License FAQs

The Alabama legislature has approved hunting white-tailed deer and feral swine with the aid of bait.

• ALL HUNTERS who wish to hunt with the aid of bait must purchase a required bait privilege license, INCLUDING LICENSE- EXEMPT HUNTERS. A license- exempt hunter is anyone under the age of 16, residents 65 years or older, resident landowner and each resident family member that will hunt only on their own property. NO EXEMPTIONS.
• Hunting with the aid of bait is prohibited on public lands (WMAs included).
• The area definition is still in effect on private property for those who wish to supplemental feed and not hunt with the aid of bait.
• No other game animals may be hunted with the aid of bait in Alabama.

Where can I walk-in and purchase a license?
     You can purchase your license at our Tanner or Jacksonville District Office, your local probate office or license commissioner, or one of our various license agents.

Who is exempt from purchasing recreational licenses?
     Click here to read more. 

I’m 65 years of age and a resident of Alabama. Must I purchase a hunting or fishing license?
     No. Residents of Alabama 65 years of age and older are not required to purchase a license.  You must have proof of residence and age, like an Alabama driver's License, etc. Click here to read more about the privileges you ARE required to purchase.

Do I need a Conservation ID (CID) number and if so, how do I obtain one?
     Yes. A CID number is unique to each hunter and can be used to purchase future licenses, Harvest Information Program (HIP) permits, and report deer and turkey harvests. CID numbers are also used to register for special opportunity hunts, alligator hunts, youth hunts, deer dog hunts, and trapping workshops. Click here to read more and learn how to get one.

I have a Conservation ID (CID) number but do not remember it, can I look it up?
     Yes. Click here to look it up. 

At what age must I purchase a hunting or fishing license?
     Resident 16-64 years of age and all Non-Residents 16 years of age and over must have the appropriate license. Click here to read more.

Why is my Social Security Number required when purchasing a hunting/fishing license? 
     The Social Security Number is required by State and Federal Law when purchasing or renewing recreational licenses. Click here to see the law.

How can I contact my local officer or biologist?
     You can get the telephone number to your local district office on the Contact Us page .

How is residency determined?
     Residency is determined by the state of the driver's license. You cannot be a resident of more than one state. Click here to read more.

I am a non-resident over 65 years of age. Must I purchase a fishing license to fish the public waters of Alabama?
     Yes. Non-residents 16 years of age and older must first purchase a fishing license before fishing the public waters of Alabama. Click here to read more.

Do I need a Bait Privilege License? 

    Yes. ALL HUNTERS who wish to hunt white-tailed deer and/or feral swine with the aid of bait must purchase a required bait privilege license, INCLUDING LICENSE- EXEMPTED HUNTERS. A license- exempt hunter is anyone under the age of 16, residents 65 years or older, resident landowner and each resident family member that will hunt only on their own property. NO EXEMPTIONS.  Hunting with the aid is prohibited on public lands.

How do I get my H.E.L.P. number for Game Check? 
     This is available at any local license agent, probate office, online or by phone at 1-888-848-6887 (convenience fee of $6.25 when using toll free number).

I am a non-resident and want to register for a Special Opportunity Area (SOA) limited quota permit. Must I purchase an Alabama hunting license to register?

     No, however you must purchase a “DCNR Registration Privilege” license to obtain your Conservation ID number to register. There is no charge for the “DCNR Registration Privilege” license, which can be obtained online.

I am a non-resident and want to register for a Special Opportunity Area (SOA) limited quota permit. Must I have a Conservation ID number to register?

    Yes. Non-resident hunters who are interested in registering for a Special Opportunity Area (SOA) limited quota permit and do not have a current Alabama hunting license, can purchase a “DCNR Registration Privilege” license at no cost to obtain their Conservation ID number for registration. Obtain a “DCNR Registration Privilege” online.  Please note, if you are selected for an SOA permit you must have a valid Alabama hunting and WMA license to accept your permit.

Is there a special hunting license for disabled veterans? 
     Yes.  The Annual Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License to veterans with a minimum of 50% disability  or those resident veterans who are 100% disabled as certified by the Administration.  Available at your local probate office or by mail  from DCNR.  Must show VA letter stating level of disability. Click here to read more. 

Does Alabama have a disabled hunting license?
     Yes. We have an annual physically disabled hunting license for those residents who are 100% permanently disabled. An application must be completed along with the approved documentation. This can be obtained at your local Probate Office, License Commissioner or our Montgomery Office. Click here to read more.

Must I purchase a federal migratory bird hunting stamp in addition to a state duck stamp to waterfowl hunt?
     Yes. All persons 16 years of age and older are required to purchase a federal duck stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl.

Can I purchase a State Duck Stamp from a previous license year for my collection?
     Yes. State Duck Stamps from previous license years can be purchased by mail at: DCNR - License Section, 64 North Union Street, Suite 438, Montgomery, AL  36130. For inquires call (334) 242-3829 or e-mail at DCNR.License@dcnr.alabama.gov.

I am a resident of Alabama. Must I purchase a hunting license to hunt on lands I own in Alabama?
     No. Residents of Alabama and their immediate family are not required to purchase a hunting license to hunt on property they own. Click here to see the landowner page. Click here to read more about the privileges you ARE required to purchase here. 

