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County seat Linden
Marengo County Hunting
Marengo County hunting at a glance: zone lines from the ADCNR map, the dates that apply on private and open permit-public land, 3 public areas and the services close to Linden.
Photo: Adrien Lamarre, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Public domain)
Marengo County public ground and acreage
We count 3 public hunting areas in Marengo County; David K. Nelson Wildlife Management Area covers the most ground at 8,308 acres. A mere 295 acres of the county is public on the layers we used. About 486 acres are state park land, which is generally closed to hunting.
| Area | Program | Acres | Game | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David K. Nelson WMA | WMA | 8,308 | turkey, ducks, deer | 1 dove field, no deer dogs |
| Marengo PDHA | Disabled hunting area | 442 | deer | disabled hunters, draw hunts |
| Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) | Corps lake | — | — | — |
Where most Marengo County public land sits
- David K. Nelson Wildlife Management Area counts as a WMA with 8,308 acres on record. Hunters go there for turkey, ducks, deer and doves. Also flagged: 1 dove field, no deer dogs.
- Marengo Physically Disabled Hunting Area counts as a disabled hunting area with 442 acres on record. Game listed for it includes deer. Notes on the record: disabled hunters, draw hunts.
- The corps lake Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and crosses into Clarke County, Greene County and Hale County.
A short drive beyond Marengo County
- M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area28 miles out, 443 acres in Hale County
- Alabama River Lakes (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)29 miles out, Wilcox County and Dallas County
- Portland Landing SOA37 miles out, 9,940 acres in Dallas County
- Choctaw NWR38 miles out, 3,917 acres in Choctaw County
- Choctaw NWR SOA38 miles out, 3,969 acres in Choctaw County
- Old Cahawba Prairie Tract (Forever Wild)38 miles out, 4,586 acres in Dallas County
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.
Marengo County deer zone, dates and county rules
ADCNR's deer zone map shades Marengo County entirely as Zone B. The A/B boundary is road-defined, so the ADCNR map, not this page, settles any doubt.
Marengo County deer openers and closers
| Item | Zone B |
|---|---|
| Archery opens | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Youth season | Nov 13–Nov 16 |
| Muzzleloader window | Nov 16–Nov 20 |
| Gun deer opens | Nov 21, 2026 |
| Dogs end, private land | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Deer close | Feb 10, 2027 |
Zone B keeps does off limits to archers until October 25. The buck limit is three a season (one a day); one of those must have at least 4 points on an antler.
Marengo County and deer dogs
Marengo County is a permit-only dog deer county.
Bait and feed in Marengo County
The Bait Privilege License, $18.95 for residents and $65.25 for nonresidents, covers deer and hog bait on private land in Marengo County. Baiting is banned on every WMA, SOA and federal tract.
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.
2026-27 calendar for Marengo County
52 dated rows reach Marengo County; zone rows are already matched to the county, and the last column compares each with today.
| Animal | Season type | Where | Start | Finish | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Marsh birds | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Wilson's snipe | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | Marsh birds | 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.
Marengo County bird seasons and zones
Spring turkey around Marengo County
The turkey zone list puts Marengo County under Zone 1. Spring turkey dates: March 20 through May 3, 2027. ADCNR's 2025 turkey report shades Marengo County in the 297-444 class, meaning hunters reported between 297 and 444 birds through Game Check; 18 other counties share that class. Across Alabama, reported gobblers fell from 18,263 (2024) to 17,049 (2025).
Marengo County dove dates
Marengo County is a North Zone dove county; the opener is a noon start.
| Segment | From and to |
|---|---|
| Segment 1 | Sep 5 |
| Segment 2 | Sep 6–Oct 18 |
| Segment 3 | Nov 21–Nov 29 |
| Segment 4 | Dec 12–Jan 17 |
Marengo County duck hunting
For ducks and geese, Marengo County follows the statewide zone.
Gator hunting near Marengo County
Drawn alligator hunters may work Marengo County waters inside the West Central area. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Local help for a hunt in Marengo County
Marengo County belongs to WFF District V, run from the office in Spanish Fort ((251) 626-5153). About 69 miles separates mid-county from the nearest ADCNR office in Northport. Doors are open Monday to Friday between 9 and 4, with CWD sampling of deer offered if you ring first.
Marengo County communities
Of 10 Census places in Marengo County, 8 are incorporated. Demopolis (6,724), Linden (1,815) and Thomaston (311) are the largest. Census Vintage 2024 puts Marengo County at 18,512 residents, 4.2% below the 2020 base.
Marengo County hunting businesses
Marengo County listings: 1 processor, 1 taxidermist and 2 guides and preserves. For gear shops, look across the line. ADCNR lists supply the HHH processors and CWD partners; other listings are directory entries not checked as open.
Marengo County adjoining counties
| County | Deer | Turkey | Dove | Dogs | Centre to centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choctaw County | Zone B | 1 | North | Permit only | 32 miles |
| Wilcox County | Zone B | 1 | North | Permit only | 34 miles |
| Sumter County | Zone A/Zone B | 1 | North | No rule | 34 miles |
| Hale County | Zone A | 1 | North | Stalk only | 36 miles |
| Clarke County | Zone B | 3 | North | No rule | 39 miles |
| Perry County | Zone A/Zone B | 1 | North | Stalk only | 40 miles |
| Dallas County | Zone B/Zone A | 1 | North | No rule | 40 miles |
| Greene County | Zone A | 1 | North | Stalk only | 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.
Marengo County: ranges, lanes and trap fields
Marengo County has 3 listed ranges; Demopolis Community Archery Park is the public ADCNR option.
Ranges from ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
First and last legal light in Marengo County
Deer, turkey and other resident game may be hunted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset; ducks, geese and doves stop at sunset.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:54 a.m. | 6:20 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:25 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 5:55 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 5:55 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Two weeks in | 6:31 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:48 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:52 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:37 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:39 a.m. | 5:32 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:57 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 6:27 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.
Marengo County events and results
On November 1, 2026 the county held 1 upcoming date, covering DU chapter dinner.
On the calendar
| Date | Event | Location | Sign-up or details | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2026 | Demopolis Ducks Unlimited Annual Steak Dinner and Auction · DU chapter dinner | Demopolis: Demopolis Civic Center | Buy tickets | Source |
Marengo County FAQ
What buck limit do hunters in Marengo County work under?
Three antlered deer per season, never more than one a day, and one of the three needs 4+ points on a single antler.
What was last season's deer total in Marengo County?
Unpublished; ADCNR releases no county deer figures.
Are turkey decoys legal from the first day of spring in Marengo County?
Yes. For 2026-27 decoys may be used all spring.
Do dog deer hunters in Marengo County need an ADCNR permit?
Yes, county-wide.
Does any national forest acreage fall in Marengo County?
No; none is mapped in the county.
Do special duck hours apply anywhere in Marengo County?
No; statewide waterfowl dates and hours apply.
Is putting out corn for deer legal in Marengo County?
Only on private or leased land with the Bait Privilege License, and never on public land.
Where do people in Marengo County pick up a hunting license?
Online, in the Outdoor AL app, from license agents or at a probate office.
Which processor is the shortest straight-line hop from Marengo County?
Genesis Processing.
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.
Before heading to Marengo County woods
Near a zone line in Marengo County, the ADCNR zone map decides which dates apply.
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 Headquarters (CC BY 2.0).