Alabama Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 1 – February 28, 2027

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Official License Fees (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

  • Resident:
    • Annual All Game License: $34.35
    • Annual Small Game License (excludes deer & turkey): $22.75
    • Wildlife Management Area (WMA) License: $22.75
    • Wildlife Heritage License: $13.95
  • Non-Resident:
    • Annual Small Game License (excludes deer & turkey): $130.25
    • 10-Day Trip Small Game License: $79.35
    • 3-Day Trip Small Game License: $57.40
    • Annual All Game License: $399.50
    • 10-Day Trip All Game License: $246.60
    • 3-Day Trip All Game License: $173.90

Season Dates, Daily Bag Limits & Possession Limits

Bobwhite Quail

  • Statewide (Privately-Owned & Open Public Lands):
    • Season Dates: November 1 – February 28
    • Limits: 8 daily / 8 in possession
    • Note: Closed season on the Bankhead National Forest.

American Woodcock

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: December 13–14, and December 20 – January 31
    • Limits: 3 daily / 9 in possession (Harvest Information Program – HIP certification required)

Wilson’s Snipe

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: November 8 – February 22
    • Limits: 8 daily / 16 in possession (HIP certification required)

Mourning & White-Winged Dove

  • North Zone (All counties except South Zone):
    • Season Dates: September 6 (noon–sunset); September 7 – October 19; November 22–30; December 13 – January 18
    • Limits: 15 daily / 45 in possession (aggregate)
  • South Zone (Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Mobile Counties):
    • Season Dates: September 13 (noon–sunset); September 14 – October 26; November 22–30; December 13 – January 18
    • Limits: 15 daily / 45 in possession (aggregate)

Rails & Gallinules (Clapper, King, Virginia, Sora, Gallinule)

  • Statewide:
    • Season Dates: September 12–20, and November 27 – January 26
    • Limits: 15 daily / 45 in possession (aggregate for Rails); 15 daily / 45 in possession (Gallinules)

Weather Assessment & Bird Hunting Outlook

Alabama experienced a relatively mild winter followed by severe to extreme drought conditions that expanded across much of the state through spring and early summer. Marking one of the driest September–March stretches on record, persistent moisture deficits severely hindered early-successional vegetation growth and suppressed bug production essential for newly hatched bobwhite quail chicks. Consequently, wild quail brood survival and juvenile recruitment across pine savannahs and native field borders are expected to be below multi-year averages. For migratory game birds (woodcock, snipe, and dove), hunting conditions will be heavily localized around stable water sources, managed impoundments, and drought-tolerant grain fields. Hunters utilizing public Wildlife Management Areas should focus efforts on managed early-successional pine stands with nearby water access or active moist-soil management units.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit Outdoor Alabama or consult the 2025-2026 Alabama Hunting & Fishing Digest