There are hereby established Special State Park Hunting Seasons for the following parks:

1. (1) Oak Mountain State Park – Whitetail Deer Hunt by bow and arrow (including crossbows)only. Hunting will be permitted through a limited quota permit system selected by random computerized selection for designated areas of the park November 2, 2026 – February 10, 2027. Permit holders and their properly licensed guest must be 16 years of age or older. Hunters may only hunt in their assigned hunt unit on their specified hunt date. Stalk hunting only, no dogs. Hunters will be allowed to take up to four deer total during the permitted hunt, only one of which may be an antlered buck. All four deer may be harvested the same day. Antlered bucks must have at least four (4) antler points (1 inch or longer) on at least one main beam. State buck harvest limits will apply.

   An Adult Mentored Hunt administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will take place January 15, 2027 – January 17, 2027.

2. (2) Frank Jackson State Park – Whitetail Deer Hunt by bow and arrow (including crossbows) only. Hunting will be permitted through a limited quota permit system selected by random computerized selection for designated areas of the park November 5, 2026 - February 8, 2027. Permit holder may be accompanied by one youth guest or one properly licensed guest 16 years of age or older. If bringing a youth guest, permit holder must be at least 21 year of age or the parent of the youth guest. Hunter may only hunt in their assigned hunt unit on their specified hunt date. Stalk hunting only, no dogs. State harvest limits will apply.

   1. (a) Frank Jackson State Park - Small game hunt permitted through an Adult Mentored Hunt administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will take place February 13, 2027.
3. (3) Lake Guntersville State Park – Whitetail Deer Hunt by bow and arrow (including crossbows) only. Hunting will only be permitted exclusively through an Adult Mentored Hunt administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources which will take place December 18-20, 2026 and January 29-31, 2027.

4. (4) Alligator: The following State Park will be open for Alligator season in accordance with state laws and regulations as set forth in 220-2-.143 and 220-2-.01.

   1. (a) Frank Jackson State Park is open to those possessing an Alligator Possession Tag for the Southeast Management Area.
5. (5) Coyote: Open during any scheduled State Park Special Opportunity Hunting Season at Oak Mountain State Park, Frank Jackson State Park, and Lake Guntersville State Park using weapons and ammunition approved for those hunts. No dogs allowed. Daylight hours only. Limited to those limited quota permit holders for the specified permit days and units.
6. (6) Falconry: The following State Parks will allow falconry in accordance with state laws and regulations during squirrel and rabbit hunting seasons as set forth in Rules 220-2-.01 and 220-2-.02: DeSoto State Park, Joe Wheeler State Park, Lake Guntersville State Park, Lakepoint Resort State Park, Chewacla State Park, Bucks Pocket State Park, Lake Lurleen State Park, Monte Sano State Park, Oak Mountain State Park, Paul M. Grist State Park, Wind Creek State Park, Frank Jackson State Park, Cheaha State Park, Cathedral Caverns State Park, Rickwood State Park, Meaher State Park, and Blue Springs State Park.

Author: Christopher M. Blankenship

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

Penalty: As provided by law.

History: New Rule (PE): Filed October 18, 2005; effective October 18, 2005. Amended (PE): Filed October 12, 2006; effective October 12, 2006. Amended (PE): Filed October 29, 2007; effective October 29, 2007. Amended (PE): Filed December 4, 2008; effective December 4, 2008. Amended (PE): Filed October 14, 2009; effective October 14, 2009. Amended (PE): Filed November 16, 2010; effective November 16, 2010. Amended (PE): Filed October 28, 2011; effective October 28, 2011. Amended (PE): Filed August 19, 2014; effective August 19, 2014. Amended: Filed September 8, 2015; effective October 13, 2015. Amended (PE): Filed August 18, 2016; effective August 18, 2016. Amended (PE): Filed September 27, 2017; effective September 27, 2017. Amended (PE): Filed November 21, 2017; effective November 21, 2017. Amended (PE): Filed August 16, 2018; effective August 16, 2018. Amended (PE): Filed September 5, 2018; effective September 5, 2018. Amended (PE): Filed September 16, 2019; effective September 16, 2019. Amended (PE): Filed July 21, 2020; effective July 21, 2020. Amended (PE): Published August 31, 2021; effective July 22, 2021. Amended (PE): Published August 31, 2022; effective August 1, 2022. Amended (PE): Published August 31, 2023; effective July 26, 2023. Amended (PE): Published August 30, 2024; effective July 31, 2024. Amended (PE): Published July 31, 2025; effective July 3, 2025. Amended (PE): Published June 30, 2026; effective June 17, 2026.