Sub-species: Eastern
Tags: Over the Counter
Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: YES
Hunter Education Requirement: YES if born after Aug 1, 1977
Bag Limit: 4 (combined spring and fall season). Only one per day. No more than 2 from any one WMA, CHA, or National Forest Ranger District. No more than one from each WMA, CHA, and National Forest Ranger District during the first 10 days of each season.
2026 Spring Season Dates
Zone 1: March 25-May 8 (decoys allowed April 4-May 8)
Zone 2: April 1 – May 8 (decoys allowed April 11-May 8)
Zone 3: March 25 – May 8 (decoys allowed April 4 – May 8)
WMAs and National Forest Districts may vary.
2026 Fall Season Dates
Zone 3: November 15-23 (no decoys allowed); December 13 – 28 (no decoys allowed)
WMAs and National Forest Districts may vary.
Special Youth Hunt: Yes, Saturday & Sunday prior to opening day (spring)
Special Disabled Hunt: Yes, one day prior to opening day (spring)
Decoys Allowed: Yes, spring only and only after the first 10 days of the season. Mechanical decoys are illegal.
Tagging Requirements: Deer and turkey hunters must record their harvest immediately using a harvest record (paper or app) and report their harvest within 48 hours through Game Check. By using the Outdoor AL app, you can immediately record deer or turkey on your harvest record, even if there’s no cell phone service. Once service is available, it will automatically complete the transaction, issue the confirmation number, and update your electronic harvest record. To report a turkey, you must have date of harvest, County of harvest, private or public land, turkey age, beard length, and length of each spur.
Noteworthy Restrictions: Unlawful to use decoys during the first 10 days of season. It is illegal to hunt without a harvest record (paper or app) in your possession. Cannot hunt within 100 yards of any dwelling without the permission of the owner. When transferring the possession of a deer or turkey (whole or part) that has been harvested in Alabama, written documentation of that transfer is required by law. Electronically amplified calls are not legal.
Alabama Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources
334-242-3486
Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys
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Resident - State All Game $34.35
*youth, veteran, and disabled persons licenses available at a discount
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Nonresident - State All Game Annual $399.50
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Nonresident - State All Game 10 Day $246.60
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Nonresident - State All Game 3 Day 173.90
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WMA Area License $22.75
Required for hunting on Wildlife Management Areas in addition to the appropriate hunting license.
WMA and US National Forest Service National Forest
Bankhead NF: April 8 – May 8 (daylight – 1 p.m.)
WMAs – April 8 – May 8 (daylight – 1 p.m.)
(Lauderdale, Freedom Hills, Black Warrior, Coon Gulf, Riverton CHA and Martin CHA)
REMAINDER OF NATIONAL FORESTS AND WMAS THAT ALLOW TURKEY HUNTING
April 1 – May 8 (daylight – 1 p.m.)
BAG LIMIT
- One gobbler per day; four gobbler bag limit during spring season (no fall season)
- No more than two gobblers from any one WMA, CHA, or National Forest (USFS)
- No more than one gobbler during the first 10 days of each season from all combined WMA’s, CHA’s and National Forests (USFS)
This site is dedicated to the wonderful passion of Spring turkey hunting. Our goal is to encourage you to “expand your season”, by “expanding your boundaries”. We hope that you find this information useful in planning your next hunt. The information in these pages has been compiled and interpreted to the best of our ability. Please consult local hunting regulations to be sure that you are in compliance with all hunting laws. ©Hunt49 2026