How to Get Your Alabama Hunting License
An Alabama hunting license is required for hunters age 16 through 64 to legally take wildlife in the state. Residents pay $34.35 for an All Game license covering deer and turkey, or $22.75 for a Small Game license that excludes them. Hunters born on or after August 1, 1977 must complete an ADCNR-approved hunter education course before purchasing a license, though the course itself isn't required to purchase a license.
Licenses are sold at outdooralabama.com, by phone, and at probate offices and license agents statewide. An Alabama hunting license is valid through August 31 of the year it's issued, regardless of when you buy it.
This guide walks you through how to get your Alabama hunting license and Hunter Education Certificate, step by step.
What Is a Hunting License in Alabama?
An Alabama hunting license is the legal document that allows you to take wildlife in the state. It's issued by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and comes in two main forms: an All Game license, which covers deer, turkey, and every other legal species, and a Small Game license, which covers everything except deer and turkey at a lower cost.
The license itself is separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed an ADCNR-approved safety course, and once you earn it, it's valid for life. The license, on the other hand, expires every August 31 and must be purchased again for the next season.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Alabama?
Alabama law requires a hunting license for anyone age 16 through 64 who hunts wildlife in the state, whether resident or non-resident. Hunters under 16 are exempt, and Alabama residents 65 and older are exempt from the hunting license itself, though not from add-ons like the baiting privilege or nighttime feral swine and coyote license. Resident landowners and their immediate family can also hunt their own property without a license.
Hunter education works on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born on or after August 1, 1977 must complete an approved hunter education course before buying a license at age 16, unless they choose Alabama's "Supervision Required" license instead. That option lets a hunter go afield without completing the course as long as they stay within 30 feet and normal voice control of a licensed adult who is at least 21.
Because the birth-year cutoff covers most adults today, the practical breakdown looks like this:
- Under 16: exempt from the license requirement entirely.
- Age 16 through 64, born before August 1, 1977: needs a license but is exempt from hunter education.
- Age 16 through 64, born on or after August 1, 1977: needs a license and must complete hunter education, or purchase a "Supervision Required" license and hunt with a licensed adult mentor.
- 65 and older (Alabama residents only): exempt from the license requirement, with proof of age and residency.
Law enforcement officers, active-duty military, and active Alabama National Guard members are also exempt from the hunter education requirement.
How to Get Your Alabama Hunting License (Step-by-Step)
Getting licensed in Alabama is one of the more flexible processes in the Southeast, since the entire hunter education course can be completed online with no Field Day required. Here's the full process from start to finish.
- Complete an ADCNR-approved hunter education course if you were born on or after August 1, 1977.
- Purchase your license at outdooralabama.com, by phone, or at a probate office or license agent.
- Select your license type: resident All Game ($34.35), resident Small Game ($22.75), or the appropriate non-resident option.
- Add a Wildlife Management Area license ($22.75) if you plan to hunt on public WMA land, or a baiting privilege ($18.45 resident) if hunting over bait.
- Carry your digital or printed license, along with your Hunter Education Certificate, any time you hunt.
Once you've completed these steps, you're fully licensed and ready for the field. The sections below cover the hunter education course and license purchase in more detail.
Step 1: Complete an ADCNR-Approved Hunter Education Course
Alabama's hunter education requirement has been fully satisfied online since 2013, with no in-person Field Day required.
- Online course: The Hunter-Ed Alabama course costs $39.95 and is self-paced. Most students finish in about 8 hours, then print their certificate immediately after passing.
- Traditional classroom course: ADCNR also offers a free, in-person course taught by wildlife staff and volunteer instructors, covering at least 8 hours of instruction plus a written exam.
- "Supervision Required" license: Hunters who haven't completed the course yet can purchase this license and hunt under the direct supervision of a licensed adult 21 or older instead.
The minimum age to take either course format is 10, though the legal requirement doesn't apply until license-buying age of 16.
Step 2: Purchase Your License
Once you have your Hunter Education Certificate, if it applies to you, you can buy your license through the ADCNR website, by phone at 1-888-848-6887, or at a probate office or authorized license agent.
You'll need a government-issued photo ID or non-driver's ID, proof of hunter education if required, and payment.
Step 3: Add Permits and Go Hunting
A standard Alabama license covers most game once you choose All Game or Small Game, but a few activities require add-ons: baiting privilege for hunting deer or feral swine over bait, a nighttime license for feral swine or coyote hunting after dark, and a WMA license for public Wildlife Management Area land.
Once your license and any needed permits are in hand, you're ready to hunt. Before you head out, review general hunting safety practices to make sure you're field-ready.
Alabama Hunting License Requirements by Age
Let's take a look at the requirements for hunting licenses in Alabama by age.
