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2026-27 county guide
Baldwin County Hunting
Deer zone, dates, dogs and public ground for Baldwin County, a WFF District V county around Bay Minette. Every rule and number on this page comes from ADCNR and the 2026-2027 Digest.
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith (Library of Congress) / rawpixel (CC BY 2.0)
Baldwin County public ground, tract by tract
Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, 51,040 acres, tops the 6 public hunting areas we list for Baldwin County. Public ownership comes to around 107,622 acres, or 10.6% of the county. We list 5,548 state park acres separately; they are not hunting ground in general.
| Public area | Type | Size (ac) | Main game | Also |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland WMAs | WMA | 51,040 | turkey, ducks, deer | no deer dogs |
| Upper Delta WMA | WMA | 42,451 | deer, turkey, ducks | — |
| Perdido River WMA | WMA | 17,337 | turkey, ducks, deer | 1 dove field, no deer dogs |
| Blackwater River SOA | SOA | 3,436 | deer, doves, quail | draw hunts |
| Lillian Swamp Complex (Forever Wild) | Forever Wild tract | 2,262 | deer, turkey, ducks | — |
| Splinter Hill Bog Complex (Forever Wild) | Forever Wild tract | 631 | deer, turkey, ducks | — |
Baldwin County public land, the large blocks
- Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas is a WMA of about 51,040 acres that also reaches Mobile County. Game listed for it includes turkey, ducks, deer and rabbits. Listed extras: no deer dogs. Contact on the area map: Biologist, (334) 530-1765.
- Upper Delta Wildlife Management Area covers 42,451 acres across Baldwin County and Mobile County. Expect deer, turkey, ducks and doves on its permit. The listed biologist answers at (334) 530-1765.
- At 17,337 acres, Perdido River Wildlife Management Area gives Baldwin County hunters another option. Expect turkey, ducks, deer and doves on its permit. Extra details: 1 dove field, no deer dogs. Questions go to the biologist, (334) 719-4466.
- The SOA Blackwater River Special Opportunity Area runs to 3,436 acres. ADCNR lists deer, doves, quail and rabbits among its game. Notes on the record: draw hunts.
Close to Baldwin County, other counties
- University of South Alabama Foundation PDHAMobile County (4,462 ac), 31 miles
- Grand Bay Savanna WMAMobile County (5,151 ac), 38 miles
- Grand Bay NWR (Alabama portion)Mobile County (2,610 ac), 42 miles
- Little River State Forest SOAEscambia County (2,929 ac), 42 miles
- Little River State Forest PDHAMonroe County and Escambia County (1,137 ac), 44 miles
Areas from our Alabama land list (ADCNR WMA area permit maps, the ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas page, ADCNR where to hunt, USFS, USFWS and Corps records); acres by kind from the ADCNR WMA, Forever Wild and SOA layers, USFS, USFWS, PAD-US (Corps, TVA, state parks) and NPS GIS layers (GIS measures, not official acreages). Checked November 1, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Baldwin County
How Alabama deer rules fall in Baldwin County
Baldwin County falls in a single deer zone, Zone B, going by the ADCNR map. ADCNR publishes no county list for Zones A and B; its map is the authority.
Baldwin County deer calendar in brief
| Marker | Zone B |
|---|---|
| Bows from | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Under-16 gun hunt | Nov 13–Nov 16 |
| Primitive and air rifle | Nov 16–Nov 20 |
| First gun day | Nov 21, 2026 |
| Dog deer close | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Stalk season ends | Feb 10, 2027 |
Zone B archery opens bucks-only on October 15 and turns either-sex on October 25. Bucks: 3 per season and 1 per day statewide, including one with 4 or more points on one antler.
Baldwin County dog deer restrictions
The permit-only dog rule covers Baldwin County; open permit-public land there has no dog deer hunting.
Baldwin County bait status
Hunting over feed in Baldwin County needs the Bait Privilege License at $18.95 (resident) or $65.25 (nonresident), on private or leased land only. None of the public areas above may be hunted over bait.
Zones and dates from the ADCNR deer zones and seasons and 2026-2027 Digest season tables; dog rules from the Digest dog deer section; bait from the ADCNR feeding and baiting rules. Checked November 1, 2026.
All Baldwin County hunting dates
Turkey, dove and deer rows here are the ones for the zones that touch Baldwin County.
