Hunting News

Special opportunity hunt registration opens Sept. 1

Special opportunity hunt registration opens Sept. 1

By Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Registration for most hunts on Alabama’s Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) opens at 8 a.m. Sept. 1.

SOAs are smaller than traditional Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in acreage and are more suitable to a limited-quota hunting format, which reduces hunting pressure on game species and increases the quality of the hunting experience. The program offers a limited number of slots for successful permit holders and their guest(s) to hunt a dedicated 300- to 400-acre location for a two to four-day hunt.

The SOA program is offered through the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to provide hunters with unique hunting opportunities

“The Special Opportunity Area format provides our traditional public land hunters with new and exciting hunting options,” said Chuck Sykes, WFF director. “It also provides hunters who have always been a bit hesitant about hunting on public land with a great opportunity to test the waters.”

Hunts and Registration Times
Adult dove hunts at Prairie Glades and Portland Landing SOAs:  Registration opens at 8 a.m. Sept. 1 and closes at 5 p.m. Sept. 4, and for Sept. 10 hunts at Prairie Glades and Portland Landing, and 1 p.m. on Sept. 14 for the remaining hunts at Prairie Glades.

Deer hunts at Cedar Creek, Portland Landing, Uchee Creek, Thigpen Hill, Blackwater River, Fred T. Stimpson, Upper State, Crow Creek and Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge SOAs: Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Sept. 1 and closes at 1 p.m. on Sept. 12.

Deer hunts at Oak Mountain State Park SOA: Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Sept. 1 and closes at 1 p.m. on Sept. 12.

Youth and adult dog deer hunts at Geneva State Forest: Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Sept. 1 and closes at 1 p.m. on Sept. 12.

Youth squirrel hunts at Fred T. Stimpson SOA and the adult waterfowl hunts at Crow Creek SOA: Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Sept. 20 and closes at 1 p.m. on Oct. 4.

Small game and/or turkey hunts at Cedar Creek, Portland Landing, Uchee Creek, Fred T. Stimpson, Upper State, Thigpen Hill and Blackwater River SOAs: Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Dec. 1 and closes at 1 p.m. on Dec. 13.

Feral pig hunts at Portland Landing and Thigpen Hill SOAs: Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Dec. 1 and closes at 1 p.m. Dec. 13.

Youth waterfowl hunts at Crow Creek SOA: Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023 and closes at 1 p.m. Jan. 10.

Limited quota permits to hunt the SOAs are obtained through an online registration and selection process.

Applicants apply online for a preferred SOA property hunt date. The cost to hunt a SOA is the purchase of both a state hunting license and a WMA license.

Hunters will also need a Conservation ID Number, which is free. There is a $10 registration fee for each adult dove hunt date at the Prairie Glades and Portland Landing SOAs.

Click here to register for one of the SOA hunts during the dates and times listed.

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