CHAPTER 220-2 GAME AND FISH DIVISION

1. SQUIRREL: 8 a Day – 8 in Possession

October 1 – February 28

(g) RACCOON: 5 Per Person – Private Owned and Leased Lands

September 1 – February 28

5 Per Party – Open Permit-Public Land September 1 – February 28

No running of dogs during daytime or after 3:00 A.M. during and in areas of spring turkey season.

(h) OPOSSUM: No Bag Limit September 1 – February 28

No running of dogs during daytime or after 3:00 A.M. during and in areas of spring turkey season.

(i) FOX: 1 a Day – 1 in Possession – Daylight Hours Only – Guns only in areas of and during dates of turkey and/or gun deer season. Bow and Arrow (including Crossbow if legal) – in areas of and during dates of open bow and arrow seasons for deer and turkey.

DOGS ONLY – NO GUNS OR BOW AND ARROW (OR CROSSBOW)– No Closed Season except no running of dogs during daytime or after 3:00 A.M. during and in areas of spring turkey season.

(j) BOBCAT: No Bag Limit – Daylight Hours Only – Guns only in areas of and during dates of turkey and/or gun deer season. Bow and Arrow (including Crossbow if legal) – in areas of and during dates of open bow and arrow seasons for deer and turkey.

DOGS ONLY – NO GUNS OR BOW AND ARROW (OR CROSSBOW) – No Closed Season except no running of dogs during daytime or after 3:00 A.M. during and in areas of spring turkey season.

NOTE: See "Tagging Requirements" under Rule 220-2-.30.

(k) COYOTE: GUNS AND BOW AND ARROW (INCLUDING CROSSBOW IF LEGAL) ONLY (NO DOGS)

No Bag Limit – No Closed Season. Daylight Hours Only.

GUNS AND BOW AND ARROW (INCLUDING CROSSBOW IF LEGAL) WITH DOGS – Only during daylight hours in areas of and during dog deer season.

DOGS ONLY – NO GUNS OR BOW AND ARROW (OR CROSSBOW) – No Closed Season except no running of dogs during daytime or after 3:00 A.M. during and in areas of spring turkey season.

(l) BEAVER, NUTRIA, AND GROUNDHOG:

No Bag Limit – Daylight Hours Only No Closed Season

(m) STARLINGS, CROWS, AND BLACKBIRDS:

No Bag Limit – Daylight Hours Only No Closed Season

(n) FERAL SWINE (WILD HOGS):

Guns, Bow and Arrow (including crossbow IF LEGAL) or Spears (No Dogs)*

No bag limit – No Closed Season

Guns, Bow and Arrow (including crossbow IF LEGAL) or Spears with Dogs*

No bag limit, daylight hours only – No Closed Season, except during and in areas of stalk only gun deer season and except during and in areas of spring turkey season.

Dogs Only– Nighttime (No Weapons)*

No bag limit – No closed season, except after 3:00 A.M. during and in areas of spring turkey season.

Trapping by Landowner or his Agent

No bag limit – No Closed Season

*No hunting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on the Bankhead and Talladega (Talladega Division) National Forest during the dates of the deer season except hunting shall be allowed on November 23 – 24 and December 21 – 22.

Once reduced to personal possession of the landowner or agent, feral swine will no longer be considered a game animal. However, feral swine will be treated as a game animal at any time they are hunted.

(o) BEAR, MOUNTAIN LION, ALLIGATOR AND RUFFED GROUSE

No Open Season

1. WOODCOCK: 3 a Day – 6 in Possession

December 18 – January 31

Shooting Hours – One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.

(q) SNIPE: 8 a Day – 16 in Possession

November 13 – February 27

Shooting Hours – One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.

(r) RAIL, PURPLE GALLINULE AND COMMON MOORHENS:

15 a Day – 15 in Possession September 18 – September 26

November 21 – January 20

Shooting Hours – One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.

(s) SPECIAL TEAL SEASON:

4 a Day – 8 in possession September 18 – September 26

Shooting Hours – One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.

(t) SPECIAL EARLY CANADA GOOSE SEASON:

5 a Day – 10 in possession September 1 – September 15

Shooting Hours – One-half hour before Sunrise to Sunset.

(u) DUCK, COOT, MERGANSER, GOOSE, TEAL: (See Rule 220-2-.77)

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-235, 9-11-240.

History: Effective August 31, 1993. Amended: October 4, 1993. Effective November 8, 1993. July 14, 1994(E). Amended: Filed July 15, 1994; effective August 19, 1994. Amended: Filed August 6, 1995; effective August 15, 1995. New Rule: Filed August 29, 1996; effective August 29, 1996(PE), (Was previously 220-2-.01.01 - 1996-97 Hunting Seasons). Repealed: Filed October 17, 1996; effective October 17, 1996(PE), (Was previously 220-2-.01 - 1995-96 Hunting Seasons). New Rule: Filed August 28, 1997; effective August 28, 1997(PE). Repealed Filed September 26, 1997; effective September 26, 1997(PE), (Was previously 220-2-.01 - 1996-97 Hunting Seasons). Amended (PE): Filed March 10, 1998; effective March 10, 1998. New Rule (PE): Filed August 11, 1998; effective August 11, 1998. Amended (PE): Filed August 24, 1998; effective August 24, 1998. Repealed (PE): Filed April 6, 1999; effective April 6, 1999, (Was previously 1997-98 Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed August 31, 1999; effective August 31, 1999. Repealed (PE): Filed March 21, 2000; effective March 21, 2000, (Was previously 1998-99 Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed August 29, 2000; effective August 29, 2000. Amended (PE): Filed September 14, 2000; effective September 14, 2000. Repealed (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001, (Was previously 1999-2000 Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001. New Rule (PE): Filed July 17, 2002; effective July 17, 2002 (2002-2003 Hunting Seasons). Amended (PE): Filed August 23, 2002; effective August 23, 2002. Repealed (PE): Filed August 23, 2002; effective August 23, 2002, (Was previously 2000-2001 Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed July 2, 2003; effective July 2, 2003 (2003-2004 Hunting Seasons). Repealed (PE): Filed June 15, 2004; effective June 15, 2004 (Was previously 2001-2002 Hunting Seasons). Repealed (PE): Filed June 15, 2004; effective June 15, 2004 (Was previously 2002-2003 Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed (PE): Filed September 1, 2004; effective September 1, 2004 (Was previously 2003-2004 Hunting Seasons).

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.02 Legal Arms, Ammunition, And Methods For Hunting.

(1)(a) GENERAL It shall be unlawful for any

PROHIBITIONS: person to use any method or have in their possession any weapon or ammunition contrary to this regulation while hunting or attempting to hunt game birds and animals or other species provided for herein unless expressly provided for by duly enacted laws of the State of Alabama.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to submit firearms and ammunition or any device, instrument or accessory used in hunting to Conservation Officers for inspection.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt with a bow or gun that has a light source attached that is capable of casting a beam of light (including a laser sight) forward of said bow or gun or to possess such a light source adapted for attachment to said bow or gun while hunting.

(d) It shall be unlawful to possess any equipment that uses electronics to increase the ability to see in the dark (night vision equipment) while hunting any species of wildlife, both protected or unprotected species.

(e) It shall be unlawful to possess fully automatic firearms or silenced firearms while hunting any species of wildlife.

(2) DEER: WHEN AND WHERE DOG OR STALK HUNTING IS ALLOWED –

· Rifles using centerfire, mushrooming ammunition.

· Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller using buckshot, slugs, or single round ball.

· Muzzle-loaders and Black Powder Handguns--.40 caliber or larger, provided further it shall be illegal to possess other firearms while hunting with muzzleloaders during the special muzzleloader season.

· Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.

· Handguns or pistols using centerfire, mushrooming ammunition.

WHEN AND WHERE STALK HUNTING ONLY IS ALLOWED –

· Same as above, except slugs or single round ball only may be used in shotguns.

(3)(a) TURKEY: · Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller using standard No. 2 shot or smaller.

· Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.

· Handguns or pistols using centerfire mushrooming ammunition, black powder handguns or pistols .40 caliber or larger.

· Handguns or pistols can only have open metallic sights (no scopes).

(b) Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the possession of rifles, shotgun/rifle combinations (drilling) or buckshot and slugs when the hunter is stalk hunting both deer and turkey provided no person shoots or attempts to shoot turkey with the rifle or shotgun using buckshot or slugs.

(4) MIGRATORY · Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller,

BIRDS: plugged with a one piece filler incapable of removal without disassembling the gun or otherwise incapable of holding more than 3 shells using standard No. 2 shot or smaller, except waterfowl must be hunted with steel shot only, T-size or smaller and waterfowl hunters shall not possess any other size steel shot or any size lead shot.

· Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.

· Waterfowl may also be hunted with other shot compositions and shot sizes that are approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

(5) BOBCAT & · Rifles of any caliber.

GROUNDHOG · Handguns or pistols.

AND · Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller

UNPROTECTED using standard No. 2 shot or

WILDLIFE: smaller.

· Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.

(6) RACCOON & · Nighttime hunting—Shotguns

OPOSSUM: using No. 6 shot or smaller; .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms.

· Daytime hunting - See "(8) OTHER GAME BIRDS OR ANIMALS".

(7) FOX, COYOTE · Rifles of any caliber.

& FERAL SWINE: · Handguns or pistols.

· Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller (with slugs or single round ball only during stalk gun deer season).

· Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.

(8) OTHER GAME · Rifles using rimfire ammunition

BIRDS OR or those operated by air.

ANIMALS: · Muzzleloaders and black powder handguns of any caliber.

· Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.

· Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, using standard No. 4 shot or smaller.

· Handguns or pistols.

· Blowguns using darts propelled by the hunter’s breath only.

· Sling shots.

(9) SPEAR: · DEER and FERAL SWINE may be taken by hand

thrown spear during the open Bow and Arrow season on these species. The hand thrown spear shall have a sharpened blade a minimum of two inches in width. The spear shall only be hand thrown.

(10) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt deer and turkey with bow and arrows that are not in conformance with the legal specifications for bow and arrows set out in Rule 220-2-.03.

(11)(a) Falconry - For the purpose of permitting the practice of falconry as a legal means of taking game in Alabama, and for no other purpose, live migratory birds of the family Accipitridae (other than the bald eagle), Falconidae, and the great horned owl of the family Strigidae, are hereby designated as game birds.

(b) As used in this regulation, the word:

1. "Raptor" means a live migratory bird of the family Accipitridae, other than the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), or of the family Falconidae, or the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) of the family Strigidae.

2. "Take" means to trap or capture, or attempt to trap or capture, a raptor for the purpose of falconry.

3. "Falconry" means the sport of taking quarry by means of a trained raptor.

4. "Service" means the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Interior.

5. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

6. "Department" means the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

7. "Division" means the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(c) An applicant who wishes to practice falconry in Alabama must submit a request for an application to practice falconry along with a non-refundable $5 fee to the Commissioner. If a permittee desires to renew his permit an additional $5 fee shall be due with each renewal request.

(d) A falconry permit is required before any person may take, transport, or possess wild-taken or captive bred raptors for falconry purposes. The use for falconry or the possession of any raptor species not covered by the Federal Falconry Regulations and listed above is controlled by these regulations.

Every permit issued shall be subject to the following special conditions:

1. A permittee may not take, transport, or possess a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) unless authorized in writing by the Service. A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any species designated as endangered by the State unless authorized in writing by the Commissioner.

2. A permittee may trade or transfer a wild-caught raptor to another permittee if the transaction occurs entirely within the State and no money or other consideration is involved. A permittee may trade or transfer a wild-caught raptor to another permittee in an interstate transaction if prior written approval of the State which issued the permit is obtained and no money or other consideration is involved in the transaction.

3. A permittee may not sell, purchase, barter, or offer to sell, purchase, or barter any raptor unless the raptor is marked on the metatarsus by a seamless, numbered band supplied by the Service.

4. A permittee may not propagate raptors without prior acquisition of a valid raptor propagation permit issued under Federal Regulation 50CFR21.30.

5. A permittee may not take, possess or transport a raptor in violation of restrictions, conditions, and requirements of the Federal or State Falconry Permit Regulations.

6. By July 31 of each year, a permittee shall submit a falconry report to the authority which issued the permit. The report shall contain the following:

(i) A listing of all raptors in his possession on June 30 of the year in which the report is filed by species, marker number, sex (if known), age (if known), and date and where or from whom acquired;

(ii) A listing of all raptors possessed or acquired since the previous annual report, but no longer possessed, by species, marker number, sex (if known), age (if known), date and where or from whom acquired or given to, whether escaped, died , or released, and when the event occurred.

(e) A permit or the renewal of a permit is valid when issued by the State and expires on June 30 of the second calendar year after it is issued, unless a different period is specified on the permit or renewal. A fee of $5 shall be required with each renewal.

(f) Three classes of falconry permits shall be issued. These include:

1. APPRENTICE CLASS - Conditions of this class include:

(i) A permittee shall be at least 14 years old;

(ii) A sponsor who is a holder of a General or a Master Falconry Permit is required for the first two years in which an apprentice permit is held, regardless of the age of the permittee. A sponsor may not have more than three apprentices at one time;

(iii) A permittee shall not possess more than one raptor and may not obtain more than one raptor as a replacement bird during any 12 month period;

(iv) A permittee shall possess only the following raptors which must be taken from the wild by the apprentice: an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), or a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus).

2. GENERAL CLASS - Conditions of this class include:

(i) A permittee shall be at least 18 years old;

(ii) A permittee shall have at least two years experience in the practice of falconry at the apprentice level or its equivalent;

(iii) A permittee may not possess more than two raptors and may not obtain more than two raptors for replacement birds during any 12 month period;

(iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any golden eagle or any species listed as threatened or endangered by the Service or any species listed as endangered by the State except as provided by the Federal and State Falconry Permit Regulations.

3. MASTER CLASS - Conditions of this class include:

(i) An applicant shall have at least five years experience in the practice of falconry at the general class level or its equivalent;

(ii) A permittee may not possess more than three raptors, and may not obtain more than two raptors for replacement birds during any 12 month period;

(iii) A permittee may not take, transport or possess any species listed as endangered by the Service or any species listed as endangered by the State except as provided by the Federal and State Falconry Permit Regulations;

(iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess a golden eagle for falconry purposes unless authorized in writing by the Service;

(v) Except as provided by the Federal Falconry Regulations, a permittee may not take, transport or possess as part of his three bird limitation, more than one raptor listed as threatened by the Service, and then only in accordance with Federal Regulations 50CFR 21;

(vi) A master permittee may take for use in Falconry, progeny of captive-bred threatened and/or endangered species in accordance with federal regulations.

(g) Before any falconry permit is issued, the applicant shall be required to answer correctly at least 80 per cent of the questions on a supervised examination approved by the Service relating to the basic biology, care, and handling of raptors, literature, laws, regulations, and other appropriate subject matter. An opportunity for retaking the examination shall be provided in the event of failure.

(h) Before any falconry permit is issued, the applicant's raptor housing facilities and falconry equipment shall be inspected and certified by a representative of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as meeting the following standards:

1. Facilities - The primary consideration for raptor housing facilities, whether indoors (mews) or outdoors (weathering area), is protection from the environment, predators, or undue disturbance. The applicant shall have the following facilities:

(i) Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow easy access for caring for raptors housed in the facility. If more than one raptor is to be housed in the facility, the raptor shall be tethered or separated by partitions and the area for each bird shall be large enough to allow each bird to fully extend its wings. There shall be at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced narrower than the width of the bird's body and a secure door that can be easily closed. The floor of the mews shall permit easy cleaning and shall be well drained. Adequate perches shall be provided;

(ii) Outdoor facilities (weathering area) shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire or roofed to protect the birds from disturbance and attack by predators, except that perches more than 6 1/2 feet high need not be covered or roofed. The enclosures shall be wide enough to insure that the birds wings shall not strike the fence when flying from the perch. Protection from excessive sun, wind, and inclement weather shall be provided for each bird. Adequate perches shall be provided.

2. Equipment - The following items shall be in the possession of the applicant before he can obtain a permit:

(i) Jesses - At least one pair of Aylmeri jesses of pliable leather or suitable synthetic material to be used when any raptor is flown free. Traditional type one-piece jesses may be used on raptors when not being flown; and

(ii) Leashes and Swivels - At least one flexible, weather resistant leash and one swivel of acceptable falconry design; and

(iii) Bath Container - At least one container, 2 to 6 inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor, for drinking and bathing for each raptor; and

(iv) Outdoor Perches - At least one weathering area perch of an acceptable design shall be provided for each raptor; and

(v) Weighing Device - A reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptor and graduated in increments of not more than ½ ounce (15 grams) shall be provided.

3. Maintenance - All facilities and equipment shall be kept at or above the preceding standards at all times.

4. Transportation - Temporary Holding - Temporarily, a raptor may be transported or held in temporary facilities, which shall be provided with an adequate perch and protection from extreme temperatures and excessive disturbance for a period not to exceed 30 days.

(i) All raptors held within the State excepting those held for scientific or zoological purposes shall have a numbered, non-reusable marker supplied to the Department by the Service. Markers shall be attached by permittees immediately upon acquisition from the Department. In the instance of raptors acquired after the effective date of these regulations, markers shall also be attached to these raptors immediately upon acquisition. Alteration, counterfeiting or defacing of a marker is prohibited except that permittees may remove the rear tab on markers and may smooth any imperfect surface provided the integrity of the marker and the number are not affected.

(j) Special restrictions are as follows:

1. Young raptors not yet capable of flight (eyasses) may only be taken by General or Master Falconry Permit holders during the period May 25 - June 30, and no more than two eyasses may be taken by the same permittee during this period during one calendar year;

2. First year passage raptors may be taken during the period September 15 – January 31;

3. Only American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) may be taken when over one year old, except that any raptor other than endangered or threatened species taken under a depredation (or special purpose) permit may be used for falconry by General or Master Falconry Permit holders;

4. A marked raptor may be retrapped at any time.

(k) A person who possesses a lawfully acquired raptor before the enactment of these regulations and who fails to meet the permit requirements, shall be allowed to retain the raptors. All such birds shall be identified with markers supplied by the Department and cannot be replaced if death, loss, release, or escape occurs.

(l) A person who possesses raptors before the enactment of these regulations in excess of the number allowed under his class permit shall be allowed to retain the extra raptors. All such raptors shall be identified with markers supplied by the Department and no replacement can occur until the number in possession is at least one less than the total number authorized by the class of permit held by the permittee.

(m) A falconry permit holder shall obtain written permission from the Department before any species not indigenous to the State is intentionally released to the wild. The marker of any released bird shall be removed and surrendered to the Division's District Supervisor in the respective area upon release. A standard Federal bird-band shall be attached to such birds by the State or authorized federal bird bander whenever possible.

(n) Another person may care for the birds of a permittee if written authorization from the permittee accompanies the birds when they are transferred. If that period of care will exceed 30 days, the permittee shall inform the Division's District Supervisor of his respective district within three days of the transfer, of the reason for the transfer, where the birds are being held, who is caring for them, and approximately how many days they will be under the care of the second person.

(o) Feathers that are molted or those feathers from birds held in captivity that die, may be retained and exchanged by permittees only for imping purposes.

(p) Non-transfer, interstate import and export conditions:

1. Non-residents of the State which are permit holders from States which are recognized as falconry states by the Service may transport into Alabama raptors for personal falconry use (i.e. Falconry Meets, etc.) provided the laws and regulations concerning hunting and falconry are observed;

2. Residents of the State who are falconry permittees may transport their raptors into other states which are recognized by the Service as falconry states for personal falconry use provided hunting and falconry laws and regulations are observed.

3. This section does not prevent the importation, exportation, or exchange between permittees of legally acquired raptors taken from the wild or produced by captive propagation, if the permittees who import, export, or exchange raptors notify the Department in writing and as provided for elsewhere within these regulations.

(q) Every permittee and every person possessing a raptor in the State shall submit an inventory to the Department within 90 days of the effective date of this regulation. This inventory of raptors shall be submitted regardless of whether or not the owner intends to submit an application for a falconry permit.

(r) Permittees holding the proper licenses may hunt, pursue and kill game birds and game animals during any of the established hunting seasons in accordance with existing regulations under the following provisions:

1. Persons desiring to hunt with raptors must obtain proper hunting licenses along with proper falconry permits before attempting to take game birds and game animals;

2. Persons hunting with raptors may hunt, pursue and kill game birds and game animals as follows:

· Migratory game birds - during the gun seasons for birds pursued.

· Resident game birds and animals - from the opening date of the gun season for the species pursued through March 31.

3. A permittee, whose hunting raptor accidentally kills game that is out of season or of the wrong species or sex, shall leave the dead quarry where it lies, except that the raptor may feed upon the quarry prior to leaving the site of the kill.

4. Regular season bag limits for migratory game birds do not apply to falconry. Falconry bag limits shall not exceed 3 birds for all migratory game birds in the aggregate, whether or not an extended season is selected. Regular season bag limits for resident game birds and animals shall apply to falconry.

(s) It shall be lawful for a nonresident to take or attempt to take raptors from the wild in Alabama, subject to the same restrictions and limitations as apply to resident permit holders, if the nonresident has a valid general or master level falconry permit from such person’s state of residence, a valid Alabama nonresident hunting license, and if such person’s state of residence provides the same privileges to residents of Alabama.

(t) Violation of this regulation or federal regulation is just cause for revocation of permits by the Department.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 18, 1982; October 13, 1984; October 19, 1985; December 2, 1987; April 7, 1989; January 2, 1990; September 27, 1990; November 13, 1991. Amended: Filed October 4, 1993; effective November 8, 1993. Amended: Filed September 13, 1994; effective October 19, 1994. Amended: Filed September 20, 1995; effective October 26, 1995. Amended: Filed September 10, 1996; effective October 16, 1996. Amended: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997. Amended (PE): Filed March 10, 1998; effective March 10, 1998. Amended: Filed November 30, 1998; effective January 4, 1999. Amended: Filed September 13, 1999; effective October 18, 1999. Amended: Filed June 26, 2002; effective July 31, 2002. Amended: Filed September 16, 2002; effective October 21, 2002. Amended: Filed August 25, 2003; effective September 29, 2003. Amended: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.03 Legal Specifications For Bow And Arrow.

(1) A legal bow for hunting is defined as either a long bow, a recurve bow, or a compound bow designed to be held, drawn, and fired in the upright (vertical) position, or a crossbow. Except for crossbows or as provided in paragraph (3) for disabled persons, there shall be no attachment or extensions on the bow upon which the shooter may rest the string, drawing hand, fingers, release aid or arm to assist in holding or to hold the bow at full draw. Except for crossbows or as provided in paragraph (3) for disabled persons, the bow must be supported only by the shooter's hand, and the string and arrow must be drawn and held using only the shooter's strength while the bow is being shot. This does not prohibit the use of cable guards on compound bows or the use of string releases or mechanical releases which are hand-held and hand-drawn with no other attachments, connection or contact with the bow other than to the bow string. It shall be unlawful to hunt with any bow which does not conform to the requirements of this regulation.

(2) Sighting and aiming devices on all bows shall be void of any electronics with computational capabilities. The use of electrically assisted aiming devices shall be limited to illuminated sight pins/beads/markings which are attached to the bow. Sights with magnification or light projection (laser type) features are prohibited.

(3)(a) Except for crossbows, it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wildlife with any mechanical device that holds a bow at full or partial draw, except a person holding a valid disabled permit issued by the Department is allowed to use a device that holds a bow at full draw provided the device has a full working safety to prevent accidental firings.

(b) Permits for permanently disabled persons shall be issued to persons meeting at least one of the following qualifications:

(1) Any person previously licensed under Section 9-11-45.1, Code of Ala. 1975, to use a crossbow.

(2) Any person unable to ambulate without the aid of a wheelchair, two crutches, two leg braces or two leg prostheses at all times.

(3) Any person who, by reason of permanent physical impairment, is incapable of holding, drawing, or releasing a compound bow, recurve bow, or long bow, with a minimum peak tension (within the user's normal draw length) of 35 pounds.

Persons applying for a permit pursuant to (b)(2) or (b)(3) above shall present to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources a letter from a licensed physician stating the applicant's name, address, description of the permanent physical impairment, the medical reason for such impairment, and a specific statement certifying how the applicant meets the criteria of (b)(2) or (b)(3). Upon review and approval of such letter by an authorized employee of the Department, the letter shall be returned to the applicant and said letter shall be in the applicant's possession and serve as a permit at any time he/she is utilizing the permit for hunting.

(4) It shall be unlawful, except as otherwise provided by law or regulation, for any person to hunt deer and turkey with bow and arrows that are not in conformance with the following specifications:

(a) Bows must have a minimum peak tension (within the user's normal draw length) of 35 pounds. Compound bows shall not have draw reduction (let-off) greater than 90 percent at full draw. Crossbows must have a minimum peak tension of 100 pounds at normal draw length.

(b) Arrows shall be a minimum of 20 inches in length (nock slot to end of shaft) and equipped with a broadhead which has a minimum of 2 sharpened edges. Crossbow bolts or arrows shall be a minimum of 14 inches in length from nock slot to end of shaft.

(c) Broadheads shall have a minimum weight of 100 grains. The minimum cutting diameter for any broadhead shall be 7/8 inch. The minimum thickness for fixed blade broadheads shall be .015 inch, and the minimum thickness for expanded broadheads shall be .025 inch.

(5) Crossbows must be equipped with a working safety.

Author: M Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Emergency amendment effective August 18, 1988. Amended: December 3, 1988; November 16, 1990; October 23, 1991; January 18, 1992; May 5, 1993; effective: June 15, 1993. Amended: Filed November 10, 1994; effective December 15, 1994. Amended: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997. Amended: Filed July 21, 1998; effective August 26, 1998. Amended: Filed October 12, 1999; effective November 16, 1999. Amended: Filed August 10, 2000; effective September 14, 2000. Amended: Filed October 25, 2001; effective November 29, 2001. Amended: Filed July 16, 2002; effective August 20, 2002. Amended: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.04 Game Birds Designated. Resident Game Birds: Bobwhite Quail, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey; Migratory Game Birds: Wild Duck, Wild Goose, Brant, Rail, Sora, Coot, (Poule d'Eau or Mud Hen), Jacksnipe (Wilson Snipe), Woodcock, Dove, Gallinule, and Merganser.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.05 Legal Hunting Hours For Game Birds. Legal hunting hours for game birds during the open season shall be daylight hours only, except (1) Dove, 12 o'clock noon until sunset, and (2) Duck, Coot, Goose, Snipe, and Woodcock, 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset (except as otherwise designated).

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.06 Game Animals Designated. The following animals are hereby designated as game animals: Bear, Beaver, Coyote, Deer, Opossum, Rabbit, Raccoon, Squirrel, Nutria, Fox, Mountain Lion (Cougar), Groundhog, Bobcat, Red Wolf, Feral Swine (Wild Hog), except those feral swine reduced to the personal possession of a landowner or his agent, provided, however, that notwithstanding such reduction to personal possession, in the event such feral swine are hunted, they shall at such time of hunting be designated as game animals.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: March 20, 1990; April 21, 1992; September 16, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.07 Legal Hunting Hours For Game Animals. Legal hunting hours for all game animals during the open season for same shall be daylight hours only, except fox may be hunted at night with light and dogs only, and raccoon and opossum may be hunted under the following conditions: with the use of a light and a shotgun using No. 6 shot or smaller or a .22 caliber rimfire firearms when hunter or hunters are accompanied by dog or dogs free of leash, and if hunting on the lands of another, they must have the written permission of the landowner.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-235, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: Filed December 17, 1985. January 21, 1986.

220-2-.08 Hunting Of Raccoon, Opossum, Squirrel, Rabbit And Deer During Closed Gun Season. It is hereby made lawful to run raccoon, opossum, squirrel, and rabbit with dogs during the closed gun season on raccoon, opossum, squirrel, and rabbit by licensed hunters, provided, however, that under no circumstances shall anyone take, kill or have in his possession any raccoon, opossum, squirrel, or rabbit, or possess any device that could aid in capturing or killing other than light in conjunction with the running of raccoon, opossum, squirrel, and rabbit as permitted under this regulation during the closed gun season. Provided, further, that deer may be run with dogs only from the period October 1 until the opening of gun deer season in counties having a scheduled gun dog deer season. In addition it is also provided further that each cast participating in a raccoon night hunt field trial having a permit issued pursuant to Rule 220-2-.17 may possess one raccoon squaller during the closed season on raccoons.

Author: Riley Boykin Smith

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Emergency amendment effective September 17, 1990. Amended: December 21, 1990; March 19, 1992. Amended: Filed August 28, 2001; effective October 2, 2001.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.09 Specification Of Firearms For Hunting. (Repealed)

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: March 29, 1986; September 13, 1986; October 22, 1987; December 3, 1988. Emergency amendment effective August 18, 1988. Amended: September 27, 1990; November 16, 1990; November 13, 1991. Amended: Filed October 13, 1994; effective November 18, 1994. Amended: Filed September 20, 1995; effective October 26, 1995; Amended: Filed September 10, 1996; effective October 16, 1996. Amended: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997. Amended: Filed November 30, 1998; effective January 4, 1999. Amended: Filed September 13, 1999; effective October 18, 1999. Amended: Filed September 20, 2000; effective October 25, 2000. Amended: Filed June 14, 2002; effective July 19, 2002. Amended: Filed August 25, 2003; effective September 29, 2003. Repealed: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.10 The Possession Of Firearms By Bow Hunters Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess both gun and bow while hunting any species of game, bird or animal, except during and in areas of the either sex gun deer season.

Author: Richard C. Liles

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: Filed July 16, 2002; effective August 20, 2002.

220-2-.11 Prohibited Methods And Devices For Hunting. It shall be unlawful to concentrate, drive, rally, molest or to hunt, take, capture or kill or attempt to hunt, take, capture or kill any bird or animal from or by the aid of:

(1) Any automobile, motorcar, airplane, train, motorboat, sailboat or any type mechanically propelled device, or any other device being operated in conjunction with any of the above mentioned devices of transportation. Provided, however, that nothing in this regulation shall prevent hunting from a floating craft (except a sinkbox), including those propelled by motor, sail and wind, or both, when the motor of such craft has been completely shut off and/or the sails furled, as the case may be, its progress therefrom has ceased, and it is drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or it is being propelled by paddle, oars or pole, and provided further that nothing in this regulation shall prevent the taking of game birds and game animals from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor driven land conveyance provided any forward motion is ceased and engine is shut off. Nothing in this regulation allows the hunting, taking or killing or attempting to hunt, take or kill any bird of animal from any vehicle on a public road.

