What to Hunt in Alabama

Alabama is blessed with a rich diversity of wildlife species for viewing and hunting. Long seasons and liberal bag limits allow hunters plenty of opportunity to participate in our hunting heritage. In fact, Alabama hunters can hunt at least one species during every month of the year. 

White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are the number one game animal hunted in Alabama. Approximately 180,000 deer hunters account for more than 4 million man-days of hunting activity annually and have a significant impact on the local economy of rural Alabama. The harvest varies from year to year but hunters typically harvest in excess of 300,000 deer annually. 

Collecting harvest information including sex, age, weight, lactation rates, and other attributes should be a facet of an active deer management plan. The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Deer Management Assistance Program can assist landowners with a plan.

Eastern Wild Turkey

The Eastern wild turkey is the second most popular game animal in Alabama and accounts for about 500,000 man-days of hunting annually. Many of Alabama's turkey hunters are quite avid and enjoy the four- to six-week spring turkey season.  

Bobwhite Quail

Alabama quail hunting has changed significantly over the past decades. Many Alabamians can remember when every local pea patch held a covey of quail.  Farming practices and habitat changes have negatively impacted quail populations across the Southeast. Much of Alabama's quail hunting now takes place on commercial quail hunting preserves.  

Mourning Dove

Mourning dove hunting typically kicks off the fall hunting season as many hunters look forward to a day on a dove field with family and friends.  Unlike many other hunting activities, dove hunting is usually a highly social event with many hunters on the same field.  Alabama is separated into 2 zones (north and south) with most of Alabama being in the north zone.  The north and south zone seasons typically begin in early September and October, respectively.  

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System revised recommendations for plantings related to dove management. Learn more about dove field planting guidelines.

Feral Hogs

Feral hog sightings in Alabama were once primarily confined to the river swamps of southwest Alabama. For many reasons, feral hog populations have increased across Alabama during the past 15-20 years and now occur in all 67 counties.  Many counties only have small populations of this highly destructive mammal. However, many areas of the state now have high populations of feral hogs that cause severe damage to agricultural crops, habitat, and other natural resources. 

Sandhill Crane

Listed as a game species, many central U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and Mexico have been hunting sandhill cranes for more than 50 years with populations remaining stable or increasing. The sandhill subspecies found in the eastern U.S. is called the giant sandhill crane. Sandhills prefer wetland habitat with emergent vegetation and often feed in harvested grain fields. The majority of migratory sandhill cranes in Alabama are found in the Tennessee River Valley with some birds wintering in Weiss Reservoir on the Coosa River. The sandhill crane hunt zone is restricted to north Alabama. Additionally, both state and federal wildlife refuges are closed to sandhill crane and waterfowl hunting.

Waterfowl

Approximately 30,000 individuals hunt waterfowl annually in Alabama.  The Tennessee River drainage and the Mobile Tensaw Delta provide a large portion of the waterfowl hunting opportunities for most migratory species. Wood ducks are the primary species hunted throughout the remainder of the state. 

Alligators

Alabama's alligator population has grown during the past 50 years to the extent they now cause hundreds of complaints annually from citizens concerned about public safety. An alligator hunting season began in Alabama in 2006 to limit population growth and reduce issues related to public safety. Hunters are selected randomly for tags and the hunts usually take place in August

Small Game

Alabama's popular small game species include dove, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and waterfowl.  Small game hunting is often an opportunity for family and friends to gather and socialize and enjoy the camaraderie. Small game hunting is a great way to introduce kids and other beginning hunters to our hunting heritage.   

Black Bears

Alabama's black bear populations are primarily limited to southwest and northeast Alabama. Bears are a game animal in Alabama with NO OPEN SEASON. With the growing bear population, it is important to report any sightings you may have to help with management of the species in the state. Report a black bear observation