Public Land Hunting Opportunities
Wildlife Management Areas
The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Wildlife Section operates and maintains 35 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across Alabama comprising 721,000 acres. These WMAs range in size from 400 acres (Martin CHA) to 91,263 acres (Black Warrior WMA). To learn more information about Alabama’s WMAs and view and print permit maps click the link above.
Special Opportunity Areas
Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) are typically smaller than Wildlife Management Areas in acreage and are more suitable for a limited quota (random draw permit) hunting format to reduce pressure and increase the quality of the hunt. SOAs offer a limited number of slots for a successful permit holder and guest(s) to hunt a dedicated 300-400 acre unit for a 2-4 day hunt.
Physically Disabled Hunting Areas
Twenty Physically Disabled Hunting Areas make up Alabama's Hunting and Fishing Trail for People with Physical Disabilities. The trail is a network of public and private recreational sites providing accessible fishing, shooting, and hunting opportunities.
Forever Wild Land Trust
A large percentage of the land purchased through the Forever Wild Land Trust is open to public hunting. Many of the properties have been incorporated into existing Wildlife Management Areas. Some smaller acreage land tracts not within or adjacent to existing WMAs are managed as Natural Preserve/Recreation Areas and are open to hunting.
U.S. Forest Service
The U. S. Forest Service has thousands of acres open to public hunting outside of the Alabama WMA system. These properties include significant tracts of land on Bankhead National Forest, Conecuh National Forest, Talladega National Forest, and Tuskegee National Forest.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers allows public hunting on several tracts of land along various rivers in Alabama. Most of these properties are small in size and as a result have more restrictive regulations regarding their use. All hunters must obtain a free permit from the appropriate US Corps of Engineers office prior to hunting on any of their properties.
- Hunting permits for properties located on the Tenn-Tom waterway in Greene, Pickens, and Sumter counties
- Hunting permits for the Black Warrior and Tombigbee lakes in Clarke, Greene, Hale, Marengo, and Sumter counties
- Hunting permits for the Alabama River properties are issued at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office located at 8493 U.S. Hwy 80 West, Hayneville, AL 36040. The phone number for the office is 334-872-9554.
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in north Alabama provides hunters with many opportunities to spend a day afield.
Commercial Hunting Lodges, Guides and Outfitters
Any links to third party websites are provided solely for the purpose of your convenience. An internet search may yield additional facilities.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) accepts no liability for any linked sites. Further, a link to a third party website does not mean that ADCNR endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content or the use of such website. We have not tested any content, software feature or links found on any sites linked to and do not give any representation regarding the quality, safety, suitability or reliability of any of them or any of the material contained in them. Users must take their own precautions to ensure what is selected for use is free of such items as viruses, worms, Trojan horses and other items of a destructive nature.
Alabama Black Belt Adventures - Alabama Black Belt Adventures is a collection of huntng and fishing destinations throughout 23 counties in Alabama known as the Black Belt.
Alabama Quail Trail - Facilities that offer quail hunting in Alabama
Game Bird Hunts - A directory of Quail and Pheasant hunting lodges in Alabama
Hunting Trips-R-Us - Links to guides and outfitters across America
Alabama Deer Hunting Lodges - Links to guides and outfitters across America
Alabama Hunting Guide Directory - Links to guides and outfitters across America