(2) Any electrically amplified bird calls or sound whether real or imitation. Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the use of electrically amplified crow calls. The possession of any electrical device and/or records capable of producing real or imitation bird calls of any type except crow calls in the woods, field, or on the waters of this State shall be a violation of this regulation; and provided further nothing shall prohibit the use of an electronic quail call to recall captive bred quail, provided the person using an electronic quail call has acquired and has in possession a permit issued by an authorized representative of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, and provided that only banded pen raised quail shall be used and any unbanded birds taken in the recovery pen shall be immediately released.

(3) Fire or smoke whether man-made or natural.

(4) Any live decoys, except when hunting unprotected birds or animals, provided that banded live pen raised quail may be used in a recovery pen as a call bird when such recovery pen is used to recover pen raised quail as provided for in Regulation 220-2-.16.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person while engaged in hunting turkey in this State to use or have in his possession a decoy which has mechanical or electronic parts which makes the decoy capable of movement or producing sound or which can be manipulated to produce movement or sound. It is further provided, however, that no turkey decoys shall be lawful except during spring turkey season in the area of use.

(6) From floodwater. It shall be a violation of this regulation to hunt or attempt to hunt or take any species of resident bird or animal taking refuge in, swimming through, flying over, or resting in a tree, bush, or log standing or floating in any floodwaters or backwaters or taking refuge on any island less than forty acres in size created by any such flood or backwaters. Provided, however, that nothing in this regulation shall prevent the taking of migratory waterfowl from such areas.

(7) Any area where feeding has taken place, until all the feed has been removed or consumed for at least 10 days prior to such hunting.

It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt with a bow or gun that has a light source attached that is capable of casting a beam of light (including a laser sight) forward of said bow or gun or to possess such a light source adapted for attachment to said bow or gun while hunting.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: September 12, 1983; January 22, 1986; August 18, 1988; December 3, 1988; November 16, 1989; September 27, 1990; November 13, 1991. Amended: Filed August 28, 2001; effective October 2, 2001. Amended: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by Law.

220-2-.12 Game Bag, Hunting Coat, Etc. Shall Be Open To Inspection. Pursuant to the Code of Ala. 1975, Sections 9-11-85 and 9-11-259, which provided in effect that all game birds, animals or fish taken or killed in this State must at all times be carried or transported openly and that all game birds, animals or fish carried or transported in an illegal manner shall be confiscated and disposed of under regulations by the Commissioner; any live box, holding box, game bag, hunting coat, camping equipment, or like receptacles, or any automobile or boat used for the carrying or holding of any fish, game birds, or game animals or any gun or fishing tackle used in hunting or fishing shall be subject to inspection by officers of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at all times upon proper identification of said officer. Any person who refuses to allow inspection of the above named articles shall be in violation of this regulation and shall be punished as provided by law.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12, 9-11-85, 9-11-259.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: September 30, 1985. November 5, 1985.

220-2-.13 Reasonable Effort Must Be Made To Retrieve Crippled Birds, Animals And Fish. It shall be illegal for any person, firm, or corporation 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 his daily bag or creel limit. Nothing in this regulation permits or requires a person to enter upon the land or waters of another for the purpose of retrieving game or fish without the permission of the landowner.

Author: Richard C. Liles

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: Filed July 16, 2002; effective August 20, 2002.

220-2-.14 Deer Hunting Confined To Bucks Only With Bare Antlers Visible Above Hairline. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, capture, kill or attempt to take, capture or kill or have in possession any deer, except male or "buck" deer with bare antlers visible above the natural hairline, except under special regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, or to mutilate a deer so as to make the antlers visible above the natural hairline.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.15 Destroying Sex Of Deer Or Wild Turkey Prohibited. It is hereby made unlawful for any person who kills, captures, or possesses a deer or wild turkey, in order to evade or attempt to evade any law or regulation, to destroy or attempt to destroy the evidence of sex, or to mutilate the carcass of such deer or wild turkey so as to make the determination of the legal status of the deer or turkey uncertain. Nothing in this regulation is intended to prevent any person from dressing for consumption any deer or wild turkey which has been killed legally. This regulation is designed to prohibit the killing or capturing of illegal deer and wild turkey hens.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.16 Period For Training Bird Dogs.

(1) Any licensed dog trainer may train bird dogs and any licensed hunter may train his own bird dog during the closed hunting season. Any licensed dog trainer, any licensed hunter may train his bird dogs with the aid of a recovery pen to recover the pen raised quail used in training bird dogs. Provided all pen raised quail used, shall be banded and any unbanded birds taken in the recovery pen shall be immediately released.

(2) Under no circumstances, however, shall such training be accomplished or allowed with the use of a gun during the closed hunting season other than as outlined below. Such trainer or owner may train such dogs by using a pistol loaded with blanks only. The training of bird dogs through the use of shotguns and live ammunition shall be allowed at any time of the year, provided that such training be restricted to a specific location predesignated to and approved by the Conservation Officer assigned to the area where the training is to take place; that the dogs being so trained be controlled by leash in a manner restricting them to the specified training area; that only unprotected birds be involved and that written permission for such training be obtained from said Conservation Officer assigned to such area.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12, 9-11-52.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.17 Organized Field Trials. It shall be legal for any resident or nonresident of this State to participate in any organized field trial, approved in writing by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, without a hunting license, provided that no guns using live ammunition are used or any game animals or birds are taken or killed in any way in the process of such field trial. Provided further that during the course of approved bird dog field trials (which trials shall only be conducted pursuant to possession of a valid permit from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), only pen-raised banded quail may be shot. The shooter, or person bearing the gun, will not be required to have a hunting license. Only one person at a time may posses a gun during the course of a permitted field trial where quail will be shot. A bird dog field trial permit where quail are taken will only be issued for a predesignated marked course and the number of tagged pen-raised birds to be released will be specified on the permit. Approval of the local conservation officer will be required prior to the issuance of a bird dog field trial permit where pen-raised quail are to be taken. Permits for bird dog field trials where birds at to be shot will only be issued from September 1 through April 30.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: September 13, 1986; August 17, 1990. Amended: Filed: September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.18 Possession Limit. It shall be unlawful to take or attempt to take or have in possession more than the daily bag limit of any game bird, game or furbearing animals except as listed in numbers (1) and (2) of this rule and in Rule No. 220-2-.19, entitled "Permit For Shipping 2-Day Bag Limit", below.

(1) Possession limit does not apply on deer and/or turkey provided not more than the daily bag limit on deer and/or one (1) turkey is taken on any one day.

(2) Possession limit of one day bag does not apply on legally taken game birds or game animals after they have been processed and stored in a cooler or freezer at one's residence or at a commercial processing plant.

(3) Rule 220-2-.18, as previously adopted, is hereby expressly repealed in its entirety.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 19, 1995; effective October 25, 1995.

220-2-.19 Permit For Shipping 2-Days Bag Limit. Any person legally hunting and killing any resident game bird or animal for two or more successive days outside the county of his or her residence may, upon first procuring a permit from the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, ship a maximum of not more than two days bag limit of such birds or animals back to the county of his or her residence, provided that not more than one day's bag limit shall be taken or killed on any one day, and further provided that where the possession limit is the same as the daily bag limit, no permit will be issued for more than one day's bag limit.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.20 Hunting And Trapping In State Parks, Forests, State Game Farms And Sanctuaries Prohibited. The hunting, taking, killing, capturing or having in possession of any wild bird or animal in any state park, state forest, forest fire tower area, or any state or federal game sanctuary, except Geneva State Forest Choccolocco Corridor, Lawrence Fire Tower area and Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, is hereby prohibited.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Repealed: September 13, 1984.

220-2-.21 Possession Of Firearms Or Bow And Arrow In Any Wildlife Management Area, Refuge Or Sanctuary Prohibited. No person shall take, carry, or possess any firearms or bow of any description whatsoever in any wildlife management area in this State during the closed season on game birds, game and/or fur-bearing animals, except on an open designated target range and except a person may possess a bow and arrow only during special bow season allowed for the taking of rough fish. No person shall at any time take, carry or possess any firearms or bows of any description whatsoever in or on any wildlife refuge or wildlife sanctuary located in or on any national forest area in this State, or on or in any state or federal sanctuary except by special permit or when bow and arrows may be legally possessed during special bow season provided for the taking of rough fish on such areas by regulations of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; provided, however, that this rule shall not apply to the possession of firearms by State Conservation Officers, state or county enforcement officers, or federal agents, when they are on active duty in the performance of their duties in the enforcement of the laws of this State.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12, 9-11-301.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: November 13, 1991.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.22 Wildlife Management Areas And Sanctuaries Established. (Editor's Note: See Maps - Appendix A - at end of Chapter)

(1) The areas and refuges described in paragraph (2) hereof are hereby established as "wildlife management areas." The boundary lines of these areas and refuges shall be as they are described on the maps attached hereto and made a part hereof as though set out herein in full.

(2) The names and counties of these areas and refuges are as follows: Autauga County Community Hunting Area (Autauga); Barbour Wildlife Management Area (Barbour, Bullock); Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area (Winston, Lawrence); Blue Spring Wildlife Management Area (Covington); Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area (Bibb, Shelby); Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area (Cleburne, Calhoun); Coosa Wildlife Management Area (Coosa); Covington Wildlife Management Area (Covington, Geneva); Crow Creek Management Area (Jackson); Demopolis Wildlife Management Area (Sumter, Greene, Hale, Marengo); Escambia Creek Community Hunting Area (Escambia); Hollins Wildlife Management Area (Talladega, Clay); Kinterbish Wildlife Management Area (Choctaw, Sumter); Lauderdale Wildlife Management Area (Lauderdale); Little River Wildlife Management Area (DeKalb, Cherokee); Lowndes Wildlife Management Area (Lowndes); Mallard-Fox Creek Wildlife Management Area (Morgan, Lawrence); Mud Creek Management Area (Jackson); Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area (Walker, Tuscaloosa); Sam R. Murphy Wildlife Management Area (Lamar, Marion); Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area (Bibb, Perry, Hale, Tuscaloosa); Raccoon Creek Management Area (Jackson); Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Wildlife Management Area (Washington, Mobile); Scotch Wildlife Management Area (Clarke); Seven Mile Island Wildlife Management Area (Lauderdale); James D. Martin - Skyline Wildlife Management Area (Jackson); St. Clair Community Hunting Area (St. Clair); Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area (Limestone); Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area (Colbert); Upper Delta Wildlife Management Area (Baldwin, Mobile); W. L. Holland and Mobile-Tensaw Wildlife Management Areas (Baldwin, Mobile); West Jefferson Public Hunting Area (Jefferson, Tuscaloosa); Wolf Creek Wildlife Management Area (Walker, Fayette); North Sauty Refuge (Jackson); and Crow Creek Refuge (Jackson).

(3) The following sanctuaries are hereby established: Fred T. Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary (Clarke); and Upper State Game Sanctuary (Clarke). The boundary lines of these sanctuaries shall be as they are described on the maps attached hereto and made a part hereof as though set out herein in full.

(4) In addition, the following Federal refuges exist in the State of Alabama: Choctaw Wildlife Refuge (Choctaw); Eufaula Wildlife Refuge (Barbour); Wheeler Wildlife Refuge (Morgan, Limestone, Madison); Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge (Baldwin, Mobile); and Grand Bay Wildlife Refuge (Mobile). The boundary lines and areas for these refuges are established by Federal authorities.

(5) Rule No. 220-2-.22, as previously promulgated, is hereby expressly repealed.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-11-300, 9-11-301.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: January 22, 1986; October 17, 1986; August 6, 1987. Emergency amendment effective September 23, 1988. Amended: February 8, 1989; November 16, 1989; December 21, 1990; February 22, 1991; November 13, 1991; November 13, 1992. Amended: Filed: September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993. Amended: Filed September 16, 1994; effective October 22, 1994. Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 20, 1995; effective October 26, 1995; Amended: Filed September 19, 1996; effective October 16, 1996. Amended: Filed September 15, 1997; effective October 21, 1997. Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 15, 1998; effective October 20, 1998. Repealed and New Rule: Filed October 12, 1999; effective November 16, 1999. Repealed and New Rule: Filed October 27, 2000; effective December 1, 2000. Repealed and New Rule: Filed November 7, 2001; effective December 12, 2001. Repealed and New Rule: Filed October 23, 2002; effective November 27, 2002. Repealed and New Rule: Filed March 4, 2004; effective April 8, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.23 Licenses And Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Must Be In Possession. Every person hunting, trapping or fishing in the State, who is required by law to have a hunting, fishing or trapping license and migratory bird hunting stamp, must have said license or licenses in his or her possession at all times. When hunting, fishing or trapping, and such license or licenses must be presented for inspection to any authorized officer of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources upon demand.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: September 30, 1982.

220-2-.24 Possession Of Carcass, Untanned Hides Or Skins. It shall be a violation of this regulation to have in possession the carcass, untanned hide, or skin of any bird or animal, or any part of said bird or animal if it has been taken, caught or killed in violation of the laws and regulations of this State. It shall be unlawful to have in possession any freshly killed bird or animal protected by law or regulation of this State except during the open season for the taking of same.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.25 Imported Game Birds, Game Animals And Raw Furs Subject To State Laws.

(1) All game or fur-bearing animals, game birds, or the dead bodies or parts thereof transported into the State of Alabama from any other state, territory or foreign country for use, consumption, sale or storage in the State of Alabama shall, upon arrival, be subject to the operation and effect of the laws and regulations of the State of Alabama enacted in the exercise of its police powers to the same extent and in the same manner as though such animals or birds had been produced or taken in the State of Alabama.

(2) Any private commercial shooting preserve that is licensed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may, by obtaining a special letter permit from the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, hunt any species of exotic or non-native birds at any time of the year when such exotic or non-native birds have been stocked on said hunting preserves. Provided, however, that this regulation shall not apply to any bird or animal that appears on the U.S. Department of the Interior's and State of Alabama's "Endangered Species" list.

(3) Native game birds and animals other than species listed on hunting preserve license may be taken only on licensed hunting preserves during legal hunting seasons and when taken by properly licensed hunters abiding by any bag limits and other regulations that may be promulgated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or established by law.

Author: Charles D. Kelley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12, 9-11-410.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 17, 1986.

Ed. Note: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: Filed September 11, 1986.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.26 Restrictions On Possession, Sale, Importation And/Or Release Of Certain Animals And Fish.

(1) No person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association shall possess, sell, offer for sale, import, bring or cause to be brought or imported into the State of Alabama any of the following live fish or animals:

Any Walking Catfish or any other fish of the genus Clarias;

Any Piranha or any fish of the genus Serrasalmus;

Any Black Carp of the genus Mylopharyngodon;

Any species of Mongoose;

San Juan Rabbits, Jack Rabbits or any other species of wild rabbit or hare; or

Any of the following from any area outside the state of Alabama; any member of the family Cervidae (to include but not be limited to deer, elk, moose, caribou), species of coyote, species of fox, species of raccoon, species of skunk, wild rodent, or strain of wild turkey, black bear (Ursus americanus), mountain lion (Felis concolor), bobcat (Felis rufus), Pronghorn Antelope (Antelocapridae), any nondomestic member of the families Suidae (pigs), Tayassuidae (peccaries), or Bovidae (bison, mountain goat, mountain sheep).

No person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association, shall transport within the state, any member of the above-stated species (whether such member originated within or without the state), except for properly licensed game-breeders pursuant to Section 9-11-31, Code of Ala. 1975.

(2) It shall be unlawful to release any tame turkey, or any other turkey, whether wild or tame, into any of the wild areas of this State.

The provisions of this regulation shall not apply to any turkeys kept by any farmer or landowner of this State for normal agricultural purposes or for personal consumption.

(3) Nutria shall not be propagated or released in this State. No person, firm or corporation shall release any Nutria from captivity in this State or propagate any Nutria for the purpose of stocking in the wild of this State.

(4) All species of sturgeon are hereby declared to be protected fish within this State and any person who shall catch a sturgeon shall immediately return it to the waters from whence it came with the least possible harm.

(5) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to possess a species of sturgeon not native to Alabama waters, to introduce such a species of sturgeon to public waters of Alabama, or to offer for sale or import any such non-native sturgeon in Alabama, except by permit from the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(6) It shall be unlawful to possess, sell, offer for sale, import, or release any of the following fish: Chinese perch (Siniperca spp.), all snakeheads (Channa spp.), all mud carp (Cirrhinus spp.), or blue back herring (Alosa aestivalis).

(7) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, import, or release any non-indigenous venomous reptile in or into the State of Alabama, except by written permission of a designated employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authorized by the Director of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to issue such permits.

(8) Except as authorized by permit issued by the Department prior to the date of this amendment, it shall be unlawful for any person to have in possession any live, protected wild bird or wild animal or live embryo, eggs, or sperm of these protected wild birds or animals. "Possession" in this section does not include deer restricted by natural or man made barriers as long as the deer remain wild and are not subject to management practices of domesticated animals.

(9) The provisions of this regulation shall not apply to the exceptions provided for in Section 9-2-13(b), Code of Ala. 1975. Accredited educational facilities, research facilities, and permitted rehabilitation facilities shall be exempt from this regulation through the written permission of the Director of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries or his designee.

Author: Richard C. Liles

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: January 17, 1985; September 27, 1990; January 18, 1991. Amended: Filed September 13, 1994; effective October 19, 1994. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995. Amended: Filed August 11, 1998; September 16, 1998. Amended: Filed January 14, 1999; effective February 18, 1999. Amended: Filed September 13, 1999; effective October 18, 1999. Amended: Filed August 10, 2000; effective September 14, 2000. Amended: Filed June 19, 2001; effective July 24, 2001. Amended: Filed July 29, 2002; effective September 2, 2002.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.27 Permit To Take Protected Game Causing Crop Or Property Damage. It shall be a violation of this regulation for any person during the closed gun season to kill protected birds and animals causing crop or property damage without first procuring a permit from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Permits for the removal of protected game birds and animals will be issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or his designee if after investigation it has been determined that such protected wildlife should be removed to protect agricultural crops or other property from excessive damage. Such permits will only be issued to the person owning the land or his/her official agent or to any person who has a lease on such lands, provided the lessee has the permission of the landowner to remove protected wildlife causing the damage. Except for feral swine, permits shall not be issued to take protected wildlife causing damage to crops planted for wildlife management purposes. All wildlife killed shall be disposed of under the supervision of the local conservation officers.

Only those arms and ammunition legal for use during the open deer season may be used to kill deer under the authority of a crop or property damage permit. Exceptions may be stipulated in the conditions of the permit to allow the use of non-lethal methods when safety is a factor.

Author: Richard C. Liles

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: Filed December 17, 1997; effective January 21, 1998. Amended: Filed September 16, 2002; effective October 21, 2002.

220-2-.28 Metal Tag Required For Commercial Pen-Raised Quail. A metal wing tag of the type approved by the Poultry Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on which there shall be printed the name and address of the licensee (commercial quail breeders) and number of his license, shall be affixed to the carcass of every commercial quail sold or offered for sale in this State; and the said words to be printed on the same metal tag may be uniformly abbreviated in the following manner:

Alabama Q. B. Lic. No.

(Name)

(Address)

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.29 Open Trapping Seasons On Fur-Bearers.

(1) The open seasons during which fur-bearing animals may be trapped in Alabama during 2004-2005 are fixed by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources by virtue of the authority contained in the Code of Ala. 1975, Section 9-2-7 and 9-2-8, as follows:

Bobcat, Spotted Skunk (Civet Cat), Coyote, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Nutria, Opossum, Otter, Raccoon, and Skunk:

November 15 - February 20

Beaver: No Closed Season

Coyote: No Closed Trapping Season on Private Lands with Landowner Permission.

NOTE: See tagging requirements for Bobcat and Otter under Rule 220-2-.30.

(2) It shall be lawful for any person, firm or corporation to trap woodchuck (goundhog) from the first day of April through the thirty-first day of August each year, provided, however, traps shall be set only on or within 100 feet of fields containing agricultural crops or on or within 100 feet of fields that contained agricultural crops in the year immediately preceding. All such traps shall be tagged with the owner’s name and address.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 17, 1983; October 12, 1984; October 19, 1985; September 3, 1986(E); September 8, 1987(E); September 1, 1988(E); August 28, 1989(E); August 28, 1990(E); August 6, 1991(E); August 31, 1992(E). August 31, 1993 (E). Amended: Filed October 4, 1993; effective November 8, 1993. July 14, 1994(E). Amended: Filed July 15, 1994; effective August 19, 1994. Amended (PE): Filed August 16, 1995; effective August 15, 1995. Repealed and Replaced (PE): July 16, 1997; effective July 16, 1997. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 4, 1998; effective August 4, 1998. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 31, 1999; effective August 31, 1999. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 29, 2000; effective August 29, 2000. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed July 17, 2002; effective July 17, 2002. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed July 2, 2003; effective July 2, 2003. Amended: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.30 Fur-Bearing Animals Designated. The following shall be named and designated as fur-bearing animals in Alabama:

Beaver, Bobcat, Civet Cat, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Nutria, Opossum, Otter, Raccoon, Skunk, and Coyote.

(1) Fur Catchers - No land set leg-hold trap having a jaw width exceeding 6 inches, leg hold trap having teeth or serrated edges along the inside of one or both jaws, conibear trap or killer type trap with jaw width exceeding 5 inches or snares (except powered foot snare with a maximum loop of 5 1/2 inches) can be used to trap fur-bearing animals on land. Any person trapping fur-bearing animals in the State of Alabama must carry with him a choke stick while running traps. When legally trapped fur-bearing animals are dispatched with a firearm, only standard .22 caliber rimfire firearms may be used.

(2) Persons taking bobcat and otter must have the fur or pelts tagged by representatives of the Game and Fish Division within 14 days of taking and before the fur or pelt is sold or otherwise disposed of.

(a) However, a licensed fur catcher may sell untagged bobcat and otter to an authorized resident fur dealer and leave a completed signed fur tag report with said dealer. The dealer must then have the bobcat and otter tagged by a representative of the Game and Fish Division within 14 days of purchasing bobcat or otter pelts.

(b) Legally acquired bobcat and otter pelts or carcasses may be delivered untagged to a resident taxidermist for mounting if the owner leaves a completed, signed fur tag report with said taxidermist. The taxidermist must then have the bobcat and otter tagged by a representative of the Game and Fish Division within 14 days of taking delivery of said pelts and transmit the completed fur tag report to the Game and Fish Division representative at the time the pelt or carcass is tagged.

(c) Tags may be removed from bobcat and otter pelts when processed by a taxidermist for mounting. However, the removed tag must remain with the mounted specimen when it is returned to its owner and until the mount and pelt are destroyed.

(d) It shall be unlawful for anyone to ship, transport, or export bobcat and otter pelts from this state unless said bobcat and otter pelts are tagged by a representative of the Game and Fish Division.

(e) All bobcat and otter pelts shipped or imported into this state must be officially tagged by the state of origin.

(3) It shall be illegal to set a trap on top of a post or stake elevated above ground level.

(4) It shall be unlawful for anyone to use or possess any device as a predatory call during nighttime hours while in the possession of any type of firearm or when any member of a group is in possession of any type of firearm.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 20, 1983; October 19, 1985; September 13, 1986; November 16, 1990. Amended: Filed September 10, 1997; effective October 16, 1997.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.31 Unlawful To Hang Or Suspend Bait. It shall be unlawful to hang or suspend bait over or within 25 feet of a steel trap.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.32 Possession Or Sale Of Raw Furs After Close Of Season. Any fur catcher or fur dealer holding the raw furs, skins or pelts of fur-bearing animals after the season for taking same has been closed must submit to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources an inventory of all raw furs being held by the fur catcher or fur dealer within 45 days after the date season closes, listing furs as to species and number and where such furs are stored. Any change in this inventory prior to the opening of following season for taking fur-bearing animals shall be reported to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources within seven days. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall have the right to inspect said furs at any time it deems necessary.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.33 Fur Dealers. All persons, firms, associations, or corporations dealing in storing, buying or transporting or otherwise shipping furs, skins or pelts of fur-bearing animals shall provide and keep for regular inspection:

(a) The name and address of each person from whom furs, skins and pelts of fur-bearing animals have been received or purchased.

(b) The fur catcher license number of the catcher from whom the furs, skins or pelts of fur-bearing animals have been received or purchased.

(c) The number and classification of furs, skins or pelts of fur-bearing animals with reference to kind of fur, skin or pelt.

(d) And the dates such furs, skins or pelts were sold, the person, firm, association or corporation to whom said furs, skins or pelts were sold and the gross amount in dollars and cents received from said sales.

Author: Charles D. Kelley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 17, 1986.

Ed. Note: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: Filed September 11, 1986.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.34 Game Fish Designated. The following shall be named and designated as game fish: rainbow trout, all members of the sunfish family, including largemouth, shoal, smallmouth, redeye and spotted bass (commonly called trout or green trout), white and black crappie (commonly called white perch), rock bass, shadow bass, flier, warmouth, redbreast, bluegill, longear and shellcracker (commonly called bream). All members of the bass family including white bass, yellow bass, saltwater striped bass (commonly called rockfish) and hybrid striped bass (a cross between the white bass and the saltwater striped bass). All members of the pike family including redfin, grass and chain pickerel. The following members of the perch family: the sauger, (commonly called jack salmon), walleye and yellow perch.

Author: Riley Boykin Smith

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: June 24, 1992; October 22, 1992. Amended: September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995. Amended: Filed December 10, 1996; effective January 14, 1997. Amended: Filed April 1, 1999; effective May 6, 1999. Amended: Filed August 10, 2000; effective September 14, 2000.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.35 Daily Creel Limits, Possession Limits And Size Limits On Game Fish. The creel and possession limits for game fish in all public waters of this State, except as otherwise provided for certain State and Federally owned and/or managed fishing lakes and ponds, shall be as follows:

Black Bass, All Species or Combinations...................... 10

Walleye...................................................... 5

Sauger....................................................... 10

(There is a 14 inch minimum length limit on sauger with an exception of allowing three fish less than 14 inches in total length.)

White Bass, Yellow Bass, Saltwater Striped Bass,

and Hybrids or Combinations.................................. 30

(No more than six of the 30 can exceed 16 inches in total length. See exceptions for Weiss Reservoir; and further restrictions for Lewis Smith Reservoir and Lake Martin.)

Crappie...................................................... 30

(It is illegal to possess any crappie less than nine inches in total length taken from Alabama public waters, including Aliceville Reservoir and effective October 1, 2001, Pickwick Reservoir. Waters exempt from the nine-inch crappie limit include state owned public fishing lakes, all of Pickwick Reservoir (until October 1, 2001), and the reciprocal waters of the Chattahoochee River and Impoundments and their tributaries, Bear Creek Reservoir (Big Bear Lake of the B.C.D.A. Lakes), Lake Jackson at Florala and Weiss Reservoir.)

Bream........................................................ 50

Rainbow Trout................................................ 5

Alligator Gar................................................ 2

The creel and possession limits provided for above shall not apply to fish held live for release by the sponsor or its designated agent after a bona fide fishing tournament provided they are released unharmed to the public waters from which they were taken as soon as reasonably possible on the same day they were taken.

Note: Total length of fish measured from the front of the mouth to the tip of the tail with both mouth and tail closed.

Note: It is a violation of Alabama law for any person to transport more than one day's creel limit of any species of game fish beyond the boundaries of this state. It is a violation of Alabama law for any person to fillet freshwater fish while on public waters except when fish are being prepared for immediate cooking and consumption, provided however, that fish may be drawn or gutted with heads left attached.

NOTE: IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY ANGLER TO FISH WITH MORE THAN THREE RODS AND REELS, OR POLES, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF ON WEISS RESERVOIR OR NEELY HENRY LAKE, AT ANY TIME.

THERE IS NO CLOSED SEASON ON ANY FRESHWATER GAME FISH.

SIZE LIMITS - As provided for above, as posted in State and Federally owned and/or managed public fishing lakes and ponds, and as follows:

1. Demopolis Reservoir - It is illegal to possess any black bass less than 14 inches in total length.

2. Guntersville Reservoir - It is illegal to possess any black bass less than 15 inches in total length.

3. Harris Reservoir - It is illegal to possess any black bass between 13 inches and 16 inches in total length.

4. Lake Jackson at Florala - Creel limit of five black bass greater than 12 inches in total length. Only one of the five can be over 22 inches in total length.

5. Lewis Smith Reservoir and Lake Martin - It is illegal to possess more than two white bass, yellow bass, saltwater striped bass and hybrids or combinations that are over 16 inches in total length in the daily creel limit.

6. Lewis Smith Reservoir - It is illegal to possess any black bass between 13 inches and 16 inches in total length.

7. Pickwick Reservoir - It is illegal to possess any smallmouth bass less than 14 inches in total length or effective October 1, 2001, any crappie less than 9 inches in total length.

8. Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula) and its Tributaries - It is illegal to possess any largemouth bass less than 14 inches in total length.

9. Weiss Reservoir - It is illegal to possess crappie less than 10 inches in total length. It is legal to possess 30 white bass, yellow bass, saltwater striped bass and hybrids or combinations of any size.

10. West Point Reservoir and its Tributaries - It is illegal to possess any largemouth bass less than 14 inches in total length.

11. Wilson Reservoir - It is illegal to possess any black bass less than 15 inches in total length.

12. Little Bear Creek Reservoir of the B.C.D.A. Lakes – It is illegal to possess largemouth bass between 13 inches and 16 inches in total length.

SPECIAL CREEL LIMITS APPLY ON THE RECIPROCAL WATERS OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER AND IMPOUNDMENTS AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES; CHECK LOCALLY OR SEE REGULATION 220-2-.122.

Rule 220-2-.35, previously adopted effective October 10, 1996, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 20, 1983; October 13, 1984; October 19, 1985; July 29, 1986; June 9, 1989; March 20, 1990; April 5, 1990(E); August 28, 1990(E); June 25, 1992(E). Amended: Filed October 4, 1993; effective November 8, 1993. Amended: Filed January 10, 1994; effective February 14, 1994. Amended: Filed July 11, 1995; effective August 16, 1995. Amended: Filed August 16, 1995; effective August 15, 1995. Amended: Filed December 19, 1995; effective December 19, 1995. Amended: Filed September 10, 1996; effective October 14, 1996. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997. Amended: Filed September 13, 1999; effective October 18, 1999. Amended (PE): Filed October 4, 2000; effective October 4, 2000. Amended (PE): Filed October 5, 2000; effective October 5, 2000. Amended: Filed June 19, 2001; effective July 24, 2001. Amended (PE): Filed June 25, 2003; effective June 25, 2003. Amended (PE): Filed August 18, 2004; effective August 18, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.36 State-Owned Public Fishing Lakes.

