GENERAL INFORMATION FOR HUNTING AND FISHING

To qualify for resident hunting or fishing license, a person must be a bona fide resident of Alabama for a minimum of 90 days continuously immediately prior to purchasing any such license or be a member of U.S. military stationed in Alabama. Resident and nonresident completing an approved hunter education course is mandatory for all hunting license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977. Annual fishing license are valid for one year from date of purchase. License must be in possession while hunting or fishing.
It is illegal to kill or cripple any species of game bird, game animal or game fish without making a reasonable effort to retrieve same and include it in the daily bag or creel limit, except all game fish not meeting legal length regulations, and protected species. An individual should not trail or retrieve game on property they do not have permission to enter. All game bags, hunting coats, camping equipment, live boxes, automobiles and such used in hunting and fishing will be open for inspection by officers of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

BUYING LICENSE:

Alabama hunting and fishing licenses are available in all sections of the state from approximately 400 special agents in many sporting goods stores, marinas, and at all county license offices. License may also be purchased by mailing completed applications, proper payment and copy of valid Alabama ID or driver’s license to:
License Sales
Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division
64 North Union Street
Suite 567
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
For application packet call 334-242-3465 or e-mail Joeanne.StJohn@dcnr.alabama.gov or visit www.outdooralabama.com. It is illegal to willfully or knowingly make a false statement to a license agent when purchasing a license. It is also illegal to lend, borrow, sell, buy, rent or use another person’s license to hunt, fish, or trap. A resident without a current Alabama driver’s license must present proof of residency to a probate judge or license commissioner to purchase a hunting license.

Licenses are available by calling the toll-free number: 1-888-848-6887
Also available online at www.outdooralabama.com.

HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE AND FEES

HUNTING LICENSE:
Required for residents 16 years of age and under 65 years of age and nonresidents 16 years of age and older. (State and Federal Duck Stamp required when hunting migratory waterfowl.)

* *LIFETIME: (An all game license is required for Hunting and nonresidents to hunt deer and turkey.)

* The Sportsman’s License covers state hunting, fresh and saltwater fishing, wildlife Management Area fees, the state waterfowl stamp and the issuance fee.

* *Issued only by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 North Union Street Suite 457, Montgomery, Alabama 36130, and by probate judges and license commissioners. Also available by calling: 1-888-848-6887.

* * *The Resident 64 Lifetime License is available to Alabama residents 64 years old for the price of an annual resident hunting or fishing license.

In lieu of a regular hunting license, either a resident or a nonresident may purchase for $10.00, a 7-day commercial fowl hunting preserve license that allows that person the privilege of hunting only artificially propagated or pen-raised fowl on a licensed commercial fowl hunting preserve (Issuance Fee Included).

Residents 65 years of age and over are exempt from buying hunting licenses provided said resident has on his person while hunting a driver’s license or proof of permanent residence and age.

FURCATCHERS LICENSE:

FRESHWATER MUSSEL LICENSE:

SPORT FISHING LICENSE:

(Required for residents 16 years of age and under 65 years of age who fish with rod and reel or artificial bait. This license is also required to fish with hook and line outside county of legal residence.)

* Issued only by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 North Union Street Suite 457, Montgomery, Alabama36130, and by probate judges and license commissioners. Also available by calling: 1-888-848-6887.

* * Required for fishing in any public water regardless of tackle used.

* * * Good for seven (7) consecutive days. Required for fishing in any public water regardless of tackle used.

NOTE: Residents 65 years of age and over are exempt from buying fishing licenses provided that said resident has on his person while fishing a current Alabama driver’s license/ID or proof of permanent Alabama residence and age.

NOTE TO NONRESIDENTS: Special fishing license fees may apply to residents of Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee due to reciprocal license costs.

Game fish cannot be caught by any method other than ordinary hook and line, fly, troll, or spinner. The sale of game fish taken from public water is prohibited by law in Alabama.

FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSE:

SPEAR FISHING LICENSE:

SPEAR FISHING LICENSE ISSUED BY:

Successfully completing an approved hunter education course is mandatory for all hunting license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977, except APOST certified law enforcement officers employed in the state, active duty U.S. military personnel and Alabama residents who are active members of the U.S. National Guard. Alabama is one of 49 states which have a mandatory hunter education program. The Alabama Hunter Education Course is a minimum of 10 hours of instruction in addition to an examination. Course content includes hunter responsibility, wildlife laws, wildlife management, and identification, firearms safety, archery, muzzle loading, basic survival and first aid. Goals of the hunter education program include increasing awareness of the importance of hunter-landowner relations, hunter behavior, reducing accident rates and increased knowledge of basic wildlife management concepts and wildlife laws. This course is also available on CD ROM and the internet at www.outdooralabama.com.