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Draw hunts
Alabama Special Opportunity Areas
13 ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas and 2 state park SOAs: limited-quota draw hunts on dedicated units, with antler rules and 2026-27 deadlines.
Photo: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0)
How Alabama SOA draws work
This year, eleven SOAs offer a limited number of slots for a successful permit holder and guest(s) to hunt a dedicated 300-400 acre unit for a 2-4 day hunt. Applications are online and filled by random drawing; a hunting license and WMA license are needed before registering, plus a free Conservation ID. The SOA page lists 13 season sections: the eleven deer SOAs, Prairie Glades (dove only) and the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge SOA. Small game, turkey, waterfowl, feral swine and adult dove hunts on some SOAs use separate draws later in the season.
ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas. Checked November 1, 2026.
Every Alabama SOA with its antler rule
| SOA | County | Acres | Antler rule | First deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River SOA | Baldwin | 3,436 | 3 points one side | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Chalk Hill SOA | Tallapoosa | 3,466 | 3 points one side | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Cedar Creek SOA | Dallas | 7,357 | Spread or beam | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Choctaw Refuge SOA | Choctaw | 3,969 | None | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Crow Creek SOA | Jackson | 448 | None | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Fred T. Stimpson SOA | Clarke | 5,280 | 3 points one side | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Little River State Forest SOA in Escambia County | Escambia | 2,929 | 3 points one side | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Portland Landing SOA | Dallas | 9,940 | Spread or beam | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Prairie Glades SOA | Montgomery | 167 | – | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Shelby SOA | Shelby | 1,198 | 3 points one side | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Thigpen Hill SOA | Butler | 3,427 | 3 points one side | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Uchee Creek SOA | Russell | 4,734 | Spread or beam | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Upper State SOA | Clarke | 1,918 | 3 points one side | Sep 14, 2026 |
ADCNR draw deadlines. Checked November 1, 2026.
State park SOA bow hunts
Alabama State Parks runs archery-only deer management hunts on two parks by limited-quota random draw. Hunters need a hunting license, a WMA license and a $40 SPSOA fee each, and may bring one guest. For 2026-27, Oak Mountain hunts run Monday to Thursday from November 2 and Frank Jackson hunts Thursday to Sunday from November 5.
| State park SOA | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Jackson State Park SOA (391 acres) | Covington | 391 |
| Oak Mountain State Park SOA in Shelby County | Shelby | 3,695 |
Alabama State Parks SPSOA hunts. Checked November 1, 2026.
2026-27 SOA draw calendar
| Drawing | Opens | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| SOA deer hunts (Cedar Creek, Little River SF, Portland Landing, Uchee Creek, Thigpen Hill, Blackwater River, Fred T. Stimpson, Upper State, Crow Creek, Chalk Hill, Shelby, Choctaw NWR) | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Fred T. Stimpson SOA youth small game | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Adult dove hunts (Prairie Glades, Blackwater, Little River SF, Portland Landing) | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| SOA adult waterfowl (Crow Creek, Uchee Creek, Portland Landing) and Cedar Creek adult woodcock/quail | Oct 13, 2026 | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Crow Creek SOA youth waterfowl | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 |
| SOA small game and turkey hunts (Cedar Creek, Portland Landing, Uchee Creek, Fred T. Stimpson, Upper State, Thigpen Hill, Blackwater River) | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 |
| SOA feral swine hunts (Portland Landing, Thigpen Hill) | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 |
| Youth dove hunts (first come, first served) | Aug 17, 2026 | Rolling |
ADCNR quota hunt page. Checked November 1, 2026.
Alabama SOA questions
How many SOAs hold hunts in 2026-27?
The SOA page says eleven offer deer hunts this year and lists 13 season sections; two state park SOAs add archery hunts.
What does a draw win give me?
A dedicated unit of about 300-400 acres for you and a guest for two to four days.
Is a WMA license needed to enter the SOA draw?
Yes, plus a hunting license and a free Conservation ID, before you register.
Are there antler restrictions?
Most SOAs have one, either three points on one side or a spread or beam-length rule; Crow Creek and Choctaw NWR SOAs list none.
Can I bait on an SOA?
No. Bait is banned on all public land.
When were the deer draws?
Applications for the SOA deer hunts ran September 1 to 14, 2026, with results September 15.