Alabama 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Alabama's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens between November 7, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 10, 2027.
Archery deer season opens between October 1, 2026 and October 15, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 10, 2027.
Fall turkey season runs Nov 14-22, 2026 (Zone 3), and Dec 12-27, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Alabama DCNR.
- firearm deer
- opens Nov 7-21, 2026 by zone
- archery deer
- opens Oct 1-15, 2026 by zone
- fall turkey
- Nov 14-22, 2026 and Dec 12-27, 2026
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Key seasons by species
How to read Alabama's seasons
Watch the zone split before you plan opening weekend
Alabama hunters should read the deer and turkey rows by zone, not just by species. The statewide calendar is useful, but the real decision is usually whether your county sits in an early or late window.
Before buying tags or booking time off, check the linked Alabama DCNR source for county-specific deer dates, turkey limits, and any WMA exceptions.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Alabama DCNR before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Alabama
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 2 stations in Alabama. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
78 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery - Stalk Hunting
Stalk hunting only
Zone: Zone E
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Stalk Hunting
Stalk hunting only
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Stalk Hunting
Stalk hunting only; CMZ includes all of Lauderdale and Colbert Counties and a portion of Franklin County
Zone: Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Stalk Hunting
Stalk hunting only
Zone: Zone A
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Stalk Hunting
Stalk hunting only
Zone: Zone C
White-tailed Deer
Archery - Stalk Hunting
Stalk hunting only
Zone: Zone B
White-tailed Deer
Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle
Privately Owned or Leased Land and Open Permit Public Lands - Stalk Hunting Only
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer
Special Muzzleloader and Air Rifle
Privately Owned or Leased Land and Open Permit Public Lands - Stalk Hunting Only
Zone: Zone E
White-tailed Deer
Gun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land)
Where Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer
Gun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land)
On Open Permit-Public Land
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer
Gun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land)
Where Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Land
Zone: Zone D
White-tailed Deer
Gun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land)
Where Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Land
Zone: Zone E
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone EWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone EOn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone EOn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone DOn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Youth Gun · Zone BYouth under 16 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Youth Gun · Zone CYouth under 16 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Youth Gun · Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)Youth under 16 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Youth Gun · Zone AYouth under 16 | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Muzzleloader and Air Rifle · Zone BPrivately Owned or Leased Land and Open Permit Public Lands - Stalk Hunting Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Muzzleloader and Air Rifle · Zone APrivately Owned or Leased Land and Open Permit Public Lands - Stalk Hunting Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Muzzleloader and Air Rifle · Zone CPrivately Owned or Leased Land and Open Permit Public Lands - Stalk Hunting Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerSpecial Muzzleloader and Air Rifle · Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)Privately Owned or Leased Land and Open Permit Public Lands - Stalk Hunting Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)Where Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone COn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone AOn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)On Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only; CWD sampling requirements apply | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)Where Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone BOn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone DWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone CWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone BOn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone AWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone CWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Lands | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone COn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone AOn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone AWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Lands | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone BWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Lands | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone DOn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone BWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone COn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone DOn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone CWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone BOn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone EWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone COn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone EOn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Private Land) · Zone DOn Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone DWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only; note source also lists November 21-29 as Antlered Bucks Only which may be a duplication error | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone AOn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone CWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Lands | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone AWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Lands | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone BWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Lands | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone DWhere Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Private Land) · Zone CWhere Allowed - On Privately Owned or Leased Land Only | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Dog Deer Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CMZ)Where Allowed - On Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone DOn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerGun Deer - Stalk Hunting (Open Permit Public Land) · Zone COn Open Permit-Public Land | Upcoming |
Showing 60 of 78 listed deer rows, open and upcoming seasons first. See all 78 Alabama deer seasons →
Turkey
17 listed rowsWild Turkey
Fall Season
NO Decoys Allowed. Counties: Clarke, Clay, Covington, Monroe, Randolph, and Talladega.
Zone: Zone 3
Wild Turkey
Fall Season
NO Decoys Allowed. Counties: Clarke, Clay, Covington, Monroe, Randolph, and Talladega.
