Alabama Hunting License - Steps to Buy Your AL Hunters License

David Harrison  ·  Updated on July 22, 2025

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Alabama hunting license

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain an Alabama hunting license:


AL Hunter Education Certification

 

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Alabama.

  1. Complete an in-person course through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Typically, you will need to register for these months in advance; therefore, plan accordingly if you wish to pursue the in-person option. This option is 8 hours of instruction plus a written examination. The course is taught by Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries personnel and volunteer instructors to participants 10 years of age and older.
  2. An online course through an ADCNR exclusive partner. These courses, on average, will take about 8 hours and require you to read through the content, as well as watch some videos.
  3. Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The ADCNR Website states that "Alabama accepts all other states' hunter education certifications. Therefore, if you completed your hunter education in another state, you are good to go here.”

 

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course. We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA-approved course. 

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Alabama), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your Alabama Hunting License

Alabama offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences. All Alabama residents aged 16 to 64 are required to have a resident hunting license.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is an individual who has resided in Alabama for at least 90 days. Active-duty military members stationed in Alabama are considered residents.

  • Annual All-Game Hunting License – Required for Alabama residents aged 16 to 64 to hunt all legal game species, including deer and turkey.
  • Annual Small Game Hunting License – Allows residents to hunt small game species, excluding deer and turkey.
  • Apprentice Hunting License – Permits residents to hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter without completing a hunter education course.
  • Fur Catcher’s License – Required for residents who trap fur-bearing animals.
  • Lifetime Hunting License – Available to residents; provides lifetime hunting privileges without the need for annual renewal.

Non-Resident Hunting Licenses

All non-residents age 16 or older must have a non-resident hunting license. Non-residents must purchase a non-resident hunting license even if they own land in Alabama.

  • Annual All-Game Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 16 and older to hunt all legal game species.
  • 10-Day Trip All-Game License – Allows non-residents to hunt all legal game for 10 consecutive days.
  • 3-Day Trip All-Game License – Permits non-residents to hunt all legal game for 3 consecutive days.
  • Annual Small Game Hunting License – Allows non-residents to hunt small game species, excluding deer and turkey.
  • 10-Day Trip Small Game License – Permits non-residents to hunt small game for 10 consecutive days.
  • 3-Day Trip Small Game License – Allows non-residents to hunt small game for 3 consecutive days.
  • Apprentice Hunting License – Permits non-residents to hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter without completing a hunter education course.
  • Fur Catcher’s License – Required for non-residents who trap fur-bearing animals.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Youth Exemption – Residents and non-residents under the age of 16 are exempt from obtaining a hunting license.
  • Hunter Education Requirement – Individuals born on or after August 1, 1977, must complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

  • Senior Exemption – Alabama residents aged 65 and older are exempt from purchasing a hunting license but must possess appropriate permits for certain activities.
  • 64 Lifetime License – Residents aged 64 can purchase a lifetime hunting license at the annual license price, valid for life.

Lifetime Licenses (Residents Only)

  • Lifetime Hunting License – Provides residents with lifetime hunting privileges, eliminating the need for annual renewals.
  • Lifetime Freshwater Fishing License – Offers residents lifetime freshwater fishing privileges.
  • Lifetime Combination License – Grants residents lifetime hunting and freshwater fishing privileges.
    Note: Lifetime licenses are available only to Alabama residents and are subject to specific hunting rules and regulations.

Disability & Military Licenses

  • Physically Disabled Hunting License – Available to residents who are permanently 100% disabled.
  • Military Exemption – Active-duty military members stationed in Alabama for at least 30 days are eligible to purchase resident hunting licenses.
  • Veteran’s Appreciation Hunting License – Offered to resident veterans with disabilities.

Required Endorsements & Tags

  • Bait Privilege License – Required to hunt white-tailed deer and feral swine over bait on private or leased lands.
  • Nighttime Feral Swine & Coyote Hunting License – Necessary for hunting feral swine and coyotes at night on private or leased lands during special seasons.
  • Wildlife Management Area (WMA) License – Required to hunt on WMA lands in addition to other necessary licenses and permits.
  • Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration – Mandatory for hunting migratory birds; registration is free.
  • State Duck Stamp – Required for hunting waterfowl in Alabama.
  • Federal Duck Stamp – Mandatory for waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older; must be signed across the face.

Deer and turkey hunters must record their harvest immediately using a harvest record (paper or app) and report their harvest within 48 hours through Game Check. By using the Outdoor AL app, you can immediately record deer or turkey on your harvest record, even if there's no cell phone service. Once service is available, it will automatically complete the transaction, issue the confirmation number, and update your electronic harvest record.

Hunting licenses expire on Aug. 31 of each year.


Where to buy your Alabama Hunting License

To hunt in Alabama, you can purchase your license either online through the Outdoor Alabama platform or in person through a licensed agent. A full list of in-person license vendors can be found on the Alabama License Agent Locator.

Below are some top in-person hunting license agents in Alabama:

 

 

FAQs

Can you take a hunter safety course online in Alabama?

Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.

 

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

 

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Alabama?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Alabama and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website states that "Alabama accepts all other states' hunter education certifications. Therefore, if you completed your hunter education in another state, you are good to go here.”

 

Can I get an Alabama hunting license online?

To hunt in Alabama, you can purchase your license online through the Outdoor Alabama platform.