(1) Definition of State-Owned Public Fishing Lakes -The words "state-owned public fishing lakes" shall include and embrace all land and water under the direct supervision of the Fisheries Section of the Game and Fish Division. The lakes are as follows:

Barbour County Public Lake

Bibb County Public Lake

Chambers County Public Lake

Clay County Public Lake

Coffee County Public Lake

Crenshaw County Public Lake

Dallas County Public Lake

Dale County Public Lake

DeKalb County Public Lake

Fayette County Public Lake

Geneva County Public Lake

Leon Brooks Hines Public Lake (Escambia County)

Lamar County Public Lake

Lee County Public Lake

Madison County Public Lake

Marion County Public Lake

Monroe County Public Lake

Pike County Public Lake

Walker County Public Lake

Washington County Public Lake (J. Emmett Wood)

(2) Permit Required to Fish in State-Owned Public Fishing Lakes - Any person 12 years old or older who fishes, takes, catches, or attempts to fish, take, or catch fish in or from any state-owned or state-operated public fishing lake must have a valid permit in possession.

(3) It shall be a violation of this regulation for any person to leave a child under 12 years of age unaccompanied by an adult at any state-owned public fishing lake, and it shall also be a violation of this regulation for any child under 12 years of age to be at any state owned public fishing lake unaccompanied by an adult.

(4) Daily Creel, Possession Limits and Size Limits for Game Fish in State-Owned Public Lakes - The daily creel, possession and size limits for game fish and catfish in state-owned public fishing lakes shall be as posted at each lake. Creel, possession and size limits for fish not posted shall be the same as provided for all public waters of this State.

(5) Time to Fish - Fishing in state-owned fishing lakes shall be limited to daylight hours or as specified by an agent of the Commissioner, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(6) Fishing in State-Owned Public Fishing Lakes

Regulated.

(a) No method other than hook and line with natural or artificial bait may be used to take or attempt to take fish from state-owned public fishing lakes except by special written permission of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. Nothing in the regulation permits the taking of fish by "snagging," "snatching," trot lines, set hooks or jug fishing in the above mentioned areas.

(b) A person fishing shall upon demand exhibit his catch, fishing permit and fishing license to any Conservation Officer, concessionaire, or other agent or employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for inspection.

(c) All fish taken from the lake must be carried to the concessionaire, who must count and weigh them.

(d) No species of fish shall be stocked in the state- owned public fishing lakes unless introduced by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(7) Unlawful to Sell Fish Taken from State-Owned Public Fishing Lakes - It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer to sell, or use for any commercial purpose any fish, regardless of species or kind, taken from any of the state-owned public fishing lakes unless expressly permitted in writing by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(8) Use of Minnows for Bait in State-Owned Public Fishing Lakes Regulated - Live minnows used for bait in any state public fishing lake shall be limited to the following species: Goldfish minnows, commonly called "Indiana" minnows; golden shiners, commonly called "Shiners," and fathead minnows, commonly called "Toughies." No person shall release in any state-owned public fishing lake any minnow whatsoever, either dead or alive, by emptying from a minnow bucket or any other method. All minnow buckets or other receptacles for holding minnows used at state-owned public fishing lakes shall at all times be open to inspection by Conservation Officers, concessionaires, or other agents or employees of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(9) It shall be unlawful to operate any size gasoline powered outboard motor on the state-owned public fishing lakes except where expressly permitted as posted. Where gasoline powered outboard motors are allowed, they shall be operated only at slow trolling speed creating no wake.

(a) It shall be unlawful to operate such motors at any speed greater than trolling speed.

(10) No Camping - There shall be no camping on state- owned public fishing lake land unless by special permission of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(11) No Swimming or Wading - There shall be no swimming or wading in the State-owned public fishing lakes.

(12) Personal Injuries or Accidents - The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall not be responsible for any accident or injury to any person while on public fishing lake property or when utilizing the public lake facilities. Any person coming within the boundaries of the state-owned public lakes shall, by such entrance or use, waive any claim against the State or its agents for any accident or injury occurring while on or within public lake property.

(13) It shall be unlawful to use sailboats in public fishing lakes operated by the Game and Fish Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It shall be unlawful to use any other type of boat on said lakes for any purpose other than fishing.

(14) It shall be a violation of this regulation to launch any boat on said lakes without first obtaining a launching permit and such fishing permits as may be required at each lake from the lake concessionaire.

(15) State Laws Applicable - All state laws now in force and laws, which may hereinafter be enacted by the Legislature, shall be maintained in the public lake areas.

(16) Conduct at State-Owned Public Fishing Lakes - Any person, who conducts himself or herself in an unruly or disorderly manner in any public lake area, and any person, who so conducts himself or herself in a manner which will tend to annoy or disturb any visitor or employee, shall be in violation of this regulation. Any person in violation of this regulation shall not be entitled to a refund of any fee or rental.

(17) Soliciting or Advertising in State Lake Areas - No person shall solicit, sell or advertise in any public area without the written authorization of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(18) Removal of Shrubs or Wild Flowers - In order to protect all native, wild or domesticated trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers from destruction and to conserve the same, it is hereby made unlawful for any person to cut, destroy, damage or remove any such tree, bush, shrub, plant or flower growing in any public lake area. Any person, who willfully destroys, cuts, or breaks or removes any such tree, shrub, bush, plant or flower growing in any public lake area, shall be in violation of this regulation unless given special permission to do so from the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(19) Defacing or Destroying State Property - Any person, who litters, defaces or destroys any real or personal property in any of the public lake areas of Alabama and any property belonging to the State of Alabama in any of the public lake areas, shall be in violation of this regulation.

(20) State-Owned Public Fishing Lake Land Designated as Wildlife Sanctuaries - It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, trap, pursue, catch or kill, or attempt to hunt, trap, pursue, catch or kill any wild bird or wild animal or possess any firearm or bow and arrow in any of the places herein mentioned without special permission of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(21) Speed Limits for Vehicles - The maximum speed limit for any power driven vehicles shall be 25 miles per hour unless otherwise specified by signs. All motorists shall come to a complete stop before crossing any intersection in any public lake area. This maximum speed limit shall be reduced as is reasonable when driving through any congested area; and when any person is driving through any congested area in the public lake area, he shall exercise every caution possible.

(22) Only licensed vehicles shall be allowed on public lake roads; no off road traffic shall be permitted.

(23) It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to catch, take or attempt to take or catch fish, by any means whatsoever, in the ponds and lakes located on the fish hatcheries operated by the Game and Fish Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; provided however, this provision shall not apply to that lake known as Perry Lake.

(a) It shall be a violation of this regulation for any person to harass any such hatchery fish or to stock or release any fish into any such hatchery pond or lake.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person

1. to swim or wade in any pond or lake located on said hatcheries,

2. to camp on said hatcheries without the special permission of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources,

3. to solicit, sell or advertise in any public area of said hatcheries without the written authorization of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources,

4. to cut, destroy, damage or remove any tree, shrub, bush, plant or flower growing on any such hatchery,

5. to litter, deface or destroy any real or personal property belonging to or operated by the State of Alabama on said hatcheries, or

6. to operate any motor vehicle on said hatcheries except as same is permitted by, and in accordance with, signs posted thereon.

(c) All state-owned and/or operated fish hatcheries are designated as Wildlife Sanctuaries, and it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt, trap, pursue, catch or kill or attempt to hunt, trap, pursue, catch or kill any wild bird or wild animal on any such hatchery without the special permission of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: September 13, 1986; June 18, 1988; October 15, 1988; August 26, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.37 Restricted Use Of Public Access Areas.

(1) Definition: Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, in this regulation, the term "public access area" shall include any state-owned, leased, and/or operated boat launching and/or landing access area, parking lot, ramp, pier, and any real or personal property within the boundaries of said areas.

(2) Picnicking, except at tables provided, and camping are prohibited at all public access areas. Swimming or any other activities, to the extent that swimming or any other activity may interfere with the intended use of any public access area by the public, are forbidden; provided, however, that in any event it shall be unlawful to swim or wade within fifty (50) feet of any ramp at any public access area.

(3) The mooring of boats, houseboats and other watercraft is forbidden at all public access areas. In addition, the dry-docking, storage, or abandonment, of any type of vessel, vehicle, or other personal property item, is prohibited at all public access areas.

(4) Public access areas are for the use of the pleasure boating, hunting and fishing public in general only. No commercial, industrial or construction equipment such as barges, dredges, etc., are to be loaded or unloaded without the specific written authorization of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(5) Persons using public access areas shall either place their trash and refuse matter in cans provided for such purposes, or where cans are not available, take it with them when they leave. No trash or refuse matter shall be placed at, in, or on any public access area (including placing in cans) unless said matter is directly incidental to the use of said area.

(6) Persons using public access areas shall park their vehicles and/or trailers in designated parking areas or, when areas are not designated, in such a way so as not to block any part of the ramp or pier or approach to the ramp or pier or interfere with the use of the public access area by other persons.

(7) It shall be unlawful to discharge firearms on all public access areas.

(8) It shall be unlawful to swim, dive, sun bathe, or jump from any pier or ramp located at any public access area.

(9) Defacing or Destroying State Property - Any person who litters, defaces or destroys any real or personal property on any of the public access areas or any property belonging to the State of Alabama in any of the public access areas, shall be in violation of this regulation.

(10) Only licensed vehicles shall be allowed on public access area roads and parking lots; no off-road traffic shall be permitted. No all-terrain vehicles shall be allowed to operate on any public access area. Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the use of properly licensed motorcycles on public access area roads or parking lots.

(11) Soliciting or Advertising on Public Access Areas - No person shall solicit, sell, advertise, or install any sign on any public access area without the written authorization of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(12) It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person(s) to build, tend, or maintain any fire at any public access area.

(13) Removal of Shrubs or Wildflowers - In order to protect all native, wild or domesticated trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers from destruction and to conserve the same, it is hereby made unlawful for any person to cut, destroy, damage or remove any such tree, bush, shrub, plant or flower growing at any public access area. Any person who willfully destroys, cuts, or breaks or removes any such tree, shrub, bush, plant or flower growing in any public access area, shall be in violation of this regulation unless given special permission to do so from the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(14) State Laws Applicable - All state laws now in force and laws which may hereinafter be enacted by the Legislature shall be maintained in the public access areas.

(15) Personal Injuries or Accidents - The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall not be responsible for any accident or injury to any person while at or in public facilities. Any person coming within the boundaries of the public access areas shall, by such entrance or use, waive any claim against the State of Alabama, its employees, or its agents for any accident or injury to person or property occurring while on or within the said public access areas.

(16) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to loiter at any public access area.

(17) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to consume alcoholic beverages at any public access area.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 3, 1987; November 16, 1989; June 22, 1990. Amended: Filed: September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.38 Taking Of Suckers Permitted In Certain Counties. It shall be legal for sport fishermen holding a valid sport fishing license to take all species of suckers during any hour of the day or night by the use of gill or trammel nets with a mesh of one inch (1") or more measured from knot to knot (stretch of two inches) in the public waters of Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike Counties during the months of February, March, and April, provided such nets are marked with buoys of floats visible above the waterline on which the owner's sport fishing license number is listed. Such nets may not be used for taking of suckers or any other fish in the following rivers and impoundments thereof located in the above counties: Conecuh River, Chattahoochee River, Choctawhatchee River; Patsaliga River, Pea River, Sepulga River, and Yellow River. Suckers taken under the provisions of this regulation are for personal use only and may not be sold, traded or bartered.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.39 Legal Methods Of Taking Minnows And Shad For Bait And Mullet In Freshwater. It is hereby made lawful to take minnows and shad by the use of a cast net, minnow jug, minnow basket, not to exceed 24 inches in length, 12 inches in diameter, with funnel entrance not more than one inch in diameter, dip net or seine, commonly known as a minnow seine, the length of which shall not exceed 25 feet and the width or depth of which shall not exceed 4 feet for the purpose of taking shad or minnows for the exclusive use as fish bait. The use of any seine of larger proportions than herein provided is illegal, and the possession of a seine of larger proportions than herein provided in any public freshwater or on the bank of any such waters shall be prima facie evidence that such net is being used illegally. It is further made lawful to take mullet by cast net in freshwater. The daily creel and possession limit for mullet taken with a cast net will be the same as permitted under Marine Resources Regulation 220-3-.03. All game fish and all commercial or non-game fish, except mullet, as listed under Rules 220-2-.34 and 220-2-.45 taken by nets or seines as allowed under this regulation shall be immediately returned to the water from whence they came with the least possible injury.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: February 26, 1986; June 24, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.40 Taking Fish In Waterfowl Management Areas.

(1) Whenever the Director of the Game and Fish Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall announce in writing that a waterfowl feeding pond or lake located on any wildlife management area operated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is to be drained or pumped dry, resulting in the death of fish located in any such pond or lake, such fish of any species may be taken, or attempt to be taken, in any number regardless of creel limits by any holder of a valid fishing license by the use of hands, nets, seines, gigs, spears, or snatch hooks. Such fish shall not be taken by the use of explosives, poison, or firearms of any type or description. Only those holders of a valid commercial fishing license may sell commercial or non-game fish except catfish. The sale or barter of any game fish or catfish of any species taken by anyone from any area covered under this regulation is hereby prohibited. Nothing in this regulation shall be construed or interpreted to legalize any type fishing equipment for the taking of fish under any circumstances other than those outlined in this regulation. Provided, however, that this regulation shall not apply to the Swan Creek Management Area in Limestone County.

(2) It shall be unlawful to take fish for commercial purposes and/or to use commercial fishing gear within any dewatering unit within the state during waterfowl season.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1992. Amended: May 16, 1983.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.41 Trolling In Certain Areas Prohibited During Duck Hunting Season. No person shall fish by trolling from any boat, skiff or other floating device propelled or drawn by any inboard or outboard motor during the legal duck hunting season in the following bodies of water:

Chuckfey Bay

Polecat Bay

Bay Delvan

Choccolata Bay

Little Bateau

Gustang Bay

Big Bateau

Bay Grass

Bay Minette Basin

Bay Minette Bay

Big Bay John

John's Bend

D'Olive Bay

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: September 30, 1982.

220-2-.42 Division Of Wildlife And Freshwater Fisheries And Marine Resources Division Jurisdictional Lines For Certain Fishing Licenses And Operations; Use And Possession Of Certain Nets.

(1) For the purposes of the freshwater fishing licensing requirements of Sections 9-11-53, 53.4, 55, and 56, Code of Ala. 1975, said licenses shall be applicable to such activities as provided for therein which occur north of the below-described line, as well as below said line in those ponds or lakes containing freshwater fish. For the purposes of the saltwater fishing licensing requirements of Sections 9-11-53.1, 53.5, and 55.2, Code of Ala. 1975, said licenses shall be applicable to such activities as provided for therein which occur south of the below-described line. The line is described as follows:

Beginning at the Mississippi State line, a meandering line following U.S. Highway 90 eastwardly to its junction with State Highway 188; State Highway 188 eastwardly to its junction with State Highway 193; State Highway 193 northwardly to its junction with State Highway 163; State Highway 163 northwardly to its intersection with Interstate Highway 10 (except all of the Theodore Industrial Canal); Interstate Highway 10 eastbound lane (except that portion of Interstate Highway 10 which lies north of State Highway 90 Battleship Parkway, in which case the line follows the Battleship Parkway) to Interstate Highway 10's intersection with U.S. Highway 98; U.S. Highway 98 southwardly and eastwardly to its intersection with State Highway 59; State Highway 59 southwardly to its intersection with Baldwin County Highway 20; Baldwin County Highway 20 eastwardly to its intersection with Baldwin County Highway 95; Baldwin County Highway 95 northwardly to its intersection with U.S. Highway 98; U.S. Highway 98 eastwardly to its intersection with the western shore of Perdido Bay; then the western shore of Perdido Bay northwardly to the intersection of the Florida State Line and the mouth of the Perdido River.

(2)(a) All commercial fishing operations, as well as recreational netting operations, and all gear used in any of such operations, in state jurisdictional waters north of Interstate 10 eastbound lane (except that portion of Interstate Highway 10 which lies north of State Highway 90 Battleship Parkway, in which case the line follows the Battleship Parkway) shall be subject to those laws, rules and regulations of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Provided further, it shall be unlawful to use any net (other than hoop and fyke nets) with mesh size of less than three inches (3") knot to knot with a stretch or spread of less than six inches (6") in the public impounded waters and navigable streams in the state of Alabama north of the line described in this paragraph except as provided for in other regulations or laws of this state.

(b) All commercial fishing operations, as well as recreational netting operations, and all gear used in any of such operations, in state jurisdictional waters south of Interstate 10 eastbound lane (except that portion of Interstate Highway 10 which lies north of State Highway 90 Battleship Parkway, in which case the line follows the Battleship Parkway) shall be subject to those laws, rules, and regulations of the Marine Resources Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(3) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, however, from September 1 to December 31, it shall be unlawful to possess a gill net, trammel net, or other entangling net aboard a boat in the Mobile Delta south of L&N Railroad and north of a line running two hundred fifty (250) yards north of and parallel to Highway 90 (Battleship Parkway).

(4) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, however, it shall be lawful for any person (provided such person complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations) to take, catch, or possess commercial or non-game fish as defined in the laws of Alabama or regulations of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in accordance with the below stated times, places, manners, and means:

(a) From January 1 to September 1, in Grass Bay, Chuckfey Bay, Choccolata Bay, Gustang Bay, Big Bay John, Bay Minette Basin and Bay, Little Bay John, Big Bay Bateau, Little Bay Bateau, and John's Bend, Monday through Friday, except official State of Alabama holidays, between the hours of sunrise and sunset, by the use of nets with a mesh size of not less than three inches (3") knot to knot with a stretch or spread of not less than six inches (6"). These nets shall be constantly attended.

(b) From January 1 to May 31, in Grand Bay, Polecat Bay, and Bay Delvan, Monday through Friday, except official State of Alabama holidays, between the hours of sunrise and sunset, by the use of nets with a mesh size of not less than one and three-eighths (1-3/8) inches knot to knot; provided that any person in these areas possessing, using, or attempting to use, a gill net with a mesh size less than three inches (3") know to knot is required to be licensed and permitted under 9-11-141, 9-11-142, and 9-12-113, and shall have such licenses and permit in possession. These nets shall be constantly attended.

(5) Rule 220-2-.42, as previously promulgated, is hereby expressly repealed in its entirety.

(6) Violations of the provisions of paragraphs 2(a), (3) and (4) shall be punished as provided by Section 9-11-156, Code of Ala. 1975, or as otherwise provided by law.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-4, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-11-140.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Emergency amendment effective September 11, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: November 27, 1991. Amended: September 16, 1992. Amended: Filed January 12, 1995; effective February 16, 1995. Amended: Filed July 31, 1998; effective August 26, 1998. Amended: Filed February 9, 2000; effective March 15, 2000. Amended: Filed June 10, 2004; effective July 15, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by Code of Ala. 1975, §9-11-156.

220-2-.43 Unlawful To Willfully Waste Paddlefish. No person shall take paddlefish from the public waters of this state, remove the roe and willfully waste the remainder of the fish.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.44 Prohibited Methods Of Taking Fish. It shall be unlawful:

(1) to drag any hoop net, fyke net, gill net, trammel net or seine, except a legal minnow seine, through any public waters of this State;

(2) to take or attempt to take, catch or kill any species of fish from public waters by the use of any firearms;

(3) to take or attempt to take, catch or kill any species of fish from the public waters by use of any seine, except minnow seine, wire basket, cast net, or any stationary fish trap except as otherwise provided by law;

(4) to take or attempt to take, catch, or kill any species of fish by means of any trotlines, set lines, snag lines, commercial fishing net, slat box, or wire basket within one-half mile below any lock, dam, or power house on any public water of this State;

(5) to remove or attempt to remove fish from any hoop net, gill net, fyke net, trammel net, slat trap or slat basket, or to move, set or reset any of the said fishing gear listed in this regulation between the hours of sunset and sunrise;

(6) to fish or attempt to fish in any of the public waters of this State on or from the posted lands of another without first obtaining the permission of the landowner or his agent;

(7) to fish a slat box or basket without having a metal tag permanently affixed thereto stating thereon the name, address, and license number of the licensee operating and using each slat box.

(8) to fish a trotline or snagline unless the end or ends of such line within twenty-five feet of the bank shall be made up of at least six feet of untreated cotton and such line shall be attached to the bank or anchors with said untreated cotton line only. Further that all other anchors within twenty-five feet of the bank shall be attached to said line only with untreated cotton line. And further that any set line or bush hook left unattended for 48 hours may be removed by Game and Fish Division personnel and destroyed.

(9) To filet a fish while fishing, or to possess filets of fish while on public waters except when fish are being prepared for immediate cooking and consumption; provided however, that fish may be drawn or gutted with heads left attached.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: November 16, 1990; October 22, 1992. Amended: Filed September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993. Amended: Filed August 11, 1998; effective September 16, 1998.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.45 Commercial Or Non-Game Fish Designated. The following shall be designated as commercial or non-game fish: Drum, Buffalo, Carp, Channel Catfish, all members of the Catfish family, Paddlefish (Spoonbill), Spotted Sucker, all members of the Sucker family including the species known as Red Horse and Black Horse, Bowfin and all members of the Gar family, and mullet taken or attempted to be taken north of the line specified in paragraph (1) of 220-2-.42 subject to the exception provided in paragraph (3) thereof.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: September 30, 1982. Amended: November 13, 1991. Amended: September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.46 Legal Methods And Equipment For The Taking Of Commercial Or Non-Game Fish. The following is hereby designated as legal fishing equipment and methods for the taking of commercial or non-game fish in the fresh waters of this State. Any other equipment or methods used in the taking of commercial or non-game fish is a violation of this regulation.

(1) By Licensed Sport Fishermen - Day or Night

(a) Rod and Reel

(b) Hook and Line

(c) Trot Line

(d) Set Line

(e) Snag Line or Snare Line

(f) Bowfishing

1. General

(i) With the exception of sturgeon or other species protected by law or regulation, it shall be legal for licensed sport fishermen to take any of the following fish at any time by bowfishing: (a) Shad, (b) White Amur, (c) Shark, (d) Mullet, or (e) Any fish designated as commercial or non-game, provided however, that only 2 alligator gar per person per day may be taken.

(ii) It shall be illegal to take any other fresh water fish at any time by bowfishing.

(iii) It shall be legal to have both bowfishing equipment and normal fishing equipment in possession while either bowfishing or fishing.

2. Bowfishing Equipment

(i) Any longbow, straight or recurve, compound bow or crossbow may be used for bowfishing.

(ii) All arrows in possession while bowfishing shall be of solid fiberglass or solid metal construction (as opposed to hollow shaft construction).

(iii) Barbed bowfishing heads shall be used that do not have sharpened cutting surfaces, and are of a design such that the barbs may be reversed or removed to permit removal of the arrow from the fish, except as noted in the section on special exceptions.

(iv) A bowfishing line shall be used having a minimum breaking strength of forty (40) pounds, and shall be a minimum of forty (40) feet in length.

(v) One end of the bowfishing line shall be attached to the arrow being used, and the other end of the line shall be attached to the bow or some type of reel which is attached to the bow, except as noted in the section on special exceptions.

(vi) Lights may be used for night bowfishing, except as noted in the section on special exceptions.

3. Special Exceptions

(i) Special exceptions to bowfishing equipment regulations shall apply only while bowfishing in the coastal areas, bays, or rivers of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. These exceptions do not apply to non-tidal lakes or ponds in those counties.

(ii) The end of the bowfishing line which is not attached to the arrow may be attached to a separate fishing rod and reel, or to some type of float of sufficient size to allow tracking of a fish shot and/or recovery of line and arrow.

(iii) Barbed heads with sharpened cutting surfaces may be used to shoot gars and sharks.

(iv) Once a gar or shark has been shot and is attached to a bowfishing line, arrows with unbarbed, sharpened heads may be used to kill the fish. These arrows do not have to be attached to a bowfishing line, but they still have to be of solid fiberglass or solid metal construction.

(v) The use of lights for night bowfishing while in possession of sharpened heads, barbed or unbarbed, shall only be permitted from a boat.

(g) Spear or Similar Instruments (underwater) by Special License

(h) Gigs or Grabbling

(i) It shall be unlawful to set and leave unattended in the public waters of the State of Alabama for more than seven consecutive days all fishing gear provided, however, that any set line or bush hook left unattended for 48 hours may be removed by Game and Fish Division personnel and destroyed.

(2) By Licensed Commercial Fishermen

(a) Trot Line

(b) Snag Line

(c) Set Line

(d) Hoop and Fyke Nets the mesh of which is not less than 1 1/4 inches from knot to knot with a stretch or spread of not less than 2 1/2 inches after said net has been tarred and/or shrunk.

(e) Gill and Trammel Nets the mesh of which is not less than 3 inches knot to knot with a stretch or spread of not less than 6 inches after net has been shrunk.

(f) Slat Trap or Slat Basket made entirely of wood or plastic strips or slats in a boxlike or cylinder shape. At least 18 inches of the slat trap opposite the muzzle, including the end, shall be constructed with wood or plastic slats or strips of a width not greater than 3 inches running lengthwise or vertically of the trap and with a space between strips or slats of not less than one and one-eighth inches (1 1/8"), and provided further that any restrictions (which must be wood or plastic) between muzzle and back of trap or basket contain an opening of at least two (2) inches square to permit free passage of fish within said box or basket.

Provided further it shall be legal to use a trap made of round solid plastic, provide at least eighteen inches of the trap opposite the muzzle, including the end, shall have parallel openings a minimum of 1 1/8 inches wide running lengthwise or vertically of the trap. There shall be a maximum of three inches of solid material between the 1 1/8 inch parallel openings. The muzzle of such trap shall be constructed of netting with a mesh of at least 1¼ inches knot to knot with a stretch of 2½ inches. Only a single muzzle may be used and the muzzle shall be attached to the trap with 100% cotton material only. There shall be a minimum opening of two inches square between the muzzle and the back of the fish trap. Any round plastic trap not conforming to these guidelines shall be illegal.

(3) By Licensed Wire Basket Fishermen - Any person who possesses a valid wire basket license may fish such baskets under the provisions as set out by the Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-190 through 9-11-198.

(a) In the following counties a maximum of 4 wire baskets with a mesh of 1 inch or larger:

Autauga

Barbour

Bibb

Butler

Calhoun

Chambers

Chilton

Choctaw

Clarke

Cleburne

Coffee

Coosa

Covington

Crenshaw

Dale

Dallas

Escambia

Fayette

Franklin

Greene

Hale

Henry

Lamar

Lee

Lowndes

Marengo

Marion

Monroe

Perry

Pickens

Pike

Randolph

Russell

St. Clair

Sumter

Talladega

Tallapoosa

Tuscaloosa

Walker (except Lewis M. Smith Reservoir)

Washington

Wilcox

(b) In Elmore County a maximum of 3 wire baskets with a mesh of 1 inch or larger may be fished provided that only 1 wire basket may be fished in Lake Jordan and only 2 wire baskets may be fished in Lake Martin. Wire baskets may not be used in any other areas of Elmore County except as listed above.

Author: M Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-140, 9-11-190.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: April 19, 1983; May 16, 1983; January 21, 1986; July 17, 1991; October 22, 1992. Amended: Filed August 23, 1994; effective September 28, 1994. Amended: Filed September 13, 1994; effective October 19, 1994. Amended: Filed February 9, 1995; effective March 16, 1995. Amended: Filed July 11, 1995; effective August 16, 1995. Amended: Filed February 13, 1996; effective March 20, 1996. Amended: Filed September 10, 1996; effective October 16, 1996. Amended: Filed July 10, 1997; effective August 14, 1997. Amended: Filed July 16, 2002; effective August 20, 2002. Amended: Filed June 16, 2003; effective July 20, 2003. Amended: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.47 Commercial Fishing Restrictions.

(1) Areas Restricted to Use of Nets and/or Slat Boxes-

(a) Public Waters: It is hereby made illegal for any person to place any gill net, trammel net, hoop net or fyke net in the public waters of this State, in such a way that it extends more than half way across any river, creek, stream, slough or bayou and no net shall be placed closer than 50 feet to any other net.

(b) Public Impounded Waters: It is hereby made illegal for any person to place any gill net, trammel net, hoop net, fyke net or slat box closer than 25 feet from the water's edge in any public impounded water of this State, and provided further that on the Tennessee River, or its impoundments no person shall place a net closer than 100 feet from the water's edge and no person shall place any net or slat box within 300 feet above or below any tributary of the Tennessee River.

(c) It shall be unlawful to use nets of any type for fishing purposes in all impounded public waters and tributaries thereto of Alabama in which Morone saxatilis, commonly known as saltwater striped bass, have been stocked. Nothing in this regulation shall be construed so as to preclude the lawful use of set lines, trot lines, or snag lines for the taking, killing or catching of commercial or non-game fish from said waters. The following lakes have been stocked: Lake Martin, Lake Jordan, Lake Mitchell, Lay Lake, Jones Bluff (name changed to R. E. "Bob" Woodruff Lake), Logan Martin, Neeley Henry and Weiss Lake. (These bodies of water were stocked prior to the original enactment of this regulation dated December 12, 1972.)

(d) It shall be unlawful to use nets of any type for commercial fishing purposes in all public impounded waters of Alabama having 3,000 or less surface acres. A list of these lakes is as follows:

IMPOUNDMENT COUNTY

Gantt Covington

Point A Covington

Oliver Tuscaloosa

Inland Blount

Thurlow Elmore, Tallapoosa

Yates Elmore, Tallapoosa

Opelika City Lake Lee

Purdy Shelby, Jefferson

Thollocco Dale

Oliver Russell

Goat Rock Lee

Columbia Houston

Little Bear Creek Franklin

Upper Bear Creek Marion, Franklin, Winston

Bear Creek Franklin

(2) It shall be unlawful to set and leave unattended in the public fresh waters of the State of Alabama for more than seven (7) consecutive days all fishing gear, including but not limited to, trot, snag and snare lines, hoop, fyke, gill and trammel nets, and slat traps and/or baskets; provided however, that any set line or bush hook left unattended for 48 hours may be removed by Game and Fish Division personnel and destroyed.

