Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Alabama, with thousands of hunters taking to the woods and fields every spring and fall in pursuit of wild turkeys With different season dates for each of the state’s three turkey hunting zones, it can be confusing to keep track of when you can legally hunt turkeys in Alabama This article provides a comprehensive guide to turkey season dates, bag limits, and hunting regulations in Alabama.
Overview of Alabama Turkey Seasons
Alabama has both a spring and fall turkey season throughout most of the state, with the exception of Zone 3 which has no fall season. Turkey seasons are divided into 3 zones, each with different season dates:
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Zone 1: Covers around 50 counties across central, south and southwest Alabama. This zone has the longest spring season from late March through early May.
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Zone 2: Includes 8 counties in north Alabama around the Tennessee border. Spring season runs from early April to early May.
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Zone 3: Made up of just 3 counties in east Alabama. Spring season dates match Zone 1. Fall turkey hunting is prohibited in this zone.
Spring turkey season offers the most hunting opportunities, while the fall season is much more limited. Specific season dates change each year but the general turkey hunting calendar is:
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Fall: Occurs in November and/or December. Only 1-2 weeks of hunting, no decoy use allowed.
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Spring: Runs from late March through early May. 6-7 weeks of hunting, decoys are allowed after the first few days.
When Does Spring Turkey Season Start in Alabama?
The opening day of spring turkey season in Alabama depends on which zone you are hunting in:
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Zone 1 Opens on the last Saturday in March In 2023, the season starts on March 25.
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Zone 2: Opens one week later, on the first Saturday in April. In 2023, the season starts on April 1.
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Zone 3: Follows the Zone 1 opening day, starting on March 25 in 2023.
Alabama also holds special 2-day youth and 1-day disabled hunter spring turkey hunts the weekend right before the regular opening days in each zone So youth and disabled hunters get a chance to hunt turkeys a week before most other hunters
Spring turkey season runs until May 8 each year for all zones, lasting 6-7 weeks depending on start dates.
When Does Fall Turkey Season Occur?
Only Zones 1 and 2 have a fall turkey hunting season in Alabama. Zone 3 is closed to fall turkey hunting. Specific dates vary annually, but generally:
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Zone 1: Has a 1-2 week season in November. In 2023, the fall dates are November 16-24.
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Zone 2: Also has a 1-2 week fall season, usually in December. In 2023, the dates are December 14-29.
Decoys are prohibited during all fall turkey hunting in Alabama. Bag limits are lower as well. But fall can offer a nice break from deer hunting for dedicated turkey hunters.
Turkey Hunting Season Dates for 2023
Here are all the major 2023 turkey hunting season dates for Alabama:
Spring 2023 Turkey Season Dates
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Zone 1
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Youth Hunt: March 22-23 (with decoys)
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Disabled Hunt: March 24 (with decoys)
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Opening Day: March 25 (decoys allowed starting April 4)
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Closing Day: May 8
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Zone 2
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Youth Hunt: March 29-30 (with decoys)
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Disabled Hunt: March 31 (with decoys)
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Opening Day: April 1 (decoys allowed starting April 11)
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Closing Day: May 8
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Zone 3
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Youth Hunt: March 22-23 (with decoys)
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Disabled Hunt: March 24 (with decoys)
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Opening Day: March 25 (decoys allowed starting April 4)
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Closing Day: May 8
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Fall 2023 Turkey Season Dates
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Zone 1
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Opening Day: November 16
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Closing Day: November 24
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No decoy use allowed
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Zone 2
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Opening Day: December 14
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Closing Day: December 29
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No decoy use allowed
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Turkey Hunting Bag Limits in Alabama
Bag limits for turkeys depend on whether you are hunting during spring or fall season:
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Spring: 1 gobbler per day, 4 gobbler total limit
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Fall: 1 gobbler total limit
The 4 gobbler spring limit is for the combined spring seasons in both 2023 and 2024. You can take up to 2 gobblers per year in spring, for a total of 4 over the 2 year license period.
