Last updated on September 13th, 2023
The 2023-2024 Alabama deer season dates are officially set, and it’s time to start making plans for opening day.
White-tailed deer are the number one game animal hunted in Alabama. As such, officials expect approximately 180,000 hunters to harvest over 300,000 deer in the Cotton State this fall.
In this article, we breakdown the state’s deer season dates, bag limits, license requirements, checking requirements, and more.
While we do our best to ensure all the information and dates provided are accurate, always check the latest Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) regulations before heading afield. Good luck this Alabama deer season!
Deer Zones
Before we dive into the actual deer season dates, it’s important to understand which zone your hunting area is in.
Season Dates
As seen in the map above, Alabama is divided into six deer zones — A, B, C, D, E, and CWD Management Zone (CMZ). Each has it’s own season dates and harvest regulations as you will see in the season dates broken down below.
Archery Season
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone A, C & CMZ | Oct. 14, 2023 – Feb. 10, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone B | Oct. 14-24, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only Oct. 25, 2023 – Feb. 10, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone D & E | Sept. 30, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex Jan. 16-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Youth Gun Season
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone A, B, C & CMZ | Nov. 10-13, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone D & E | Oct. 27-30, 2023 Either Sex |
Muzzleloader and Air Rifle Season
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone A, B, C & CMZ | Nov. 13-17, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone D & E | Oct. 30 – Nov. 3, 2023 Either Sex |
Firearms Stalking – Private Land
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zones A, B & CMZ | Nov. 18 – Feb. 10, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone C | Nov. 18 – 26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4 – 17, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Nov. 18 – 26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone E | Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex; Jan. 16-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Firearms Stalking – Open Permit Public Lands
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone | Open Permit Public Lands |
| Zones A & B | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone C | Nov. 18 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone E | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone CMZ | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Firearms With Dogs – Private Land
| Deer Zone | Private Lands |
|---|---|
| Zones A & B | Nov. 18, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone C | Nov. 18-26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-15, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4-17, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Nov. 18-26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone E | Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone CMZ | Nov. 18, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex |
Firearms With Dogs – Open Permit Public Lands
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zones A & B | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-15, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone C | Nov. 18 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-15, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone E | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone CMZ | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8 Antlered Bucks Only, 2023; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Deer Bag Limits
Alabama deer hunters are limited to one antlerless deer and one antlered buck per day, with a three buck limit for the season. One of those three bucks must have at least four points (1 inch or longer) on one antler, except in Barbour County where all bucks must have at least three points on one side.
Hunters may take one bonus buck from select WMAs on specific hunt dates that don’t count against the hunter’s statewide three-buck limit.
Deer Hunting License Requirements
All hunters pursuing deer in Alabama must have an All Game Hunting License (unless exempt) and a Harvest Record in paper form or on the Outdoor Alabama app. WMA hunters must possess a Wildlife Management License and map permit.
Deer Checking Requirements
All deer harvested in Alabama must be reported through the Game Check system within 48 hours. That can be done on the Outdoor Alabama app, on the Outdoor Alabama website, or by calling 800-888-7690. You will need to provide the date of harvest, county of harvest, type of land (private or public), and the antler point count. The video below walks you through the Game Check process.
Legal Deer Hunting Weapons
Archery — any longbow, recurve or compound bow with at least 30 pounds of pull. Crossbows must have at least 85 pounds of pull and a working safety. Arrows and bolts must be equipped with broadheads that have a minimum 7/8-inch cutting diameter and two sharpened edges.
Muzzleloader and Air Rifle — muzzleloaders and black powder handguns .40 caliber or larger; pre-charged pneumatic air powered guns, .30 caliber or larger; and pre-charged pneumatic arrow shooting rifles using an arrow equipped with a broadhead which has a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inch and 2 sharpened edges.
Gun — rifles, handguns or pistols using centerfire, mushrooming ammunition.
Final Thoughts
Alabama’s 2023 deer season is right around the corner. Our hope is that the information provided in this article will help you have a safe and successful hunting season.
Be sure to share your success photos with us, so we can post them on our social media channels!
There is a mistake in the section Under Firearms Stalking – Private. Private land is open to either sex throughout the season.
Tim, thanks for the heads up! There were several errors in there, and they should all be correct now. I appreciate you bringing it to our attention, and if you see anything else in question, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Is private land open to either sex on Firearms Stalking in Zone D?
For Zone D Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting on private land, either sex days are Nov. 18-26 and Dec. 16-31