(3) It shall be unlawful to use nets of any type for commercial fishing purposes in the area of Wheeler Wildlife Refuge between Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 31 and in the area of Limestone Bay, during the period of October 15 through February 15 of each year.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-140, 9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 18, 1985; October 22, 1992. Amended: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.48 Legal Methods And Equipment For Taking Of Freshwater Mussels. The following is hereby designated as legal fishing equipment and methods for taking of freshwater mussels or other freshwater bivalved mollusca in the freshwaters of this State. Any other equipment or methods used in the taking of freshwater mussels or other mollusca is in violation of this regulation.

(1) By use of brails with hooks and constructed of wire 14 gauge or larger and with prongs not longer than 2 inches from the tip of point to point where prongs are wrapped or joined.

(2) By hand and/or with the use of diving equipment.

(3) By the use of a shell bar with a limit of six (6) feet in length.

(4) Licensed fishermen may use a rake or dip net no wider than 24 inches to collect Asiatic clam Corbicula for fish bait. Harvest of any other species of freshwater bivalved mollusca with such equipment or sale of Corbicula harvested with such equipment will be a violation of this regulation.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-11-371, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: August 6, 1987; August 20, 1992. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.49 Size Restrictions On Freshwater Mussels Or Their Shells. It is hereby made illegal for any person or persons to take, catch, kill, buy, possess or transport for commercial purposes freshwater mussels or any type of freshwater bivalved mollusca listed below or the shells of such mussels or bivalved mollusca, less than the following sizes in diameter:

Washboard (Megalonaias nervosa)........ 4 inches

Threeridge (Amblema plicata)........... 2 5/8 inches

Pistol Grip (Tritogonia verrucosa) .... 2 5/8 inches

Elephant Ear (Elliptio crassidens)..... 2 5/8 inches

Mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula).......... 2 5/8 inches

Ebony Shell (Fusconaia ebenus)......... 2 3/8 inches

Pink Heel Splitter (Potamilus alatus).. 4 inches

Three Horn (Obliquaria reflexa)........ 1 3/4 inches

Southern Mapleleaf (Quadrula apiculata) 2 5/8 inches

Bankclimber (Plectomerus dombeyanus) 3 inches

Bleufer (Potamilus purpuratus) 3 inches;

With the exception of Asiatic Clam Corbicula harvested from below the full pool elevation of impounded waters. All mussels or their shells less than the legal diameter must be immediately released and placed back in the waters from whence they came with the least possible injury. Mussels or their shells shall be measured from their dorsal to ventral surfaces by passing or attempting to pass the mussel or mussel shell by the weight of the mussel or mussel shell through a ring of the appropriate inside diameter. There shall be no allowance for undersize mussels or their shells.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-371.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: August 6, 1987; February 2, 1990; June 1, 1990; August 20, 1992. Amended: Filed: September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995. Amended: Filed February 6, 1996; effective March 13, 1996. Amended: Filed June 10, 2004; effective July 15, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.50 Harvest Of Freshwater Mussels Restricted To Day- Light Hours Only. It shall be unlawful to take, catch, kill, or to attempt to take, catch or kill mussels from freshwater between the hours of sunset and sunrise (nighttime).

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12, 9-11-371.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.51 Harvest Of Freshwater Mussels For Commercial Purposes In All Open Areas Restricted To Five Days A Week. Mussel fishing for commercial purposes in the freshwaters of this State in all open areas shall be restricted to five days each week (Monday through Friday), unless specifically provided otherwise by law or regulation.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-371, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: August 20, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.52 Restricted Areas For The Taking Of Freshwater Mussels. It shall be unlawful to take, catch, kill, or attempt to take, catch, or kill mussels in the following areas:

(1) Wheeler Lake, an impoundment on the Tennessee River, from Guntersville Dam downstream to the mouth of Shoal Creek (approximately 347 miles above the mouth of the Tennessee River).

(2) Wheeler Lake, an impoundment on the Tennessee River from the upstream end or head of Hobbs Island downstream to Whitesburg Bridge.

(3) Pickwick Lake, an impoundment on the Tennessee River, from Wilson Dam downstream to the upper end or head of Seven Mile Island.

(4) Wilson Lake, an impoundment on the Tennessee River, from Wheeler Dam downstream to the mouth of Town Creek on the South Bank and the mouth of Bluewater Creek on the north bank.

(5) The Cahaba River.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-371, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: August 20, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.53 Mussel Buyers Required To Report.

(1) Standardized receipts must be completed by all resident and non-resident mussel buyers for all mussels purchased in the state of Alabama, including mussels originating from waters outside of the state of Alabama. The receipts shall be completed at the time of transaction and include the signature of the buyer. A copy of the receipt shall be issued to the mussel catcher at the time of transaction. Each receipt must be complete and legible, and include the following and any other information specified by the Commissioner: (1) buyer’s license number; (2) mussel catcher’s license number; (3) mussel catcher’s name; (4) date of transaction; (5) body of water from which the mussels originated (in the form of numerical codes provided by the Department); (6) species taken (in the form of alphabetical codes provided by the Department); (7) pounds of each species purchased; (8) total pounds of mussels purchased; and(9) amount paid for the mussels. The same standardized receipts shall be used whether the shells originated from the waters of Alabama or another state.

(2) All mussels imported into the state of Alabama by a person, firm or corporation shall be accompanied by a bill of lading which provides the following information: (1) name of person, firm or corporation importing the mussels; (2) name(s) of person, firm or corporation that sold the mussels being imported; (3) date of shipment of mussels being imported; (4) weight of mussels by species; (5) origin of shipment; and (6) destination of shipment. A copy of the bill of lading shall remain with the importing person, firm or corporation and made available to authorized Department employees at any reasonable time.

(3) Each person who purchases mussels shall be at the time of any purchase have proof on his person of possession of a current mussel buyer’s license.

(4) Rule 220-2-.53, as previously promulgated, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Author: Riley Boykin Smith

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-371, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: September 30, 1982. Amended: June 1, 1990; August 20, 1992. Repealed and New Rule: Filed October 12, 1999; effective November 16, 1999.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.54 Hunting Dates, Etc. On State Wildlife Management Areas. It shall be legal to hunt and/or trap certain birds and animals within the dates, areas and under the conditions promulgated by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12, 9-11-301.

History: Filed September 30, 1982.

220-2-.55 Wildlife Management Areas, Community Hunting Areas, Public Hunting Areas, And Refuges Of Alabama.

(1) It shall be unlawful on ALL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, COMMUNITY HUNTING AREAS, PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS, AND REFUGE AREAS, all of which are established as "wildlife management areas" by Rule 220-2-.22 and all of which are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to herein as "AREAS" or "AREA":

(a) To hunt, trap, use dogs, possess firearms, traps, or bow and arrow, except on open designated target ranges and except bow fishing equipment from March 1 – August 31, without a valid permit. A permit is valid only during scheduled AREA seasons during legal hunting hours and only with the required hunting license(s) and stamps and only with weapons and ammunition permitted for hunting the wildlife listed on permit.

(b) To use dogs for stalk hunting of deer or for turkey hunting.

(c) To use dogs for small game hunting where dogs are expressly prohibited.

(d) To use dogs for hunting, training or any purpose from March 1 until the opening of the following fall gun season.

(e) For any person under 16 years of age to hunt on any AREA unless accompanied by a licensed hunter at all times.

(f) To have in possession any fully automatic rifle or any firearms, ammunition or bow and arrow except as described below:

1. DEER: Stalk Hunts - Centerfire rifles that have been plugged or are otherwise incapable of holding more than 11 cartridges and using mushrooming and/or expanding type ammunition, shotguns using rifle slugs or single round balls, muzzle loading firearms .40 caliber or larger, or centerfire handguns with a minimum 4 inch barrel length using mushrooming and/or expanding type ammunition. All applicable laws regarding possessing and carrying handguns must be followed.

2. DEER: Stalk Hunting - Primitive Weapons Hunt - using only muzzle loading rifles, muzzle loading handguns, muzzle loading shotguns, or bow and arrow (including crossbow if legal statewide). Rifles and handguns to be .40 caliber or larger; shotguns to use single round balls only. Firearms must be incapable of holding more than one charge per barrel.

3. DEER: Stalk Hunting - Flintlock Hunt - using only muzzle loading Flintlock rifles or muzzle loading Flintlock shotguns (No Cap Locks). Rifles and shotguns to have fixed open metallic sights only - no scopes. Rifles to be .40 caliber or larger; shotguns to use single round balls only.

4. DEER: Dog Hunts - Shotguns using buckshot only.

5. TURKEY: Shotguns using No. 2 shot or smaller and bow and arrow (no crossbows).

6. DOVE, WOODCOCK, SNIPE AND RAIL: Shotguns using No. 2 shot or smaller.

7. WATERFOWL: Shotguns using steel shot, T size or smaller. Waterfowl may also be hunted with other U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved shot and sizes.

8. QUAIL: Shotguns using No. 4 shot or smaller.

9. SQUIRREL, CROW AND RABBIT: Shotguns using No. 4 shot or smaller, .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms, muzzle loading rifles .40 caliber or smaller, or rifles operated by air.

10. RACCOON AND OPOSSUM - Daylight hours: shotguns using No. 4 shot or smaller or.22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms only; nighttime hours: must conform to state laws and regulations.

11. BOBCAT AND FOX – May be killed during any scheduled hunt within the time period of deer and turkey seasons in that county, when possessing a valid permit and using weapons and ammunition that are legal for such designated hunts during daylight hours only. Only one (1) fox per day may be harvested.

12. BOW AND ARROW (not including Crossbows) will be legal on all AREA scheduled hunts, except flintlock hunts. Crossbows (if legal statewide) will be legal during any open bow and arrow season dates for any species (except turkey). Broadhead points will be legal only during scheduled deer and turkey hunts other than flintlock hunts. All archery equipment used during the bow fishing season of March 1 - August 31 must conform to the provisions of Rule 220-2-.46, relating to bow fishing.

13. TRAPPING: Standard .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms (no magnums) only, during daylight hours only -- except where expressly forbidden.

(g) For any person to hunt deer with gun without first presenting his required hunting licenses at the checking station except on Demopolis, St. Clair, West Jefferson, W. L. Holland-Mobile-Tensaw Delta, and Upper Delta AREAS.

(h) For any person to carry in or on a vehicle, any of the following: any firearms (including pistols) with ammunition in the magazine, breech or clip attached to firearms, or black powder weapons with primer, cap or flash powder in place, or cocked crossbows.

(i) For hunters on dog deer hunts to leave stand assigned to them until instructed.

(j) To camp on any AREA except in designated sites. Campers using generators must camp in site designated for generator use. On AREAS located on U. S. Forest Service lands, this camping restriction applies October 1 – January 31, except on Choccolocco AREA, where the camping restriction shall also be in effect from October 1 through April 30 of each year. Individuals or groups may camp on AREAS for a period not to exceed nine (9) days in any thirty (30) day period. Campfires must be extinguished before departing. No warming fires shall be permitted away from camping area.

(k) To kill or willfully molest any species of wildlife except those designated for hunting. However, this regulation shall not apply to coyote or feral swine, which may be killed during all scheduled AREA hunts, when possessing a valid permit and using weapons and ammunition that are legal for such designated hunts during daylight hours only.

(l) To discharge fireworks at any time.

(m) To discharge firearms for target practice provided, however that this regulation shall not apply to the designated target range on Barbour, Black Warrior, Cahaba River, Choccolocco, Coosa, Freedom Hills, Sam R. Murphy, James D. Martin - Skyline and Swan Creek AREAS. All range users shall abide by the listed rules. Permits for the excepted uses will be issued by the AREA manager. The range may be closed as necessary by the AREA manager.

1. Range is open during daylight hours only (except by permit).

2. No alcoholic beverages allowed.

3. Any legal firearm and ammunition (except armor-piercing or tracer by permit only) may be used on target range.

4. Keep all firearms unloaded and muzzles pointed in a safe direction when not firing. Action on uncased guns shall be open when not on the firing line.

5. All persons are to remain behind the shooter while firing is taking place. No firing shall be allowed while anyone is down range.

6. All firearms (except as noted below in #7.) shall only be fired from designated stations on the concrete shooting line into the embankment at stationary paper targets. Targets must not be placed higher than 5’ above ground level at the base of the embankment. Only one person may shoot from each designated location at any given time.

7. Shotguns with no. 4 shot or smaller may be fired at moving clay targets.

8. All used targets and other trash shall be placed in a garbage can, or removed from the AREA.

(n) To hunt or discharge firearms within 150 yards of any camping area, dwelling, dam or timber operation, or 100 yards of any paved public road or highway; within a posted safety zone or on Sunday within one/half mile of any church.

(o) To use fire to smoke out game.

(p) For any person to possess any firearm while hunting with bow and arrow, except on days of either sex gun deer hunts.

(q) To transport deer killed during gun hunts from any AREA before being checked at the designated checking stations for scientific data, except on Demopolis, St. Clair, W. L. Holland - Mobile-Tensaw Delta, West Jefferson and Upper Delta AREAS.

(r) For any person except authorized personnel to operate any motor driven vehicle behind, under or around any locked gate, barricaded road or sign which prohibits vehicular traffic.

(s) For any unauthorized person to operate a motor scooter, motorcycle, motorized trail bike, or "all terrain" vehicles (ATV’s) on Autauga, Cahaba River, Demopolis, Mulberry Fork, and West Jefferson AREAS. For any unauthorized person at any time to operate a motor scooter, motorcycle, motorized trail bike, or any motor driven vehicle on any AREA except on regularly used roads open for public use by four wheel vehicle traffic and except on U.S. Forest Service land in an AREA where "all terrain" vehicles (ATV's) must be used on open designated ATV trails only; or for any unauthorized person to ride or possess horses on any AREA except: (1) on roads open to four-wheel motorized vehicles, except Autauga; (2) in areas, roads, and trails, designated as open to horses, except Autauga; and (3) raccoon hunters during the legal nighttime raccoon season where authorized, except Autauga.

(t) For any person to hunt deer on days of scheduled gun, flintlock, or primitive weapons hunts without wearing an outer garment above the waist containing a minimum of 144 square inches of hunter orange color or either a full size hunter orange hat or cap. Hunters are not required to wear hunter orange when hunting from a stand elevated twelve (12) feet or more above the ground. The hunter orange must be of solid color, except for a small logo and/or printing on the front of the cap, and visible from any angle. All persons hunting any wildlife species (except waterfowl, turkey, and mourning dove and while hunting legally designated species during legal nighttime hours) on the W.L. Holland and Mobile-Tensaw Delta AREAS during dates and in areas open by regulation to feral hog season are required to wear an outer garment above the waist with a minimum of 144 square inches of hunter orange or either a full size hunter orange hat or cap.

(u) For any person except authorized personnel to block or otherwise stop traffic on any road or at any gate by parking a vehicle in such a way that passage around the vehicle is impossible.

(v) For any person to deposit, distribute or scatter grain, salt, litter, or any other materials on any AREA maintained by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources prior to receiving approval from said Department.

(w) To hunt small game during gun deer hunts and primitive weapons hunts except on the W. L. Holland-Mobile-Tensaw Delta and West Jefferson AREAS, and except waterfowl in the Daub’s Swamp, Spidle Lake, and Dead Lake units of the Demopolis AREA and in the Upper Delta AREA.

(x) To damage or remove any trees, crops, or other plants, dirt, gravel or sod without legal authorization.

(y) To erect or use a permanent tree stand or scaffold without written permission from the landowners. No portable stands may be used within 50 yards of the boundary line on Barbour and Covington AREAS.

(z) To cast a light of any kind, either hand held, affixed to a vehicle, or otherwise, between the hours of sunset and sunrise except in areas where the state law is more restrictive. This paragraph does not apply to the headlights of vehicles traveling in a normal manner on an open established road.

(aa) To hunt from an elevated stand or platform without attaching themselves to the tree or platform with a safety harness, rope, or strap capable of supporting their weight.

(bb) To violate any posted restrictions on entry, hunting, fishing, or other conduct.

(cc) To release any animal, bird, fish, or other wildlife without first obtaining written permission from the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

(2) Individuals must follow the listed rules to participate in the scheduled youth deer or turkey hunts on any AREA.

(a) Each youth participant must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. The adult supervisor is to remain within arms length of the youth at all times.

(b) Youth is defined as those individuals who have not reached their sixteenth birthday.

(c) Adult is defined as those individuals twenty-five years old or older or a parent who are in possession of all state hunting licenses required to hunt deer or turkey on any AREA. Proof of possession of the required hunting licenses will be required on the scheduled date.

(d) Only one firearm will be allowed per adult-youth group. Only the youth hunter will be permitted to utilize the firearm for hunting. The adult is to review with the youth the rules of firearm safety and to ensure they are followed.

(e) The adult-youth pair is to check in and out at the AREA checking station as a single unit.

(f) Both the adult and youth will be required to wear hunter orange while deer hunting, as required by state regulation.

(g) All other rules and regulations to hunt on an AREA are in effect.

(3) All deer harvested while hunting with a hunter's choice permit on a scheduled gun stalk deer hunt must be tagged with the issued permit immediately upon harvest (before field dressing or moving). The permit shall be affixed to an antler or a hole in the ear. The permit shall be appropriately punched as directed by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

(4) It shall be unlawful on COOSA AREA for any person to carry firearms in boats with ammunition in the magazine, breech or clip attached to firearms except when hunting waterfowl from a stationary boat.

(5) It shall be unlawful on COOSA AREA for any person to ride or possess horses except on roads designated for four wheel motorized vehicles and except for raccoon hunters during the legal nighttime raccoon season. Horses are not permitted in the campgrounds from October 1 to April 30.

(6) It shall be unlawful on BARBOUR (except on Youth Deer Hunt), COVINGTON, FREEDOM HILLS (except on Youth Deer Hunt), LAUDERDALE and LOWNDES (except on Youth Deer Hunt) AREAS for any person, hunting by any method, to harvest, attempt to harvest, or possess any antlered buck with less than 3 points, 1 inch or greater, on at least one antler. It shall also be unlawful for anyone to destroy or attempt to destroy the antlers of any deer so as to make the determination of the legal status of the deer uncertain.

(7) It shall be unlawful on SWAN CREEK, CROW CREEK, MUD CREEK AND RACCOON CREEK AREAS:

(a) For any vehicle not authorized by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or TVA to be driven beyond and/or between the dyke gates.

(b) For any person to leave his vehicle parked at the approved launching sites. Hunters must use the designated parking areas. However, handicapped persons with approved handicapped vehicles may be parked at the designated handicap parking location at the main launch only.

(c) For any person to take, catch, kill, or attempt to take, catch, or kill mussels during the prescribed waterfowl hunting season.

(d) For any person to excavate, to hunt or attempt to hunt from any dug-out or excavated area.

(8) The following shall apply to the dewatering sloughs on Swan Creek, Mud Creek and Raccoon Creek AREAS:

(a) All boats and/or boat blinds used in the harvest of waterfowl on said dewatering sloughs shall be launched and removed daily or shall be floated to an approved launching site for overnight mooring.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to take fish for commercial purposes and/or to use commercial fishing gear within said dewatering units from November 1 through January 31 of each fiscal year.

(c) Temporary blinds may be used for one day only. All such blinds, except boat blinds, left in said areas for more than one day shall be disposed of as deemed advisable by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(d) The construction or use of permanent blinds requiring building material, flooring and/or flotation materials shall not be permitted in, or within 150 yards of, the Mud Creek and Raccoon Creek dewatering units.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person using duck and/or goose decoys in the Mud Creek and Raccoon Creek dewatering units to leave said decoys overnight. In addition, all unauthorized activity is prohibited from the herein mentioned dewatering units after 2:00 p.m. on days designated for a.m. hunting; from 7:00 p.m. to 12 midnight each day during Nov. 1 – Feb. 15; and, 48 hours prior to waterfowl season openings.

(f) It shall be unlawful to use airboats.

(9) It shall be lawful to install permanent waterfowl hunting blinds (those using building materials and remaining in position overnight) on the Swan Creek AREA only. All such blinds to be placed in the dewatering area must be registered with Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries officials in accordance with the following conditions:

(a) The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division's Blind Governing Committee shall be the final authority in resolving any dispute concerning the permanent waterfowl blinds. The Blind Governing Committee shall be made up of the following people: District I Conservation Officer Supervisor; two Conservation Officers; District I Supervising Wildlife Biologist, and Area Biologist for Swan Creek AREA. The Committee shall have the authority to remove any blind from the area if a dispute occurs and cannot be resolved.

(b) Blinds must meet "Qualifications and Registration Procedures" established by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and deemed acceptable by inspecting official to be registered. All registered blinds will be tagged by inspecting official and tag must remain attached to the blind for the duration of the blind's stay on the WMA. Tags shall not be swapped to a different blind and any untagged blinds may be removed by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries officials. It is the hunter's responsibility to make sure the blind he hunts from is properly tagged. No person shall hunt from an untagged blind.

(c) All permanent waterfowl hunting blinds will be registered between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on October 27, 2004. Only one blind may be registered per individual and that person, if required to have a hunting license to hunt, must have a valid hunting license and WMA license to register a blind. Only fifty (50) permanent blinds will be installed at preselected sites in the dewatering area. All registered blinds drawing one of the 50 preselected sites must be installed as near as possible to the preselected site prior to gate closing on November 1, 2004.

(d) Each selected blind must be placed within 10 feet of the blind location marker and shall not be moved until the end of the waterfowl season. This is not intended to prevent a blind owner from removing his blind from the WMA. In the event of a blind being farther than 10 feet from the marker, it is ineligible to be hunted from.

(e) No blind may be attached to the location marker in any way. If a blind is attached to a marker, the registered blind owner of record is in violation of this regulation.

(f) Blinds that are drawn and installed must be removed from the WMA no later than February 20, 2005. Any blind not drawn and installed on one of the 50 sites must be removed from the WMA by sunset of the day following the opening day of waterfowl season. (This includes all blinds within the boundaries of the Swan Creek WMA.) Any such blinds or parts thereof remaining after such dates shall be deemed to be the property of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and shall be utilized or destroyed as deemed advisable by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

(g) All boats and boat blinds used in the harvest of waterfowl within the dewatering area shall be launched and removed daily or shall be floated to an approved launching site for overnight mooring.

(h) Dewatering area access gates will be closed on November 1, 2004 and will be opened by 10:00 AM of the day before the opening day of waterfowl season. No boats with motors are allowed in the dewatering unit during the period gates are closed except as specified on decoy days.

(10) It shall be unlawful on the St. Clair Community Hunting AREA:

(a) To hunt, trap, use dogs, possess firearms, ammunition, traps, archery equipment or utilize the area for any other recreational purposes without a valid permit in possession.

(b) To hunt or perform any other recreational activities other than during daylight hours, except raccoon, opossum, and fox hunting, which may be hunted at night during the AREA seasons for those mentioned species. All other recreational activities are prohibited after 7:00 p.m. each day until daylight hours the following day.

(c) To possess alcoholic beverages while on the AREA at any time.

(d) To operate any motorized vehicle on the AREA except on roads designated on the current year’s permit for motorized vehicular usage.

(e) To camp overnight or have warming fires on the AREA.

(11) A $15.00 Management Area License in addition to a regular hunting license and a management area permit are required for hunting on AREAS.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-301, 9-11-305.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: October 18, 1983; October 13, 1984; October 19, 1985; October 17, 1986; October 22,1987; September 23, 1988; December 21, 1988; November 16, 1989; November 16, 1990; November 13, 1991; January 18, 1992; October 24, 1992. Amended: Filed: September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993. Amended: Filed September 13, 1994; effective October 19, 1994. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995. Amended: Filed August 20, 1996; effective September 24, 1996. Amended: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997. Amended: Filed August 11, 1998; effective September 16, 1998. Amended: Filed September 13, 1999; effective October 18, 1999. Amended: Filed August 10, 2000; effective September 14, 2000. Amended: Filed August 28, 2001; effective October 2, 2001. Amended: Filed September 16, 2002; effective October 21, 2002. Amended: Filed January 6, 2003; effective February 10, 2003. Amended: Filed August 21, 2003; effective September 25, 2003. Amended: Filed October 18, 2004; effective November 22, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.56 2004-2005 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons.

(a) AUTAUGA COUNTY COMMUNITY HUNTING AREA

(Autauga County)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Saturdays and Wednesdays of the State Gun Deer Season of Nov. 20 - Jan. 31, (except Dec. 4 and Dec. 25 – except spotted fawns - one deer per day).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 3-4.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 Noon CST). Must check in and out at check station.

(Physically Disabled) March 31 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) April 1 - April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 1 – Feb. 28 (Nighttime Only). No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts. Fox hunting - dogs only- no weapons.

DOVE: Sept. 11 – Oct. 2 and Oct. 30 – Nov. 10 - Wednesdays and Saturdays only. - noon until sunset.

CROW: Sept. 11 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(b) BARBOUR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Barbour and Bullock Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns- one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 26-27; Dec. 10-11, Dec. 16, 17, 18; Jan. 6, 7, 8; Jan. 20, 21, 22, Jan. 28, 29. On each hunt, Hunter's Choice on all days (except spotted fawns – Buck restrictions apply - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – Buck restrictions apply - one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31. (Must obtain deer permit on days of gun hunts.)

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – Buck restrictions apply - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 29-30; Jan. 11-12.

TURKEY: (Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL & RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM, & FOX: Sep. 1-Feb. 28. No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts. Fox hunting-dogs only-no weapons.

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

DOVE: State Season Saturdays and Wednesdays only (12:00 noon until sunset except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WOODCOCK & SNIPE: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Jan. 15-Feb. 20 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(c) BLACK WARRIOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST

(Lawrence and Winston Counties)

ZONE - A: Note - On days of Gun Deer and/or Primitive Weapon Deer Hunts in Zone - B, Zone -A will be closed to ALL Hunting, **Except on Dec. 27 – Jan. 2, when a Bucks Only Gun Deer Hunt will also be open on Zone - A and on Jan. 7-8 when an either-sex primitive weapons hunt will be open on Zone - A.

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 26-27*, Dec. 10-11*, Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 and Jan. 21-22*. *On Nov. 27, Dec. 11 and Jan. 22, a predetermined percentage of permits will be Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (Must harvest bucks only on days of Bucks Only Gun Deer Hunts) (Hunter must obtain a hunt permit on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Jan. 7 – 8.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 26 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 31 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) April 1 – April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28; (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 – Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Nov. 15 – Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

CROW: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sep. 1 – 30 and Feb. 1 – 28 (Nighttime hours only).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 – Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 – Jan. 31.

FERAL HOGS & COYOTE Open during any other legal session using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (No Dogs Allowed) (Daylight Hours Only).

BOBCAT & FOX: Open during deer and turkey seasons in that county using weapons and ammunition for open legal seasons (No Dogs Allowed) (Daylight Hours Only). Only one fox per day.

ZONE - B: Note - On days of Gun Deer and/or Primitive Weapon Deer Hunts in Zone-A, Zone-B will be closed to ALL Hunting, **Except on Dec. 27–Jan. 2, when a bucks only gun deer hunt will also be open on Zone-B and on Jan. 7-8 when an either-sex primitive weapons hunt will be on open on Zone - B.

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Dec. 3-4*, Dec. 17-18* and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2. *On Dec. 4 and Dec. 18, a predetermined percentage of permits will be Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns –one deer per day): Oct. 15- Jan. 31 (Must harvest bucks only on days of bucks only gun deer hunts) (Hunter must obtain a hunt permit on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Jan. 7- 8.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 26 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 31 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) April 1–April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 – Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Nov. 15 – Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

CROW: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts)

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sep. 1 – 30 and Feb. 1 – 28 (Nighttime hours only).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 – Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 – Jan. 31.

FERAL HOGS & COYOTE: Open during any other legal season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (No Dogs Allowed) (Daylight Hours Only).

BOBCAT & FOX: Open during deer and turkey seasons in that county using weapons and ammunition for open legal seasons (No Dogs Allowed) (Daylight Hours Only). Only one fox per day.

(d) BLUE SPRING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

CONECUH NATIONAL FOREST

(Covington County)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20*; Dec. 28*-29*; Jan. 7-8; Jan. 14-15; Jan. 18-19. *On Nov. 20; Dec. 28; and Dec. 29, a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter's Choice permits (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

Dog Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 23-24; and Dec. 3-4 (except spotted fawns – one deer per day).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (except on days of youth, gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns -two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 15-18. No daily checking in; map permit required.

TURKEY: (Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST). (Gobblers only).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST). (Gobblers only).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

FOX, RACCOON, & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (Night hunting only) (except nights preceding days of and nights of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WOODCOCK & SNIPE: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts; no hunting permitted on Open, Buck, Ditch and Blue Ponds).

QUAIL: Dec. 1-Feb. 15 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Dec. 1-Feb. 15 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Jan. 15-Feb. 20.

(e) CAHABA RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Bibb & Shelby Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 26-27; Dec. 17-18*; Dec. 31 – Jan. 1; Jan. 7-8. *On Dec. 18, a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be hunter’s choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled gun deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 10-11; Jan. 28-29.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15 – April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 – Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 1 – Feb. 28 (Nighttime Only). No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts. Fox hunting - dogs only- no weapons.

DOVE: State Season - Noon until sunset (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

CROW: Sept. 11-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WATERFOWL: State Seasons (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Jan. 1 – Feb. 20.

(f) CHOCCOLOCCO WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA AND MOUNTAIN

LONGLEAF REFUGE (MLR)

(Calhoun and Cleburne Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20-26; Dec. 3*-4*; Dec. 18-24; Jan. 5-8. (*On Dec. 3-4 "Hunters Choice" on all days (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (hunter must obtain hunt permit on the 2-day gun deer hunt.) No hunting on day of Youth hunt.

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns-two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 7-11.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST). (Physically Disabled) March 18 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 19-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Nov. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM, & FOX Jan. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only; Fox hunting - dogs (except MLR)*: only - no weapons) (except on nights preceding days of and nights of gun deer hunts). *On MLR segment, no dogs and daylight hours only.

DOVE (except MLR): Sept. 11-Oct. 2 (12:00 noon until sunset).

WOODCOCK: Jan. 1-31 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

TRAPPING (except MLR): Jan. 1-31.

(g) COOSA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Coosa County)

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 26-27; Dec. 11*; Jan. 1-7, Jan. 21-22. *On Dec. 11, a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter's Choice permits (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 15-16.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31. Must harvest antlered buck only on days of gun stalk deer hunts.

NOTE: All archery hunters must obtain deer permit on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts.

TURKEY: (Physically March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct.1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT & CROW: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM, & FOX: Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (Daylight hours only - no hunting on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts). Feb. 1 - Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only). (Fox hunting - dogs only – no weapons). No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts.

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: State Season (except on days of gun deer hunts).

