Alabama’s special youth gun deer season opens today in Zones D and E, giving hunters younger than 16 a four-day window before the next phase of the state calendar begins.
The official Outdoor Alabama deer season schedule lists the youth period from Friday, Oct. 30, through Monday, Nov. 2. Deer of either sex may be taken during the special youth season, subject to the state’s bag limits and other rules.
This opening does not cover every Alabama deer zone. The comparable youth window for Zones A, B, C and the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone is scheduled for Nov. 13-16.
Alabama youth deer season date check
| Area | Youth gun dates | What follows |
|---|---|---|
| Zone D | Oct. 30-Nov. 2 | Special muzzleloader and air rifle season begins Nov. 2 |
| Zone E | Oct. 30-Nov. 2 | Special muzzleloader and air rifle season begins Nov. 2; regular gun dates vary by land type |
| Zones A, B, C and CMZ | Nov. 13-16 | Follow the separate calendar for each zone |
The overlap on Nov. 2 makes the calendar easy to misread. A family hunting that day should confirm which season, legal equipment and land-specific rules apply to the planned location.
Where Zones D and E are located
Zone D includes parts of Cullman, Lawrence, Morgan and Winston counties. Zone E includes defined portions of Barbour, Russell, Calhoun, Cherokee and Cleburne counties.
County names alone are not enough to establish a hunting zone because the official boundaries follow roads, rivers and other landmarks. Check the current Outdoor Alabama zone map and boundary descriptions against the exact property before leaving home.
Public-land dates can differ from private or leased-land dates. Wildlife management areas may also have their own schedules and permit requirements. A statewide calendar should not be used as a substitute for the rules attached to a particular property.
A five-point check before hunting
- Confirm that the hunter is younger than 16 and that the accompanying adult meets current state requirements.
- Locate the property on the official zone map rather than relying only on the county.
- Check whether the land is private, leased, public or part of a wildlife management area.
- Review legal arms, ammunition, bag limits and harvest-reporting requirements for the date.
- Carry required licenses and permits and use Alabama’s official reporting process after a harvest.
Outdoor Alabama’s hunter education page explains the state’s education requirements and course options. Families should also review firearm handling, safe zones of fire and the location of roads and buildings before the hunt starts.
The Daily Quill’s Consumer Guides desk tracks deadlines and rule changes. Wildlife and habitat coverage appears on the Science and Environment desk.
The immediate deadline is Nov. 2, the final day of the Zone D and E youth window and the opening date for the next listed equipment season. Conditions and rules can change, so use the current Outdoor Alabama page as the final check.
