What to Hunt

Alabama is blessed with a rich diversity of wildlife species for viewing and hunting.  Our long seasons and liberal bag limits allow hunter's 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. 

Please visit the watchable wildlife page for information regarding Alabama's birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and other animals.  

Harvest information for previous hunting seasons is available on the publications page of this website.      

White-tail Deer

White-tail 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.  Two publications authored by Bill Gray and Chris Cook, wildlife biologists with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, regarding deer management in Alabama are available online by clicking here.  

Collecting harvest information including sex, age, weight, lactation rates, and other attributes should be a facet of an active deer management plan.  Chris Cook, Deer Study Project Leader for the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, compiled instructions and developed data sheets for hunting clubs to collect the necessary information to take an active role in managing their white-tail deer resources.

White-tailed Deer Biology and Managment Resource Page

Eastern Wild Turkey

The Eastern wild turkey is the second most popular game animal in Alabama and accounts for over 500,000 man-days of hunting annually.  Many of Alabama's turkey hunters are quite avid and enjoy the 4-6 week long spring turkey season.  Steve Barnett, Wildlife Biologist at the Upper Delta WMA, and his wife Vickie co-authored a new book regarding the wild turkey in Alabama.  The book is an excellent resource for all turkey hunting enthusiasts and managers. 

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.  Stan Stewart, retired Wildlife Biologist with the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, authored a publication entitled "Ecology and Management of the Bobwhite Quail in Alabama."  The book is an excellent resource management guide for landowners, quail managers, and quail enthusiasts. 

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. 

Mourning doves are migratory birds and are part of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has special rules and regulations that apply to dove hunting that all hunters must follow.  The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an excellent website that answers many questions regarding the legalities of dove hunting and preparing a dove field.  A brochure regarding the management and hunting of mourning doves is also an excellent resource for hunters and managers.

Click here to watch the webcast on doves and dove hunting.  

Feral Hogs

Feral hogs 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.  The feral hog page contains useful information for hunters and land managers.  

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 was instituted in a defined portion of the Mobile Delta in 2006 to limit population growth and reduce issues related to public safety. The hunts have since been expanded to areas in southeast Alabama and  Monroe(north of Hwy 84), Wilcox, and Dallas counties. Specific information regarding alligator hunts is available here.

Click here to watch the webcast on alligators and snakes.

Small Game Hunting


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