The White-tailed deer is 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.
Visit the Seasons and Bag Limits page for dates, bag limits, and zones.
Where to Hunt Deer in Alabama
License Requirements
To hunt white-tailed deer in Alabama, residents, and non-residents must have the following:
- All Game Hunting License (unless exempt)
- Harvest Record (paper form or on the app)
- Wildlife Management License and map permit IF hunting on a WMA
- If you harvest a deer, you have 48 hours to report it through Game Check
Hunt the Rut in Alabama
The “rut” is a term most often associated with the time of year when breeding occurs within deer populations. In most well-managed white-tailed deer populations, nearly all breeding will take place during a relatively narrow 14-20 day window. Just prior to and during this time of active breeding, buck movements typically increase in frequency and duration while they search for receptive does. These increased movements make bucks more vulnerable and often provide hunters their best opportunity to see and harvest adult bucks during Alabama’s long deer season. If you would like to know more about when rut activity usually occurs on Alabama’s WMAs, SOAs, or statewide, download the Alabama Rut Map to plan your hunt this year.