| Species | Hunt | Applies in | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery, bucks only | Deer Zone B | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Deer Zone B | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader and air rifle | Deer Zone B | Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone B | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone B | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone B | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone B | Jan 4, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Turkey Zone 1 | Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring, hunters with disabilities | Turkey Zone 1 | Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 19, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | Turkey Zone 1 | Mar 20, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | |
| Feral hogs | Feral swine | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Feral hogs | Night, with dogs | Statewide | May 8, 2027 | Aug 30, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Bobwhite quail | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Rabbits | Rabbits | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrels | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Doves | Segment 1 | Dove South Zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 12, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | Dove South Zone | Sep 13, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 3 | Dove South Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 4 | Dove South Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Teal | Special teal season | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Statewide | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 1 | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 2 | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 3 | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 4 | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Coots | Coot season | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Coots | Coot season | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mergansers | Merganser season | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Mergansers | Merganser season | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 1 | Coastal gator area | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 16, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 2 | Coastal gator area | Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 3 | Coastal gator area | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 1 | Southwest gator area | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 16, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 2 | Southwest gator area | Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 3 | Southwest gator area | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Coyote | Coyote | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Foxes | Fox | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Opossum | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Beaver, nutria, groundhog | Beaver, nutria, groundhog | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Bullfrogs and pig frogs | Bullfrog and pig frog | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected birds | Unprotected birds | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Rails, gallinules | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Wilson's snipe | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Rails, gallinules | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 |
From the ADCNR seasons and bag limits, the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest and the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guide (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), checked November 1, 2026.
Baldwin County turkey, dove, duck and gator rules
Baldwin County turkey zone and harvest
For turkey, ADCNR places Baldwin County in Zone 1. Spring gobbler season on private and open permit-public land runs March 20 to May 3, 2027. In 2025, 297-444 turkeys were reported from Baldwin County, per the ADCNR class map; exact counts are not published. Statewide reports: 18,263 in 2024, 17,049 in 2025.
Baldwin County dove calendar
The dove South Zone covers Baldwin County, and each opening day starts at noon.
| Segment | Runs |
|---|---|
| Segment 1 | Sep 12 |
| Segment 2 | Sep 13–Oct 25 |
| Segment 3 | Nov 21–Nov 29 |
| Segment 4 | Dec 12–Jan 17 |
Baldwin County ducks, geese and coots
The Mobile-Tensaw Delta WMZ reaches Baldwin County; there, no waterfowl hunting Monday or Tuesday, and 1 p.m. closing on other days. Keep off the Apalachee Refuge with a gun or gas motor between the second Saturdays of November and February.
Alligators and Baldwin County
Baldwin County is alligator country: it sits in the Southwest and Coastal AMAs, open by drawing only. Southwest: Private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile north of I-10 and in Washington, Choctaw, Clarke and Monroe south of US 84. Coastal: Private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile south of I-10.
| Area | Hunt | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest AMA | Alligator hunt 1 | Aug 13–Aug 16 |
| Southwest AMA | Alligator hunt 2 | Aug 20–Aug 23 |
| Southwest AMA | Alligator hunt 3 | Sep 10–Sep 13 |
| Coastal AMA | Alligator hunt 1 | Aug 13–Aug 16 |
| Coastal AMA | Alligator hunt 2 | Aug 20–Aug 23 |
| Coastal AMA | Alligator hunt 3 | Sep 10–Sep 13 |
Turkey zones and dates from the Digest turkey section; 2025 harvest class from the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report; dove from the ADCNR dove zones; waterfowl from the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guide; alligator areas from the 2026 alligator rules. Checked November 1, 2026.
Baldwin County Special Opportunity Area hunts
Special Opportunity Area hunts in Baldwin County are limited-quota draws, and a drawn hunter brings guests to a private unit.
Blackwater River SOA
| Game | Draw dates |
|---|---|
| Legal buck | To be legal for harvest, antlered bucks must have at least three (3) antler points (1 inch or longer) on at least one main beam |
| Deer | Archery – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Oct. 22-25, Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, Nov. 5-8 |
| Deer | Primitive Weapons – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Nov. 19-22 |
| Deer | Gun – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Dec. 3-6, Dec. 17-20, Jan. 7-10, Jan. 21-24, Jan. 28-31, Feb. 4-7 |
| Dove | Sept. 19 |
| Quail, Rabbit & Squirrel | Feb. 15-21, Feb 22-28 |
| Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
- 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)September 1 to September 14, 2026
- Adult dove hunts (Prairie Glades, Blackwater, Little River SF, Portland Landing)September 1 to September 14, 2026
- SOA small game and turkey hunts (Cedar Creek, Portland Landing, Uchee Creek, Fred T. Stimpson, Upper State, Thigpen Hill, Blackwater River)December 1 to December 14, 2026
Hunt dates and draw rules from the ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas page (2026-27); deadlines from the ADCNR draw schedule. Checked November 1, 2026.
People and places that back Baldwin County hunters
For district questions, Baldwin County hunters reach Spanish Fort at (251) 626-5153. Straight-line distance from the county centre to the closest ADCNR office (Spanish Fort) is about 11 miles. Office hours run Monday to Friday from 9 to 4 o'clock, and staff sample deer for CWD when you phone first.
Where to base a Baldwin County hunt
20 Census places sit in the county (14 incorporated, 6 CDPs). Biggest towns: Daphne (30,751), Foley (28,043) and Fairhope (26,044). Baldwin County spans 1,590 square miles and held 261,608 residents in 2024.
- Bay Minettepop. 8,505 · seat
- Gulf Shorespop. 17,431
- Spanish Fortpop. 11,118
- LillianCDP
- StocktonCDP
Baldwin County deer processing and gear
Our directory has 3 processors, 6 taxidermists and 19 gear shops inside Baldwin County. No guides and preserves turned up inside the county, so the cards below include neighbours. In-county businesses come first, then those in adjoining counties, by straight-line distance.