Alabama Hunting License Requirements (by Age) | ||
| Age | Requirement | Supervision/Hunter Education |
| Under 16 | Exempt from license requirement | |
| 16–64, born before August 1, 1977 | Standard resident or non-resident license required | Exempt from hunter education |
| 16–64, born on or after August 1, 1977 | Standard resident or non-resident license required | Must complete hunter education, or purchase a "Supervision Required" license with a licensed adult mentor |
| 65 and older (Alabama residents) | Exempt from license requirement with proof of age and residency | Exempt from hunter education |
Add-on permits: A baiting privilege ($18.45 resident, $63.40 non-resident) and a WMA license ($22.75) apply regardless of age once a hunting license is required.
Season dates and bag limits vary by species and zone, so check before you plan a hunt.
Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost
Alabama keeps its hunter education options straightforward, since the entire requirement can be completed without ever attending an in-person Field Day. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats and costs.
Alabama Hunter Safety Course Formats Comparisons | ||||
| Format | Provider | Cost | Time | Exam |
Fully Online | Hunter-Ed | $39.95 | About 8 hours | Online |
Traditional Classroom | ADCNR staff and volunteer instructors | Free | 8+ hours, one session | Written exam included |
Supervision Required | N/A (no course) | License Standard license fee | N/A | Hunt under a licensed adult mentor instead of exam |
Once you earn your certificate through either course format, it stays valid for life. The hunting license itself is the only part you'll renew, and that happens every August 31.
What to Bring When Buying Your License
Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Alabama hunting license. You'll need:
- Government-issued photo ID or non-driver's ID card
- Hunter Education Certificate, if required for your age and birth year
- Payment (credit or debit card online or by phone, or check or card in person)
- Proof of Alabama residency, if applying for resident rates
Alabama Hunting Laws and Penalties
Hunting without a required license in Alabama is a Class C misdemeanor for residents, punishable by a fine between $75 and $250 per offense. Non-residents face a steeper penalty: a fine of at least three times the cost of the non-resident annual license they should have purchased.
Make sure you review Alabama's hunting laws and regulations for the full requirements.
What About Reciprocity?
Alabama accepts hunter education certificates from any other state or Canadian province, since the state's own program is built to IHEA-USA standards. Other IHEA-USA-compliant states and provinces return the favor and accept an Alabama Hunter Education Certificate.
The hunting license itself, however, is not transferable. Hunters visiting from out of state still need to purchase an Alabama non-resident license.
Out-of-State Visitors
Non-residents can hunt in Alabama with an All Game annual license ($399.50), or shorter trip options: a 10-day license ($246.60) or a 3-day license ($173.90). A Small Game annual license ($130.25) is also available for those skipping deer and turkey.
Full-time non-resident college students age 17 to 23 attending an Alabama institution qualify for resident rates instead.
Start Your Alabama Hunter Safety Course Today
The Hunter-Ed Alabama course is approved by ADCNR, self-paced, and available on any device. Complete it entirely online, with no field day required, and get your lifetime Alabama Hunter Education Certificate.
Approved by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) | Last verified August 7, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a hunting license in Alabama?
A: Yes, if you're between 16 and 64. Hunters under 16 are exempt, and Alabama residents 65 and older are exempt from the license itself, though not from certain add-on permits.
Q: How old do you have to be to get an Alabama hunting license?
A: There's no minimum age to hold a license, but the requirement applies starting at 16. Hunters under 16 can hunt without one.
Q: How much does an Alabama hunting license cost?
A: A resident All Game license costs $34.35. A resident Small Game license costs $22.75. A non-resident All Game annual license costs $399.50. Prices reflect ADCNR's current published fee schedule.
Q: Does an Alabama hunting license expire?
A: Yes. All Alabama hunting licenses expire on August 31 each year, regardless of your purchase date, so they must be renewed for the next season.
Q: Can I take the hunter education course entirely online in Alabama?
A: Yes. Alabama has offered a fully online path with no in-person Field Day since 2013, though a free traditional classroom course is also available.
Q: Do I need hunter education in Alabama?
A: Yes, if you were born on or after August 1, 1977. Hunters who haven't completed the course can instead purchase a "Supervision Required" license and hunt with a licensed adult mentor.
Q: What if I'm visiting Alabama to hunt?
A: Non-residents need an All Game annual license ($399.50) or a shorter trip license, plus any required add-ons like a baiting privilege. Full-time college students 17 to 23 may qualify for resident rates.
Q: What's the penalty for hunting without a license in Alabama?
A: Residents face a Class C misdemeanor with a fine between $75 and $250. Non-residents face a steeper misdemeanor fine of at least three times the non-resident annual license cost.