DOVE: Sept. 11; Sept. 18 (12:00 noon until sunset).

WOODCOCK & SNIPE: Jan. 1-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other daylight season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (No dogs allowed).

(h) COVINGTON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Covington & Geneva Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns; buck size restrictions apply - one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20; Nov. 26-27; Dec. 17-18; Dec. 31 - Jan. 1; Jan. 7-8; Jan. 14 - 15; Jan. 21-23; Jan. 28-29. On each hunt Hunter's Choice on all days (except spotted fawns-buck size restrictions apply-two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – Buck restrictions apply – one per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except Youth deer hunt. Must obtain daily permit on stalk hunts. Only antlered bucks will be legal during stalk deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns; buck size restrictions apply – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 3-4.

TURKEY: (Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL & RABBIT: Nov. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

DOVE: Oct. 9; Oct. 16; Oct. 23; Oct. 30; and Nov. 6 (12:00 noon - sunset).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

SNIPE: Nov. 14-Feb. 27 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WATERFOWL: State Seasons (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

(i) CROW CREEK, MUD CREEK AND RACCOON CREEK WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREAS

(Jackson County)

WATERFOWL: Special Teal Season: Sept. 18-26. 4 a day-8 in possession. 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.

Special Early Goose Season: Sept. 1-15. 5 a day-10 in possession.

Duck, Coot & Goose: State Seasons. (Monday -Thursday: ½ hour before sunrise to noon during Nov. through Jan.; Friday - Sunday: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset).

Youth Day: Feb. 12 & 13.

DOVE: State Season; 12:00 noon until sunset.

DEER: Archery Only Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Nov. 6-14.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28.

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28.

BLACKBIRD, CROW & STARLING: Sept. 11-Feb. 28.

RAIL, WOODCOCK & SNIPE: State Season.

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28.

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Oct. 1-Feb. 28.

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

BOW-FISHING: During other scheduled hunts and Mar. 1-Aug. 31 - nongame fish only.

(j) NORTH SAUTY AND CROW CREEK WATERFOWL REFUGES

(Jackson County)

DOVE: Sept. 11-Oct. 2; Oct. 30–Nov. 20; 12:00 noon until sunset.

DEER: Archery Only Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Nov. 6-14.

QUAIL: Feb. 1-Feb. 15.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Oct. 31.

RABBIT: Oct. 15-31; Feb. 16-28.

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Oct. 1-31.

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Dec. 4.

BOW-FISHING: During other scheduled hunts and Mar. 1-Aug. 31 - nongame fish only.

(k) DEMOPOLIS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Sumter, Hale, Marengo & Greene Counties)

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns - one deer per day): Nov. 20; Dec. 3-4; Dec. 17-18; Dec. 22-23; Dec. 28-29; Jan. 7-8.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck). Dec. 10-11; Jan. 28-29.

TURKEY: (Physically March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) March 15 - April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 – Oct. 14; Nov. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1 – Oct. 14; Nov. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15- Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 (Nighttime Only). No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts. Fox hunting - dogs only- no weapons.

DOVE: State season (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts); noon to sunset only.

WATERFOWL: State Seasons on Daubs, Spidle, and Dead Lake Units, remaining areas state season (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts). ½ hour before sunrise until 12:00 Noon on all areas.

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 – Feb. 20.

(l) ESCAMBIA CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Escambia County)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns-one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20*; Dec. 17-18*; Dec. 31- Jan 1*; Jan. 21-22*; Jan. 28*-29*. On Nov. 20, Dec. 18, and Jan. 1, 22, 28, & 29, a predetermined percentage of permits will be Hunter's Choice permits (except spotted fawns-two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 10-11; Jan. 15.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns-one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31. (Antlered bucks only with bow on bucks only gun hunts) (No hunting on Youth deer hunt) (Must obtain daily permit on stalk hunts.)

TURKEY: (Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

FOX: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (Fox hunting - Dogs only - No weapons) (No hunting on nights of or nights preceding youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (No hunting on nights of and nights preceding youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

DOVE: State Season, Thursdays and Saturdays only, noon until sunset. (except on days of gun and primitive weapons).

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Jan. 1-Feb. 20.

SNIPE: Nov. 15-Feb. 27 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(m) FRANK W. & ROB M. BOYKIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Washington & Mobile Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except for spotted fawns - one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20; Dec. 26-Jan. 1; Jan. 28*-29*. *On Jan. 28-29, a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter's choice permits (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

Dog Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Dec. 3-4; Jan. 7-8*. On Jan. 8 a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter's choice permits (except spotted fawns- two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns): Dec. 17-18; Jan. 14-15 (two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (Antlered bucks only with bow on bucks only gun hunts) (No hunting on Youth deer hunt).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other daylight wildlife management area season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts. NO DOGS ALLOWED. NO BAG LIMIT.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15-April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

DOVE: Sept. 11-Oct. 2 (Saturday only). Washington Co. only (12:00 noon until sunset)

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1-Nov. 14 and Feb. 1-28 (Nighttime hours only).

SNIPE: Nov. 15-Feb. 27 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts.

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WATERFOWL: State season (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

(n) FREEDOM HILLS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Colbert County)

ZONE: NORTH

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - One Deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (Two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 1-31; Saturdays and Wednesdays only.

Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (one deer per day) Jan. 1-31; Saturdays and Wednesdays only.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (Two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

TURKEY: (Physically March 31 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) April 1 – April 30. (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

RABBIT & QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sep. 1-30 and Feb. 1-28 (Nighttime hours only).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 - Jan. 31 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 – Jan. 31.

FERAL HOGS: Open during any other legal season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (No Dogs Allowed).

ZONE: SOUTH

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - One Deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (Two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Nov. 20; Nov. 25-27; Dec. 10-Dec. 11; Dec. 30- Jan. 1.

Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (one deer per day) Jan. 14-15; Jan. 27-31.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (Two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

TURKEY: (Physically March 31 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) April 1 – April 30. (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

DOVE: State Season, Noon until sunset. Sat. and Wed. hunting only (except on days of gun deer hunts). Hunting allowed only at designated fields.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

RABBIT & QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sep. 1-30 and Feb. 1-28 (Nighttime hours only).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 - Jan. 31 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 – Jan. 31.

FERAL HOGS: Open during any other legal season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (No Dogs Allowed).

(o) HOLLINS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Clay & Talladega Counties)

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20; Dec. 4-10;

Jan. 8-14; Jan. 28-29.

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 17-18.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - one deer per day). Oct. 15-Jan. 31. Must harvest antlered buck only on days of gun stalk deer hunts.

NOTE: All archery hunters must obtain deer permit on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts.

TURKEY: (Archery) Nov. 21 -Jan. 1 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar.15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT & CROW: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM, & FOX: Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (Daylight hours only) No hunting on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts. Nov. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) No hunting on dates of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts. No hunting on nights preceding days of and on nights of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts. (Fox hunting - dogs only - no weapons).

TRAPPING: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

DOVE: State Season - Saturdays and Wednesdays only. (12:00 noon until sunset except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other daylight season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (No Dogs Allowed).

(p) JAMES D. MARTIN -SKYLINE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Jackson County)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20; Nov. 26-30; Dec. 17*-18*; Dec. 31-Jan. 4 and Jan. 21-25. (*On Dec. 17-28 a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be "Hunter's Choice" permits (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns): Dec. 3-6. (Two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

DOVE: State Season. (Wednesdays and Saturdays only). 12:00 noon until sunset (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on day of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Jan. 5-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Feb. 1-28 (Fox hunting - dogs only - no weapons).

WOODCOCK & SNIPE: Dec. 21-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

QUAIL: Dec. 7-30 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

(q) KINTERBISH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Sumter County)

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 26-27; Dec. 14-15; Jan. 14*-15*; Jan. 28*-29*. *On Jan. 14, 15, 28 and 29, a predetermined percentage of permits issued will be "Hunter's Choice" permits (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 10-11; Jan. 21-22.

(Archery) Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (Antlered bucks only with bow on bucks only gun hunts) (No hunting on Youth deer hunts).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other daylight season using approved weapons and ammunition for those hunts. NO DOGS ALLOWED.

TURKEY: (Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST). All turkeys harvested must be checked in at checking station.

(Physically Disabled) Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT & CROW: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

FOX: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (Fox hunting – Dogs only – No weapons) (No hunting on nights of and nights preceding gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (No hunting on nights of or preceding gun and primitive weapons deer hunts.)

DOVE & WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(r) LAUDERDALE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Lauderdale County)

DEER: (Gun)-Either Sex Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side: Dec. 3-4, Dec. 17-18, and Jan. 7-8.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (one deer per day): Jan 17-24.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day) with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side: Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (Except must harvest bucks only on days of bucks only gun deer hunts).

TURKEY: (Physically Disabled) Apr. 8 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Apr. 9-30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RABBIT: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sep. 1-30 and Feb. 1-28 (Nighttime Hours Only).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb 20.

(s) LITTLE RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Cherokee & DeKalb Counties)

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 20; Nov. 26-Dec. 2; Dec. 10*-11*; Jan. 28-31. (*on Dec. 10-11 a predetermined percentage of permits issued will be either-sex permits) (two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (must obtain daily permit on Gun Deer and Primitive Weapons hunts.)

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 24-30.

TURKEY: (Physically Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Jan. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

DOVE: Sept. 11-Oct. 2 (12:00 noon until sunset).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Jan. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only; Fox hunting-dogs only-no weapons).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(t) LOWNDES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Lowndes County)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice Nov. 13 (except spotted fawns-one deer per day).

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side. Dec. 3-4*; Dec. 11-17; Jan. 7-8*; Jan. 14-15*; Jan. 28-29*. *On Dec. 4, Jan. 8; Jan. 15; and Jan. 29, a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter's Choice permits (except spotted fawns-two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice with buck antler restrictions: Minimum 3 points on one side (except spotted fawns-one deer per day). Oct. 15-Jan. 31.

(Must obtain deer permit on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts; no hunting on day of Youth Deer Hunt).

TURKEY: (Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb.28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT & CROW: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 6-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (except on nights preceding days of and nights of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts). (Fox hunting - dogs only - no weapons).

DOVE: State season-Saturdays and Wednesdays only (12:00 noon until sunset) (except on days of gun and youth deer hunts).

WATERFOWL: State season- Saturdays and Wednesdays only; (1/2 half hour before sunrise to sunset) (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15- Feb. 20 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

FERAL HOG: (Special Aug. 14-Sept. 5 (South Road Area

Season) Only) Permitted Firearms & Bow and Arrow and Hunter Orange requirements; same as that for gun deer hunting on WMAs. (No dogs allowed).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other daylight season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts. (No dogs allowed).

WOODCOCK & SNIPE: Dec. 24- Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(u) MOBILE-TENSAW DELTA AND W. L. HOLLAND WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREAS

(Baldwin and Mobile Counties)

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting (Deer - Antlered Bucks Only – one deer per day): Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays of the State Gun Deer Season, Nov. 20-Jan. 31. (No Dogs Allowed) (Daylight Hours Only).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31.

WATERFOWL: State Season (Monday – Thursday: ½ hour before sunrise to noon; Friday – Sunday: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset).

SPECIAL TEAL SEASON: Sept. 18-26.

DOVE: State Season.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28.

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28.

SNIPE: Nov. 13-Feb. 27.

RAIL, PURPLE GALLINULE,

& COMMON MOORHENS: State Season.

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1.-Feb. 28. (Nighttime hours only).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18-Jan. 31.

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

TURKEY: (Physically Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

FERAL HOG: Open during any wildlife management area season using any weapon or ammunition which is legal any time of the year on said areas. No dogs allowed – (Daylight Hours Only).

(v) MULBERRY FORK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Tuscaloosa & Walker Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only:

Nov. 26-27*; Dec. 10-11; Dec. 31 – Jan. 1; Jan. 21-22. *On Nov. 27 a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns): Jan. 7-8 (two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Sunrise to until noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15 - April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 (Nighttime Only). No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts. Fox hunting – dogs only – no weapons.

DOVE: State Season – noon to sunset (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

CROW: Sept. 11 – Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 - Feb. 20.

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

COYOTE, BOBCAT, Open during any other legal season

& FERAL HOGS: using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (no dogs allowed).

(w) OAKMULGEE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Bibb, Hale, Perry & Tuscaloosa Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 26-27; Dec. 17-18; Dec. 31 – Jan. 1*; Jan. 21-22; *On Jan. 1, a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be hunter’s choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns): Dec. 3-4; Jan. 14-15 (two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15 - April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 (Nighttime Only). No hunting on nights of and nights preceding days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts. Fox hunting - dogs only- no weapons.

DOVE: State Season - Noon until sunset (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

CROW: Sept. 11-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Jan. 1 - Feb. 20.

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts). No open goose season.

FERAL HOGS, COYOTE Open during any other legal season

& BOBCAT: using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (no dogs allowed).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 – Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(x) SAM R. MURPHY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Lamar and Marion Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns-one deer per day) Nov. 13.

(Gun) Hunter’s Choice on all days (no spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Nov. 20-27; Dec. 10-11; Dec. 17-18; Dec. 31–Jan. 1; Jan. 14-15.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day). Oct. 15-Jan. 31. (Hunter must obtain a hunt permit on days of gun deer hunts). No hunting on days of youth deer hunt.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15 – April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of scheduled youth and gun deer hunts).

DOVE: State Season - Wednesdays & Saturdays only - noon until sunset (except on days of gun deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Jan. 1 – Feb 20.

WATERFOWL: State Season (except on days of gun deer hunts).

(y) SCOTCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Clarke County)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Dec. 3- 4*; Jan. 7-8*; Jan. 21-22*. *On Dec. 4, Jan. 8, and Jan. 22 a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter’s Choice permits (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

Dog Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 26-27; Dec. 23-24.

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns): Dec. 17-18; Jan. 28-29. (two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15. - Jan. 31 (Antlered bucks only with bow on bucks only gun hunts) (No hunting on Youth deer hunt).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other daylight season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts. NO DOGS ALLOWED.

TURKEY: (Archery) Nov. 20-Jan. 1 (except on dates of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

(Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

FOX: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (Fox hunting - Dogs only - No weapons) (No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

DOVE: State season (Saturday only.) (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Dec. 28-Feb. 20.

(z) SEVEN-MILE ISLAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Lauderdale County)

(1) ALL AREAS OF SEVEN-MILE ISLAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA EXCEPT KEY CAVE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:

WATERFOWL (except Goose,

Pintail & Canvasback): Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 4-Jan. 30.

PINTAIL & CANVASBACK: Jan. 1-30.

GOOSE: Oct. 2-13 and Dec. 4 – Jan. 30.

SPECIAL TEAL SEASON: Sept. 18-26.

SPECIAL CANADA GOOSE: Sept. 1-15.

YOUTH WATERFOWL: Feb. 12 & 13.

DEER: (Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Dec. 27 – Jan. 31.

DOVE: Sept. 11-Oct. 2; Oct. 30-Nov. 20; and Dec. 18-Jan. 2, Noon until sunset.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28.

SNIPE: Nov. 13 - Feb. 27.

RACCOON, OPOSSUM: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28.

RABBIT: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28.

BLACKBIRD, CROW,

& STARLING: Sept. 11 - Feb. 28.

QUAIL: Nov. 15- Feb. 28.

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 - Jan. 31.

RAIL: Sept. 18 – 26 and Nov. 21 – Jan. 20.

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 - Feb. 20.

BOW-FISHING: During other scheduled hunts and March 1 - Aug. 31 - Nongame fish only.

BEAVER: Open during any other legal season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts.

FERAL HOG: Open during any other legal season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts.

(2) KEY CAVE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:

HUNTING ALLOWED ONLY FOR THE FOLLOWING SPECIES AND ONLY ON MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, FRIDAYS, AND SATURDAYS WITHIN THE FOLLOWING SEASONS:

DOVE: Sept. 11 - Oct. 2; Oct. 30-Nov. 20; Dec. 18-Jan. 2 – Noon until sunset.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28.

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28.

RABBIT: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28.

QUAIL: Nov. 15 – Feb. 28.

(aa) ST. CLAIR COMMUNITY HUNTING AREA

(St. Clair County)

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays only during the State gun deer season of Nov. 20-Jan. 31, except Nov. 24 and 27 and Dec. 8 and 11. One deer per day.

Stalk Hunting Either Sex (except spotted fawns): Nov. 24 and 27 and Dec. 8 and 11. Two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (one deer per day).

TURKEY: (Physically Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) Mar. 15-Apr. 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of gun deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Oct. 1-Nov. 19 (Nighttime hours only; Fox hunting-dogs only - no weapons).

TRAPPING: Jan. 1-Feb. 20.

(bb) SWAN CREEK & MALLARD-FOX CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

AREA

(Limestone, Morgan, and Lawrence Counties)

WATERFOWL (except Goose,

Pintail & Canvasback): Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 4 - Jan. 30.

PINTAIL & CANVASBACK: Jan. 1-30.

GOOSE: Canada geese Dec. 12 – Jan. 30.

Other geese Oct. 2-13 and Dec. 4 – Jan. 30.

SPECIAL TEAL SEASON: Sept. 18-26.

SPECIAL CANADA GOOSE: Sept. 11-15.

YOUTH WATERFOWL: Feb. 12 & 13.

DOVE: Sept. 11 – Oct. 2, Oct. 30-Nov. 20, & Dec. 18 – Jan. 2, Noon until sunset.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28.

SNIPE: Nov. 13 - Feb. 27.

RABBIT: Oct. 1 – Feb. 28.

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28.

BLACKBIRD, CROW, Sept. 11 - Feb. 28. (Closed during

& STARLING: regular waterfowl season).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28.

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 - Jan. 31.

RAIL: Sept. 18– Sept. 26 and Nov. 21 – Jan. 20.

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 - Feb. 20.

BOW-FISHING: March 1 - Aug. 31 - Nongame fish only.

BEAVER: Open during any other legal season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts.

DEER: (Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15 – Nov. 12.

(cc) UPPER DELTA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Baldwin and Mobile Counties)

ZONE A:

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns-one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 20; Dec. 10-11; Jan. 7-8.

Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Jan. 21-22.

Dog Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Dec. 17-18; Jan. 11-12.

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 3-4.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (Antlered bucks only with bow on bucks only gun hunts) (No hunting on Youth deer hunt).

WATERFOWL: State Season.

DOVE: Saturdays of State Season – noon to sunset (except on days of youth, gun and primitive weapon deer hunts).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

SNIPE: Nov. 15-Feb. 27 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

TURKEY: (Youth) Mar. 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) Mar. 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15-April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other wildlife management area season, using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts. (NO DOGS ALLOWED- DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY.)

ZONE B:

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 20; Dec. 20-25; Jan. 14- 15; Jan. 28-29.

Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Jan. 21-22.

Dog Hunting Antlered Bucks Only (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 22-27; Dec. 31–Jan. 1; Jan. 11-12.

(Primitive Weapons) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck): Dec. 3-4.

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15-Jan. 31 (Antlered bucks only with bow on bucks only gun hunts) (No hunting on Youth deer hunt).

WATERFOWL: State Season.

SPECIAL TEAL SEASON: Sept. 18-26.

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth, gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

SNIPE: Nov. 15-Feb. 27 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

RACCOON & OPOSSUM: Sept. 1-Feb. 28 (Nighttime hours only) (No hunting on nights preceding days and nights of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18-Jan. 31 (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15-Feb. 20.

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15-April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other wildlife management area season, using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts. (NO DOGS ALLOWED – DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY).

(dd) WEST JEFFERSON PUBLIC HUNTING AREA

(Jefferson & Tuscaloosa Counties)

Zone A:

DEER: (Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays of the state gun deer season of Nov. 20 – Jan. 31 (No dogs allowed).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31. No dogs allowed.

Zone B:

DEER: (Primitive Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only.

Weapons) Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays of the state gun deer season of Nov. 20 – Jan. 31 (No dogs allowed).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31. No dogs allowed.

Zones A & B:

TURKEY: (Physically March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon

Disabled) CST).

(Regular) March 15 - April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28

RABBIT: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 1- Feb. 28 (Nighttime Only). Fox hunting – dogs only- no weapons.

DOVE: State Season (except on days of gun and primitive weapons deer hunts) – noon until sunset.

WOODCOCK: Dec. 18 – Jan. 31

SNIPE: Nov. 13 – Feb. 27

(ee) WOLF CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

(Walker & Fayette Counties)

DEER: (Youth) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Nov. 13.

(Gun) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 20*; Dec. 3-4*; Dec. 17-18*; Dec. 28-29*; Jan. 14-15*; Jan. 22*; Jan. 23-29*. *On Nov. 20, Dec. 4, 18, 29, Jan. 15, 22 and 29, a predetermined percentage of the permits issued will be Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns - two deer per day, no more than one antlered buck).

(Archery) Stalk Hunting Hunter’s Choice (except spotted fawns – one deer per day): Oct. 15 - Jan. 31 (except on days of scheduled youth and gun deer hunts).

TURKEY: (Youth) March 12 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Physically Disabled) March 14 (Daylight until 12:00 noon CST).

(Regular) March 15 - April 30 (Daylight until 12:00 noon).

SQUIRREL: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth and gun deer hunts).

RABBIT: Oct. 1 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled youth and gun deer hunts).

QUAIL: Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 (except on days of scheduled gun deer hunts).

RACCOON, OPOSSUM & FOX: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 (Nighttime Only). No hunting on nights preceding days of and nights of scheduled youth and gun deer hunts. Fox hunting - dogs only- no weapons.

DOVE: State Season (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts). Noon until sunset.

CROW: Sept. 11-Feb. 28 (except on days of youth and gun deer hunts).

TRAPPING: Nov. 15 - Feb. 20.

COYOTE, BOBCAT, Open during any other legal season

& FERAL HOGS: using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts (no dogs allowed).

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-301, 9-11-235, 9-11-240.

History: August 31, 1993. Amended: Filed: October 4, 1993. Effective November 8, 1993. Amended: Filed: August 29, 1994; effective August 26, 1994. Amended: Filed September 25, 1995; effective September 25, 1995. New Rule: Filed August 29, 1996; effective August 29, 1996(PE), (Was previously 220-2-.56.01 - 1996-97 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons). Repealed: Filed October 17, 1996; effective October 17, 1996(PE), (Was previously 220-2-.56 - 1995-96 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons). New Rule: Filed August 28, 1997; effective August 28, 1997(PE). Repealed: Filed September 26, 1997; effective September 26, 1997(PE), (Was previously 220-2-.56 - 1996-97 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed August 25, 1998; effective August 25, 1998. Repealed (PE): Filed April 6, 1999; effective April 6, 1999, (Was previously 1997-98 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed August 31, 1999; effective August 31, 1999. Amended (PE): Filed January 6, 2000; effective January 6, 2000. Repealed (PE): Filed March 21, 2000; effective March 21, 2000, (Was previously 1998-99 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed August 31, 2000; effective August 31, 2000. Amended (PE): Filed September 27, 2000; effective September 27, 2000. Repealed (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001, (Was previously 1999-2000 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001. Amended (PE): Filed August 30, 2001; effective August 30, 2001. Repealed (PE): Filed August 23, 2002; effective August 23, 2002, (Was previously 2000-2001 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons). New Rule (PE): Filed July 17, 2002; effective July 17, 2002 (2002-2003 Wildlife Management Area Hunting). Amended (PE): Filed September 18, 2002; effective September 17, 2002. New Rule (PE): Filed August 8, 2003; effective August 8, 2003 (2003-2004 Wildlife Management Area Hunting). Repealed (PE): Filed June 15, 2004; effective June 15, 2004, (Was previously 2001-2002 Wildlife Management Area Hunting). Repealed (PE): Filed June 15, 2004; effective June 15, 2004, (Was previously 2002-2003 Wildlife Management Area Hunting). New Rule (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed (PE): Filed September 1, 2004; effective September 1, 2004 (Was previously 2003-2004 Hunting Seasons).

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.57 Daily Creel Limits -- U. S. Forest Service Lands. Effective immediately, the following creel limits shall exist for Open, Buck, Ditch and Otter Ponds, located on U.S. Forest Service lands in Covington County:

(a) A daily creel limit of 20 bream, 2 bass, 5 catfish per person, the limits representing aggregate totals from any or all of the four ponds.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Filed: September 30, 1982.

220-2-.58 Authorized Guide Hunting Service.

(1) For the purpose of §9-11-47 and §9-11-49, an "authorized guide hunting service" shall be defined as any person, firm, or corporation consisting of one or more licensed guides who receive any form of remuneration, whether money or other things of value, for services in accompanying or assisting any person in the fields, forests, or on the water within the jurisdiction of the State while hunting.

(2) No person shall be entitled to be licensed as a guide from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(3) A person shall be entitled to be licensed as a guide if he:

(i) is 19 years of age or older;

(ii) is a resident of the State of Alabama;

(iii) holds a Hunter Safety Certificate from the State of Alabama;

(iv) is currently certified by the American Red Cross as having successfully completed the standard first aid course of instruction; or an equivalent course approved by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources;

(v) has satisfactorily completed a written or oral examination on game laws and hunting safety prepared and administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources;

(vi) has not been convicted of a violation of federal or state sport fishing, game, or hunting laws or regulations within the preceding three years; and

(vii) is in good physical condition certified by a physician. If deemed necessary, the Department may require a physical by a physician of the Department's choice.

(4) A guide shall not shoot, kill, or take wildlife while employed as a guide. This does not prohibit guide from carrying a firearm.

(5) It shall be unlawful for a guide to serve more than four clients at a time.

(6) All licenses shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance. No license shall be issued until a fee of $25.00 has been paid for the license. All licenses shall be issued within 30 days after the applicant passes the required examination.

(7) The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may suspend or revoke a guide license for a period of not less than one year nor more than three years, if any person so licensed violates the Game and Fish laws and regulations of this State or allows or assists his clients to violate the Game and Fish laws and regulations.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-44, 9-11-47, 9-11-49.

History: Filed: September 30, 1982.

220-2-.59 Proof Of Payment Of Ad Valorem Taxes.(Repealed).

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Filed September 30, 1982. Repealed: September 10, 1996; effective October 16, 1996.

220-2-.60 Airboat Regulation.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to use an airboat on any of the public waters of this State that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide of at least two (2) inches, between November 15th of each year and the end of the waterfowl season in the area of operation.

(2) The prohibition prescribed in Paragraph (1) above shall not apply to the use of airboats by State or Federal game wardens, state aquatic plant management personnel acting in their official capacity nor by oil and gas exploration crews.

Author: Conservation Advisory Board

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-15.1, 9-2-14, 9-2-15.

History: Emergency adoption effective: October 25, 1982; October 27, 1983; November 15, 1986. Permanent adoption: effective October 7, 1987.

PENALTY: As provided by Code of Ala. 1975, §9-2-15.1.

220-2-.61 Creel, Possession And Size Limits For Federally Owned And Managed Ponds And Lakes. The daily creel, possession and size limits for game fish and catfish in Federally owned and managed ponds and fishing lakes in the State of Alabama shall be as posted at each pond or lake. Creel, possession and size limits for fish not posted shall be the same as otherwise provided for all public waters of this State.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Effective: February 23, 1983.

220-2-.62 Limited Hunting Season For Deer On Certain Military Installations. The following special 1984-85 Hunter's Choice Deer Season on the following specific area, in accordance with the below-stated time, place, manner, and means, is hereby established:

Anniston Army Depot, located in Calhoun County, Alabama, is hereby opened to gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, on December 1, 15, and 29, 1984, and January 6 and 12, 1985.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-11-240.

History: Emergency adoption effective December 16, 1982. Permanent adoption effective October 12, 1984.

220-2-.63 (Reserved)

220-2-.64 Black Bass Size Limit For West Point Reservoir. (Repealed 7/16/97) [Rule 220-2-.64, entitled "Black Bass Size Limit for West Point Reservoir," is hereby expressly repealed in its entirety.]

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective April 18, 1983. Repealed (Peremptory): Filed July 16, 1997; effective July 16, 1997.

220-2-.65ER Use Of Wire Baskets In Chilton County.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency Adoption: February 4, 1983. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.66ER Emergency Turkey Season For Redstone Arsenal.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective March 24, 1983. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.67ER Extension Of Turkey Season.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption Filed 4/22/83; effective 6 a.m. 4/23/83; expired 120 days thereafter. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.68 Special 1983-84 Hunter's Choice Deer Seasons On Specific Federal Lands.

(a) Anniston Ordinance Depot, located in Calhoun County, Alabama, is hereby opened to gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, on December 3, 17, and 31, 1983, and January 8 and 14, 1984.

(b) Redstone Arsenal, located in Madison County, Alabama, is hereby opened to gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, on December 17, 18, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, 1983, and January 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15, 1984, only. This season will terminate with the taking of two hundred (200) antlerless deer if before all dates are hunted.

(c) Effective at sunrise on Thursday, December 17, 1983, Fort McClellan and Pelham Range located in Calhoun County, Alabama, are hereby opened to gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns. It shall be unlawful to take such deer except between the hours of sunrise and sunset. This hunting season shall terminate as soon as two hundred (200) antlerless deer have been taken, this will be limited to one hundred (100) deer from each area, but in any event no later than sunset on Sunday, January 1, 1984.

(d) Fort Rucker, located in Dale and Coffee Counties, Alabama, is hereby opened to the hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, on December 10 and 11, 1983. The hunting will be restricted to black powder, flintlock firearms, .40 caliber or larger with open metallic sights only (no scopes).

(e) Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, except Redstone, located in Limestone, Madison and Morgan Counties, Alabama, is hereby opened to the hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset from January 16 to January 31, 1984. The hunting will be restricted to black powder, flintlock firearms, .40 caliber or larger with open metallic sights (no scopes) and bow and arrow (no crossbow).

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-11-240.

History: Effective October 19, 1983.

220-2-.69 Hunting Seasons And Limits For Migratory Birds.

DOVE:

15 a Day -- 15 in Possession

SOUTH ZONE: Baldwin; Coffee; Covington; Dale; Escambia; Geneva; Henry; Houston; Mobile.

SPLIT SEASON

October 7 - November 22.

December 22 - January 3.

Shooting Hours: Baldwin; Mobile.

12 O'Clock Noon Until Sunset

Shooting Hours: Coffee; Covington; Dale; Escambia; Geneva; Henry; Houston.

SPLIT SEASON:

30 Minutes Before Sunrise Until Sunset - Oct. 7 - Nov. 22.

12 O'Clock Noon Until Sunset - Dec. 22 - Jan. 3.

NORTH ZONE: All Counties Except Those Listed Above.

