ALABAMA · DEER · 2026–27
Alabama deer
seasons 2026–27.
Archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, air rifle and gun dates, with separate zone, land and either-sex schedules.
FIND THE RIGHT ZONE
Deer zones cross county lines
Choose your exact hunting location on the official map before selecting Deer Zone A, B, C, D, E or CMZ. County choices only narrow the available zones; they do not locate a property. Private stalk gun, open-permit public gun and dog hunting have separate schedules.
Source: 2026–27 deer zone map and legal boundaries ↗; Outdoor Alabama: deer seasons and zone descriptions ↗
SHARED HARVEST LIMITS
Bucks, antlerless deer & Barbour County
The general limit is three antlered bucks across all seasons, at most one daily. One of the three must have four points at least one inch long on one antler, except Barbour County’s separate rule. On listed either-sex dates, Zones A, B, D, E and CMZ allow two unantlered deer or one unantlered and one antlered daily; Zone C allows one of each.
Barbour County: bucks need at least three points on one antler, with the rule’s special youth-date exception. CWD permits and selected WMA bonus hunts have their own conditions. Buck-only and either-sex entries are shown separately below.
Source: Alabama Rule 220-2-.01: 2026–27 hunting seasons ↗; Outdoor Alabama: deer seasons and zone descriptions ↗
DEER A
Deer Zone A
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone A · Archery · either sexOpen now · through Feb. 10Bow / crossbow | Oct. 15, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone A Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone A · Youth gun · either sexOpens Nov. 13 (in 9 days)legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 13 – Nov. 16, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone A Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. Only hunters under 16 with a qualifying adult supervisor; review Rule 220-2-.119. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone A · Special muzzleloader / air rifle · either sexOpens Nov. 16 (in 12 days)muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle / Bow / crossbow | Nov. 16 – Nov. 20, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone A Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone A · Private stalk gun · either sexOpens Nov. 21, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone A Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone A · Open-permit public gun · either sexOpens Dec. 12, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone A Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone A · Open-permit public gun · bucks onlyOpens Nov. 21, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21 – Dec. 11, 2026 Jan. 4 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone A Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone A · Dog deer huntingCheck ADCNRDog deer hunting | Check ADCNR | Only counties, portions and properties allowing dogs in Deer A County and road-boundary prohibitions, special permits, public-land limits and USFS days/hours apply. This entry deliberately provides no automatic dates. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Daily limits and either-sex dates depend on zone and land.source · source |
DEER B
Deer Zone B
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone B · Archery · bucks onlyClosed for 2026-27Bow / crossbow | Oct. 15 – Oct. 24, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone B Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone B · Archery · either sexOpen now · through Feb. 10Bow / crossbow | Oct. 25, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone B Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone B · Youth gun · either sexOpens Nov. 13 (in 9 days)legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 13 – Nov. 16, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone B Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. Only hunters under 16 with a qualifying adult supervisor; review Rule 220-2-.119. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone B · Special muzzleloader / air rifle · either sexOpens Nov. 16 (in 12 days)muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle / Bow / crossbow | Nov. 16 – Nov. 20, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone B Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone B · Private stalk gun · either sexOpens Nov. 21, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone B Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone B · Open-permit public gun · either sexOpens Dec. 12, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone B Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone B · Open-permit public gun · bucks onlyOpens Nov. 21, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21 – Dec. 11, 2026 Jan. 4 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone B Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone B · Dog deer huntingCheck ADCNRDog deer hunting | Check ADCNR | Only counties, portions and properties allowing dogs in Deer B County and road-boundary prohibitions, special permits, public-land limits and USFS days/hours apply. This entry deliberately provides no automatic dates. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Daily limits and either-sex dates depend on zone and land.source · source |
DEER C
Deer Zone C
