National Wildlife Refuge · AL

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Hunting

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Alabama

33,883 acresManaged by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Explore 33,883 acres of public hunting land in Alabama. View the property boundary, hunting seasons and regulations, map information, access 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

WaterfowlSee details

Refuge hunting authorization

Waterfowl hunting is not permitted on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.The refuge hunting page remains the refuge-specific source for this prohibition; it is not inferred from the federal baseline.

QuailFebruary 1–February 27

Season

February 1–February 27

State-compliant small-game arms and ammunition; lead shot prohibited.Small-game hunting is prohibited west of Flint Creek.

Details & restrictions

Dogs may be used for quail and must be controlled by the handler.

Small GameSeptember 12–October 14; February 1–February 27

Squirrel, raccoon, opossum, and rabbit

September 12–October 14; February 1–February 27

State-compliant small-game arms and ammunition; lead shot prohibited.Small-game hunting is prohibited west of Flint Creek. Gates scheduled to open October 1 close October 15.

Details & restrictions

Dogs may be used only for rabbit, raccoon, quail, squirrel, and opossum and must be controlled by the handler.

Access and closuresMultiple seasons

Garth Slough

November 15–January 14 (reopens January 15)

Closed to all public entry.Map identifies seasonal closure area; do not flatten this closure to the entire refuge.

Crabtree Slough, Dinsmore Slough, and White Springs Dike

November 15–February 28 (reopens March 1)

Closed to boats, canoes, and all other watercraft.Specific waterbody closure; this is not a hunting-area closure for the entire refuge.

Buckeye-Thorsen Unit

November 15–February 28 (reopens March 1)

Closed to all public entry.Specific hunt-unit closure; map identifies its boundary.

Hunting requirementsSee details

Permit and general rules

Signed Wheeler permit in possession; hunting Monday-Saturday only.

Details & restrictions

Visitor Center area is closed to public entry. Tree stands, blinds, game cameras, and other personal property must be removed after each day's hunt; no overnight camping or mooring.

No Sunday hunting. No hunting/discharge in Triana Recreation Area or within 50 yards of a walking trail or boardwalk; no hunting from a roadway.

Deer and feral hogMultiple seasonsArchery

Archery

October 15–February 10

Archery equipment compliant with Alabama regulations.Either sex

Details & restrictions

Either sex. Participating in organized deer or feral-hog drives is prohibited.

Archery and flintlock hunters need 144 square inches of hunter orange when the state gun deer season is open in Limestone, Madison, and Morgan Counties.

Flintlock

January 4–January 16

Flintlocks .40 caliber or larger.Antlered bucks only

Details & restrictions

Antlered bucks only. Participating in organized deer or feral-hog drives is prohibited.

All harvested deer must be reported through Alabama Game Check within 48 hours and recorded as public land under the harvest county and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.