Next to Baldwin County
| Adjoining | Deer zone | Turkey | Dove | Dog status | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile County | Zone B | 1 | South | No rule | 27 miles |
| Escambia County | Zone B | 1 | South | No rule | 47 miles |
| Washington County | Zone B | 1 | North | No rule | 59 miles |
| Monroe County | Zone B | 3 | North | Permit only | 67 miles |
| Clarke County | Zone B | 3 | North | No rule | 71 miles |
Offices from the ADCNR WFF district offices page; towns and places from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; services from ADCNR lists (Hunters Helping the Hungry, CWD sampling partners), store locators and Yellow Pages as tagged; neighbours from the Census county adjacency file. Checked November 1, 2026.
Baldwin County sight-in spots and shoot dates
Within Baldwin County the guide finds 10 ranges; every card says who may shoot.
| Range or club | Location | Lines | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodes Quail Farm sporting clays course | Bay Minette | skeet/sporting clays/shotgun | Access not stated |
| Styx River Shooting Center outdoor range | Robertsdale | handgun/rifle/shotgun/skeet/trap | Access not stated |
| The Foley Range outdoor range | Foley | – | Access not stated |
Three Brothers Arms Shooting Range outdoor range | Baldwin County | handgun/rifle/shotgun/skeet/trap | Access not stated |
Local shoot calendar
| Date, shoot | Format | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2026 | ATA trap | Listing |
| Nov 7, 2026 | ADCNR 101 class | Class page |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Charity clays | Sign up |
| Nov 14, 2026 | ATA trap | Listing |
| Nov 18, 2026 | ATA trap | Listing |
| Nov 28, 2026 | ATA trap | Listing |
Ranges from ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Baldwin County shooting hours on key dates
Mobile and Huntsville see sunrise many minutes apart in winter, so use the times worked out for Baldwin County.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Game legal | Waterfowl legal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:52 a.m. | 6:21 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:22 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 5:52 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 5:52 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | November 14 | 6:27 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:44 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:49 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 5:41 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:37 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:56 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:02 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location (NOAA solar formula, Central Time), checked against the Digest’s Birmingham table; checked November 1, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Baldwin County events and results
Booked inside the county: 7 upcoming dates, namely Learn to Hunt workshop, SOA deer (archery) draw, SOA deer (gun) draw, SOA deer (primitive weapons) draw, SOA small game draw, hunter education course and trapping workshop. Count 4 limited-quota SOA hunts, by draw only.
Still ahead
| Dates | Event | Where | Link | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22–Nov 8, 2026 | Blackwater River SOA deer hunt: Archery – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (archery) draw | Event details | Source | |
| Nov 19–22, 2026 | Blackwater River SOA deer hunt: Primitive Weapons – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (primitive weapons) draw | Event details | Source | |
| Dec 3–Feb 7 (2026-27) | Blackwater River SOA deer hunt: Gun – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (gun) draw | Event details | Source | |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Traditional Hunter Education Course | Robertsdale: FBC Robertsdale, Kids Outdoor Zone | Register | Source |
| Feb 13–14, 2027 | ADCNR Trapping Education Workshop (Baldwin County) · trapping workshop | Register | Source | |
| Feb 15–28, 2027 | Blackwater River SOA quail, rabbit & squirrel hunt · SOA small game draw | Register | Source | |
| Feb 20, 2027 | Let's Talk Turkey Hunting (ADCNR Learn to Hunt workshop) | Upper Delta WMA near Stockton | Register | Source |
Short answers for Baldwin County hunters
May deer be run with dogs in Baldwin County?
Only under a department permit.
How long does bow season for deer last in Baldwin County?
October 15, 2026 through February 10, 2027.
Which half of the state does Baldwin County fall in for doves?
The South Zone.
Does Baldwin County get one of the rare fall turkey seasons?
No; only six Zone 3 counties have a fall season.
What are the steps for checking a deer killed in Baldwin County?
Log it on your harvest record before moving it, then report it in Game Check within 48 hours.
What paperwork does a WMA hunt in Baldwin County need beyond a license?
A WMA license for deer and turkey, the free WMA AREA Permit and a daily check-in for hunters 16 and older.
Where could a Baldwin County deer be cut and wrapped?
Carl's Premium Deer Processing is closest on our list.
Will fluorescent pink pass for orange in Baldwin County?
Yes; pink is accepted in place of orange.
Is a county deer kill published for Baldwin County?
No; Alabama gives only a statewide deer statement.
Answers from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest, ADCNR seasons and bag limits, the hunter orange rule, Game Check rules, Code of Alabama 13A-12-1, the ADCNR deer page and the sources above. Checked November 1, 2026.
Baldwin County season reminders
Dates on this page cover 2026-27 only; a new Digest comes out each summer.
Sources: 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest, ADCNR hunting, Census and the sources in each section. Checked November 1, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0).