National Forest · AL

Bankhead National Forest — Bankhead Ranger District Hunting

Bankhead National Forest — Bankhead Ranger District

Alabama

181,467 acresManaged by USDA Forest Service

Explore 181,467 acres of public hunting land in Alabama. View the property boundary, hunting seasons and regulations, map information and official sources.

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Hunting regulations

Official regulations ↗

Current season: 2026-2027. Verify current regulations and closures before hunting.

Species & Seasons

DeerMultiple seasonsArchery · Gun · Muzzleloader

Applies to all listed opportunities

Open Permit Public Land dates.
Confirm the zone for your exact hunt location. This schedule does not apply to WMA hunts; use the current WMA permit for those dates.

Zone C — Archery

Oct. 15, 2026 - Feb. 10, 2027: either sex

Zone C — Special youth gun

Nov. 13–16, 2026: either sex

Zone C — Special muzzleloader and air rifle

Nov. 16–20, 2026: either sex

Zone C — Gun deer - stalk hunting

Nov. 21–Dec. 11: bucks only; Dec. 12–Jan. 1: either sex; Jan. 2–Feb. 10: either sex

Zone D — Archery

Oct. 1–Jan. 15: either sex; Jan. 16–27: bucks only

Zone D — Special youth gun

Oct. 30–Nov. 2, 2026: either sex

Zone D — Special muzzleloader and air rifle

Nov. 2–6, 2026: either sex

Zone D — Gun deer - stalk hunting

Nov. 7–Dec. 11: bucks only; Dec. 12–Jan. 1: either sex; Jan. 2–27: bucks only

TurkeyMultiple seasonsYouth · Spring

Special youth hunt

March 20, 2027

Daylight to 1 p.m.Gobblers only; decoys allowed.

Special disabled hunt

March 26, 2027

Daylight to 1 p.m.Gobblers only; decoys allowed.

Spring season

March 27–May 3, 2027

Daylight to 1 p.m.Gobblers only; decoys allowed.

District bag limit

One gobbler per day; four combined fall/spring statewide; district limits apply.

Wild HogNo closed season

Statewide reference

Follows Alabama statewide season

No closed season

Daylight hours onlyNo bag limit. Live feral swine may not be released; private-land nighttime provisions are not represented for National Forests.

Details & restrictions

Statewide reference

WaterfowlMultiple seasonsYouth

Statewide reference

Applies to all listed opportunities

Statewide reference

Remainder of Alabama — outside Mobile-Tensaw Delta Waterfowl Management Zone

November 27–November 28, 2026; December 5, 2026-January 31, 2027

One-half hour before sunrise to sunsetDuck limit 6/day; merganser 5/day (only 2 hooded); coot 15/day. Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Remainder of Alabama — outside Mobile-Tensaw Delta Waterfowl Management Zone

One-half hour before sunrise to sunsetDark geese aggregate limit 5/day; light geese aggregate limit 5/day. Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Details & restrictions

September 5–October 4, 2026; October 17–October 31, 2026; November 27–November 28, 2026; December 5, 2026-January 31, 2027

Special teal season — statewide

September 12–September 20, 2026

One-half hour before sunrise to sunsetLimit 6/day; possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Special youth, active military, and veteran days — statewide

November 21, 2026; February 6, 2027

Regular waterfowl-season rules applySee Rule 220-2-.119 for participant requirements.

Alabama waterfowl requirements

Non-toxic shot; required stamps and HIPApplies statewide; confirm current license exemptions and federal requirements.

QuailNo open season

Bankhead closure

No open season

No open season on Bankhead National Forest.

SquirrelMultiple seasons

Follows Alabama statewide season

Second Saturday in September-last day in February

Limit 8 a day; 8 in possession.

Bankhead fox squirrel closure

No open season for fox squirrel

Other squirrel season remains as stated by Rule 220-2-.01(6).

RabbitSecond Saturday in September-last day in February

Statewide reference

Follows Alabama statewide season

Second Saturday in September-last day in February

Limit 8 a day; 8 in possession.Statewide reference

Special National Forest RulesSee details

Personal property

USDA enforcement of 36 CFR 261.10(e) is identified by the state rule.

Hunting rules and access

Alabama hunting laws apply here, along with additional Forest Service rules.

Use only designated roads and trails; cross-country vehicle travel and ATV/UTV game retrieval are prohibited.
Do not leave equipment unattended for more than 24 hours. Permanent stands, cutting shooting lanes, and wildlife food plots are prohibited.
Do not discharge a firearm within 150 yards of occupied sites, across or on a Forest Service road, or into a cave.

Forest Service hunting rules Current closures and forest orders

If your hunt is inside a Wildlife Management Area, follow that WMA's permit and season rules as well.

Official resources

View official regulations ↗

Additional species mentioned in sources

Small Game

These mentioned species are not a complete huntable-species list. Verify current official regulations for seasons, dates, and restrictions.

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Rules change. Always check the official source before your trip.