Outdoor Hunting in Alabama
The state of Alabama offers many hunting opportunities. Hunters can pursue a variety of game animals, and the state has an abundance of public land on which to hunt. No matter where a person lives in the state, he can find a place to hunt his favorite game. There are over 768,000 acres of land under the Wildlife Management program of Alabama.
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Game Animals
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Hunters are drawn to Alabama because of the opportunities to hunt big game such as deer and turkey. Small game hunting opportunities include rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and groundhogs. Alabama also has a healthy predator population, which provides the opportunity to hunt coyotes, foxes and bobcats. Two animals that provide a more unusual hunting experience in Alabama are the wild hog and the alligator. Alabama supports a population of mourning doves, waterfowl and other birds.
Hunting Seasons
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Hunting seasons in Alabama cover most of the year. Small game season is the first designated season, starting in early September. This is also the longest season, as it continues through February of the next calendar year.
Alabama has a long deer season. Archery season starts in October, muzzleloader season in mid-November and rifle season later in November. A hunter can pursue wild hogs and coyotes all year long, but other predators have distinct seasons that change from year to year. Alligator season is very limited, offering only a few permits each year. You must register online at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website. The Alabama state game laws define the specific starting and ending dates of each season.
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License and Fees
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Alabama is lenient compared to other states, in that you must simply purchase a license and most hunting is included with the license. You do not need to buy separate tags for each deer or turkey. As of July 2010, an annual all-game license, which includes hunting and fishing, is $24. You have to purchase waterfowl stamps separately. Alabama also offers a lifetime hunting license, which provides the same privileges as the annual all-game license.
Weapons Permitted
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Alabama hunters are permitted to hunt big game with centerfire rifles with mushrooming bullets, blackpowder rifles and pistols over .40 caliber, and archery tackle in the respective seasons. Hunters can also use crossbows and spears during the archery season. Small game hunters and predator hunters can use .22 rimfire rifles and handguns besides the equipment allowed for big game. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website contains detailed information concerning weapons for special seasons.
General Requirements
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In Alabama, a hunter must wear either 144 square inches of hunter orange or a hunter orange cap or hat when hunting after the gun seasons for deer start. This requirement does not apply to hunters who hunt from an elevated treestand higher than 12 feet. Orange garments with camouflage patterns are not legal in Alabama. Hunters must have written permission before hunting on private land.
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References
- Photo Credit deer image by Rachel from Fotolia.com
