The 2023-2024 Alabama deer season kicks off Saturday, September 30 for bowhunters in Zones D and E, and on October 14 for the remainder of the state.
In this article, we breakdown complete deer season dates by zone, bag limits, and more.
Alabama Deer Season Dates
As seen in the map below, Alabama is divided into six deer zones — A, B, C, D, E, and CWD Management Zone (CMZ). Each has it’s own season dates and harvest regulations as you will see highlighted below.
Archery Season
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone A, C & CMZ | Oct. 14, 2023 – Feb. 10, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone B | Oct. 14-24, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only Oct. 25, 2023 – Feb. 10, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone D & E | Sept. 30, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex Jan. 16-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Youth Gun Season
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone A, B, C & CMZ | Nov. 10-13, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone D & E | Oct. 27-30, 2023 Either Sex |
Muzzleloader and Air Rifle Season
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone A, B, C & CMZ | Nov. 13-17, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone D & E | Oct. 30 – Nov. 3, 2023 Either Sex |
Firearms Stalking – Private Land
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zones A, B & CMZ | Nov. 18 – Feb. 10, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone C | Nov. 18 – 26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4 – 17, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Nov. 18 – 26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone E | Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex; Jan. 16-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Firearms Stalking – Open Permit Public Lands
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zone | Open Permit Public Lands |
| Zones A & B | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone C | Nov. 18 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone E | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-27, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone CMZ | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Firearms With Dogs – Private Land
| Deer Zone | Private Lands |
|---|---|
| Zones A & B | Nov. 18, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone C | Nov. 18-26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-15, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4-17, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Nov. 18-26, 2023 Either Sex; Nov. 27 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone E | Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024 Either Sex |
| Zone CMZ | Nov. 18, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024 Either Sex |
Firearms With Dogs – Open Permit Public Lands
| Deer Zone | Season Dates |
|---|---|
| Zones A & B | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-15, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone C | Nov. 18 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1-15, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
| Zone D | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone E | Nov. 4 – Dec. 15, 2023 Antlered Bucks Only; Dec. 16-31, 2023 Either Sex |
| Zone CMZ | Nov. 18 – Dec. 8 Antlered Bucks Only, 2023; Dec. 9-31, 2023 Either Sex; Jan. 1 – Feb. 10, 2024 Antlered Bucks Only |
Alabama Deer Zone Map
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 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.
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!
Additional Reading
Alabama Rut Map and Peak Breeding Dates
Alabama Hunting and Wildlife Regulations
There is a mistake in the section Under Firearms Stalking – Private. Private land is open to either sex throughout the season.
Tim, thanks for the heads up! There were several errors in there, and they should all be correct now. I appreciate you bringing it to our attention, and if you see anything else in question, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Is private land open to either sex on Firearms Stalking in Zone D?
For Zone D Gun Deer-Stalk Hunting on private land, either sex days are Nov. 18-26 and Dec. 16-31
I understand you can harvest 3 bucks per season and I understand you can kill one buck and one doe per day, but how many doe can harvested per season total?
on private land can either sex be harvested with rifle all deer gun season and how many does can be harvested
IT AMAZES ME! All the web sites out there (including this one) and even the Outdoor Alabama only tell you how many bucks you can kill. 3 on most places , but NO ONE TELLS HOW MANY DOE YOU CAN KILL ANYWHERE. MORONS
It amazes me that people can’t read. It clearly says “Alabama deer hunters are limited to one antlerless deer and one antlered buck per day, with a three buck limit for the season.” You can shoot one antlerless deer a day for the entire season. There is no season limit or it would have been listed with the three buck limit.