Alabama
Southern whitetail hunting, long seasons, liberal bag limits, and extensive public Wildlife Management Area access.
Weapons & Regulations in Alabama
Official Regulatory Authority
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)
Centerfire Rifle
Centerfire rifles of any caliber firing mushrooming or expanding bullets are legal for deer and feral swine. .243 Win, .270 Win, 7mm-08, and .308 Win are classic timber selections. Suppressors are legal with federal ATF tax stamp. FMJ ammunition prohibited.
Muzzleloader
Minimum .40 caliber single-barrel muzzleloaders. Modern in-line muzzleloaders with 209 ignitions, sabots, and magnifying scopes are fully legal during the dedicated mid-November muzzleloader season and general gun seasons. Black powder or commercial synthetic powders only.
Archery (Vertical Bow)
Compound, recurve, and longbows with minimum 30 lb draw weight. Broadheads must have minimum 7/8-inch cutting width. Fixed and mechanical broadheads are legal. Alabama's archery deer season runs from mid-October through February 10.
Crossbows
Fully legal for ALL licensed hunters during the entire archery deer season without requiring a medical disability permit. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 100 lbs, a working safety, and shoot bolts with hunting broadheads measuring at least 7/8 inch wide.
Big-Bore Airgun (PCP)
Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) airguns of .30 caliber or larger firing expanding bullets are legal for deer and feral hogs during the modern firearms season. Airguns must be pressurized from an external tank to high operating pressure.
Shotgun
10, 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns firing slugs or buckshot legal for deer. 3-shell capacity limit. Non-toxic shot mandatory for waterfowl across the Tennessee River valley and Mobile-Tensaw Delta.