Shooting Hours: Autauga; Barbour; Bullock; Chilton; Choctaw; Clarke; Conecuh; Crenshaw; Dallas; Elmore; Lee; Lowndes; Macon; Marengo; Monroe; Montgomery; Pike; Russell; Washington; Wilcox.

SPLIT SEASON

30 Minutes Before Sunrise Until Sunset - Sept. 17-Oct. 29.

12 O'Clock Noon Until Sunset - Dec. 22 - Jan. 3.

NORTH ZONE: All Counties Except Those Listed Above.

Shooting Hours: Autauga; Barbour; Bullock; Butler; Chilton; Choctaw; Clarke; Conecuh; Crenshaw; Dallas; Elmore; Lee; Lowndes; Macon; Marengo; Monroe; Montgomery; Pike; Russell; Washington; Wilcox.

SPLIT SEASON

30 Minutes Before Sunrise Until Sunset - Sept. 17 - Oct. 29 and Dec. 17 - Jan. 2.

Shooting Hours: All Other Counties in North Zone.

SPLIT SEASON

12 O'Clock Noon Until Sunset - Sept. 17 - Sept. 25.

30 Minutes Before Sunrise Until Sunset - Sept. 26 - Oct. 29 and Dec. 17 - Jan. 2.

WOODCOCK:

5 a Day -- 10 in Possession

Nov. 28 - Jan. 31.

SNIPE:

8 a Day -- 16 in Possession

Nov. 14 - Feb. 29.

RAIL AND GALLINULE:

15 a Day -- 15 in Possession

Nov. 12 - Jan. 20

SPECIAL TEAL SEASON:

4 a Day -- 8 in Possession

Sunrise to Sunset, except in Mobile Delta North of the Causeway and South of L & N Railroad - Sunrise to Twelve Noon.

Sept. 10 - Sept. 18.

DUCK, COOT & MERGANSER:

Baldwin and Mobile Counties

Nov. 17 - 27.

Dec. 8 - Jan. 15.

In areas North of Battleship Causeway, west of Ala. Hwy. 225, South of L & N Railroad tracks and east of the west bank of the Mobile River, the Duck, Coot, Goose, and Merganser season shall be only on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from one-half hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon.

In remainder of state - Dec. 2 - Jan. 20.

GOOSE:

5 a Day -- 5 in Possession

Nov. 12 - Jan. 20.

Except on Pickwick, Wilson, and Wheeler Reservoirs west of U. S. Hwy. 31, the Goose season shall be Dec. 2 - Jan. 20, and in Barbour, Henry, and Russell Counties there shall be NO OPEN GOOSE SEASON.

BAG LIMITS FOR DUCK, COOT, AND GOOSE:

Duck: Point System

Coot: 15 a Day - 30 in Possession

Goose: The bag limit of 5 shall not include more than 2

Canada Geese or 2 White-Fronted Geese.

The possession limit of 5 shall include no more than 4 Canada Geese and White-Fronted Geese in aggregate.

DUCK POINT SYSTEM:

Daily bag limit is reached when point value of the last bird taken added to sum of the point values of other birds already taken during that day reaches or exceeds 100 points. The possession limit is the maximum number of birds of species and sex which could have legally been taken in two days. Point values for species and sexes shall be as follows:

100 Points: Canvasback, Black Duck

70 Points: Hen Mallards, Hooded Merganser, Redhead, and Wood Duck

75 Points: Drake Mallard and all other species of ducks not listed elsewhere

10 Points: Blue Winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Green Winged Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Scaup, Pintail, Merganser (except Hooded Merganser), and Widgeon

DUCK STAMPS:

State and Federal Duck Stamps shall be required when

hunting Migratory Waterfowl.

TIME FOR HUNTING DUCK, COOT, MERGANSER & GOOSE:

Duck, Coot, Merganser, and Goose may be hunted one half

hour before sunrise to sunset, except as otherwise noted.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Emergency adoption effective September 16, 1983. Permanent adoption effective December 16, 1983.

220-2-.70 Use Of Wire Baskets In Jefferson County. Any person properly licensed under the provisions of Act No. 83-482, Acts of Alabama, Regular Session, 1983, is hereby authorized to take, catch or kill nongame fish from the public waters of Jefferson County (except in municipal parks) by the use of wire baskets having a mesh of one (1) inch or larger. Persons are restricted to four (4) such licenses per person and are restricted to the use of four (4) wire baskets per person and the use of said baskets shall be governed strictly in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 83-482, Acts of Ala., Regular Session 1983.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Act No. 83-482, Acts of Ala. 1983.

History: Emergency adoption effective October 6, 1983. Permanent adoption effective January 13, 1984.

220-2-.71 Black Bass Size Limit For Harris Reservoir.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Emergency adoption effective March 1, 1984. Permanent adoption filed September 7, 1984. Emergency repeal effective May 8, 1986. Permanent repeal filed June 23, 1986.

220-2-.72 1985-86 Special Hunter's Choice Deer Seasons, Times, Places, Manners And Means On Specific Federal Lands.

(1) The following special 1985-86 Hunter's Choice Deer Seasons on the following specific areas, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, are hereby established:

(a) Redstone Arsenal, located in Madison County, Alabama, is hereby opened to gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, on December 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, 1985, and January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19, 1986, only. This season will terminate with the taking of two hundred fifty (250) antlerless deer if before all dates are hunted.

(b) Fort Rucker, located in Dale and Coffee Counties, Alabama, is hereby opened to the hunting of deer, antlered or antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, on November 23 and 24, 1985. The hunting will be restricted to black powder, muzzleloading firearms, .40 caliber or larger with open metallic sights only (no scopes).

(c) Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, except Redstone, located in Limestone, Madison, and Morgan Counties, Alabama, is hereby opened to the hunting of deer, antlered or antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset from January 18 to January 31, 1986. The hunting will be restricted to black powder, flintlock firearms, .40 caliber or larger with open metallic sights (no scopes) and bow and arrow (no crossbow).

(d) Anniston Army Depot, located in Calhoun County, Alabama, is hereby opened to gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, on November 30, December 7 and 21, 1985, and January 4 and 12, 1986.

(e) Effective at sunrise on Wednesday, December 18, 1985, two (2) areas of Fort McClellan, located in Calhoun County, Alabama, shall be opened to the gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, between the hours of sunrise and sunset. The two (2) areas opened shall be Main Post and Pelham Range. Each area shall remain open to said hunting until 100 antlerless deer have been taken at that area, but in any event no later than sunset on Wednesday, January 1, 1986.

(2) All regulations or parts of regulations in conflict with this regulation are hereby expressly repealed to the extent of their conflict herewith.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-11-240.

History: Filed October 12, 1984. Repealed and New Rule Adopted in lieu thereof: Filed October 7, 1985.

220-2-.73 The Alabama Cooperative Deer Management Assistance Program.

(1) The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall administer a program entitled "The Alabama Cooperative Deer Management Assistance Program" to improve management of white-tailed deer through cooperative agreements with landowners and hunting clubs.

(2) Each prospective participant shall submit an application on a form to be supplied by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Each application must be accompanied by two copies of a map of the area to be included in the Deer Management Program that are of sufficient detail to allow the area's boundaries to be readily determined. Approval of the application shall be at the discretion of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Each landowner/club approved shall be termed a "cooperator."

(3) Each cooperator shall designate a person with authority to represent all parties with a controlling interest in hunting activities on the land to serve as the cooperator's contact with the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

(4) The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries shall designate a Wildlife Biologist, knowledgeable in deer management, as the agency's contact with each cooperator.

(5) Cooperators must abide by all hunting laws and regulations. Failure to do so shall be cause to terminate participation in the Deer Management Assistance Program.

(6) Each cooperator shall make a written statement of its deer management objectives. Those objectives must be within the capabilities of the harvest and management strategies that can be applied.

(7) Each cooperator shall collect specified biological information from deer harvested and submit the data to the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as directed. Failure to do so shall be cause to terminate participation in the Deer Management Assistance Program.

(8) Information concerning past harvest, existing conditions and deer management objectives will be considered in the development of a deer management and harvest strategy for each cooperator. Harvest of unantlered deer will be prescribed as appropriate.

(9) Harvest of unantlered deer outside the regular Hunter's Choice hunting season will be allowed only where appropriate to meet the deer management objectives of the cooperator. The number of unantlered deer to be taken, dates of harvest and bag limits will be designated and shall be by written permit as approved by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Director based on recommendations submitted by the Wildlife and Enforcement Sections. The regular Hunter's Choice hunting season shall not apply to the extent of its conflict with the provisions of said permits.

(10) Any person hunting on areas included in the Deer Management Program shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including those relating to the wearing of hunter orange.

(11) The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries shall provide the cooperator a report based on the biological information submitted.

(12) Cooperators will be required to pay an annual user fee to help defray the cost of operating the Deer Management Assistance Program. The amount of the fee will be determined by multiplying the number of acres included in the Program by six cents and adding $35.00 to the result. The fee will be increased by an additional $65.00 for cooperators who operate a commercial hunting business charging $25.00 or more per day for deer hunting privileges and/or accommodations used while deer hunting. Cooperators having available the technical expertise, computer hardware and computer software necessary to collect and analyze biological data as specified by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries may apply for a waiver of the portion of the user fee based on acreage. The annual user fee will be increased $50.00 for cooperators who fail to submit completed forms and materials required for participation in the Deer Management Assistance Program in accordance with schedules established by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Failure to pay the required user fee as directed by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries shall be cause to terminate participation in the Deer Management Assistance Program.

(13) The penalty for the violation of any of the provisions of this regulation shall be as provided by law.

(14) This regulation shall become effective on the 36th day after filing with the Legislative Reference Service.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-8, 9-11-240.

History: Filed November 17, 1984. Amended: December 23, 1986; October 22, 1987; October 15, 1988; November 13, 1991. Amended: Filed: September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993. Amended: Filed July 21, 1998; effective August 26, 1989. Amended: Filed August 25, 2003; effective September 29, 2003.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.74.10ER 1984-85 Dove And Special Teal Hunting Seasons.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective September 7, 1984. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.75-.11ER Certain 1984-85 Hunting Seasons In Certain Wildlife Management Areas.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective September 28, 1984. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.76-.12ER 1984-85 Hunting Seasons For Deer, Rabbit, Raccoon And Opossum.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective October 4, 1984. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.77 2004-2005 Duck, Coot, Merganser, Goose, And Teal Hunting Seasons.

(1) The following 2004-2005 hunting seasons for duck, coot, merganser, goose and teal, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, are hereby established:

(a) Duck (except Pintail

and Canvasback);

Coot; and Merganser: November 26-27 & December 4 – January 30

Pintail & Canvasback January 1-30

(b) Goose: Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone - That portion of Limestone County south of U. S. Hwy. 72; that portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Hwy. 31, north of State Hwy. 36, and west of U. S. Hwy. 231; and that portion of Madison County south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road –

Canada Geese: December 12 – January 30

Other Geese: October 2-13

December 4 – January 30

Remainder of State (All Geese) – October 2-13 and December 4 – January 30.

(c) Bag Limits Duck: 6 ducks a day and may include no

for Duck, more than 4 mallards (no more than

Merganser, 2 of which may be a female), 2 wood

Coot, and ducks, 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck,

Goose 2 redhead, 1 pintail (during open season only), 1 canvasback (during open season only), and 3 scaup. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

Merganser: 5 a day, only 1 may be a hooded merganser. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

Coot: 15 a day--30 in possession.

Canada Goose

during Special

Canada Goose

Season: 5 a day—-10 in possession.

Goose: 5 a Day -- 5 in Possession

The bag limit of 5 shall not include more than 2 Canada geese or 2 white-fronted geese. The possession limit of 5 shall include no more than 4 Canada geese and white-fronted geese in aggregate.

(d) Time for Duck, Coot, Merganser, and Goose

Hunting may be hunted one-half hour

Duck, Coot, before sunrise to sunset.

Merganser,

and Goose:

(e) Special Teal Season: September 18-26. Teal - 4 a day - 8 in possession. Special Canada Goose Season: September 1-15 - 5 a day - 10 in possession. One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

(f) Special Youth

Waterfowl

Hunting Days : February 12 & 13, 2005, in accordance with regulations.

(g) Non-toxic (Informational Note: The use of

shot: non-toxic shot, either (1) steel shot T size or smaller, or (2) other shot and sizes approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is required in Alabama for waterfowl hunting.)

(h) Duck (Informational Note: State and

Stamps: Federal Duck Stamps shall be required when Hunting Migratory Waterfowl.

All licensed hunters are also required to have a Harvest Information Program permit.)

(2) Rule 220-2-.77, as previously adopted, is hereby expressly repealed in its entirety.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective September 13, 1993. Amended: Filed October 4, 1993. Effective November 8, 1993. Amended: Filed August 29, 1994; effective August 29, 1994 (PE). Amended: Filed September 13, 1994; effective September 13, 1994 (PE). Repealed and Replaced: August 28, 1995; effective August 28, 1995 (PE). Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 6, 1996; effective September 6, 1996(PE). Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 15, 1997; effective September 15, 1997(PE). Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 24, 1998; effective August 25, 1998. Amended (PE): Filed December 2, 1998; effective December 2, 1998. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed September 9, 1999; effective September 9, 1999. Amended (PE): Filed September 16, 1999; effective September 16, 1999. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 29, 2000; effective August 29, 2000. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 8, 2001; effective August 8, 2001. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 14, 2002; effective August 14, 2002. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 15, 2003; effective August 15, 2003. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law

220-2-.78-.14ER 1984-85 Hunting Season For Squirrel.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective October 9, 1984. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.79.15ER Amendment To Rule 220-2-.75-.11ER (Certain 1984-85 Wildlife Management Areas) And Rule No. 220-2-.56 (1984-85 Hunting Seasons In Wildlife Management Areas).

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective October 12, 1984. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.80 Running Of Hunting Dogs Prohibited During Applicable Spring Turkey Seasons.

(1) During the applicable spring turkey season(s) the running of hunting dogs is hereby prohibited on all areas of the State open to the hunting of turkey.

(2) This regulation shall become effective on the 36th day after filing with the Legislative Reference Service.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-12.

History: Filed December 12, 1984.

220-2-.81 Running Of Hunting Dogs Prohibited During Applicable Turkey Seasons On All State Wildlife Management Areas And Refuges.

(1) During the applicable spring turkey seasons the running of hunting dogs is hereby prohibited on all state wildlife management areas and refuges open to the hunting of turkey.

(2) This regulation shall become effective on the 36th day after filing with the Legislative Reference Service.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §9-11-301.

History: Filed December 12, 1984.

220-2-.82.16ER Use Of Airboats Restricted.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975

History: Emergency adoption effective November 14, 1984. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.83.17ER Special 1984-85 Hunter's Choice Deer Season.

Author:

Statutory Authority:

History: Emergency adoption effective December 12, 1984. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.84 The Taking, Killing Or Capturing Of Commercial Or Non-Game Fish Prohibited. (Repealed)

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Effective February 14, 1985. Amended: Effective October 19, 1985. Repealed: Effective September 16, 1992.

220-2-.85 Hunter Orange Requirement For Hunting And Definition Of Open Permit-Public Land.

(1) All persons hunting any wildlife species (except waterfowl, turkey, and mourning dove and while hunting legally designated species during legal nighttime hours) during dates and in areas open by regulation to gun deer season are required to wear an outer garment above the waist with a minimum of 144 square inches of hunter orange or either a full size hunter orange hat or cap. Hunters are not required to wear hunter orange when hunting from a stand elevated twelve (12) feet or more from the ground, when hunting in an enclosed box stand, when traveling in an enclosed vehicle, or when traveling on foot no more than twenty feet directly between an operating enclosed vehicle and a stand where the hunter is exempt from the hunter orange requirement. The hunter orange must be worn when traveling on foot between an operating enclosed vehicle and exempt stand when the distance is more than a direct distance of twenty feet. A small logo and/or printing is permitted on the front of hunter orange caps; otherwise, hunter orange must be of solid color and visible from any angle. Only hunter orange, commonly called blaze orange, ten mile cloth, etc., is legal. The various shades of red as well as camo orange are not legal.

(2) "Open Permit-Public Land" is defined as governmentally owned land open for public hunting and/or lands made available to the public on an individual basis whether for a fee or not. Examples of such lands would be national forest lands, lands owned by lumber companies and utility companies available for use by hunters either through free permits, fee permits or no permit requirement.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective October 19, 1985. Amended: Effective June 13, 1986; September 13, 1986; October 22, 1987. Emergency amendment effective September 23, 1988. Amended: Effective December 21, 1988; November 16, 1989. Amended: Filed September 10, 1997; effective October 16, 1997. Amended: Filed August 11, 1998; effective September 16, 1998.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.86 Feral Swine Regulation.

(1) All feral swine (wild hogs) found in the wild are hereby classed as game animals. The seasons and methods for taking feral swine will be as provided in Rule 220-2-.01.

Once reduced to personal possession of the landowner or agent, feral swine will no longer be considered a game animal. However, feral swine will be considered a game animal at any time they are hunted.

Notwithstanding any other regulation to the contrary, it shall be unlawful to transport feral swine alive beyond the boundaries of the property from which they are taken without a permit from the local conservation officer, or to release feral swine into any area of the state, except they may be released onto the property from which they were originally taken.

(2) Rule 220-2-.86, as previously adopted, is hereby expressly repealed in its entirety.

Author: John W. Hodnett

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective October 18, 1985. Repealed and Replaced: Filed September 20, 1995; effective October 26, 1995. Amended: Filed January 7, 1997; effective February 11, 1997. Amended: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

220-2-.87.19ER 1985-86 Dove And Teal Emergency Regulations.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective September 11, 1985. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.88.20ER 1985-86 Dove And Special Teal Emergency Regulation For Wildlife Management Areas.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective September 11, 1985. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.89 1985-86 Squirrel Emergency Regulation.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective September 30, 1985. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.90 1985-86 Starling And Squirrel Emergency Regulation For Wildlife Management Areas.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975,

History: Emergency adoption effective September 30, 1985. No permanent adoption.

220-2-.91 (Reserved)

220-2-.92 Nongame Species Regulation.

(1) It shall be unlawful to take, capture, kill, or attempt to take, capture or kill; possess, sell, trade for anything of monetary value, or offer to sell or trade for anything of monetary value, the following nongame wildlife species (or any parts or reproductive products of such species) without a scientific collection permit or written permit from the Commissioner, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which shall specifically state what the permittee may do with regard to said species:

(a) Fishes

Common Name Scientific Name

• Cavefish, Alabama Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni
• Cavefish, Southern Typhlichthys subterraneus
• Chub, Spotfin Cyprinella monacha
• Darter, Boulder Etheostoma wapiti
• Darter, Coldwater Etheostoma ditrema
• Darter, Crystal Crystallaria asprella
• Darter, Goldline Percina aurolineata
• Darter, Holiday Etheostoma brevirostrum
• Darter, Lollipop Etheostoma neopterum
• Darter, Rush Etheostoma phytophilum
• Darter, Slackwater Etheostoma boschungi
• Darter, Snail Percina tanasi
• Darter, Tuscumbia Etheostoma tuscumbia
• Darter, Vermilion Etheostoma chermocki
• Darter, Watercress Etheostoma nuchale
• Madtom, Frecklebelly Noturus munitus
• Sculpin, Pygmy Cottus paulus
• Shad, Alabama Alosa alabamae
• Shiner, Blue Cyprinella caerulea
• Shiner, Cahaba Notropis cahabae
• Shiner, Palezone Notropis albizonatus
• Sunfish, Spring Pygmy Elassoma alabamae
• Sturgeon, Alabama Scaphirynchus suttkusi
• Sturgeon, Gulf Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi

(b) Amphibians

Common Name Scientific Name

• Frog, Dusky Gopher Rana capito sevosa
• Hellbender, Eastern Cryptbranchus alleganiensis

alleganiensis

• Salamander, Flatwoods Ambystoma cingulatum
• Salamander, Green Aneides aeneus
• Salamander, Red Hills Phaeognathus hubrichti
• Salamander, Seal Desmognathus monticola (of

Coastal Plain origin)

• Salamander, Tennessee Cave Gyrinophilus palleucus
• Treefrog, Pine Barrens Hyla andersonii

(c) Reptiles

Common Name Scientific Name

• Coachwhip, Eastern Masticophis flagellum

flagellum

• Sawbuck, Black-knobbed Graptemys nigrinoda
• Snake, Black Pine Pituophis melanoleucus

lodingi

• Snake, Eastern Indigo Drymarchon corais couperi
• Snake, Florida Pine Pituophis melanoleucus

mugitus

• Snake, Gulf Salt Marsh Nerodia fasciata clarkii
• Snake, Southern Hognose Heterodon simus
• Terrapin, Mississippi Malaclemys terrapin

Diamondback pileata

• Tortoise, Gopher Gopherus polyphemus
• Turtle, Alabama Map Graptemys pulchra
• Turtle, Alabama Red-bellied Pseudemys alabamensis
• Turtle, Alligator Snapping Macroclemys temminckii
• Turtle, Barbour's Map Graptemys barbouri
• Turtle, Escambia Bay Map Graptemys ernsti

(d) Birds

Common Name Scientific Name

• Crane, Mississippi Sandhill Grus canadensis pulla
• Dove, Common Ground Columbina passerina
• Eagle, Bald Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Eagle, Golden Aguila chrysaetos
• Egret, Reddish Egretta rufescens
• Falcon, Peregrine Falco pereqrinus
• Hawk, Cooper's Accipiter cooperi
• Merlin Falco columbarius
• Osprey Pandion haliaetus
• Oystercatcher, American Haematopus palliatus
• Pelican, American White Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
• Plover, Piping Charadrius melodus
• Plover, Snowy Charadrius alexandrinus
• Plover, Wilson's Charadrius wilsonia
• Stork, Wood Mycteria americana
• Tern, Gull-billed Sterna nilotica
• Warbler, Bachman's Vermivora bachmani
• Woodpecker, Red-cockaded Picoides borealis
• Wren, Bewick's Thryomanes bewickii

(e) Mammals

Common Name Scientific Name

• Bat, Gray Myotis Myotis grisescens
• Bat, Indiana Myotis sodalis
• Bat, Rafinesque's Big-eared Corynorhinus rafinesquii
• Bat, Southeastern Myotis austroriparius
• Gopher, Southeastern Pocket Geomys pinetis
• Mouse, Alabama Beach Peromyscus polionotus

ammobates

• Mouse, Meadow Jumping Zapus hudsonius
• Mouse, Perdido Key Beach Peromyscus polionotus

trissylepsis

• Weasel, Long-tailed Mustela frenata

(f) Other State or Federally protected nongame species. In addition any required federal permits for federally protected species must be obtained.

(2) It shall be unlawful to collect or offer for sale, sell, or trade for anything of value any box turtle (Terrapene carolina), box turtle part or reproductive product except by permit as outlined in paragraph (1).

(3) It shall be unlawful to collect, harvest, possess, offer for sale, sell or trade for anything of monetary value any common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) or soft shell turtles (Apalone ferox, Apalone muticus muticus, Apalone muticus calvatus, Apalone spiniferus spiniferus, Apalone spiniferus asper) with a carapace length less than eight inches. (Except any species protected under this paragraph taken in a live trap by a pond owner or his agent while controlling nuisance animals is exempt but may not be sold or offered for sale or traded for anything of monetary value.)

(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to take or possess more than ten (10) legally taken turtles per day on the public waters or banks of the public waters of this state.

(5) Informational Note: See §9-11-269, Code of Ala. 1975, relating to protection of the flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus minor depressus).

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12 and Act No. 82-424, Acts of Alabama.

History: Effective July 18, 1987. Amended: January 2, 1990; September 16, 1992. Amended: Filed: October 13, 1994; effective November 18, 1994. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995. Amended: Filed August 18, 1997; effective September 23, 1997. Amended: Filed October 28, 1998; effective December 3, 1998. Amended: Filed April 1, 1999; effective May 6, 1999. Amended: Filed September 13, 1999; effective October 18, 1999. Amended: Filed June 9, 2000; effective July 14, 2000. Amended: Filed June 19, 2001; effective July 24, 2001. Amended: Filed July 16, 2002; effective August 20, 2002. Amended: Filed June 16, 2003; effective July 20, 2003. Amended: Filed June 10, 2004; effective July 15, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.93 Prohibition Of Importation/Possession Of The Fishes Rudd And Roach.

(a) The importation into the State of Alabama of the fish, "rudd", (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) or of the fish, "roach", (Rutilus rutilus),or any hybrids of either species, by any person, firm, corporation, or other entity, is hereby prohibited. Any person, firm, corporation, or other entity in violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided by Code of Ala. 1975, as last amended.

(b) The possession in the State of Alabama of the fish, "rudd", (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) or of the fish,

"roach", (Rutilus rutilus), or any hybrids of either species, by any person, firm, corporation, or other entity, is hereby prohibited. Any person, firm, corporation, or other entity in violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided by §9-1-4, Code of Ala. 1975, as last amended.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-13, 9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Emergency adoption effective February 9, 1988. Permanent adoption effective June 7, 1988. Amended: January 18, 1991; September 16, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-13, 9-1-4.

220-2-.94 Prohibition Of Taking Or Possessing Paddlefish (Spoonbill). It shall be illegal to take or attempt to take paddlefish (spoonbill) from all public waters of Alabama by any method or to possess paddlefish (spoonbill) or any part of a paddlefish (spoonbill). Any paddlefish (spoonbill) accidentally captured shall be immediately returned to the waters from whence it came. This regulation does not apply to commercially packaged paddlefish (spoonbill) products imported from out of state or to paddlefish (spoonbill) cultured at hatchery operations or grow out ponds permitted through the Commissioner, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Emergency adoption effective November 29, 1988. Permanent adoption effective March 24, 1989. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.95 Alligator Nuisance Control Hunter Regulations.

(1) FEEDING OR ENTICEMENT OF ALLIGATORS UNLAWFUL:

(a) No person shall intentionally feed or entice with feed any wild American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis); however, this does not apply to those covered by §§9-11-320 through 9-11-328 of the Code of Ala. 1975, (Possession of Wildlife for Public Exhibition Purposes) or those people authorized by special permit issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(2) GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR TAKING, ATTEMPTING TO TAKE, POSSESSION AND SALE OF ALLIGATORS:

(a) No person shall buy, sell, take or possess any alligator or any part thereof, or the nests or eggs of any alligator except under permit from the Director of the Game and Fish Division or as otherwise provided by other laws or rules and regulations.

(b) Nothing in this regulation, however, shall prohibit the possession of lawfully acquired cured and mounted trophies and articles manufactured from the skins or hides or other parts of alligators, provided the cured and mounted trophies are labeled to show number of the state tag originally attached to the hide of the alligator.

(c) Any alligator, crocodile, caiman or similar reptile, or any part thereof, seized or otherwise legally acquired by the Game and Fish Division may be sold. Proceeds from such sale will be deposited in the Game and Fish Fund.

(d) Alligators, or any parts thereof, lawfully obtained outside the state may be imported only under permit from the Director of the Game and Fish Division, except as provided for in paragraph (2)(b) above. Transportation and transfer of all alligators must also be in accordance with the rules of the state of origin.

(e) No person shall use, be in possession of or attend any hook, peg or other such device baited in such manner as to be capable of taking alligators and suspended so that the bait is above water or submerged in a manner to take or attempt to take alligators unless such person is authorized by the Director.

(3) OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR NUISANCE ALLIGATORS:

(a) Complainants reporting nuisance alligators shall be questioned sufficiently to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the problem and to determine whether the problem can be resolved through information/education.

(b) If necessary, Game and Fish Division personnel shall visit the nuisance location to determine if an alligator is present. Preparation of an "Alligator Complaint and Tagging Report" must be initiated at this point.

(c) Division personnel proceed through the Nuisance Alligator Problem Assessment (NAPA) printed below:

Nuisance Alligator Problem Assessment (NAPA) - This outline is a guideline for assessing nuisance alligator complaints. Since each nuisance situation is different, Division personnel may deviate from it based on the individual factors involved. It is intended only as a starting point for decision making.

1. Alligator has attacked people........LETHAL, REMOVE (See Note 1)

1. Alligator has not attacked people.......... See 2

2. Alligator is in more or less natural habitat (ditches, ponds, marsh, etc.)........................... See 3

2. Alligator is in unnatural habitat (backyard, work site, urban area)........................................See 5

3. Alligator/human contact is minimal............... PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ALLEVIATE FEARS (See Note 2)

3. Alligator/human contact is frequent.........See 4

4. Natural movement of alligators to and from area can occur. RECOMMEND COMPLAINANT TO CONSTRUCT BARRIERS AND/OR LIMIT HUMAN ACTIVITY (See Notes 2 and 3)

4. Habitat is isolated or immigration is unlikely ..........................................................See 5

5. Alligator can be caught safely and effectively. ....................................... LIVE CAPTURE (See Note 1)

5. Alligator cannot be caught or may be unsafe to handle alive..........................LETHAL, REMOVE (See Note 1)

NOTE 1. Nuisance Control Hunter (NCH) may be called in for lethal removal or live capture.

NOTE 2. If complainants are likely to destroy alligators if the Division does not conduct removal, an attempt should be made to remove alligators through use of the NCH.

NOTE 3. If one or more specific alligators are a repeated nuisance in this situation, removal of these alligators should be planned.

(d) When live capture or lethal removal is necessary, Division personnel involved must judge the immediacy of the situation and proceed accordingly. Where removal is needed, the Nuisance Control Hunter (NCH) for the area should be contacted to perform removal services. The NCH or alternate should be used for removal whenever possible to simplify, expedite and reduce nuisance handling by Division personnel.

(e) When an NCH is contacted to perform lethal removal, Division personnel involved will: (1) only issue sufficient tags to the NCH for the number of alligators involved (tags will be affixed to dead alligators only); (2) record issuance on form; (3) remind the NCH that all alligators taken must be verified with the Division staff member handling the complaint; and (4) remind NCH to return any tags not used to that staff member.

(f) All alligators or their hides taken by an NCH must be verified as soon as practical after taking occurs. The NCH must notify designated Division personnel and, if requested, is responsible for delivering the alligator(s) to a convenient location for verification. The NCH will complete a Hunter Report Form including sex and length of animal, skinning method, and use of hide and will submit such form to Montgomery Game and Fish Division office within 72 hours of taking an alligator. Following action on a complaint or verification of hide as appropriate, Division personnel handling the complaint will complete an Alligator Complaint and Tagging Report and submit to Montgomery office within 72 hours.

