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Alabama Baiting and Feeding Rules
The Bait Privilege License, the 100-yard rule, public land, turkey and dove rules, and the CWD zone ban.
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain)
Bait rules for Alabama deer and hogs
Hunting deer or feral swine over bait is legal in Alabama only on privately owned or leased land, and only with the Bait Privilege License, which every hunter buys regardless of age. Bait stays illegal on WMAs, SOAs and all federal and Corps land, for turkey and every other species, and anywhere in the CWD Management Zone.
- Bait Privilege License: Hunting white-tailed deer or feral swine with the aid of bait is legal only on privately owned or leased land with a Bait Privilege License: resident $18.95, nonresident $65.25 (2026-27), required of all ages, no exemptions (Code 9-11-244; statutory base $14/$50 + $1 issuance, CPI-adjusted under 9-11-68).
- 100-yard line-of-sight rule: On private land, bait more than 100 yards from the hunter and out of the hunter's line of sight (hidden by natural vegetation or terrain) is presumed not to be a lure (rebuttable; 220-2-.157). Does not apply on public land.
- Public land: Hunting with the aid of bait is prohibited on public lands (WMA, SOA, USFWS, USFS, TVA, Corps of Engineers) and on public and private land in the CWD Management Zone.
- 10-day rule: Without the bait privilege (or for other species), an area is baited until all feed has been removed or consumed for 10 days (220-2-.11(1)(g)).
- Turkey and other game: Baiting is not allowed for turkey or any other protected bird or animal (Code 9-11-244(a)); migratory birds follow federal rules (normal agricultural operations list on the dove page).
- Supplemental feeding: No statewide ban on supplemental feeding outside the CMZ in the sources read; inside the CMZ all baiting and supplemental feeding is banned (220-2-.167(10)).
- Cervid urine: Natural cervid urine from outside Alabama may not be used or possessed while hunting unless from a facility meeting the department's CWD standards; synthetic and in-state products allowed (220-2-.161).
From Code of Alabama 9-11-244 and the ADCNR Regulation Book, 220-2-.157, checked November 1, 2026.
Penalties, doves and the CWD zone
- Penalties: No baiting for turkey or other protected birds/animals (9-11-244(a)). Penalties for baiting deer/turkey: $250-$500 and up to 1 year license revocation first offense; $500-$2,000, 1-year revocation and possible 10-30 days jail after (9-11-246).
- Migratory birds: Federal rules: no baited areas for waterfowl/doves; area baited 10 days after removal; normal agricultural operations, standing crops, food plots planted per Extension recommendations and manipulated natural vegetation are legal for doves.
- CWD Management Zone: No baiting or supplemental feeding of wildlife in the CMZ (exceptions: ag/food-plot seed, feed in active hog traps, bird/squirrel feeders within 100 ft of a residence).
- Commissioner: The commissioner may suspend bait privilege licenses without refund and adopt rules to manage disease (9-11-244(c)).
From Code of Alabama 9-11-246 and the ADCNR dove page, checked November 1, 2026.
Bait Privilege License prices
| License | Residency | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bait Privilege | Resident | $18.95 | Required to hunt white-tailed deer or feral swine over bait on private/leased land; no exemptions (youth, seniors and landowners must buy it). |
| Bait Privilege | Nonresident | $65.25 | Deer/feral swine over bait on private/leased land; no exemptions (nonresidents 15 and under must buy it). |
| All Access Hunting Package | Resident | $90.35 | All Game + WMA + Bait Privilege + State Duck Stamp (no federal stamp, HIP or nighttime license). |
| All Access Hunting Package | Nonresident | $512.80 | Same privileges at nonresident prices. |
| Hog Wild Hunting Package | Resident | $60.85 | Small Game + Bait Privilege + Nighttime Feral Swine and Coyote. |
| Hog Wild Hunting Package | Nonresident | $262.80 |
From the ADCNR license pages, checked November 1, 2026.
Baiting questions
Is bait allowed on Alabama WMAs or other public land?
No. Hunting with the aid of bait is banned on all public land: WMAs, SOAs and USFWS, USFS, TVA and Corps land.
What does the Bait Privilege License cost for 2026-27?
$18.95 for residents and $65.25 for nonresidents for 2026-27; required at every age, with no exemptions.
How long is an area baited after the feed is gone?
Without the bait privilege, until all feed has been removed or eaten for 10 days.
Can I hunt turkeys over bait?
No. Baiting is not allowed for turkey or any other protected bird or animal.
Can I feed deer in the CWD zone?
No. All baiting and supplemental feeding of wildlife is banned in the CMZ, except normal agriculture, food plots, feed inside an active hog trap and bird feeders near a house.
What is the 100-yard rule?
On private land, bait more than 100 yards from the hunter and out of the hunter’s line of sight (hidden by natural vegetation or terrain) is presumed not to be a lure (rebuttable; 220-2-.157). Does not apply on public land.
Where may Alabama deer be hunted over bait?
Yes, on privately owned or leased land with a Bait Privilege License; never on public land or in the CWD Management Zone.
What is the fine for baiting turkeys?
First offense $250 to $500 and up to a year of license revocation; later offenses $500 to $2,000, a 1-year revocation and possible jail.