Sport Fishing & Hunting Laws & Regulations

Introduction

This information is provided as a guide to Alabama hunting and sport fishing laws and regulations. The Code of Alabama and the Alabama Game, Fish, Furbearers, and Other Wildlife Regulation Book are the final authorities on state hunting and fishing laws. These resources can be accessed on the Outdoor Alabama hunting seasons and bag limits page. Contact the Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division, District Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Offices or any Conservation Enforcement Officer if you have a legal question not adequately covered here.

General Information for Hunting and Fishing Licenses

To qualify for a resident hunting or fishing license, a person must be a bona fide resident of Alabama for a minimum of 90 days continuously immediately prior to purchasing any such license or be a member of U.S. military stationed in Alabama. For the purpose of buying hunting and fishing licenses, residency is determined initially by the Driver’s License issuance. Resident and nonresident annual hunting and fishing licenses are valid from September 1 through August 31 each year. Successfully completing an approved hunter education course is mandatory for all hunting license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977, see Hunting Laws & Regulations for exemptions.

Licenses must be in possession while hunting or fishing. A deer and turkey harvest record (either paper or app form) must be in possession every time a person is hunting deer or turkey. It is unlawful to utilize or possess more than one harvest record.

It is illegal to kill or cripple any species of game bird, game animal or game fish without making a reasonable effort to retrieve same and include it in the daily bag or creel limit, except all game fish not meeting legal length regulations, and protected species. An individual should not trail or retrieve game on property they do not have permission to enter. All game bags, hunting coats, camping equipment, live boxes, automobiles and such used in hunting and fishing will be open for inspection by officers of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Buying Licenses

Alabama hunting and fishing licenses are available in all sections of the State from approximately 320 special license agents in many sporting goods stores, marinas, and at all county courthouses. Licenses may also be purchased by mailing completed applications, proper payment and copy of driver’s license to Attn: License Sales, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division, 64 N. Union St., Suite 567, Montgomery, AL 36104. To request an application packet, call 334-242-3465, email, or visit the Outdoor Alabama license information page.

It is illegal to willfully or knowingly make a false statement to a license agent when purchasing a license. It is also illegal to lend, borrow, sell, buy, rent or use another person’s license to hunt, fish or trap. For the purpose of buying hunting and fishing licenses, residency is determined initially by the Driver’s License issuance. An Alabama resident without an Alabama driver’s license must present proof of residency to a probate judge or license commissioner to purchase a license (excludes all persons with out-of-state driver's license).

Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program

All licensed hunters who hunt doves, woodcock, rails, snipe, coots, ducks, geese or sandhill cranes in Alabama are required by Federal law to obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit prior to hunting. The HIP program provides improved data collection on these species. This will allow hunting seasons for the various species to be set in an objective and efficient manner while maintaining healthy populations. HIP permits are free and are available wherever hunting licenses are sold. It takes a very short time to provide the requested information. In exchange for completing the HIP survey, you will receive proof of certification which must be in your possession while hunting migratory birds.