Home › Alabama › Counties › Choctaw County
Deer Zone B · 2026-27
Choctaw County Hunting
Choctaw County sits in Zone B for deer, Turkey Zone 1 and the dove North Zone. This guide lists every 2026-27 season date that reaches the county, 2 public areas inside its line and the ADCNR offices that serve it.
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Public domain)
Hunting areas open to the public in Choctaw County
Our Alabama land list has 2 hunting areas inside Choctaw County; the largest is Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge Special Opportunity Area at 3,969 acres. Mapped public land in the county adds up to roughly 3,930 acres (0.7% of its land). The 307 acres of state park land are not counted, since Alabama state parks are generally closed to hunting.
| Area | Kind | Acreage | Game | Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choctaw NWR SOA | SOA | 3,969 | deer | draw hunts |
| Choctaw NWR | Refuge | 3,917 | deer, ducks, squirrels | draw hunts |
Choctaw County areas worth a closer look
- The SOA Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge Special Opportunity Area runs to 3,969 acres. Expect deer on its permit. The record adds draw hunts.
- Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, 3,917 acres) lies wholly inside Choctaw County. Hunters go there for deer, ducks, squirrels and rabbits. Look out for draw hunts.
Across the Choctaw County line
- Upper State PDHA1,915 acres in Clarke County; 34 miles off
- Upper State SOA1,918 acres in Clarke County; 34 miles off
- Marengo PDHA442 acres in Marengo County; 37 miles off
- David K. Nelson WMA8,308 acres in Sumter County and Hale County; 43 miles off
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 Choctaw County
Choctaw County deer zone and dog, bait rules
The zone map puts the whole of Choctaw County in Zone B. Zones A and B are not listed by county: the line follows highways and rivers, so check the ADCNR zone map if you hunt near a county edge.
Choctaw County deer dates by zone
| Season point | Zone B |
|---|---|
| Archery opener | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Youth gun days | Nov 13–Nov 16 |
| Muzzleloader season | Nov 16–Nov 20 |
| Gun opener | Nov 21, 2026 |
| Last dog day | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Last day (stalk) | Feb 10, 2027 |
In Zone B the first ten days of archery, October 15 to October 24, are antlered bucks only. Three bucks a season, one per day, one with 4 or more points on a single antler: that is the statewide antlered limit.
Choctaw County dog hunting status
ADCNR lists Choctaw County as permit-only for dog deer hunting, limited to the block south of AL 10, west of AL 17, north of CR 18/CR 14 to MS line.
Hunting over bait in Choctaw County
Bait is legal for deer and hogs in Choctaw County only on private or leased land and only with a Bait Privilege License, which costs $18.95 for residents and $65.25 for nonresidents. Bait is never legal on WMAs, SOAs or federal land, including TVA and Corps ground.
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.
Every season that reaches Choctaw County
Type a species to filter the 55 rows. WMA, SOA and national forest hunts follow their own permits.
| Species | Window | Reach | From | Through | Today? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 1 | West Central gator area | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 16, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 2 | West Central gator area | Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 3 | West Central 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 | Rail and gallinule | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Wilson's snipe | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Rail and 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.
Choctaw County small-zone rules for birds
Turkey hunting in Choctaw County
Zone 1 is the turkey zone for Choctaw County. Expect spring turkey from March 20 until May 3, 2027. The 2025 harvest class for Choctaw County is 209-296 reported turkeys (ADCNR publishes ranges, not exact county counts). Alabama hunters reported 17,049 turkeys in 2025 and 18,263 a year earlier.
Dove shoots around Choctaw County
Doves in Choctaw County: North Zone segments, with shooting from noon to sunset on the opener.
| Segment | Dates |
|---|---|
| Segment 1 | Sep 5 |
| Segment 2 | Sep 6–Oct 18 |
| Segment 3 | Nov 21–Nov 29 |
| Segment 4 | Dec 12–Jan 17 |
Choctaw County duck and goose notes
Duck, goose, coot and merganser dates in Choctaw County are the statewide ones; there are no duck zones apart from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta rules.
