Home › Alabama › Counties › Walker County
The Tennessee Valley, the Bankhead National Forest and the northwest Alabama hills
Walker County Hunting
Walker County hunting at a glance: zone lines from the ADCNR map, the dates that apply on private and open permit-public land, 2 public areas and the services close to Jasper.
Photo: formulanone (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mapped public acres of Walker County
We count 2 public hunting areas in Walker County; Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area covers the most ground at 35,260 acres. Roughly 15,903 acres (3.1%) of the county are public on the GIS layers.
| Area | Program | Acres | Game | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry Fork WMA | WMA | 35,260 | turkey, ducks, deer | 4 dove fields, no deer dogs |
| Lewis Smith PDHA | Disabled hunting area | 10 | deer | disabled hunters, draw hunts |
Where most Walker County public land sits
- At 35,260 acres, Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area gives Walker County hunters its biggest block, shared with Tuscaloosa County. Hunters go there for turkey, ducks, deer and doves. Also flagged: 4 dove fields, no deer dogs. Questions go to the biologist, (334) 430-6301.
- Lewis Smith Physically Disabled Hunting Area counts as a disabled hunting area with 10 acres on record. Game listed for it includes deer. Notes on the record: disabled hunters, draw hunts.
A short drive beyond Walker County
- Fayette PDHA30 miles out, 1,105 acres in Fayette County
- Bankhead NF30 miles out, 182,014 acres in Lawrence County and Winston County
- Bankhead Ranger District30 miles out, 182,014 acres in Lawrence County and Winston County
- Black Warrior WMA37 miles out, 91,263 acres in Lawrence County and Winston County
- Sipsey River Swamp North Zone (Forever Wild)40 miles out, 4,959 acres in Tuscaloosa County
- Sam R. Murphy WMA42 miles out, 16,372 acres in Lamar County and Marion 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.
Walker County deer zone, dates and county rules
A zone boundary crosses Walker County, leaving Zone A (about 100%) and Zone C by map share. Zone C names Walker County in its description, limited to the described boundary. No county list exists for Zones A and B; the boundary runs along highways and rivers, so check the official map near it.
Walker County deer openers and closers
| Item | Zone A | Zone C |
|---|---|---|
| Archery opens | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Youth season | Nov 13–Nov 16 | Nov 13–Nov 16 |
| Muzzleloader window | Nov 16–Nov 20 | Nov 16–Nov 20 |
| Gun deer opens | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 |
| Dogs end, private land | Jan 15, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Deer close | Feb 10, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 |
Zone C allows one unantlered deer a day (plus one antlered) on either-sex dates, half the doe limit of the other zones. The buck limit is three a season (one a day); one of those must have at least 4 points on an antler.
Walker County and deer dogs
ADCNR puts no county dog restriction on Walker County; the dog season rows above apply.
Walker County baiting rules
The Bait Privilege License, $18.95 for residents and $65.25 for nonresidents, covers deer and hog bait on private land in Walker 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 Walker County
65 dated rows reach Walker 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 | 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 | 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.
Walker County bird seasons and zones
Spring turkey around Walker County
The turkey zone list puts Walker County under Zone 1. Spring turkey dates: March 20 through May 3, 2027. ADCNR's 2025 turkey report shades Walker County in the 209-296 class, meaning hunters reported between 209 and 296 birds through Game Check; 27 other counties share that class. Across Alabama, reported gobblers fell from 18,263 (2024) to 17,049 (2025).
Walker County dove dates
Walker 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 |
Walker County duck hunting
For ducks and geese, Walker County follows the statewide zone.
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.
Walker County offices and local help
Walker County belongs to WFF District I, run from the office in Tanner ((256) 353-2634). About 43 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.
Walker County communities
Of 11 Census places in Walker County, 11 are incorporated. Jasper (14,561), Sumiton (2,511) and Dora (2,242) are the largest. Census Vintage 2024 puts Walker County at 65,260 residents, 0.1% below the 2020 base.
Services near Walker County
Walker County listings: 1 processor and 2 gear shops. For taxidermists and guides and preserves, look across the line. ADCNR lists supply the HHH processors and CWD partners; other listings are directory entries not checked as open.
Walker County adjoining counties
| County | Deer | Turkey | Dove | Dogs | Centre to centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston County | Zone D/Zone A/Zone C | 2 | North | Stalk only | 25 miles |
| Fayette County | Zone A | 1 | North | Stalk only | 27 miles |
| Jefferson County | Zone A/Zone C | 1 | North | No rule | 28 miles |
| Cullman County | Zone C/Zone A/Zone D | 1/2 | North | No rule | 34 miles |
| Tuscaloosa County | Zone A | 1 | North | Stalk only | 37 miles |
| Marion County | Zone A/Zone C | 1 | North | Stalk only | 41 miles |
| Blount County | Zone C/Zone A | 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.
Walker County: ranges, lanes and trap fields
Walker County has 2 listed ranges; Walker County Community Archery Park is the public ADCNR option.
Sam R. Murphy WMA Shooting Range in Lamar County is the nearest state-run range, roughly 41 miles. Open it
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 Walker 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 | 6:53 a.m. | 6:17 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:27 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Two weeks in | 6:32 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:50 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:54 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:39 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:55 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:00 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.
Walker County hunting questions
On what date do rifles come out for deer in Walker County?
November 21, 2026 in Zone A; stalk hunting on private land lasts to February 10, 2027.
How many deer come out of Walker County in a season?
ADCNR publishes no county deer harvest, so there is no figure.
From when to when can gobblers be hunted in Walker County next spring?
March 20 to May 3, 2027 on private and open permit-public land.
Is Walker County on either of the two dog deer lists?
Neither list names it.
If Walker County is full, what public land sits closest outside it?
Fayette Physically Disabled Hunting Area, about 30 miles from the county centre.
Are teal and early geese hunted on the statewide dates in Walker County?
Yes; teal and the September goose segment follow the statewide calendar.
Are night hog hunts allowed in Walker County?
Yes, on private or leased land in the nighttime season, with the nighttime feral swine and coyote license.
How far is the closest ADCNR office from the middle of Walker County?
The Northport office lies about 43 miles from mid-county.
Who would skin and grind a Walker County deer?
Boldo Deer Processing, Brian's Deer Cutters and Deer Processing-Deer Cutters top our distance list.
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 Walker County woods
Near a zone line in Walker 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: Russ (CC BY 2.0).