Turkey hunting is a popular and exciting activity for many outdoor enthusiasts in Alabama. As the season approaches, it’s important to be aware of the rules, regulations, and requirements for hunting turkeys in the state.
In this post, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive overview of the 2023 Alabama Turkey Hunting Season, including information about the different hunting zones, bag limits, license requirements, and hunting regulations.
So whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hunter, this guide is going to be quite helpful for you.
Alabama Turkey Hunting
The wild turkey is a popular game bird in Alabama and a prized target of many hunters. These large, ground-dwelling birds are native to North America and are known for their distinctive appearance and behavior. The male turkey, also known as a gobbler, is particularly striking with its colorful plumage, fleshy snood, and wattle.
The turkey population in Alabama is healthy and robust, thanks in part to successful conservation efforts by the state. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, there are an estimated 300,000 wild turkeys in the state, making it one of the top states for turkey hunting in the country.
One key aspect of Alabama turkey hunting is the hunting zones. The state is divided into three distinct zones, each with its own set of regulations and hunting seasons.
Zone – 1:
| Zone | Alabama Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
| 1 | Saturday, March 25, 2023 | – | Monday, May 08, 2023 | Decoys allowed April 4 |
List of Counties:
- Autauga
- Baldwin
- Barbour
- Bibb
- Blount
- Butler
- Conecuh
- Coosa
- Crenshaw
- Cullman (except north of Lewis Smith Lake and north of Cullman County Road 437 and west of Interstate 65)
- Dale
- Dallas
- DeKalb
- Elmore
- Escambia
- Etowah
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Geneva
- Greene
- Hale
- Sumter
- Talladega (except north of Choccolocco Creek and west of Choccolocco Road and south of State Road 77)
- Tallapoosa
- Tuscaloosa
- Walker (except south of State Road 69)
- Washington
- Wilcox
- Winston
Zone – 2:
| Zone | Alabama Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
| 2 | Saturday, April 01, 2023 | – | Monday, May 08, 2023 | Decoys allowed April 11 |
List of Counties:
- Colbert
- Cullman (north of Lewis Smith Lake, north of Cullman County Road 437, and west of Interstate 65)
- Franklin
- Lauderdale
- Lawrence
- Limestone
- Madison
- Morgan
- Winston
Zone – 3:
| Zone | Alabama Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
| 3 | Sunday, November 19, 2023 | – | Monday, November 27, 2023 | No decoys allowed |
| 3 | Sunday, December 10, 2023 | – | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | No decoys allowed |
| 3 | Saturday, March 25, 2023 | – | Monday, May 08, 2023 | Decoys allowed April 4 |
List of Counties:
- Clarke
- Clay
- Covington
- Monroe
- Randolph
- Talladega
Bag Limit:
| Bag Limit | Daily Limit | Season Limit |
| Gobblers | 1 | 4* |
| Bearded Hens | 1 | 1 |
Hunters are allowed to take a total of four gobblers during both the autumn and spring turkey hunting seasons combined. However, no more than two gobblers may be taken from any Wildlife Management Area, Conservation and Hunting Area, or National Forest Ranger District.
Additionally, during the first ten days of each season, hunters are only allowed to take one gobbler from each WMA, CHA, and National Forest Ranger District.
License Requirements:
If you’re planning to hunt turkeys in Alabama, you must possess a valid hunting license. The All Game Hunting License is the minimum license required to hunt turkeys, unless you’re exempt.
To legally hunt on a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), you’ll also need a Wildlife Management License and a map permit. It’s essential to carry all required licenses with you while hunting, and failing to do so can result in hefty fines and penalties.
Moreover, hunters are required to keep a Harvest Record of their turkey hunting activities. The record can be in the form of a paper form or on the app, and it should be carried with you at all times while hunting. If you’re hunting on a WMA, you’ll also need to fill out the permit and record information regarding the hunting activities.
Plus it’s worth noting that hunters must report their turkey harvest within 48 hours through the Game Check system. This reporting requirement is critical to help the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manage the state’s turkey population and ensure that hunting remains sustainable for future generations.
U.S. Forest Service Ranger & WMA Districts:
Alabama has an abundance of public land for hunting, including the U.S. Forest Service Ranger and Wildlife Management Area (WMA) districts. These areas provide ample opportunities for turkey hunting during the spring season.
It is important to note that the hunting regulations and time limits for each district vary. The Bankhead Ranger District and WMAs such as Lauderdale, Freedom Hills, Black Warrior, Coon Gulf, Riverton CHA, and Martin CHA have a later start date, beginning on Saturday, April 08, 2023, and ending on Monday, May 08, 2023. The hunting hours for this district are from daylight until 1 p.m.
On the other hand, the rest of the National Forests Districts, which include the Talladega Ranger District, Shoal Creek Ranger District, Oakmulgee Ranger District, Tuskegee Ranger District, and Conecuh Ranger District, have a start date of Saturday, April 01, 2023, and end on Monday, May 08, 2023.
The hunting hours for these districts are also from daylight until 1 p.m.
It is essential to familiarize yourself with the regulations of each district and ensure that you follow them while turkey hunting in Alabama. These regulations are put in place to ensure the safety of all hunters and to preserve the population of turkeys in the state.
Hunting Regulations for Turkey in AL:
Following are the hunting regulations for Turkey in AL:
Harvest Record and Reporting
- All hunters must have a harvest record
- Harvest must be noted on the record before transfer or transportation
- Failure to report harvest is illegal
Hunting Methods and Equipment
- Elevated tree stands may only be used for bow and arrow or handgun hunting of game animals and birds
- Use of live decoys for turkey or bird hunting is prohibited
- Electronic calls for dove, turkey, or waterfowl hunting are not allowed
- Decoys with mechanical or electrical components that create movement or sound are prohibited, except during special spring hunts for disabled people and youngsters
- Importing, selling, or possessing live exotic game or fish from outside Alabama is illegal
- Releasing any turkey, domestic or wild, into the wild region of Alabama is illegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you turkey hunt all day in Alabama?
No, turkey hunting in Alabama is allowed only from daylight until 1 pm.
How many turkeys can you harvest in Alabama?
The daily limit for turkey hunting in Alabama is one gobbler. However, there is a total of four gobblers that may be taken in the autumn and spring seasons combined. No more than two gobblers may be taken from any Wildlife Management Area, Conservation and Hunting Area, or National Forest Ranger District.
Are turkeys harder to hunt than deer?
Turkey hunting can be more challenging than deer hunting because turkeys have keen senses and are easily spooked. They have excellent vision and can see in color, making it difficult to blend into the surroundings. Turkeys also have a strong sense of hearing and can detect the slightest noise, which requires hunters to be very stealthy and patient.
What is the best time to turkey hunt?
The best time to turkey hunt is during the spring season when turkeys are actively mating and can be lured in with calls. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to hunt when turkeys are most active. However, hunters should also take into account weather conditions, as turkeys may be more active during overcast or rainy days.