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone C · Archery · either sexOpen now · through Feb. 10Bow / crossbow | Oct. 15, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone C Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone C · Youth gun · either sexOpens Nov. 13 (in 9 days)legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 13 – Nov. 16, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone C Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. Only hunters under 16 with a qualifying adult supervisor; review Rule 220-2-.119. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone C · Special muzzleloader / air rifle · either sexOpens Nov. 16 (in 12 days)muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle / Bow / crossbow | Nov. 16 – Nov. 20, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone C Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone C · Private stalk gun · either sexOpens Nov. 21, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone C Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone C · Private stalk gun · bucks onlyOpens Nov. 30, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 30 – Dec. 11, 2026 Jan. 2 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone C Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone C · Open-permit public gun · either sexOpens Dec. 12, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone C Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone C · Open-permit public gun · bucks onlyOpens Nov. 21, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21 – Dec. 11, 2026 Jan. 2 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone C Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone C · Dog deer huntingCheck ADCNRDog deer hunting | Check ADCNR | Only counties, portions and properties allowing dogs in Deer C County and road-boundary prohibitions, special permits, public-land limits and USFS days/hours apply. This entry deliberately provides no automatic dates. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Daily limits and either-sex dates depend on zone and land.source · source |
DEER D
Deer Zone D
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone D · Archery · either sexOpen now · through Jan. 15Bow / crossbow | Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone D · Archery · bucks onlyOpens Jan. 16, 2027Bow / crossbow | Jan. 16 – Jan. 27, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone D · Youth gun · either sexClosed for 2026-27legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. Only hunters under 16 with a qualifying adult supervisor; review Rule 220-2-.119. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone D · Special muzzleloader / air rifle · either sexOpen now · through Nov. 6muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle / Bow / crossbow | Nov. 2 – Nov. 6, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone D · Private stalk gun · either sexOpens Nov. 21, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, 2026 Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone D · Private stalk gun · bucks onlyOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 7 – Nov. 20, 2026 Nov. 30 – Dec. 11, 2026 Jan. 2 – Jan. 27, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone D · Open-permit public gun · either sexOpens Dec. 12, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone D · Open-permit public gun · bucks onlyOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 7 – Dec. 11, 2026 Jan. 2 – Jan. 27, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone D Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone D · Dog deer huntingCheck ADCNRDog deer hunting | Check ADCNR | Only counties, portions and properties allowing dogs in Deer D County and road-boundary prohibitions, special permits, public-land limits and USFS days/hours apply. This entry deliberately provides no automatic dates. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Daily limits and either-sex dates depend on zone and land.source · source |
DEER E
Deer Zone E
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone E · Archery · either sexOpen now · through Jan. 15Bow / crossbow | Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone E · Archery · bucks onlyOpens Jan. 16, 2027Bow / crossbow | Jan. 16 – Jan. 27, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone E · Youth gun · either sexClosed for 2026-27legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. Only hunters under 16 with a qualifying adult supervisor; review Rule 220-2-.119. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone E · Special muzzleloader / air rifle · either sexOpen now · through Nov. 6muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle / Bow / crossbow | Nov. 2 – Nov. 6, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone E · Private stalk gun · either sexOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone E · Private stalk gun · bucks onlyOpens Jan. 16, 2027legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Jan. 16 – Jan. 27, 2027 | Private or leased land · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone E · Open-permit public gun · either sexOpens Dec. 12, 2026legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| Zone E · Open-permit public gun · bucks onlyOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)legal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 7 – Dec. 11, 2026 Jan. 2 – Jan. 27, 2027 | Open-permit public land · Deer Zone E Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| Zone E · Dog deer huntingCheck ADCNRDog deer hunting | Check ADCNR | Only counties, portions and properties allowing dogs in Deer E County and road-boundary prohibitions, special permits, public-land limits and USFS days/hours apply. This entry deliberately provides no automatic dates. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Daily limits and either-sex dates depend on zone and land.source · source |