(g) When Division personnel handle (kill, receive, or encounter) dead alligators with a salvageable hide, the NCH or alternate for the area or adjacent area shall be contacted to process the alligator after it has been tagged. The NCH is obligated under contract to accept these alligators. The Hunter Report Form shall be marked with the name of the NCH involved (in the hunter blank) and completed as in paragraph (g).

(4) TAKING AND DISPOSAL OF NUISANCE ALLIGATORS STATEWIDE:

(a) Designated Nuisance Control Hunters (NCH) shall be authorized to take, possess and kill only those alligators specifically designated by permit issued by an authorized representative of the Division. A designated NCH of the Division shall take, kill, or possess alligators only in the manner specified by this section.

(b) Qualification and liability of NCH:

1. The NCH shall reside in the region where the NCH is authorized to take, possess or kill alligators; however, may be approved to work in other regions should assistance be needed.

2. The NCH shall possess the experience and ability to handle wild alligators.

3. The NCH shall be capable of supplying all equipment necessary to take alligators.

4. The NCH shall have sufficient time to adequately and efficiently take designated alligators.

5. The NCH shall not have been convicted of violating any law or rule concerning crocodilians within five years of the date of application.

6. The NCH shall assume all personal liability for his/her health, welfare and safety while acting as an NCH.

7. The NCH shall relieve the State of all responsibility and liability.

8. Those persons engaged in alligator exhibits or otherwise dealing with crocodilians shall not be eligible for appointment as an NCH.

(c) Selection and review:

1. Applicants and qualifications for appointment shall be reviewed by a staff committee appointed by the Director. The committee shall include at least one Conservation Officer from the area for which the NCH is being appointed. The committee shall consider each applicant's qualification and personal background. An interview with the committee or division personnel may be required. The names of those applicants nominated by the committee shall be submitted to the Director for final consideration and appointment. The number of appointments shall be based on need.

2. Selected NCH shall enter into a contract to take and possess nuisance alligators in accordance with this rule.

(d) Conditions governing operations of authorized NCH:

1. The NCH will be issued a permit assigning in writing a specific nuisance alligator complaint by Division personnel.

2. Alligators may be destroyed under the direction of designated Division personnel. Any alligator that is judged to be a threat may be destroyed. Alligators in public waters must be hooked prior to being destroyed, or taken by use of a bang stick and/or harpoon, or other method specifically authorized by the Director or his designee.

3. A nuisance alligator tag furnished by the Department shall be immediately attached to the hide of any alligator killed by the NCH. No person shall possess any untagged alligator hide. All export tags must be accounted for and unused tags must be returned to Division personnel within 72 hours of the time that NCH and Division personnel determine an alligator should not or could not be destroyed.

4. Alligators shall be skinned only at specific approved sites and in accordance with specific written skinning instructions provided by the Division. The tagged hides of the alligators taken may be held by NCH at an approved specific site for purposes of curing, tanning and/or sale.

5. The meat of the alligators taken may be consumed by the NCH or his immediate family but shall not be sold or transferred except as provided in this rule.

6. Each NCH may be assisted by not more than five assistants approved by the Director, provided that no such assistant shall operate or conduct any trapping activity except in the presence of the NCH.

7. Property rights to nuisance alligator tags issued to the NCH shall be vested in the Division and shall remain the property of the Division. No person, except authorized NCH or Division personnel, shall possess any unused nuisance alligator tag at any time.

8. Assignments of alligators to be taken and the issuance of nuisance alligator tags to an NCH shall be discontinued upon receipt of verified information and belief by the Director that the NCH:

(i) Attempted to generate alligator complaints.

(ii) Took alligators in excess of authorization.

(iii) Failed to promptly respond (without valid reason) to an assigned complaint.

(iv) Has been convicted of a violation of any regulation concerned with wildlife or fish.

(v) Has violated any portion of this rule.

(vi) Has acted incompetently in carrying out the responsibilities of his assignments. Substantiated evidence of wrong-doing will immediately result in the contract being automatically terminated.

(vii) Has not acted in the best interest of the Department or program.

(e) Storage and sale of alligator hides taken:

1. The NCH may store at an approved specific site legally taken and tagged hides until sale is completed. This site and corresponding records shall be available for inspection by Division personnel at any reasonable hour.

2. Sale of hides may be completed only by the legally permitted NCH.

3. NCH will submit an Alligator Transactions Report to the Game and Fish Division at the end of the calendar year documenting sales of alligator hides, meat and parts during the year and will include for each transaction the alligator tag number, date of sale, amount and person to whom sold.

(f) Storage and sale of alligator parts (other than meat) taken:

1. The NCH may store at a specifically designated site, legally taken parts until sale is completed. This site and corresponding records shall be available for inspection by Division personnel at any reasonable hour.

2. Sale of parts may be completed only to legally

licensed parts dealers; or direct to individuals, if not for resale; provided that:

(i) Alligator parts are packaged by the NCH in cartons approved by the Director.

(ii) Each carton is sealed as approved by the Director and labeled to indicate the administrative region, the number and kinds enclosed, the date packaged, the name of the NCH and the hide tag number corresponding to the alligator from which the part(s) is taken.

(iii) Each carton shall be used to package parts one time only.

(iv) Written records of all alligator parts sales shall be maintained and such records shall be open to inspection by Division personnel. The records of each carton of parts shall contain the data specified in this paragraph (f).

(v) Cartons containing lawfully acquired alligator parts packaged and labeled in accordance with this section may be shipped in intrastate or interstate commerce.

3. Upon sale of a part or parts, a record must be made and maintained by the NCH. The records will include kind and quantity of parts sold, and the name and address of each buyer. Buyers of parts must obtain and keep a receipt for any part purchased. The NCH records must include kind and quantity of parts sold with reference to the number of the State tag originally attached to the hide of the animal producing the parts in question, and the name and address of each buyer.

4. Any alligator skull sold shall be permanently and visibly labeled with the name of the NCH and the identifying alligator tag number of the alligator from which the skull was taken.

(g) Storage and sale of alligator meat taken:

1. Alligator meat shall be classified as fish meat and all alligator meat for human consumption shall be handled so as to meet appropriate sanitation requirements of federal, state or local authorities.

2. No person shall possess or sell alligator meat except as authorized by this section. Only legally licensed parts dealers, restaurants and alligator NCH's may sell alligator meat lawfully acquired by an alligator NCH provided that:

(i) Alligator meat is packaged by the NCH in cartons approved by the Director.

(ii) Each carton is sealed as approved by the Director and labeled to indicate the administrative region, the number of pounds of meat enclosed, the date packaged, the name of the NCH and the hide tag number corresponding to the alligator from which the meat was taken.

(iii) No more than five (5) pounds of meat shall be packaged per carton and each carton shall be used to package meat one time only.

(iv) Written records of all alligator meat sales shall be maintained and such records shall be open to inspection by Division personnel. The records of each carton of meat shall contain the data specified in this paragraph (g).

3. No person shall resell or possess alligator meat for resale, processing or other commercial uses except as authorized by permit from the Director.

(i) All alligator meat purchased shall remain in the original carton until the meat is removed for cooking or curing in a manner allowing it to be consumed by humans without further preparation.

(ii) Cartons containing lawfully acquired alligator

meat packaged and labeled in accordance with this paragraph (g) may be shipped in intrastate or interstate commerce.

(5) WORD "ALLIGATOR" OR "GATOR" NOT TO BE USED IN CERTAIN SALES:

(a) It is unlawful for any person to use the word "alligator" or "gator" in connection with the sale of any product derived or made from the skins or parts of other crocodilia or in connection with the sale of other crocodilia.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Effective March 2, 1990. Amended: Filed January 12, 1995; effective February 16, 1995.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.96 Alligator Farming Regulations.

(1) GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR TAKING, POSSESSION AND SALE OF CERTAIN REPTILES:

(a) No person shall buy, sell, take or possess any alligator, crocodile, or any part thereof, or the nests or eggs of any alligator or crocodile except under permit from the Department or as otherwise provided by law or by these regulations.

(b) Nothing in this rule, however, shall prohibit the possession of lawfully acquired cured and mounted trophies and articles manufactured from the skins or hides or other parts of alligators and crocodiles.

(c) Any alligator, crocodile, or similar reptile, or any part thereof, seized or otherwise acquired by the Department may be sold.

(d) Alligators, or any parts thereof, lawfully obtained outside the state may be imported only under permit from the director or as otherwise provided by law.

(e) The records of individuals or concerns selling any species of crocodilian will be subject to inspection and such individuals or concerns shall have in their possession invoices or other documentary evidence of the suppliers of such crocodilians. The advertisement or representation of caimans as alligators or crocodiles is prohibited.

(f) No person shall use, be in possession of or attend any hook, peg or other such device baited in such a manner as to be capable of taking alligators and suspended so that the bait is above water or submerged in a manner to take or attempt to take alligators unless such person is authorized by the Director.

(2) REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF ALLIGATOR FARMS:

Alligator farms may be established and operated and alligators, eggs, and hides may be possessed only under license by the Department subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(a) General Provisions:

1. The premises of alligator farms shall be subject to inspection by Department personnel at any time.

2. Complete written records of all changes in alligator stock shall be kept and made available for examination by Department personnel. Shipping tickets, invoices or bills of lading shall be maintained to show source of supply and disposition of alligator stock.

3. No licensee or his or her employee shall receive or transfer any alligator, eggs or hides except as provided by Act No. 89-874, 1989 Regular Session.

4. The licensee shall disclose ownership of alligators and provide documentation of inventory of initial and subsequent numbers of all alligator eggs and alligators, including breeding females and offspring. Documentation shall be sufficient to demonstrate the inventory is commensurate with production and survival levels for captive populations as measured against professionally accepted biological standards.

5. Permits to establish and operate alligator farms are not transferable.

6. The licensee shall provide security of facility premises necessary to ensure that no alligators, eggs, or parts thereof can be moved in or out of the alligator farm without the licensee's knowledge.

7. An Alligator Farm Annual Report shall be completed and submitted to the Department's Game and Fish Division, Law Enforcement Section prior to annual re-licensing.

8. Alligator farm permittees shall be licensed at an annual fee of $1,000.00 as required by Act No. 89-874, 1989 Regular Session.

9. The Department shall not issue an alligator farm permit to any person who has been convicted of any violation of Act No. 89-874 or the rules of the Department relating to the illegal taking of any crocodilian species, except as provided in Act No. 89-874.

(b) Specifications for alligator farms:

1. Pens or holding facilities shall be constructed in a manner to prevent the escape of any alligator contained in such pen or facility or entrance by any alligator from outside such pen or facility.

2. The permittee shall provide rearing tanks (of concrete, fiberglass, plastic or metal construction) for alligators less than four (4) feet in length. Alligators less than two (2) feet in length shall be housed separately from those two (2) to four (4) feet in length. Onsite propagation facilities will also provide ponds, nest sites and spacing for breeding adults and artificial incubators.

3. The licensee shall make all alligator eggs produced on the farm available for inspection by August 1 of each nesting year. All alligator eggs shall be in containers having not more than one layer of eggs at one incubation facility on each alligator farm. Only viable alligator eggs will be credited to the egg inventory.

4. Alligator farm licensees shall furnish alligators housing of sufficient size and design such that alligators shall be kept in a humane and sanitary manner.

(c) Facility Standards:

1. General. The most important factor in establishing an alligator farm is the acquisition of enough suitable land and habitat to support a population of adult alligators in outside breeding ponds and adequate area for the construction of holding houses for young alligators up to three years of age. There must be a reliable source of fresh water and equipment for pumping and changing water.

2. Breeding ponds shall be fenced around the perimeters with woven wire or board fences of sufficient height (minimum, 4 feet) and tightness, constructed so as to prevent the escape or entrance of any size alligator. Fences shall be buried or otherwise secured at the bottom so as to prevent entrance or escape. Breeding ponds must have at least one area of a minimum depth of 1.8 meters (approximately 6 feet at its deepest point) and suitable nesting sites.

3. Holding houses containing an adequate number of artificial tanks will be provided for growing out small alligators six feet or less in length. A sufficient number of tanks will be provided to allow for segregation by age/size classes, and each tank will be permanently numbered to facilitate accurate record keeping. There shall be sufficient space in each tank for all the alligators to completely submerge under water at one time and enough "dry" area in which to run around for basking purposes. A properly constructed tank will consist of 2/3 water for 1/3 "dry" area. The overall size of tank will depend upon the number of alligators held, but as a general standard each alligator shall have enough space to submerge without having contact with another alligator.

4. Holding tanks will be designed to permit periodic cleaning of waste and a complete change of water at regular intervals (at least every other day).

5. A controlled environmental chamber complete with an artificial nesting area (incubator) will be provided for hatching of eggs. The chamber will also contain a sufficient number of holding tanks to accommodate anticipated hatchlings and to provide a suitable environment for new-born alligators.

(d) Harvest of Alligators:

1. Alligators, at least four feet in length, or the skins or products of such captive-reared alligators raised on a farm licensed under the provisions of Act No. 89-874, 1989 Regular Session, may be sold, and, with written approval from the Department, an alligator farmer may utilize any product from a captive-reared alligator less than four feet in length that dies from natural causes, but only in accordance with the following restrictions:

(i) No farmer shall skin any alligator unless such alligator shall have been approved for skinning in writing by the Director of the Game and Fish Division or his authorized agent. Records must be provided to verify that each alligator to be harvested was hatched and captive-reared on the farm or otherwise obtained from a legal source.

(ii) Any alligator killed under authority of this section shall be tagged immediately with a tag furnished by the Department. Such tag shall remain attached to the alligator hide until finally processed by the fabricator. It shall be unlawful for any farmer or processor to possess untagged alligator hides.

(iii) Property rights to identifying tags issued to the farmer shall be vested in the Department, and tags shall remain the property of the State. Unused tags shall be returned to the Department within 15 days of completion of the harvest. Possession of any identifying alligator tags by persons other than licensed farmers shall be unlawful.

(iv) Alligators shall be skinned only at a specific site approved by the Director of the Game and Fish Division and shall be skinned only in accordance with special skinning instructions issued by the Department. Only those hides which have been skinned in accordance with these instructions shall be approved for sale. Hides so taken may be held at the specified skinning site until the date of the sale.

(v) The meat of any alligator legally harvested may be consumed by the farmer or his immediate family but shall not be sold or transferred except as provided in this rule below.

(e) Sale of Live Alligators:

1. Alligator farmers licensed under the provisions of Act No. 89-874, 1989 Regular Session, may sell, barter, exchange, give or loan any live alligators of at least four feet in length covered by his license provided a permit is first obtained from the Department. If sold, bartered, or exchanged in interstate commerce or foreign trade, legal requirements of the state or country involved in the transaction must also be satisfied.

2. The request for such permits must contain the name and address of the proposed buyer, a reference to the buyer's license number or other authority for possession, and shall further describe the alligator(s) by length, belly size, and sex, if known.

(f) Sale of Alligator Meat:

1. Alligator meat that is lawfully acquired through production on a licensed alligator farm may be sold to wholesale or retail food distributors, food and nonfood meat processors, restaurants and canneries, provided that:

(i) Any alligator meat sold to the above type business shall be packaged in cardboard cartons, and each carton shall be sealed with a label as specified by the Department that indicates that it contains alligator meat, the number of pounds of meat enclosed, the names of the seller and buyer, the tag number corresponding to the alligator hide from which the meat was taken, and the date of sale. No more than five pounds of meat shall be included per carton and cartons shall be used only one time.

(ii) Failure to properly mark cartons of alligator meat or possession of alligator meat in cartons improperly marked shall be considered a violation.

(iii) Alligator farmers shall maintain written records of all alligator meat sales on standard forms supplied by the Department. These records shall be open to inspection by Department personnel and shall include for each carton of meat sold the data indicated on the carton label as specified in subparagraph (f)1.(i) of this rule.

(iv) All alligator meat purchased by the type business listed hereinabove shall be retained in original carton until the meat is prepared for consumption or processing.

(v) All cartons containing alligator meat labeled in accordance with these regulations shall be shipped only within the State of Alabama or to those states or countries allowing the sale of alligator meat.

(vi) Alligator farmers handling alligator meat for human consumption shall comply with the sanitation requirements of federal, state, or local authorities.

(g) Sale of Alligator Hides and Other Products:

1. Alligator hides and other products, except meat, may be sold in accordance with the following:

(i) Alligator farmers may sell the hides, feet, viscera or skeletal parts of alligators when all such sales, with the exception of retail sales to the consumer, are documented to show the kind and quantity of items sold and the name and address of each buyer (and, in addition, the alligator parts dealer license number if sold for resale). Any packaged alligator parts must be sealed with a Department approved label that indicates the hide tag number(s) of the alligator(s) from which the parts came, the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, the date of the sale, and the number and kind of parts included.

(ii) Any alligator skull sold shall be permanently visibly labeled with the identifying alligator tag number of the alligator from which the skull was taken and the name of the alligator farmer selling the skull.

(iii) Products made from alligator skins or other alligator parts and documentary evidence of their acquisition shall be available for inspection upon requests of Department personnel.

(iv) No person shall sell any hide or other product manufactured from a crocodilian species which has been declared to be endangered or threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8.

Act No. 89-874, 1989 Regular Session.

History: Effective March 2, 1990.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.97 Alligator Protection Regulation. Except to the extent otherwise provided by Act No. 89-874, H. 17, 1989 Regular Session, Rule 220-2-.95, Rule 220-2-.96, or any other law or regulation enacted or adopted by the Alabama Legislature or Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, it shall be unlawful to possess, take, capture, or kill, or attempt to possess, take, capture, or kill any alligator, or the skins, meat, eggs, or parts thereof.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective March 20, 1990.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.98 Invertebrate Species Regulation.

(1) It shall be unlawful to take, capture, kill, or attempt to take, capture or kill; possess, sell, trade for anything of monetary value, or offer to sell or trade anything of monetary value the following invertebrate species (or any parts or reproductive products of such species) without a scientific collection permit or written permit from the Commissioner, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which shall specifically state what the permittee may do with regard to said species:

(a) Common Name Scientific Name

• Alabama cave shrimp Palaemonias alabamae
• Alabama lamp pearly mussel Lampsilis virescens
• Alabama moccasinshell Medionidus acutissimus
• Alabama pearshell Margaritifera marrianae
• American burying bettle Nicrophorus americanus
• Anthony’s riversnail Athearnia anthonyi
• Armored marstonia Pyrgulopsis pachyta
• Black clubshell Pleurobema curtum
• Chipola slabshell Elliptio chipolaensis
• Choctaw bean Villosa choctawensis
• Clubshell Pleurobema clava
• Coosa mocasinshell Medionidus parvulus
• Cracking pearly mussel Hemistena lata
• Cumberland moccasinshell Medionidus conradicus
• Cumberland monkeyface pearly

mussel Quadrula intermedia

• Cumberlandian combshell Epioblasma brevidens
• Cylindrical lioplax Lioplax cyclostomaformis
• Dark pigtoe Pleurobema furvum
• Dromedary pearly mussel Dromus dromas
• Fanshell Cyprogenia stegaria
• Fine-lined pocketbook Lampsilis altilis
• Fine-rayed pigtoe Fusconaia cuneolus
• Flat Pebblesnail Lepyrium showalteri
• Inflated heelsplitter Potamilus inflatus
• Judge Tait's mussel Pleurobema taitianum
• Lacy elimia Elimia crenatella
• Little-wing pearly mussel Pegias fabula
• Marshall's mussel Pleurobema marshalli
• Moss pyrg Pyrgulopsis scalariformis
• Narrow pigtoe Fusconaia escambia
• Orange-footed pearly mussel Plethobasus cooperianus
• Orange-nacre mucket Lampsilis perovalis
• Oval pigtoe Pleurobema pyriforme
• Ovate clubshell Pleurobema perovatum
• Oyster mussel Epioblasma capsaeformis
• Painted rocksnail Leptoxis taeniata
• Pale lilliput pearly mussel Toxolasma cylindrellus
• Penitent mussel Epioblasma penita
• Pink mucket pearly mussel Lampsilis abrupta
• Plicate rocksnail Leptoxis plicata
• Purple cat’s paw pearly mussel Epioblasma obliquata

obliquata

• Pyramid pigtoe Pleurobema rubrum
• Rabbitsfoot Quadrula cylindrica
• Ring pink pearly mussel Obovaria retusa
• Rough hornsnail Pleurocera foremani
• Rough pigtoe Pleurobema plenum
• Round pigtoe Pleurobema sintoxia
• Round rocksnail Leptoxis ampla
• Sheepnose Plethobasus cyphyus
• Shiny pigtoe Fusconaia cor
• Shiny-rayed pocketbook Lampsilis subangulata
• Silt elimia Elimia haysiana
• Slabside pearlymussel Lexingtonia dolabelloides
• Slender campeloma Campeloma decampi
• Slippershell mussell Alasmidonta virdis
• Southern Arcornshell Epioblasma othcaloogensis
• Southern clubshell Pleurobema decisum
• Southern kidneyshell Ptychobranchus jonesi
• Southern pigtoe Pleurobema georgianum
• Southern sandshell Lampsilis australis
• Spectaclecase Cumerlandia monodonta
• Spotted rocksnail Leptoxis picta
• Stirrup shell Quadrula stapes
• Triangular kidneyshell Ptychobranchus greeni
• Tubercled blossom pearly mussel Epioblasma torulosa

torulosa

• Tulotoma snail Tulotoma magnifica
• Turgid-blossom pearly mussel Epioblasma turgidula
• Upland combshell Epioblasma metastriata
• White wartyback pearly mussel Plethobasus cicatricosus
• Yellow-blossom pearly mussel Epioblasma florentina

florentina

(b) Other State or Federally protected invertebrate species. In addition any required federal permits for federally protected species must be obtained.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-371, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective June 1, 1990. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995. Amended: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997. Amended: Filed July 21, 1998; effective August 26, 1998.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.99 Legal Specifications For Crossbows And Arrows For Use By Disabled Persons. (Repealed)

Author: Richard C. Liles

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective November 13, 1991. Amended: Filed November 10, 1994; Effective December 15, 1994. Amended: Filed September 10, 1996; effective October 16, 1996. Amended: Filed August 19, 1997; effective September 24, 1997. Amended: Filed July 21, 1998; effective August 26, 1998. Amended: Filed June 29, 1999; effective August 3, 1999. Amended: Filed June 26, 2002; effective July 31, 2002. Amended: Filed September 16, 2002; effective October 21, 2002. Repealed: Filed August 10, 2004; effective September 14, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.100 1992 Special Hunter's Choice Deer Season For Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.

(1) The following special 1992 Hunter's Choice Deer Season on the following specific area, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, is hereby established:

(a) Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, except Redstone, located in Limestone, Madison, and Morgan Counties, Alabama, is hereby opened to the hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset from January 18 to January 31, 1992. The hunting will be restricted to black powder, flintlock firearms, .40 caliber or larger with open metallic sights (no scopes) and bow and arrow (no crossbow).

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-240, 9-2-7, 9-2-8.

History: Effective September 25, 1991

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.101 Hunting Of Captive Bred Mallard Ducks On Commercial Fowl Hunting Preserves. Captive bred mallard ducks, properly marked in accordance with federal regulations, shall be legal fowl to be hunted on a licensed commercial fowl hunting preserve. Such hunting shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-410, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective April 21, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.102 Prohibition Of Use Of Certain Animals In Greyhound Racing Or Training. It shall be unlawful for anyone to use any live game animal(s) or any live animal(s) that is/are prohibited from being imported or possessed in this state by Rule 220-2-.26 of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in any greyhound dog race or in the training of any greyhound dog for racing.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Emergency adoption effective April 15, 1992. Permanent adoption effective September 16, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.103 Waters Open To The Taking Of Freshwater Mussels For Commercial Purposes. Unless specifically prohibited otherwise, the following waters shall be open to the otherwise legal taking of freshwater mussels for commercial purposes:

(1) Coosa River from Jordan Dam upstream to the Alabama-Georgia State line.

(2) Alabama River from the mouth to the confluence of Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers with the exception of the Cahaba River.

(3) Tombigbee River from mouth to U.S. Interstate 59.

(4) Black Warrior River from mouth to U.S. Interstate 59.

(5) Tennessee River and its impoundments with the exception of restricted areas.

It shall be unlawful to take freshwater mussels for

commercial purposes from any other waters of the State of

Alabama.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-371, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective August 20, 1992. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.104 Legal Species Of Freshwater Mussels To Be Taken For Commercial Purposes.

(1) The following species shall be the only species of freshwater mussels permitted to be legally taken for commercial purposes in the State of Alabama:

Washboard (Megalonaias nervosa)

Threeridge (Amblema plicata)

Pistol Grip (Tritogonia verrucosa)

Elephant Ear (Elliptio crassidens)

Mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula)

Ebony Shell (Fusconaia ebenus)

Pink Heel Splitter (Potamilus alatus)

Three Horn (Obliquaria reflexa)

Southern Mapleleaf (Quadrula apiculata)

Bankclimber (Plectomerus dombeyanus)

Bleufer (Potamilus purpuratus)

(2) It shall be unlawful to take any other species of freshwater mussel for commercial purposes in the State of Alabama.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-371.

History: Effective August 20, 1992. Amended: Filed September 13, 1995; effective October 19, 1995. Amended: Filed June 10, 2004; effective July 15, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.105 Creel/Possession Limit On Alligator Gar. It shall be unlawful to take or possess or attempt to take or possess more than two (2) alligator gar per person per day, for recreational or commercial purposes.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective July 24, 1992.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.106 Mussel Fishing Seasons. The season for legal mussel fishing is open year-round except during the prescribed waterfowl hunting season, Swan Creek, Crow Creek, Mud Creek, and Raccoon Creek Wildlife Management Areas shall be closed. The area of the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge between Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 31 and the area of Limestone Bay shall be closed to mussel harvest during the period of October 15 through February 15 of each year. Mussel fishing in the fresh waters of this State shall be restricted to five (5) days each week (Monday through Friday) and shall be closed on all federal holidays.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-371, 9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: Effective September 29, 1992(E). Amended: Filed August 16, 1995; effective August 15, 1995. Amended: Filed October 27, 1995; effective October 27, 1995. Amended (PE): Filed July 31, 1997; effective July 31, 1997.

220-2-.107 Special 2004-2005 Hunting Seasons For Redstone Arsenal, Fort Rucker, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, And Ft. McClellan Army National Guard Training Center.

(1) The following special Hunter's Choice Deer Seasons on the following specific areas, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, are hereby established:

(a) Redstone Arsenal, is hereby opened to the stalk gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, on November 13, 2004; and Fort Rucker and Ft. McClellan Army National Guard Training Center are hereby opened to the stalk gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, on November 13 and 14, 2004. The hunting will be restricted to youth and handicapped persons. One deer per day.

(b) Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, except Redstone Arsenal, located in Limestone, Madison, and Morgan Counties, Alabama, is hereby opened to the stalk gun hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, from January 8 to January 24, 2005, restricted to black powder, flintlock firearms, .40 caliber or larger, and is opened to the archery hunting of deer, antlered and antlerless, except spotted fawns, sunrise to sunset, from October 15, 2004 to January 31, 2005 (except Sundays), restricted to bow and arrow (including crossbow if legal). One deer per day.

(2) A special turkey season is hereby established at Fort Rucker on March 12, 2005, for youth and handicapped persons only (no crossbows).

(3) Rule 220-2-.107, as previously promulgated in 2003-WFF-15, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-11-240.

History: Effective November 12, 1992/E. Amended: Filed January 10, 1994, effective February 14, 1994. Amended: Filed November 9, 1994; effective November 9, 1994. Amended: Filed August 16, 1995; effective August 15, 1995. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed September 6, 1996; effective September 6, 1996. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed July 16, 1997; effective July 16, 1997. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 19, 1997; effective August 19, 1997. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 6, 1998; effective August 6, 1998. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 31, 1999; effective August 31, 1999. Repealed and New Rule (PE). Filed September 12, 2000; effective September 12, 2000. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed July 17, 2002; effective July 17, 2002. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed July 2, 2003; effective July 2, 2003. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.108 Closed Season On Taking Of Mussels - Lake Jordan Mitchell And Lay. Lakes Jordan, Mitchell, and Lay, are hereby closed to the taking or attempted taking of mussels or other shellfish, or the shells therefrom, as follows: Jordan shall be closed September 11 through September 27, 1995; Mitchell shall be closed September 15 through October 11, 1995; and Lay shall be closed October 9 through October 26, 1995.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed January 10, 1994; effective February 14, 1994. Repealed: Filed January 10, 1994; effective February 14, 1994. New Rule: Filed August 16, 1995; effective August 15, 1995.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.109 Physically Disabled Hunting Areas.

(1) It shall be unlawful on any area designated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a "Physically Disabled Hunting Area":

(a) To violate any terms or conditions of his certificate of qualification, permit, or other authorization, for participation in any such hunts, including, but not limited to, the times, dates, locations, manners and means for hunting.

(b) To hunt, trap, use dogs, possess firearms, traps, or bow and arrow, without a valid permit. A permit is valid only during scheduled area seasons during legal hunting hours and only with the required hunting license(s) and stamps and only with weapons and ammunition permitted for hunting the wildlife listed on permit.

(c) To have in possession any fully automatic rifle or any firearms, ammunition or bow and arrow except as allowed by law for the species hunted.

(d) For any person to hunt without first presenting his required hunting licenses and authorization at the checking station.

(e) For any person to carry firearms in or on vehicle with ammunition in the magazine, breech or clip attached to firearms, or black powder weapons with primer, cap or flash powder in place.

(f) To camp in the area.

(g) To kill or willfully molest any species of wildlife except those designated for hunting. However, this regulation shall not apply to bobcat, coyote, or fox, which may be killed during all scheduled area hunts that occur during the dates of the gun deer and turkey seasons.

(h) To discharge fireworks at any time.

(i) To discharge firearms for target practice.

(j) To use fire to smoke out game.

(k) For any person to possess any firearm while hunting with bow and arrow.

(l) To transport deer killed from the area before being checked at the designated checking station.

(m) For any person except those authorized to operate any motor driven vehicle behind, under or around any locked gate, barricaded road or sign which prohibits vehicular traffic.

(n) For any person to hunt deer or assist in said hunting, on days of scheduled hunts without wearing a vest containing a minimum of 144 square inches of hunter orange color or either a full size hunter orange hat or cap. The hunter orange must be of solid color, except for a small logo and/or printing on the front of the cap, and visible from any angle.

(o) For any person except authorized personnel to block or otherwise stop traffic on any road by parking a vehicle in such a way that passage around the vehicle is impossible.

