In Alabama, you’ll find a variety of wetlands and waterways, perfect for waterfowls. This state is overflowing with waterfowl. That’s why duck and goose hunters nationwide love this place. Are you an experienced hunter or just starting? Doesn’t matter! Alabama’s 2024 hunting season will be something you won’t forget.
Get ready for a season packed with great chances. Early birds can hunt teal, mallards, and geese. Brace yourselves for a wide range of waterfowl like pintails, gadwalls, wigeons, and wood ducks.
Important Dates and Limits for Alabama Duck and Goose Hunting
Special Youth, Active Military, and Veterans Days:
- November 23
- February 8
Special Teal:
- September 14 – September 29
Duck, Coot, and Merganser:
- November 29 – December 1
- December 6 – January 31
Goose:
- September 7 – October 6
- October 19 – November 2
- November 29 – December 1
- December 6 – January 31
Bag Limits
| Species | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|
| Duck | 6 ducks (max 4 Mallards, 2 female Mallards, 3 Wood Ducks, 1 Mottled Duck, 2 Black Ducks, 2 Redheads, 1 Pintail, 2 Canvasbacks, 1 Scaup) |
| Coot | 15 a day |
| Merganser | 5 a day (only 2 may be Hooded Mergansers) |
| Dark Geese (Canada, White-fronted, Brant) | 5 a day (aggregate) |
| Light Geese (Snow, Blue, Ross’s) | 5 a day (aggregate) |
AL Duck and Goose Regulations
Waterfowl Program Overview:
- The mission of Alabama’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Waterfowl Program is to enhance habitats for waterfowl, as well as hunting locations. These improvements span the entire state, open to everyone. Specialists offer management advice for these birds. They conduct aerial surveys, tag wood ducks for monitoring, and represent hunters during multiple group dialogs.
Hunting Requirements:
- Mandatory Licenses and Stamps:
- Hunting License (unless exempt)
- Federal Duck Stamp (required for hunters 16 and older)
- Alabama Duck Stamp (unless exempt)
- Harvest Information Program (HIP) Certification (free)
- Wildlife Management License (if pursuing on a WMA, unless exempt)
Special Waterfowl Days:
- Dates:
- November 23, 2024
- February 8, 2025
- Rules:
- Youth (under 16) must be accompanied by an adult (21+), who must stay within arm’s reach.
- Only one firearm per youth; only youth may use it, unless the adult is a veteran or active military.
- Veterans and active military personnel must carry valid proof of service and required hunting licenses.
Legal Arms and Ammunition:
- Allowed:
- Long bows, compound bows, crossbows, and shotguns (10 gauge or smaller, plugged to limit capacity to three shells)
- Shot size: T steel or smaller, or other approved shot sizes.
Shooting Hours:
- Statewide (General): One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Mobile-Tensaw Delta Specific:
- Monday-Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday-Sunday: One-half hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m.
Key Federal Regulations:
- Bag Limits: Daily bag and possession limits must be adhered to.
- Tagging: Migratory game birds must be tagged with the hunter’s information if left with another person.
- Field Dressing: Birds must not be completely field-dressed; head or fully feathered wing must remain attached while transporting.
- Prohibited Methods:
- Use of traps, rifles, pistols, or shotguns larger than 10-gauge.
- Hunting from a motor-driven vehicle or boat unless it is stationary and motor is off.
- Use of live decoys, amplified bird calls, or baiting.
Report Bands:
- Hunters are encouraged to report recovered bird bands to assist with conservation efforts.
Importation Rules:
- Birds imported from other countries must follow specific dressing and transportation rules, with one fully feathered wing remaining attached.
AL Waterfowl Hunting Licenses
| License Type | Fee |
| Resident Licenses | |
| State All Game | $32.55 |
| State Small Game | $21.55 |
| Bait Privilege License | $17.55 |
| Duck Stamps | $11.75 |
| Wildlife Management Area License | $21.55 |
| Physically Disabled License | $7.15 |
| 50% Disabled Military Veteran’s Appreciation | $16.80 |
| 100% Disabled Military Veteran’s Appreciation | $3.50 |
| Nonresident Licenses | |
| All Game Annual | $377.25 |
| All Game 10-Day Trip | $232.90 |
| All Game 3-Day Trip | $164.30 |
| Small Game Annual | $123.05 |
| Small Game 10-Day Trip | $74.95 |
| Small Game 3-Day Trip | $54.30 |
| Bait Privilege License | $59.95 |
| Duck Stamps | $11.75 |
| Wildlife Management Area License | $21.55 |
| Physically Disabled Military Veteran’s Appreciation 3-Day License | $164.30 |
Top Alabama Duck and Goose Locations
For those who love hunting waterfowl, Alabama has it all. You like beach swamps? It’s got ‘em. More of a lake person? No problem. Dig river valleys? They’re here too. Here’s a quick look at the best spots for ducks and goose:
1. Mobile Bay and Delta: Picture this – a sprawling wetland, home to many waterfowl species. This place is Mobile Bay and Delta, a popular choice for enthusiasts in Alabama. Here, you can find lots of ducks like mallards, pintails, teal, and more waiting to be discovered.
2. Black Belt Region: Known for its rich, dark soil, the Black Belt houses many lakes, rivers, and swamps. The area is especially noted for pursuing activities. Common targets include mallards, wood ducks, and geese.
3. Lake Guntersville: This is one of Alabama’s biggest lakes. Guntersville is known for its top-notch waterfowl hunting, particularly in the colder months. Shallow spots in the lake paired with lots of greens make it a perfect place for ducks and geese to eat and relax.
4. Tombigbee River: In the North, we find the Tombigbee River. Why? It’s the floodplains and the backwaters. These places are great homes for ducks, geese, and even more waterfowl species.
5. Cahaba River: Find the Cahaba River of central Alabama, where pure waters and various water-loving ecosystems thrive. Its offshoots and marshlands are prime spots for hunting wood ducks, mallards, and more waterfowl kinds.
