. Even if it’s not required for you based on that date range, it can be a smart thing to do to help you stay safe when hunting game in Alabama!
You’ll also want to pack the right gear for your hunt. From clothing to optics, decoys, and more, HuntWise users save 10-50% on gear from our app partners. Use this member benefit to equip yourself in the field and tag out.
HuntWise Helps You Tag Out for the Alabama Hunting Seasons
We’ve covered a lot of details for Alabama hunters, and we hope it helps you plan a successful hunt (or several) this season.
If you’re anything like our team, we’re sure you’re counting down the days until you can get out in the field. As you plan your hunt, download the HuntWise app. You’ll find up-to-date information for hunting in Alabama, including license information, state regulations, and open season dates.
You’ll also be able to plan your hunt more strategically to gain an advantage over other hunters. Use the HuntWise WindCast feature to plan around the ideal wind direction based on where you mark your blinds. Compare stands, choose your entry route, and more with our wind forecasting information.
Download the app and start your free trial today! You’ll have an edge over other hunters when the season opens.
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