Zone: Zone 3
Wild Turkey
Special Youth Hunt
Decoys Allowed. Counties: Clarke, Clay, Covington, Monroe, Randolph, and Talladega.
Zone: Zone 3
Wild Turkey
Special Youth Hunt
Daylight to 1 p.m.; Decoys Allowed
Zone: Remainder of National Forest Districts (Talladega, Shoal Creek, Oakmulgee, Tuskegee, Conecuh Ranger Districts) and WMAs that allow turkey hunting
Wild Turkey
Special Youth Hunt
Decoys Allowed. Counties: Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Cleburne, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman (except north of Lewis Smith Lake and north of Cullman County Road 437 and west of Interstate 65), Dale, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, St. Clair, Shelby, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, and Wilcox.
Zone: Zone 1
Wild Turkey
Special Disabled Hunt
Daylight to 1 p.m.; Decoys Allowed
Zone: Remainder of National Forest Districts (Talladega, Shoal Creek, Oakmulgee, Tuskegee, Conecuh Ranger Districts) and WMAs that allow turkey hunting
Wild Turkey
Special Disabled Hunt
Decoys Allowed. Counties: Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Cleburne, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman (except north of Lewis Smith Lake and north of Cullman County Road 437 and west of Interstate 65), Dale, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, St. Clair, Shelby, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, and Wilcox.
Zone: Zone 1
Wild Turkey
Special Disabled Hunt
Decoys Allowed. Counties: Clarke, Clay, Covington, Monroe, Randolph, and Talladega.
Zone: Zone 3
Wild Turkey
Special Youth Hunt
Daylight to 1 p.m.; Decoys Allowed
Zone: WMA - Bankhead Ranger District; WMAs - Lauderdale, Freedom Hills, Black Warrior, Coon Gulf, Riverton CHA and Martin CHA
Wild Turkey
Special Youth Hunt
Decoys Allowed. Counties: Colbert, Cullman (north of Lewis Smith Lake and north of Cullman County Road 437 and west of Interstate 65), Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, and Winston.
Zone: Zone 2
Wild Turkey
Spring Season
Decoys Allowed. Counties: Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Cleburne, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman (except north of Lewis Smith Lake and north of Cullman County Road 437 and west of Interstate 65), Dale, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, St. Clair, Shelby, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, and Wilcox.
Zone: Zone 1
Wild Turkey
Spring Season
Decoys Allowed. Counties: Clarke, Clay, Covington, Monroe, Randolph, and Talladega.
Zone: Zone 3
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wild TurkeySpring Season · Remainder of National Forest Districts (Talladega, Shoal Creek, Oakmulgee, Tuskegee, Conecuh Ranger Districts) and WMAs that allow turkey huntingDaylight to 1 p.m.; Decoys Allowed | Upcoming | |
| Wild TurkeySpecial Disabled Hunt · WMA - Bankhead Ranger District; WMAs - Lauderdale, Freedom Hills, Black Warrior, Coon Gulf, Riverton CHA and Martin CHADaylight to 1 p.m.; Decoys Allowed | Upcoming | |
| Wild TurkeySpecial Disabled Hunt · Zone 2Decoys Allowed. Counties: Colbert, Cullman (north of Lewis Smith Lake and north of Cullman County Road 437 and west of Interstate 65), Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, and Winston. | Upcoming | |
| Wild TurkeySpring Season · Zone 2Decoys Allowed. Counties: Colbert, Cullman (north of Lewis Smith Lake and north of Cullman County Road 437 and west of Interstate 65), Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, and Winston. | Upcoming | |
| Wild TurkeySpring Season · WMA - Bankhead Ranger District; WMAs - Lauderdale, Freedom Hills, Black Warrior, Coon Gulf, Riverton CHA and Martin CHADaylight to 1 p.m.; Decoys Allowed | Upcoming |
Waterfowl
15 listed rowsDuck, Coot, Merganser, Geese
Special Youth, Active Military and Military Veteran's Waterfowl Hunting Days
Special Youth, Active Military and Military Veteran's Waterfowl Hunting Days: November 21, 2026 and February 6, 2027. Same shooting hours, bag limits, and legal arms and ammunition apply as in regular waterfowl season, in accordance with Rule 220-2-.119. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final.