There are also restrictions on taking more than 1 gobbler from the same WMA, National Forest land, or other public hunting area during the first 10 days of the season. So check regulations closely when hunting public lands.
Legal Hunting Hours and Methods
Turkey hunting hours and rules in Alabama include:
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Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise until 1pm local time.
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Decoys: Prohibited the first few days of spring season, then allowed after that until closing day. Never allowed during fall.
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Baiting: Hunting over bait is illegal.
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Electronic Calls: Legal to use electronic calls and devices to mimic turkeys.
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Tagging: All harvested turkeys must be tagged immediately with a temporary harvest tag and reported within 48 hours through Alabama’s Game Check system.
Turkey Hunting Licenses
To hunt turkeys in Alabama you need:
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Hunting License: Resident annual hunting license or a non-resident 3-day, 8-day or annual license.
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Harvest Record: Print out the harvest record from the state wildlife agency’s website or app and carry it with you while hunting.
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Hunter Education: Proof of completing an approved hunter education course if born after Aug 1, 1977.
Check the hunting regulations carefully as some WMAs, USFS lands, and other public areas may have additional license requirements to hunt turkeys on those properties.
Tips for Hunting Spring Gobblers
Here are a few quick tips for having a successful spring turkey hunt in Alabama:
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Scout – Locate flocks and identify roosting areas early.
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Use Decoys – Decoys can pull in wary gobblers once they are allowed.
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Play the Wind – Keep the wind in your face when approaching roosted or feeding birds.
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Be Patient – Don’t give up if birds aren’t responding right away. Persistence pays off.
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Concealment – Use blinds and camo, avoid excess movement when birds are close.
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Safety First – Be 100% sure of your target and what’s beyond it. Avoid wearing red, white and blue.
Following this guide to turkey hunting seasons, limits, and regulations in Alabama will help you have an enjoyable and legal hunt. Spring offers the best opportunity to tag a gobbler, so reference the 2023 dates and tips above to make the most of your time in the turkey woods this season. Being sure of the exact season dates for when you want to hunt is critical to avoid fines and ensure hunting success.
Alabama Hunting Licenses and Seasons for the Black Belt Region
Below we’ve summarized must-know details about our most popular Black Belt hunting seasons and a direct link to purchase hunting licenses online. Additional detailed information on Black Belt hunting and fishing seasons, licensing requirements, and where to hunt and fish – can be found on the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, outdooralabama.com.
All public streams, lakes, and ponds are open to fishing throughout the year, except for some state-owned and state-managed public fishing lakes. It is illegal to fish in private waters without permission.
Alabama has a large population of Eastern Wild Turkey concentrated in Alabama’s Black Belt Region. The state has one of the most generous bag limits in the country – one per day, four per spring season – and the spring hunting season is one of the longest in the nation, beginning the third week in March and concluding after the first whole week of May. Clarke and Monroe counties have a fall turkey season.
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources sets the hunting season in the state. Generally, statewide, the deer season runs from mid-October through January. In most counties throughout the Black Belt region, the season extends two weeks into February. The WFF also sets specific bag limits.
Much of the bobwhite quail hunting in Alabama now takes place on commercial hunting preserves. Lodges in the Black Belt region provide bird hunts in various styles, including the traditional mule-drawn wagon, horseback, quail buggies, and walk hunts. The season generally runs from mid-October through March 30. There are still some public lands where quail are still a prized quarry.
Dove Hunting Dove hunting season in Alabama is split into two zones. All Black Belt counties are in the North Zone and have a bag limit of 15 birds per day.
Wild hogs are becoming more prevalent in Alabama, including in the Black Belt, and are destructive to the state’s wildlife habitat. Wild hog hunting is open season in the state. There is a large population of these feral pests in the Black Belt’s Wildlife Management Areas and many of the lodges offer hog hunting packages.
Alabama’s alligator population has grown to the extent that they pose a nuisance in many areas. Implementing a regulated alligator hunt on a small scale is an important step toward controlling populations and better managing this unique reptile.
67 YARD SHOT! Opening Day of Turkey Season Alabama 2024
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