I am a non-resident but own land in Alabama. Must I purchase a hunting license to hunt on this property?
     Yes. You are required to purchase a non-resident hunting license. Click here to read more.

I have lost my hunter education certification card. Where can I get a replacement?
     Click here to print a replacement card online.

Why am I being asked for my hunter education card or number when I buy a fishing license? 
     The Wildlife Heritage Act of 2007 created a Wildlife Heritage License and it's included at no charge on all resident freshwater fishing licenses. Privileges allows:

• residents to fish in freshwater statewide with hook and line from the bank
• residents to fish in WFF operated Public Fishing Lakes (daily lake permits required)
• residents to hunt small game, except waterfowl, on WFF WMA (WMA permit required)
• residents to shoot on WFF managed shooting ranges 
• residents to support wildlife
• These privileges are also included in all resident hunting and freshwater fishing licenses (excludes the $1 Disabled Fishing License), including lifetime licenses.
• residents who have not completed the hunter education course, and are required to, will have a fishing license that indicates supervision required. This is not for fishing, but for the hunting component of the Wildlife Heritage license included in the fishing license.

Does Alabama have a disabled fishing license?
     Yes.  We now have an annual physically disabled freshwater fishing license for those residents who are 100% permanently disabled. An application must be completed along with the approved documentation. This can be obtained at your local Probate Office, License Commissioner or our Montgomery Office. Click here to read more.

Is there a special fishing license for disabled veterans? 
     Yes.  The  Annual Military Veteran's Appreciation License available to resident veterans with a minimum of 20% disability as certified by the Veteran's Administration. Applications can be obtained online (click on License Menu) or visit your local Probate Judge or License Commissioner in the county in which they reside.  Must present VA letter stating level of disability. Click here for freshwater license. Click here for saltwater license.

Do I need a fishing license to fish from the bank? 
     A license is not required to fish from the bank only in the county of residence with ordinary hook and line.  Must have proof of Alabama residency, driver's license, etc.

Can I fish from my pier in public waters without a fishing license?
     Normal fishing license requirements apply to fishing in public fresh waters of Alabama from a private pier.

Is a fishing license required to fish private lakes or ponds?
     No. Fishing licenses are only required to fish in public waters.  Permission of the pond owner is required to fish a private lake or pond.

Does Alabama have a disabled hunting license?
     Yes. We now have an annual physically disabled hunting license for those residents who are 100% permanently disabled. An application must be completed along with the approved documentation. This can be obtained at your local Probate Office, License Commissioner or our Montgomery Office. Click here to read more.

Does Alabama have a disabled fishing license?
     Yes.  We now have an annual physically disabled freshwater and saltwater fishing license for those residents who are 100% permanently disabled. An application must be completed along with the approved documentation. This can be obtained at your local Probate Office, License Commissioner or our Montgomery Office. Click here to read more.

I’m active duty military and a resident of Alabama home on leave. Must I purchase a hunting/fishing license?
     No. Residents on active duty home on leave may hunt and fish without license (must have proof of leave in their possession).  Click here to read more.

I’m a non-resident but stationed in Alabama with the military. Must I purchase a hunting/fishing license?
     Yes, but you are allowed to purchase a resident hunting and/or fishing license. Click here to read more.

Is there a special hunting license for disabled veterans? 
     Yes.  The Annual Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License to resident veterans with a minimum of 50% disability  or those veterans who are 100% disabled as certified by the Administration.  Available at your local probate office or by mail  from DCNR.  Must show VA letter stating level of disability.  Click here to read more.

Is there a special fishing license for disabled veterans? 
     Yes. The  Annual Military Veteran's Appreciation License available to resident veterans with a minimum of 20% disability as certified by the Veteran's Administration. Applications can be obtained online (click on License Menu) or visit your local Probate Judge or License Commissioner in the county in which they reside.  Must present VA letter stating level of disability. Click here for freshwater license. Click here for saltwater license.

I have lost my lifetime license.  Can I get a replacement? 
     This can be done at your local probate office (you will receive a temporary license), online or by mail with DCNR (download application here). There is a $5 charge for replacement.

I have a lifetime license and later moved out of Alabama.  Can I get a replacement? 
     You need to call the License Section at 334-242-3832 to update your record.  Afterwards, this can be done at your local probate office (you will receive a temporary license), online or by mail with DCNR (download application here). There is a $5 charge for replacement.

Can I purchase a lifetime license for my children?
     You are able to purchase lifetime licenses for your children. You would have to do this at your local probate office or by mail with DCNR (download application here). You would need to provide proofs of residence (see application). If their lifetime license includes hunting, by the time they turn 16, if they have passed a hunter education class, you would provide a copy to this office and the lifetime card would be updated and returned. If not, the license would be valid for hunting under supervision.

I have a lifetime license but need the annual HIP certification.  Can I get the HIP stamp?
     Yes. The HIP stamp can be issued from any license agent or through the online system. HIP is required of all licensed hunting (residents 16-64 and non-residents 16 and over).