Nice Alabama buck in a thicket
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2022-2023 Alabama Deer Season Dates and Changes

ByBrian Grossman

Last Updated on September 13, 2022 by Brian Grossman

The 2022-2023 Alabama deer season dates are officially set, and it’s time to start making plans for opening day. It doesn’t appear there are many changes from last season other than the special season dates and regulations for the chronic wasting disease (CWD) management zone in Colbert and Lauderdale counties. In addition to the special regulations, all supplemental feeding and baiting privileges in the CWD zone have been suspended.

Below is the breakdown of season dates by zone, bag limits, license requirements, checking requirements, and more. We even include an Alabama rut map at the bottom to help you make plans for the season. Use the table of contents below to find the specific content that interests you, or browse the entire article to brush up on Alabama’s deer season regulations.

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 Zone Map

Map of Alabama's 2022-2023 deer season zones.

Alabama 2022-2023 Deer Season Dates by Zone

CWD Management Zone (see map)

BOW AND ARROW – STALK HUNTING: 

  • Either Sex: Oct. 15, 2022 – Feb. 10, 2023

SPECIAL YOUTH GUN

  • Either Sex: Nov. 11-14, 2022

SPECIAL MUZZLELOADER AND AIR RIFLE:

On privately owned or leased land and USFS
Stalk hunting only (no dogs)

  • Either Sex: Nov. 14-18, 2022

GUN DEER-STALK HUNTING: 

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19, 2022 – Feb. 10, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2022, Jan. 2 – Feb. 10, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 10, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

DOG DEER HUNTING: WHERE ALLOWED

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2022, Jan. 2-15, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 10, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

SUSPENSION OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING AND BAITING

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is suspending the use of supplemental wildlife feeding and baiting privileges within the CWD Management Zone (CMZ) which is all of Colbert and Lauderdale Counties. The suspension of supplemental feeding will not apply to bird feeders within 100 feet of a building or occupied dwelling or feed inside an active feral hog trap. Supplemental feeding and baiting privileges will still be allowed outside of the CMZ.

Zone A (see map)

BOW AND ARROW – STALK HUNTING: 

  • Either Sex: Oct. 15, 2022 – Feb. 10, 2023

SPECIAL YOUTH GUN

  • Either Sex: Nov. 11-14, 2022

SPECIAL MUZZLELOADER AND AIR RIFLE:

On privately owned or leased land and USFS
Stalk hunting only (no dogs)

  • Either Sex: Nov. 14-18, 2022

GUN DEER-STALK HUNTING: 

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19, 2022 – Feb. 10, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2022, Jan. 2 – Feb.10, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 10, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

DOG DEER HUNTING: WHERE ALLOWED

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2022, Jan. 2 – Jan. 15, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 10, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

Zone B (see map)

BOW AND ARROW – STALK HUNTING: 

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Oct. 15-24, 2022
  • Either Sex: Oct. 25, 2022 – Feb. 10, 2023

SPECIAL YOUTH GUN

  • Either Sex: Nov. 11-14, 2022

SPECIAL MUZZLELOADER AND AIR RIFLE:

On privately owned or leased land and USFS
Stalk hunting only (no dogs)

  • Either Sex: Nov. 14-18, 2022

GUN DEER-STALK HUNTING: 

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19, 2022 – Feb. 10, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19, 2022 – Dec. 9, 2022, Jan. 2 – Feb. 10, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 11, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022

DOG DEER HUNTING: WHERE ALLOWED

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2022, Jan. 2-15, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 10, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

Zone C (see map)

BOW AND ARROW – STALK HUNTING: 

  • Either Sex: Oct. 15, 2022 – Feb. 10, 2023

SPECIAL YOUTH GUN

  • Either Sex: Nov. 11-14, 2022

SPECIAL MUZZLELOADER AND AIR RIFLE:

On privately owned or leased land and USFS
Stalk hunting only (no dogs)

  • Either Sex: Nov. 14-18, 2022

GUN DEER-STALK HUNTING: 

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19-27, 2022, and Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 28 – Dec. 16, 2022 and Jan. 2 – Feb. 10, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 16, 2022 and Jan. 2 – Feb. 10, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

DOG DEER HUNTING: WHERE ALLOWED

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 19-27, 2022, and Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 28 – Dec. 16, 2022 and Jan. 2-15, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 19 – Dec. 16, 2022, Jan. 2-15, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

Zone D (see map)

BOW AND ARROW – STALK HUNTING: 

  • Either Sex: Oct. 1, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023
  • Antlered Bucks Only: Jan. 16-27, 2023

SPECIAL YOUTH GUN

  • Either Sex: Oct. 28-31, 2022

SPECIAL MUZZLELOADER AND AIR RIFLE:

On privately owned or leased land and USFS
Stalk hunting only (no dogs)

  • Either Sex: Oct. 31 – Nov. 4, 2022

GUN DEER-STALK HUNTING: 

On privately owned or leased land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 5-18, 2022, Nov. 28, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2022, and Jan. 2-27, 2023
  • Either sex: Nov. 19-27, 2022 and Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 5, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2022, Jan. 2-27, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

DOG DEER HUNTING: WHERE ALLOWED

On privately owned or leased land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 5-18, 2022 and Nov. 28, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2022
  • Either sex: Nov. 19-27, 2022 and Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 5, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2022
  • Either Sex: Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

Zone E (see map)

BOW AND ARROW – STALK HUNTING: 

  • Either Sex: Oct. 1, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023
  • Antlered Bucks Only: Jan. 16-27, 2023

SPECIAL YOUTH GUN

Either Sex: Oct. 28-31, 2022

SPECIAL MUZZLELOADER AND AIR RIFLE:

On privately owned or leased land and USFS
Stalk hunting only (no dogs)

  • Either Sex: Oct. 31, 2022 – Nov. 4, 2021

GUN DEER-STALK HUNTING: 

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 5, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023
  • Antlered Bucks Only: Jan. 16-27, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 5, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2022 and Jan. 2-27, 2023
  • Either Sex: Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

DOG DEER HUNTING: WHERE ALLOWED

On privately owned or leased land

  • Either sex: Nov. 5, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

On open permit public land

  • Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 5, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2022
  • Either Sex: Dec. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023

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.

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.

Alabama Deer Rut Map

Alabama is one of the few states in the country with highly variable rut timing. It’s believed the variation may be related to deer stocked from northern states during Alabama’s initial deer restoration. That’s a subject for another article! But if you’re planning your deer hunts for the upcoming season, this map should help you plan those dates based on the peak of the rut for different regions of the state.

Map of the various Alabama deer rut timing

Still Have Questions?

If you still have questions regarding deer hunting in Alabama check out our Alabama Deer Hunting FAQs!

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