Zone: Statewide
All Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Brant, Snow, Blue, Ross's)
Regular
Segment 3: November 27 – November 28. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final. See Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Clapper Rail, King Rail, Virginia Rail, Sora, and Gallinule
Regular
Second segment: November 27 – January 26. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Coot
Regular
First segment: November 27 – November 28. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Duck
Regular
First segment: November 27 – November 28. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Merganser
Regular
First segment: November 27 – November 28. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
All Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Brant, Snow, Blue, Ross's)
Regular
Segment 4: December 5 – January 31. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final. See Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Coot
Regular
Second segment: December 5 – January 31. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Duck
Regular
Second segment: December 5 – January 31. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Merganser
Regular
Second segment: December 5 – January 31. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Duck, Coot, Merganser, Geese
Special Youth, Active Military and Military Veteran's Waterfowl Hunting Days
Special Youth, Active Military and Military Veteran's Waterfowl Hunting Days: November 21, 2026 and February 6, 2027. Same shooting hours, bag limits, and legal arms and ammunition apply as in regular waterfowl season, in accordance with Rule 220-2-.119. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final.
Zone: Statewide
All Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Brant, Snow, Blue, Ross's)
Regular
Segment 1: September 5 – October 4. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final. See Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| All Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Brant, Snow, Blue, Ross's)Regular · StatewideSegment 2: October 17 – October 31. Note: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final. See Alabama Waterfowl Hunting Guide. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset. | Closed | |
| Clapper Rail, King Rail, Virginia Rail, Sora, and GallinuleRegular · StatewideFirst segment: September 12 – September 20. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset. | Closed | |
| TealSpecial Teal Season · StatewideNote: At time of printing, federal guidelines were not final. See website for any updates. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset. | Closed |
Dove
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - All Day
One-half hour before Sunrise until Sunset. North Zone includes all counties except Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile.
Zone: North Zone
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - All Day
One-half hour before Sunrise until Sunset. South Zone: Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile counties.
Zone: South Zone
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - All Day
One-half hour before Sunrise until Sunset. North Zone includes all counties except Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile.
Zone: North Zone
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - All Day
One-half hour before Sunrise until Sunset. South Zone: Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile counties.
Zone: South Zone
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - Afternoon Only
12 O'clock noon until Sunset. North Zone includes all counties except Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile.
Zone: North Zone
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - All Day
One-half hour before Sunrise until Sunset. North Zone includes all counties except Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile.
Zone: North Zone
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - Afternoon Only
12 O'clock noon until Sunset. South Zone: Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile counties.
Zone: South Zone
Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove
Split Season - All Day
One-half hour before Sunrise until Sunset. South Zone: Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile counties.
Zone: South Zone
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
General
Closed on the Bankhead National Forest. First Saturday in November 2026 is November 7.
Zone: Statewide (excluding Bankhead National Forest)
Rabbit
Rabbit
General
Open date is the second Saturday in September 2026 (September 12, 2026). Close date is the last day of February 2027 (February 28, 2027).
Squirrel
Squirrel
General
Fox squirrel closed on the Bankhead and Tuskegee National Forests. Open date is the second Saturday in September 2026 (September 12, 2026).
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Alabama Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Alabama?
Archery deer season opens between October 1, 2026 and October 15, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 10, 2027. Firearm deer season opens between November 7, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 10, 2027. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Alabama DCNR.
When is Alabama's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens between November 7, 2026 and November 21, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes February 10, 2027. Check zone and permit details with Alabama DCNR before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Alabama?
Spring turkey season opens between March 20, 2027 and March 27, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes May 3, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
Do I need a license to hunt in Alabama?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Alabama hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Alabama DCNR.
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