(p) To damage or remove any trees, crops, or other plants, dirt, gravel or sod without legal authorization.

(q) To hunt from an elevated platform.

(r) To hunt without first making a reservation for the particular hunt.

(s) To hunt more often at any area than is authorized. Failure to cancel a reservation at least 48 hours prior to the hunt date will be considered the same as if the individual hunted in determining when that person could reserve another hunt date.

(t) To hunt outside the area designated to the hunter for each hunt. At the time of check-in the hunter will receive, on a first come basis, a segment of the hunting area that will be his exclusive area for the day.

(2) Individuals must follow the listed rules to participate in the scheduled deer hunts for the physically disabled.

(a) Each participant must submit, on a Department form, an application to participate in such hunts. The application will include a doctor's statement certifying the physical disability. The Department will review the application and notify each participant if they are approved for such hunts.

(b) Each participant must provide any assistants that are required. Only the physically disabled individual will be eligible to hunt.

(c) All license requirements and other rules, laws, and regulations, are in effect.

(d) Physical disability is defined as an individual that is permanently physically disabled by one or more of the following:

(1) Has permanent physical disability, is unable to ambulate and requires a wheelchair, walker, one long leg brace or two short leg braces, external prosthesis below knee or above, two canes or two crutches for mobility.

(2) Has at least 80% permanent impairment of one hand or arm as determined by a physician using the standards outlined in the "Guide to Evaluation of Permanent Impairment Rating," published by the American Medical Association.

(3) Has a permanent physical disability for which they are considered "totally" disabled under guidelines established by the Veterans' Administration and/or the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Author:

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed January 12, 1995; effective February 16, 1995.

220-2-.110 Establishment Of Physically Disabled Hunting Areas.

(1) The following areas are hereby designated and established as "Physically Disabled Hunting Areas":

(a) "Marengo Physically Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(b) "Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch," as indicated on the attached map.

(c) "R. L. Harris Management Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(d) "Fayette WMA for Disabled Hunting," as indicated on the attached map.

(e) "Turnipseed-Ikenberry Place Physically Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(f) "Department of Youth Services Physically Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(g) "Macon State Forest Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(h) "Little River State Forest Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(i) "Prairie Creek Physically Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(j) "Mead – Alabama Power Co. Physically Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(k) "USA Foundation Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(l) "Pine Hills Physically Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(m) "Chattahoochee Physically Disabled Hunting Area," as indicated on the attached map.

(2) Rule 220-2-.110, previously adopted in 95-GF-33, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Author: Riley Boykin Smith

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed January 12, 1995; effective February 16, 1995. Amended: Filed December 12, 1995; effective January 16, 1996. Repealed and New Rule: Filed April 12, 2001; effective May 17, 2001. Amended: Filed January 22, 2002; effective February 26, 2002.

State of Alabama

Hunting Areas for People with Physical Disabilities

See Master Code for copy of map.

Fayette WMA for Disabled Hunting

See Master Code for copy of map.

R. L. Harris Management Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Mead-Alabama Power Co. Physically Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Marengo Physically Disabled Hunting Area

Map al0301

See Master Code for copy of map

Pine Hills Physically Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Turnipseed-Ikenberry Place Physically Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Macon State Forest Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Department of Youth Services Physically Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Prairie Creek Physically Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Little River State Forest Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

U.S.A. Foundation Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map.

Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch

Map al0302

Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch (text)

See Master Code for copy of map

Chattahoochee Physically Disabled Hunting Area

See Master Code for copy of map

220-2-.111 Hunting License Revocation Procedures - Hunter Safety Certification Requirements.

(a) Any person subject to the hunter safety education certificate requirements of Section 9-11-44.1, Code of Ala. 1975, shall be subject to the revocation or cancellation of any hunting licenses and/or hunter education certification upon determination that the holder thereof was not entitled to issuance or obtained said license or certification by any fraudulent means. Upon such determination, the department of conservation and natural resources may, in lieu of revocation, hold any such licenses until said person complies with all requirements for issuance.

(b) The procedures for the revocation or cancellation of same shall be as provided in Section 41-22-12, 41-22-19, and other applicable provisions of Sections 41-22-1 through 41-22-27, Code of Ala. 1975.

(c) Upon revocation or cancellation, the holder thereof shall surrender same to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

(d) Any person violating any provision of Section 9-11-44.1 shall be subject to prosecution thereunder, and upon conviction, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §9-11-44.1.

History: New Rule: Filed June 22, 1995; effective July 27, 1995.

220-2-.112 Dog Deer Hunting.

(a) It shall be unlawful to cast, release, or otherwise place, a dog, for the purpose of hunting deer, from, upon, or onto, a public right-of-way, without the permission of the landowners whose land adjoins the right-of-way within 50 feet of the location of such dog.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to utilize a dog for the purpose of deer hunting without the person placing and maintaining on said dog a collar containing the following information clearly stated thereon: the name, address, and telephone number of the person utilizing the dog.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed September 19, 1995; effective October 25, 1995.

220-2-.114 Normal Agricultural Planting And Hunting Of Dove.

(1) Top sowing of wheat is a recommended planting practice for establishing a cover crop in low-input management systems. This planting practice requires a well-prepared seedbed. A well prepared seedbed involves adequate tilling of the soil so that when the seeds are planted there will be good soil-to-seed contact and the soil is not excessively hard (i.e., it can easily be penetrated by the developing root of the germinating small grain seed). Growers should be aware that the risk associated with this planting practice is higher than with drilling or other methods that result in coverage of seed. Recommended practices of planting small grain without a prepared seedbed are: (1) no till drilling; (2) broadcasting small grains into the cotton stubble that remains after harvest followed by mowing the cotton stubble; (3) aerial seeding small grains into standing crops such as cotton or soybeans prior to defoliation or leaf drop.

(2) It is recommended that small grain other than as outlined above be planted into a prepared seedbed by broadcasting or drilling and a bona fide attempt be made to cover seed by cultipacking, discing, raking, etc. Some incidental seed may remain on the surface following a bona fide covering attempt. All small grain planting should adhere to planting dates recommended in printed tables furnished by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The earliest planting dates for wheat are included by zone in this regulation. Recommended seeding rate for small grain is no more than 200lbs./acre. Seeds should be uniformly distributed.

(a) The planting zones for the State of Alabama are as follows:

1. North Zone Counties – Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker, Winston

2. Central Zone Counties – Autauga, Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa

3. South Zone Counties – Baldwin, Barbour, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Pike, Washington, Wilcox

(b) The earliest recommended planting dates for wheat in the North, Central and South planting zones are as follows:

1. North Zone – August 25

2. Central Zone – September 1

3. South Zone – September 15

(3) It will be illegal to hunt over wheat planted before these dates or outside of dates recommended in printed tables furnished by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Any small grain planting that does not conform with these guidelines shall be considered bait. Multiple seedings are not permitted under this regulations.

(4) It is illegal to hunt dove on, over, or near any baited area until all bait is completely gone for 10days.

Author: Riley Boykin Smith

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed July 10, 1996; effective August 15, 1996. Amended: Filed July 21, 1998; effective August 26, 1998. Repealed and New Rule: Filed March 15, 2002; effective April 19, 2002.

220-2-.115 Snagging Or Snatching Fish On The Tennessee River. It shall be unlawful to take fish on the Tennessee River or its impoundments by pulling a single hook or group of hooks through the water (snagging or snatching), provided said hooks may be so used with bait and/or lures to entice fish to strike or bite such bait or lure. It shall further be unlawful to catch a fish on the Tennessee River or its impoundments by hooking the fish in any place other than the mouth or head. Any fish hooked other than in the mouth or head must immediately be returned to the water from where it came with the least possible harm.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed July 10, 1996; effective August 15, 1996.

220-2-.117 Special Hunting Seasons - Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch - Hale County. The following 2004-2005 hunting seasons, in accordance with the below stated times, places, manners and means, are hereby established for the Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch - Hale County:

(Note: Regulation "220-2-.109 Physically Disabled Hunting Areas" will apply to the deer hunting on the Wildwood area.)

(a) Wildwood Area: DEER: (Gun) - Physically Disabled Hunters Only; from established stands; no more than four hunters scheduled per day. Hunt dates must be scheduled in advance by contacting the Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch office, (334) 624-3383.

Wednesdays and Saturdays

(Either Sex)November 20-January 31 (except Dec. 25)

DOVE: (noon until sunset): September 11, 18, 25 [Contact Demopolis Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Office (334-289-8030) for permit – limit 100]

(b) Westend Swamp: DEER: (Gun – Either Sex)

Wednesdays and Saturdays, State Season. Limited participation. Hunt dates and permits will be scheduled at the discretion of the Ranch Administrator based on availability through the Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch office, (334) 624-3383.

SQUIRREL AND RABBIT: Limited participation. Hunt dates, permits, and permitted firearms at the discretion of the Ranch Administrator through the Charles A. Farquhar State Cattle Ranch Office, (334) 624-3383.

(c) BAG LIMITS:

SQUIRREL AND RABBIT (Westend Swamp): State Limits.

DOVE: (Wildwood Area) – State Limit.

DEER: (Wildwood Area) – No more than 2 deer per day.

DEER: (Westend Swamp) – State Limit.

Rule 220-2-.117, as previously promulgated in 2003-WFF-16, is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed August 29, 1996; effective August 29, 1996. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed July 16, 1997; effective July 16, 1997. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 24, 1998; effective August 24, 1998. Repealed and Replaced (PE): Filed August 31, 1999; effective August 31, 1999. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed September 12, 2000; effective September 12, 2000. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed July 10, 2001; effective July 10, 2001. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed July 17, 2002; effective July 17, 2002. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 8, 2003; effective August 8, 2003. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.118 Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program. Any person hunting migratory birds (woodcock, dove, rails, snipe, coots, purple gallinule, common moorhen, merganser, ducks or geese) required to be licensed should have completed a free Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program survey card providing information for the preceding season prior to hunting any species of migratory bird. Each person required to be licensed hunting migratory birds in Alabama should have the survey completion stamp on their person while hunting migratory birds.

It shall be a violation of this regulation for any person required to be licensed, having been warned by a law enforcement officer, to continue to hunt migratory birds without the survey completion stamp on their person.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed November 25, 1996; effective December 30, 1996.

220-2-.119 Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day Regulations. The following regulations shall apply to Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, which days are established by Rule 220-2-.77. The regular waterfowl season shooting hours, bag limits, and legal arms and ammunitions apply to the special days. Individuals must follow the listed rules to participate in the scheduled youth waterfowl hunts:

(1) Up to two (2) youth participants must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. The adult supervisor is to remain within arms length of the youth at all times.

(2) Youth is defined as those individuals who have not reached their sixteenth birthday.

(3) Adult is defined as those individuals twenty-five years old or older who are in possession of all state hunting licenses and state and federal waterfowl stamps required to hunt waterfowl. Possession of the required hunting licenses and stamps are required.

(4) Only one firearm will be allowed per youth. Only the youth hunters will be permitted to utilize the firearm for hunting. The adult is to review with each youth the rules of firearm safety and to ensure they are followed.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed November 12, 1996; effective December 18, 1996. Amended: Filed August 11, 1997; effective September 16, 1997. Amended: Filed March 15, 2002; effective April 19, 2002.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.122 Georgia Reciprocal Fishing Agreement Regulation.

(1) This regulation shall apply to those waters referred to in this regulation which are covered by the reciprocal agreement with the State of Georgia and which are within the jurisdiction of the State of Alabama, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

(2) The State of Alabama and the State of Georgia have a reciprocal agreement concerning fishing in certain reciprocal waters, whereby fishing licenses of Georgia and Alabama are mutually recognized for fishing from the banks or on the waters of the Chattachoochee River forming the boundary between Alabama and Georgia and all impoundments thereon as now exists or which may exist in the future, with the exception of that portion of West Point Reservoir lying upstream (north) of Georgia Highway 109 bridge on the Chattachoochee River arm of said reservoir. The waters covered by this agreement do not include other streams or tributaries which flow into the Chattachoochee River or its impoundments.

(3) For the purpose of this agreement, "sport fishing" shall be defined as the lawful taking by ordinary hook and line, pole, casting reel and rod and use of artificial lures, spinning reel and rod, or fly rod.

(4) The term "commercial fishing" shall be defined as the legal taking of non-game fish by any person from either state.

(5) No person shall take, catch, or have in possession on any one day, more than fifty (50) in the aggregate of all of the following species or more than one day’s creel limit for any species.

The daily creel limit shall be as follows:

Species Daily Creel Limit

Black Bass..........................................10

(Includes Largemouth, Smallmouth, Kentucky

or Spotted, Redeye or Coosa, and Shoal)

WHITE BASS, SALTWATER STRIPED BASS

AND SALTWATER STRIPED-WHITE BASS

HYBRIDS, IN THE AGGREGATE...........................15

(Only 2 of which may be 22 inches or longer

in length)

CRAPPIE.............................................30

BREAM...............................................50

(Includes Bluegill, Redbreast, Warmouth,

Shadow Bass and all other species of bream)

PICKEREL............................................15

(6) Nets shall not be used to take fish from any of the waters covered by this agreement provided, however, minnow seines, dip nets and cast nets meeting the requirements of the respective states for catching minnows for use as live bait are hereby permitted, and provided further that baskets and snaglines may be used for catching and taking non-game fish, upon securing from the proper authority or authorities of the state upon whose side of the boundary line between the states such basket or snagline is used, any license required for the use of such basket or snagline, and upon compliance with any other laws or rules of the state governing the use of such baskets or snagline.

(7) Fish may not be caught or taken by any hook or combination of hooks pulled through the water (snatching); provided however, said hooks may be so used with bait and/or lures to entice fish to strike or bite such bait or lure.

(8) Snaglines, trotlines and wire baskets may be used for catching and taking fish in any of the waters covered by this agreement according to the laws, rules and regulations of the state in which the fishing takes place.

Author: Riley Boykin Smith

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed January 7, 1997; effective February 11, 1997. Amended: Filed April 1, 1999; effective May 6, 1999. Amended (PE): Filed October 4, 2000; effective October 4, 2000.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.123 1997 Spring Turkey Season - West Jefferson Public Hunting Area. The spring turkey season for West Jefferson Public Hunting Area, located in Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties, Alabama shall be March 20, 1997 through April 30, 1997, daylight until 12:00 noon, central standard time.

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §9-11-301.

History: New Rule: Filed March 18, 1997; effective March 18, 1997.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.124 Nonindigenous Aquatic Plant Regulation. For purposes of enforcement of Sections 9-20-1 through 9-20-7, Code of Ala. 1975, enacted by Act No. 95-767, as the "Alabama Nonindigenous Aquatic Plant Control Act", the following list of all nonindigenous aquatic plants which are prohibited by Section 9-20-3 from being introduced or placed or caused to be introduced or placed into public waters of the state is established:

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

• African elodea Lagarosiphon spp
• alligatorweed Alternanthera philoxeriodes
• Brazilian elodea Egeria densa
• curlyleaf pondweed Potamogeton crispus
• Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum
• floating waterhyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
• giant salvinia Salvinia molesta
• hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata
• hygrophila Hygrophila polysperma
• limnophila Limnophila sessiliflora
• parrot-feather Myriophyllum aquaticum
• purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria
• rooted waterhyacinth Eichhornia azurea
• spinyleaf naiad Najas minor
• water-aloe Stratiotes aloides
• water-lettuce Pistia stratiotes
• water chestnut Trapa natans
• water spinach Ipomea aquatica

Author: James D. Martin

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §9-20-5.

History: New Rule: Filed September 10, 1997; effective October 16, 1997. Amended: Filed April 1, 1999; effective May 6, 1999.

PENALTY: As provided by Section 9-20-6, Code of Ala. 1975.

220-2-.125 Special 2004-2005 Hunting Seasons For Sipsey River Swamp Tract (Forever Wild Lands), Tuscaloosa County.

(1) The following special 2004-2005 hunting seasons, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, are hereby established:

(a) The hunting seasons as established in Rule 220-2-.01 entitled "2004-2005 Hunting Seasons," as they apply to that portion of Tuscaloosa County known as the Sipsey River Swamp Tract (Forever Wild Lands), and as they apply to "Open Permit-Public Land" in that portion of Tuscaloosa County, shall apply to hunting on the Sipsey River Swamp Tract (Forever Wild Lands), except as otherwise provided herein:

1. No centerfire rifles or buckshot shall be allowed for any type of hunting;

2. No dogs shall be permitted for hunting deer, coyote, and feral swine (wild hogs);

3. Special muzzleloader season for Deer: By muzzleloader only – Stalk hunting only (no dogs). During the special muzzleloader deer season, two (2) deer per day only one of which may be an antlered buck (excepted spotted fawns), is permitted November 15 to November 19 and January 8 to January 24. This special muzzleloader deer season shall supercede that muzzleloader season provided otherwise for Tuscaloosa County in Rule 220-2-.01(1)(a)3.

4. Hunting of feral swine (wild hogs) shall be limited to October 1 through April 30 (no bag limit).

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-235, 9-11-240.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed December 14, 2000; effective December 14, 2000. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed August 28, 2001; effective August 28, 2001. Repealed and New Rule (PE): Filed July 17, 2002; effective July 17, 2002. Amended (PE): Filed July 18, 2003; effective July 18, 2003. Amended (PE): Filed August 17 2004; effective August 17, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.127 Special 2004-2005 Hunting Seasons For Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild Lands), Lauderdale County.

(1) The following special 2004-2005 hunting seasons, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, are hereby established:

(a) The hunting seasons as established in Rule 220-2-.01 entitled "2004-2005 Hunting Seasons," and as established in Rule 220-2-.77 entitled "2004-2005 Duck, Coot, Merganser, Goose and Teal Hunting Seasons," as they apply to that portion of Lauderdale County known as the Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild Lands), and as they apply to "Open Permit-Public Land" in that portion of Lauderdale County, shall apply to hunting on the Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild Lands), except as otherwise provided herein.

1. There shall be no open season for deer or turkey.

2. The only legal firearms or weapons shall be black powder firearms otherwise legal for hunting and bow and arrow (including crossbow if legal) otherwise legal for hunting.

3. No trapping shall be allowed.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-235, 9-11-240.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed November 15, 2002; effective November 15, 2002. Amended (PE): Filed July 18, 2003; effective July 18, 2003. Amended (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.128 Special 2004-2005 Hunting Seasons For Coon Creek Tract (Forever Wild Lands), Tallapoosa County.

(1) The following special 2004-2005 hunting seasons, in accordance with the below-stated times, places, manners, and means, are hereby established:

(a) The hunting seasons as established in Rule 220-2-.01 entitled "2004-2005 Hunting Seasons," Rule 220-2-.77, entitled "2004-2005 Duck, Coot, Merganser, Goose and Teal Hunting Seasons," and Rule 220-2-.29, entitled "Open Trapping Seasons on Fur-Bearers," as they apply to that portion of Tallapoosa County known as the Coon Creek Tract (Forever Wild Lands), and as they apply to "Open Permit-Public Land" in that portion of Tallapoosa County, shall apply to hunting on the Coon Creek Track (Forever Wild Lands), except as otherwise provided herein:

1. Deer hunting shall be limited to black powder firearms otherwise legal for hunting and bow and arrow (including crossbow if legal) otherwise legal for hunting.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12, 9-11-235, 9-11-240.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed November 15, 2002; effective November 15, 2002. Amended (PE): Filed July 18, 2003; effective July 18, 2003. Amended (PE): Filed August 17, 2004; effective August 17, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.129 Public Water Stocking. It shall be unlawful to intentionally stock or release any fish, mussel, snail, crayfish or their embryos including bait fish into the public waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as provided in Rule 220-2-.42 except those waters from which it came without the written permission of a designated employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authorized by the Director of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to issue such permit. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the incidental release of bait into the water during the normal process of fishing.

Author: Richard C. Liles

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed March 14, 2003; effective April 18, 2003.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.130 Prohibition Of Commercial Or Non-Game Fish Sales And Commercial Gear Use In Specific Advisory Areas.

(a) It shall be illegal to fish with the aid of commercial gear in any specific portion of the public waters of the State under the jurisdiction of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as provided in Rule 220-2-.42 where there has been a fish consumption advisory issued by the State Department of Public Health on any commercial or non-game fish species. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to persons taking fish pursuant to a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 9-11-231, Code of Ala. 1975.

(b) In addition, it shall be illegal to sell or offer for sale any fish taken from such waters regardless of the method by which the fish are taken.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed June 16, 2003; effective July 20, 2003.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.131 Establishment of Youth Turkey Hunting Area.

(1) The following area is hereby designated and established as "Youth Turkey Hunting Area":

(a) "USA Foundation Hunting Area" as indicated on the attached map.

(2) It shall be unlawful on any area designated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a "Youth Turkey Hunting Area":

(a) To hunt, trap, use dogs, possess firearms, traps or bow and arrow, without a valid permit. A permit is valid only during scheduled area spring turkey season during legal hunting hours and only with the required hunting license(s) and stamps and only with weapons and ammunition permitted for hunting turkey.

(b) To have in possession any firearms, ammunition or bow and arrow except as allowed by law for the species hunted.

(c) For any person to hunt without having in possession all required hunting licenses.

(d) For any person to carry firearms in or on vehicle with ammunition in the magazine, breech or clip attached to firearms, or black powder weapons with primer, cap or flash powder in place.

(e) To camp in the area.

(f) To kill or willfully molest any species of wildlife except those designated for hunting. However, this regulation shall not apply to bobcat, coyote, or fox, which may be killed during all scheduled area hunts that occur during the dates of the spring turkey season.

(g) To discharge fireworks at any time.

(h) To discharge firearms for target practice.

(i) To use fire to smoke out game.

(j) To transport turkey killed from the area before recording pertinent data at the designated checking station.

(k) For any person except those authorized to operate any motor driven vehicle behind, under or around any locked gate, barricaded road or sign which prohibits vehicular traffic.

(l) For any person except authorized personnel to block or otherwise stop traffic on any road by parking a vehicle in such a way that passage around the vehicle is impossible.

(m) To damage or remove any trees, crops, or other plants, dirt, gravel or sod without legal authorization.

(n) To hunt from an elevated platform.

(o) To hunt without first making a reservation for the particular hunt.

(p) To hunt more often than once every two weeks. Failure to cancel a reservation at least 48 hours prior to the hunt date will be considered the same as if the individual hunted in determining when that person could reserve another date.

(3) Individuals must follow the listed rules to participate in the scheduled youth turkey hunts.

(a) Each youth participant must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. The adult supervisor is to remain within arms length of the youth at all times.

(b) Youth is defined as those individuals who have not reached their sixteenth birthday.

Adult is defined as those individuals twenty-five years old or older who are in possession of all state hunting licenses required to hunt turkey on a wildlife management area.

(d) Only one firearm will be allowed per adult-youth group. Only the youth hunter will be permitted to utilize the firearm for hunting. The adult is to review with the youth the rules of firearm safety and to ensure they are followed.

(e) The adult-youth pair is to check in and out at the check station as a single unit.

(f) Hunting hours will be daylight until 12:00 Noon CST on Saturdays and other dates established by the District Wildlife supervisor of the spring turkey season.

(g) All other rules, laws, and regulations are in effect.

USA Foundation Hunting Area

See Master Code of copy of map

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed February 10, 2004; effective March 16, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.134 Special State Park Hunting Regulation.

(1) The following rules and regulations shall apply at any state park area authorized by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources for hunting:

(a) BOW AND ARROW will be legal on all specially scheduled hunts; provided, however, that crossbows are prohibited except as otherwise provided by law or regulation. Broadhead points only must be utilized. Bow and Arrow equipment must meet the specifications of Rule 220-2-.03. All arrows used must contain the name of the hunter thereon. Bow and Arrow will also be permitted in the park for use during authorized official proficiency testing prior to the hunt;

(b) It shall be unlawful:

(1) to hunt without a valid permit. Hunters must comply with all terms and conditions of the permit. A permit is valid only during scheduled Special State Park Hunting Seasons for the particular state park area, only during legal hunting hours, only with the required hunting license(s) and stamps, and only with weapons and ammunition permitted for hunting the wildlife listed on permit;

(2) to use dogs for stalk hunting of deer;

(3) to hunt deer without first presenting his or her required hunting licenses at the checking station;

(4) to possess any firearms;

(5) to hunt within one hundred (100) yards of any campground, house, building or enclosed structure, excluding structures on the Oak Mountain State Park golf course;

(6) to camp on any area except in designated sites. Campfires must be extinguished before departing. No warming fires shall be permitted away from camping area;

(7) to kill or willfully molest any species of wildlife except those designated for hunting;

(8) to use fire to smoke out game;

(9) to transport deer killed during any hunts before being checked at the designated checking station for scientific data;

(10) for any person except authorized personnel to operate any motor driven vehicle behind, under or around any locked gate, barricaded road or sign which prohibits vehicular traffic;

(11) for any unauthorized person at any time to operate a motor scooter, motorcycle, trail bike, or any motor driven vehicle except on regularly used roads open for public use by four wheel vehicle traffic and except as otherwise authorized;

(12) for any person to hunt without wearing an outer garment above the waist containing a minimum of 144 square inches of hunter orange color or either a full size hunter orange hat or cap. Hunters are not required to wear hunter orange when hunting from a stand elevated twelve (12) feet or more above the ground. The hunter orange must be of solid color, except for a small logo and/or printing on the front of the cap, and visible from any angle;

(13) for any person except authorized personnel to block or otherwise stop traffic on any road by parking a vehicle in such a way that passage around the vehicle is impossible;

(14) for any person to deposit, distribute or scatter grain, salt, litter, or any other materials on any area maintained by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources prior to receiving approval from said Department;

(15) to damage or remove any trees, crops, or other plants, dirt, gravel or sod without legal authorization;

(16) to erect or use a permanent tree stand or scaffold;

(17) to cast a light of any kind, either hand held, affixed to a vehicle, or otherwise, between the hours of sunset and sunrise. This paragraph does not apply to the headlights of vehicles traveling in a normal manner on an open established road;

(18) to hunt from an elevated stand or platform without attaching themselves to the tree or platform with a safety harness capable of supporting their weight; or

(19) to violate any posted restrictions on entry, hunting, fishing, or other conduct.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule: Filed June 8, 2004; effective July 13, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.135 Special State Park Hunting Season. There is hereby established a Special State Park Hunting Season for Oak Mountain State Park in a certain designated area at the park, for the hunting of deer by bow and arrow, on January 27 and 28, 2004, by permitted and licensed Alabama resident hunters 16 years old or older only. Stalk hunting only (no dogs). Hunters will be allowed to take up to two deer per day, only one of which may be antlered.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed January 6, 2004; effective January 6, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.136 Establishment Of 2004-2005 Feral Hog Season In Lowndes Wildlife Management Area.

(a) Lowndes Wildlife Management Area

(Lowndes County

FERAL HOG: (Special Aug. 14-Sept. 5 (South Road Area Only)

Season) Permitted Firearms & Bow and Arrow and Hunter Orange requirements; same as that for gun deer hunting on WMAs. (No dogs allowed).

FERAL HOG: Open during any other daylight season using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts. (No dogs allowed).

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-11-235, 9-11-240, 9-11-301.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed August 12, 2004; effective August 12, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

220-2-.137 Special State Park Hunting Seasons. There are hereby established Special State Park Hunting Seasons for Oak Mountain State Park in a certain designated area at the park, for the hunting of deer by bow and arrow (including crossbows), on October 26 and 27, 2004, and December 15 and 16, 2004, by permitted and licensed Alabama resident hunters 16 years old or older only. Stalk hunting only (no dogs). Hunters will be allowed to take up to two deer per day, only one of which may be antlered, but hunters shall first take an unaltered deer before taking an antlered deer.

Author: M. Barnett Lawley

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-2-7, 9-2-8, 9-2-12.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed September 30, 2004; effective September 30, 2004.

PENALTY: As provided by law.

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

AND NATURAL RESOURCES

ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

APPENDIX A - MAPS

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, SANCTUARIES, REFUGES,

AND COMMUNITY HUNTING AREAS ESTABLISHED

table of contents

Autauga County Community Hunting Area

Barbour County Wildlife Management Area

Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area

Blue Spring Wildlife Management Area

Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Wildlife Management Area

Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area

Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area

Coosa Wildlife Management Area

Covington Wildlife Management Area

Demopolis Wildlife Management Area

Escambia Creek Community Hunting Area

Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area

Hollins Wildlife Management Area

Jackson County Waterfowl Management Areas And Refuges

West Jefferson Public Hunting Area

Kinterbish Wildlife Management Area

Lauderdale Wildlife Management Area

Little River Wildlife Management Area

Lowndes Wildlife Management Area

Mallard-Fox Creek Wildlife Management Area and Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area

James D. Martin - Skyline Wildlife Management Area

Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W. L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas

Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area

Sam R. Murphy Wildlife Management Area

Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area

St. Clair Community Hunting Area

Seven Mile Island Wildlife Management Area and Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Scotch Wildlife Management Area

Upper Delta Wildlife Management Area

Wolf Creek Wildlife Management Area

Fred T. Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary

Upper State Game Sanctuary

Autauga County Community Hunting Area

Map al0303

Barbour Wildlife Management

Map al0304

Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area

Map al0305

Blue Spring Wildlife Management Area

Map al0306

Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Wildlife Management Area

Map al0307

Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area

Map al0308

Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area

Map al0309

Coosa Wildlife Management Area

Map al0310

Covington Wildlife Management Area

Map al0311

Demopolis Wildlife Management Area

Map al0312

Escambia Creek Community Hunting Area

Map al0313

Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area

Map al0314

Hollins Wildlife Management Area

Map al0316

Jackson County Waterfowl Management Area And Refuges

Map al0317

Map al0318

West Jefferson Public Hunting Area

Map al0333

Kinterbish Wildlife Management Area

Map al0319

Lauderdale Management Area

Map al0321

Little River Wildlife Management Area

Map al0322

Lowndes Wildlife Management Area

Map al0323

Mallard-Fox Creek Wildlife Management Area

Map al0330

Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area

Map al0331

James D. Martin - Skyline Wildlife Management Area

Map al0328

Mobile-Tensaw Delta And W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Area

Map al0315

Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area

Map al0324

Sam R. Murphy Wildlife Management Area

Map al0320

Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area

Map al0325

St. Clair Community Hunting Area

Map al0329

Seven Mile Island Wildlife Management Area and Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Map al0327

Scotch Wildlife Management Area

Map al0326

Upper Delta Wildlife Management Area

Map

Wolf Creek Wildlife Management Area

Map al0332

Fred T. Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary

Map al0334

Upper State Game Sanctuary

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