Alabama Archery Season – What You Need to Know

Dates and Zones
Alabama’s archery season opens statewide Saturday, Oct. 15 and runs through Feb. 10, 2017.

Bowhunters in Zone B are restricted to bucks only from Oct. 15-Oct. 24, then either sex harvest is allowed to the end of the season, from Oct. 25-Feb. 10. Outside Zone B, bowhunters may harvest either sex from Oct. 15-Feb. 10, 2017. For complete information, see the Deer Zone Map.

Legal Hunting Hours
Legal hunting hours for deer are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.

Report Your Harvest
All hunters are required to report their harvests within 48 hours through Game Check in one of three ways: 

1. Outdoor Alabama App
2. OutdoorAlabama.com
3. 800-888-7690

Game Check Video
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has prepared a video that outlines the Who Why and How of Game Check. Watch Game Check Video

Get a Conservation ID Number
Hunters can now obtain a 6-digit permanent Conservation ID number that will stay with you throughout your life. This number can be used to report deer or turkey harvests in the Game Check System. While a license number is annual, a Conservation ID number can be used each year to purchase a license, access your deer and turkey harvest history, and more.

Revised Archery Regulation
Recent advancements in archery technology have led ADCNR to clarify what qualifies as legal archery equipment when hunting deer or turkey. One of the most significant changes is the minimum draw weight has been reduced from 35 to 30 pounds. Learn more

Bowhunters, Help Us Out
If you bowhunt 10 or more days per season, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Division wants you to participate in the Avid Bowhunter Survey to gain better insight into the white-tailed deer population dynamics. To participate in the Avid Bowhunter Survey, contact WFF at 334-242-3469 or email Robin Heath.

Be Safe!
The number one type of hunting accident in Alabama is related to treestands. The state’s Wildlife Management Areas require that a full-body harness be used while hunting from an elevated stand on the WMA. Everybody is encouraged to wear a full-body harness, whether they’re hunting on a WMA or not. Make sure you are attached to the tree from the time your feet leave the ground until the time you get back down to the ground.

Keep Up-to-date
Do you receive the ADCNR Hunting Newsletter? If not, sign up here.