Choctaw County alligator area
Alligator hunting reaches Choctaw County through the Southwest and West Central areas; permits come from a drawing. Southwest: Private and public waters in Baldwin and Mobile north of I-10 and in Washington, Choctaw, Clarke and Monroe south of US 84. West Central: Monroe, Clarke and Choctaw north of US 84; Marengo west of AL 28 and south of US 80; Wilcox and Dallas (excluding Choctaw NWR).
| 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 |
| West Central AMA | Alligator hunt 1 | Aug 13–Aug 16 |
| West Central AMA | Alligator hunt 2 | Aug 20–Aug 23 |
| West Central 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.
SOA draws in Choctaw County
Draw hunts on 1 SOA in Choctaw County go to hunters picked at random, who get their own unit for 2-4 days.
Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge SOA
| Hunt | Days |
|---|---|
| Buck rule | No antler restrictions |
| Deer | Primitive Weapon – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Nov. 17-20 |
- 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
Hunt dates and draw rules from the ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas page (2026-27); deadlines from the ADCNR draw schedule. Checked November 1, 2026.
Choctaw County district office and businesses
Biologists and officers for Choctaw County work out of Spanish Fort, the WFF District V office. Nearest ADCNR office: Northport, about 93 miles from the middle of Choctaw County. The district staff work Monday to Friday from 9 to 4 and will sample a deer for CWD by appointment.
Towns in Choctaw County
Choctaw County has 7 incorporated towns and cities and 1 census-designated place. Leading towns by size are Butler (1,726), Gilbertown (702) and Lisman (398). About 12,052 residents (2024) live on 913 land square miles, 4.8% down since 2020.
- Butlerpop. 1,726 · seat
- Gilbertownpop. 702
Where Choctaw County hunters shop
In Choctaw County itself we found 3 guides and preserves. The county has no listed processors, taxidermists and gear shops. Tags mark ADCNR program partners; untagged rows are from Yellow Pages and store locators.
Counties bordering Choctaw County
| County | Deer zones | Turkey | Doves | Deer dogs | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marengo County | Zone B | 1 | North | Permit only | 32 miles |
| Clarke County | Zone B | 3 | North | No rule | 33 miles |
| Washington County | Zone B | 1 | North | No rule | 40 miles |
| Sumter County | Zone A/Zone B | 1 | North | No rule | 42 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.
Choctaw County ranges and shoot dates
No range in Choctaw County is on file, so the three nearest to the county centre follow.
Marengo Public Shooting Range is the public shooting range nearest Choctaw County, 35 miles away, with no range fee. Range page
Ranges from ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Choctaw County shooting light
Migratory birds run from half an hour before sunrise to sunset; game animals get the extra half hour after sunset, unless a night season applies.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and game | Ducks, geese, doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:55 a.m. | 6:22 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:52 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:22 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:27 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Mid-November | 6:32 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:49 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:54 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:41 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 6:04 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:58 a.m. | 7:04 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 7:04 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.
Choctaw County hunts, classes and dinners
This county shows 1 upcoming date; the kinds are SOA deer (primitive weapons) draw. Drawn hunters alone may take part in the 1 Special Opportunity Area hunt listed.
Dates to come
| Held | Event | Where held | Action | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 17–20, 2026 | Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge SOA deer hunt: Primitive Weapon – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (primitive weapons) draw | Event details | Source |
Choctaw County questions and short answers
When does spring gobbler hunting stop each day on WMAs near Choctaw County?
At 1 p.m. on WMAs and national forest ranger districts.
How is dog deer hunting treated in Choctaw County?
Permit-only.
What share of Choctaw County is public hunting land?
About 0.7% by GIS measure.
Could a drawn hunter take an alligator in Choctaw County?
Yes, inside the Southwest and West Central areas.
How much orange does a deer hunter in Choctaw 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.
Who will sample a Choctaw County deer for chronic wasting disease?
WFF district offices take deer for sampling; phone first.
Where would I find deer harvest numbers for Choctaw County?
There are none official: ADCNR gives no county deer harvest.
Where might a Choctaw County hunter leave a deer for processing?
Genesis Processing heads the distance list.
Do zone lines split Choctaw County for deer?
No, the whole county reads as Zone B.
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.
Choctaw County trip reminders
ADCNR can change dates after the Digest prints; recheck the season pages before a Choctaw County hunt.
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: USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).