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Deer Zone C/Zone A · 2026-27
Blount County Hunting
A county guide to Blount County, served by the WFF District I office in Tanner: deer zones, season table, turkey class, alligator and SOA hunts where they apply, and public land.
Photo: formulanone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hunting areas open to the public in Blount County
Blount County has no listed public hunting area of its own; hunters here mostly use private leases or drive to the areas below. No public acres turn up for the county on the WMA, Forever Wild, SOA, federal or TVA layers. State parks (about 390 acres) are left out of the public total because hunting is generally not allowed in them.
Public land just outside Blount County
- Lewis Smith PDHAWalker County, 30 miles (10 ac)
- Fort McClellan Training Center – Clarke Range ComplexCalhoun County, 40 miles
- Oak Mountain State Park SOAShelby County, 43 miles (3,695 ac)
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 Blount County
Deer rules that apply in Blount County
By the shading on ADCNR's map, Blount County is Zone C (about 91%) and Zone A (about 8%). Because Zone C is described by roads inside named counties, only part of Blount County lies in it. Because the A/B line follows roads, not county lines, confirm your stand location on the ADCNR zone map.
Deer season markers for Blount County
| Point | Zone C | Zone A |
|---|---|---|
| Bow season starts | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Youth days | Nov 13–Nov 16 | Nov 13–Nov 16 |
| Air rifle, muzzleloader | Nov 16–Nov 20 | Nov 16–Nov 20 |
| Gun season opens | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 |
| Dog hunting closes | Jan 15, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Season closes | Feb 10, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 |
In the Zone C part, the daily limit is 1 unantlered and 1 antlered deer during either-sex dates. Each hunter gets three antlered bucks per season in Alabama, no more than one a day, with at least one showing 4+ points on one side.
Can you run deer dogs in Blount County?
Dog deer hunting is not restricted by county rule in Blount County.
Hunting over bait in Blount County
On private or leased land in Blount County, deer and feral hogs may be hunted over bait only with the Bait Privilege License ($18.95 resident, $65.25 nonresident).
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.
Blount County season table for 2026-27
Statewide rows and the zone rows for Blount County are merged here, 65 in all.
| Game | Method | Covers | Opening day | Closing day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone A | Oct 15, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Deer Zone A | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader and air rifle | Deer Zone A | Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone A | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone A | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Jan 4, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone C | Oct 15, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Deer Zone C | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader and air rifle | Deer Zone C | Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 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 North Zone | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 5, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | Dove North Zone | Sep 6, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 3 | Dove North Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 4 | Dove North 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 | |
| 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, sora, gallinule | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Wilson's snipe | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Rails, sora, gallinule | 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.
Turkey, doves and waterfowl in Blount County
Blount County turkey facts
Blount County hunts turkeys under Zone 1 dates. Gobblers may be hunted from March 20 to May 3, 2027 outside WMAs and ranger districts. Game Check reports from Blount County in 2025 fell in the 209-296 bird range on the ADCNR map, alongside 27 other counties. The state total was 17,049 birds in 2025, down from 18,263.
Blount County dove segments
ADCNR lists Blount County in the North Zone for doves, with a noon start on opening day.
| Period | Dates |
|---|---|
| Segment 1 | Sep 5 |
| Segment 2 | Sep 6–Oct 18 |
| Segment 3 | Nov 21–Nov 29 |
| Segment 4 | Dec 12–Jan 17 |
Waterfowl around Blount County
Alabama has one statewide duck zone, so Blount County follows the statewide waterfowl dates in the table above.
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. Checked November 1, 2026.
Blount County district office and businesses
The WFF District I office in Tanner covers Blount County; call (256) 353-2634. The shortest hop to an ADCNR office is Jacksonville, near 49 miles out. Visit Monday to Friday, 9 until 4; ask about CWD sampling when you call.
Blount County town guides
The Census lists 14 places in Blount County: 12 incorporated and 2 census-designated. Top three by 2024 population: Oneonta (7,039), Blountsville (1,820) and Hayden (1,355). The county counted 60,163 people in 2024, 1.7% more than in 2020, on 645 square miles of land.
- Oneontapop. 7,039 · seat
Where Blount County hunters shop
Businesses on file in Blount County: 1 processor, 1 taxidermist, 3 gear shops and 3 guides and preserves. Call ahead: directory listings change, and only the tagged rows come from ADCNR.
Rules next door to Blount County
| Neighbour | Deer zone | Turkey zone | Dove zone | Dog rule | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cullman County | Zone C/Zone A/Zone D | 1/2 | North | No rule | 20 miles |
| St. Clair County | Zone A/Zone C | 1 | North | No rule | 23 miles |
| Marshall County | Zone C/Zone A | 1 | North | Stalk only | 27 miles |
| Etowah County | Zone C/Zone A | 1 | North | No rule | 31 miles |
| Jefferson County | Zone A/Zone C | 1 | North | No rule | 35 miles |
| Walker County | Zone A/Zone C | 1 | North | No rule | 44 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.
Blount County: ranges, lanes and trap fields
2 ranges are on file for Blount County, from ADCNR sites to gun clubs and indoor lanes.
Of ADCNR’s 12 public ranges, Etowah Public Shooting Range is closest, about 37 miles from the Blount County centre. Full page
Ranges from ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Legal hours in Blount County
ADCNR prints one sunrise and sunset table for downtown Birmingham and warns that other places can differ by 10 minutes or more, so the times below are worked out for Blount County.
| Day | Moment | First sun | Last sun | Deer hours | Bird hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:50 a.m. | 6:14 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:14 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:24 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Mid-fall | 6:30 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:47 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:51 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:37 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:52 a.m. | 6:57 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:57 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.
Blount County events and results
On November 1, 2026 the county held 1 upcoming date, covering hunter education course.
Next up
| Date | Event | Location | Sign-up or details | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2026 | Traditional Hunter Education Course | Oneonta: Oneonta Police Station | Register | Source |
Blount County questions and short answers
Could a drawn hunter take an alligator in Blount County?
No; no alligator management area takes in the county.
What share of Blount County is public hunting land?
Close to none on the layers we used.
Who will sample a Blount County deer for chronic wasting disease?
WFF district offices take deer for sampling; phone first.
How much orange does a deer hunter in Blount County have to show?
144 square inches of hunter orange or fluorescent pink above the waist, or a full-size orange or pink cap, on gun deer dates.
Where might a Blount County hunter leave a deer for processing?
Rock Patch Deer Processing heads the distance list.
Where would I find deer harvest numbers for Blount County?
There are none official: ADCNR gives no county deer harvest.
Do zone lines split Blount County for deer?
Yes: Zone C and Zone A.
How is dog deer hunting treated in Blount County?
No county restriction; use the dog-season rows in the table.
When does spring gobbler hunting stop each day on WMAs near Blount County?
At 1 p.m. on WMAs and national forest ranger districts.
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.
Blount County reminders for 2026-27
Get written permission before hunting private land in Blount County.
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: Marion Doss (CC BY-SA 2.0).