1. (1) In addition to 220-2-.55, it shall be unlawful on Swan Creek and Mallard-Fox Creek Wildlife Management Areas (WMA):

   1. (a) For any person to leave any vehicle parked at the established launching sites. Hunters must use the designated parking areas. However, physically disabled persons with approved handicapped vehicles may be parked at the designated handicapped parking location at the main launch only.
   2. (b) For any person to create or hunt from any dug-out or excavated area.
   3. (c) To construct and/or utilize permanent waterfowl hunting blinds (those using building materials, flooring, or floatation and/or remaining in position overnight) anywhere on the Swan Creek or Mallard-Fox Creek WMAs. All such blinds shall be disposed of as deemed advisable by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
   4. (d) For any person using waterfowl decoys on Swan Creek WMA to leave said decoys out overnight.

2. (2) The following shall apply to the dewatering unit on Swan Creek WMA:

   1. (a) Blinds and decoys may be left overnight on weekend hunts only. All items must be removed from each location by 1:30 p.m. the last day of the weekend hunt. All items must be removed daily for weekday draw hunts.
   2. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to fish from October 31st through the second Saturday in February.
   3. (c) All activity is prohibited in the DWU when gates are closed. There shall be no activity from 7:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., during the periods when gates are open. Gates to the main launch Road and West Dike Road will close October 31^st at 8 a.m. In addition to this, the gates to Main Launch Road and West Dike Road will be closed between the end of the regular waterfowl season and the youth/military waterfowl day.
   4. (d) It shall be unlawful to use airboats.

   5. (e) All limited quota walk-in and boat blind locations within the Swan Creek WMA DWU will be permitted through a limited quota permit system determined by random computerized drawing for weekend hunts or in-person drawings on the Tuesday of each week for Tuesday and Thursday hunts. With the following conditions:

      1. 1. In order to apply, ALL applicants are required to obtain a Conservation Identification Number (CID); registration is restricted to individuals 16 years of age and older; those residents who are aged 16 to 64 and non-residents aged 16 years or older must have a valid WMA license to register for the Swan Creek WMA hunt selection process.

         Successful resident applicants and hunting guests aged 16 to 64 and non-residents aged 16 or older must obtain and have in possession a valid Alabama hunting license, WMA license, HIP, and state and federal duck stamps if applicable.  Any violation of any rules, regulations, or laws by permit holder or guests while hunting on Swan Creek WMA will result in those individuals forfeiting the remainder of their hunt and forfeiting their Swan Creek WMA hunt eligibility for the remainder of the current season and the entire following season.  Failure to participate in solicited hunt without providing Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries 7 day prior notice by email to hunt coordinator of cancellation will result in that individual losing their eligibility for future Swan Creek WMA DWU limited quota hunts for the present and following year.

      2. 2. Boat blinds must meet all U.S. Coast Guard Minimum Requirements for Recreational Boats.  Life vests and kill switches must be worn at all times when the boat is under power and in motion.
      3. 3. Permit holders and guests shall only hunt on their assigned dates and within thirty (30) feet of their assigned hunt location marker.
      4. 4. It shall be unlawful for any limited quota permitted hunter to hunt without checking in and out of Swan Creek WMA on each hunt using the Outdoor Alabama WMA check-in Application and reporting harvest OR with a daily permit from the self-service kiosk.  When using daily permit, the tear-off stub with number matching daily permits must be filled out and deposited in the return slot of self-service box.  The Harvest Report portion of the permit is to be retained in possession of the hunter until the end of the day, then filled out and deposited in the self-service box before leaving Swan Creek WMA each hunt.
      5. 5. It shall be unlawful to access or hunt on Swan Creek DWU unless selected for a limited quota permit for specific hunt dates and hunt location. The permit holder and three properly licensed guest(s) may only access and hunt the DWU permitted hunt location and on permitted times and days. The guests may be different individuals each hunt day. Permit holder must be present with hunting party each hunt.
      6. 6. Permitted walk-in and boat blind hunters must be anchored or stationed to hunt within 30 feet of the appropriate hunt location marker for the duration of the limited quota hunt. Hunt location markers shall not be moved or otherwise altered or tampered with. No blind may be attached to the location marker in any way. If a boat or blind is found to be attached to a marker, all hunters in the blind will be deemed in violation of this regulation.
      7. 7. Permitted hunters and guests may enter Swan Creek DWU at 4:30 a.m.; Hunting may begin at legal shooting hours; all hunting activity is prohibited after noon; and all parties must exit the DWU no later than 1:30 p.m. It shall be unlawful to leave assigned hunt location except when retrieving a downed bird or departing the DWU for the day.

      8. 8. Limited quota hunt selections will be conducted by:

         1. (i) Special early teal season will be on a first come first served basis and will be open daily during the state season. No noon closure during this season.
         2. (ii) Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and Special Youth and Veteran Hunts, applicants will register pre-season on the limited quota hunt platform on  www.outdooralabama.com. Randomized computer selections will occur prior to the season opening.  Successful permit holders will be able to hunt both days.
         3. (iii) Weekdays (Tuesdays and Thursdays), applicants will register in person on the Tuesday of each  hunt week.  Drawing will occur at the District I Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Office (21453 Harris Station Road, Tanner, AL 35671) each Tuesday during waterfowl season. Registration begins at 4:00 a.m., registration ends at 4:25 a.m. and drawing will occur at 4:30 a.m.  Successful permit holders can hunt only the day they are successfully selected.

Author: Christopher M. Blankenship

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

Penalty: As provided by law.

History: New Rule: Published June 30, 2021; effective August 14, 2021. Amended (PE): Published August 31, 2022; effective August 1, 2022. Amended (PE): Published June 28, 2024; effective June 28, 2024. Amended (PE): Published June 30, 2025; effective June 17, 2025.