DEER CMZ
CWD Management Zone
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMZ · Archery · either sexCheck ADCNRBow / crossbow | Oct. 15, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · CMZ Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| CMZ · Youth gun · either sexCheck ADCNRlegal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 13 – Nov. 16, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · CMZ Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. Only hunters under 16 with a qualifying adult supervisor; review Rule 220-2-.119. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| CMZ · Special muzzleloader / air rifle · either sexCheck ADCNRmuzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle / Bow / crossbow | Nov. 16 – Nov. 20, 2026 | Private/leased or open-permit public land; WMA exceptions apply · CMZ Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| CMZ · Private stalk gun · either sexCheck ADCNRlegal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Private or leased land · CMZ Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| CMZ · Open-permit public gun · either sexCheck ADCNRlegal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Dec. 12, 2026 – Feb. 10, 2027 | Open-permit public land · CMZ Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. 2 unantlered deer OR 1 unantlered deer and 1 antlered buck per day.source · source |
| CMZ · Open-permit public gun · bucks onlyCheck ADCNRlegal deer firearms / Bow / crossbow / muzzleloader / qualifying PCP air rifle / arrow rifle | Nov. 21 – Dec. 11, 2026 | Open-permit public land · CMZ Stalk hunting. Identify the hunting location on the official zone map; a county can contain several zones. Legal shooting hours and equipment specifications apply. Record harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Bag limits are shared across overlapping equipment seasons. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Antlered bucks only on these dates; no unantlered deer under this entry.source · source |
| CMZ · Dog deer huntingCheck ADCNRDog deer hunting | Check ADCNR | Only counties, portions and properties allowing dogs in Deer CMZ County and road-boundary prohibitions, special permits, public-land limits and USFS days/hours apply. This entry deliberately provides no automatic dates. | Antlered bucks: 3 across all seasons, at most 1 daily; one of the 3 must have 4 points at least 1 inch long on one antler. Daily limits and either-sex dates depend on zone and land.source · source |
NORTHWEST ALABAMA
CWD: check your location and sampling weekend
The current season rule includes all Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties in the CWD Management Zone. Lauderdale and Colbert are High-Risk; Franklin is divided by highways 24 and 43 into High-Risk and Buffer areas. Use the official boundaries for your property.
- High-Risk mandatory sampling: Nov. 21–22, 2026; Jan. 16–17 and Feb. 6–7, 2027.
- Buffer mandatory sampling: Jan. 16–17 and Feb. 6–7, 2027.
- Alternate dates only if activated: Dec. 26–27, 2026 (High-Risk), and Jan. 23–24, 2027 (both). Check for announcements; these are not additional regular sampling weekends.
- Deer harvested on designated public hunting areas within the CMZ require sampling throughout their seasons. Follow carcass-movement, baiting and supplemental-feeding restrictions; extra buck opportunities require an issued permit.
CMZ entries remain reference dates requiring local confirmation and cannot be downloaded automatically.
Source: Alabama Rule 220-2-.01: 2026–27 hunting seasons ↗; Alabama Rule 220-2-.167: CWD management requirements ↗; Outdoor Alabama: current CWD news and testing dates ↗; Outdoor Alabama: CWD sampling locations and updates ↗; Outdoor Alabama: CWD harvest movement and transport ↗
BEFORE YOU GO
Licenses, permits & harvest reporting
- Check your hunting license, hunter education, age/residency exemptions, legal equipment and local shooting hours with ADCNR. Get landowner permission.
- WMAs require their own current AREA permit and check-in/check-out; license and daily permit requirements vary. SOA and other quota hunts have selected dates and authorizations.
- Record deer harvest immediately and Game Check within 48 hours. Check hunter orange, CWD sampling, baiting and carcass transportation requirements.
- Special youth days are for hunters under 16 with a qualifying adult supervisor. Follow Rule 220-2-.119; an eligibility selection does not establish a hunter’s qualifications.
Source: Outdoor Alabama: license information ↗; Outdoor Alabama: harvest records and Game Check ↗; Alabama Rule 220-2-.02: legal arms and ammunition ↗; Alabama Rule 220-2-.119: special youth hunting ↗; Outdoor Alabama: current WMA maps and area permits ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Plan your hunt
WHERE THESE DATES COME FROM
Official sources
We use Outdoor Alabama, ADCNR guides and the current Alabama Administrative Code. Formula dates for squirrel, rabbit and quail are calculated from the published 2026–27 rule. Missing or location-dependent dates stay marked for confirmation. Sources are reviewed weekly; changes receive editorial review before publication.
- Alabama Rule 220-2-.01: 2026–27 hunting seasons ↗
- Outdoor Alabama: deer seasons and zone descriptions ↗
- 2026–27 deer zone map and legal boundaries ↗
- Alabama Rule 220-2-.02: legal arms and ammunition ↗
- Outdoor Alabama: current CWD news and testing dates ↗
Last checked: Nov. 2, 2026. Saved calendar files and printouts do not update automatically. Report a change.