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Alabama special opportunity area
Chalk Hill Special Opportunity Area hunting guide
Where, when and how to hunt the special opportunity area in Tallapoosa County.
Photo: Bill Sutton (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Chalk Hill Special Opportunity Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Chalk Hill Special Opportunity Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- John B. Scott Forever Wild TrailheadTrailhead · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Chalk Hill SOA limited-quota hunts
Every hunt on Chalk Hill SOA is a random-draw, limited-quota hunt; you apply online for a hunt date. The draw is free to enter, but the hunting license and WMA license must be bought before you register. A successful applicant brings a guest and has a 300-400 acre unit alone for two to four days. Chalk Hill SOA adds an antler restriction: at least 3 antler points (1 inch or longer) on at least one main antler.
| Hunt | When |
|---|---|
| Deer | Archery – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Oct. 15-18, Oct. 22-25, Oct. 29-Nov. 1 |
| Deer | Gun – Stalk Hunting Antlerless Only: Nov. 5-8 |
| Deer | Gun – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Dec. 10-13, Dec. 26-29, Jan. 7-10, Jan. 21-24, Feb. 4-7 |
| Deer | Primitive Weapons – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Nov. 17-20 |
| Turkey | April 2-4, April 9-11, April 16-18, April 23-25, April 30-May 2 |
| Quail, Rabbit & Squirrel | Feb. 8-14, Feb 15-21 |
| Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine, Raccoon, Opossum, & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
When to apply for Chalk Hill SOA
| Drawing | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| SOA deer hunts | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 |
ADCNR adds: Opens 8 a.m., closes 1 p.m.; results Sept. 15, 2 p.m.
Bait is off the table on Chalk Hill SOA: ADCNR bans hunting with the aid of bait on all public land, WMAs, SOAs and federal tracts included.
Sources: ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas, ADCNR draw deadlines. Checked November 1, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Chalk Hill Special Opportunity Area
County rule table for Chalk Hill SOA
| Rule | Tallapoosa County |
|---|---|
| Deer zone | A (map) |
| CWD zone | Outside |
| Turkey zone | 1 |
| Fall turkey | Closed |
| Dove zone | North |
| Dog deer | Permit only |
| Waterfowl zone | Statewide |
| Alligator area | None |
| Turkeys, 2025 | 209-296 |
| WFF district | II |
Whether ground in Tallapoosa County is Zone A or B depends on a road-defined line: read the ADCNR deer zone map. Managed-area dates on Chalk Hill SOA come from its permit, not from the zone table. Dog deer hunting in Tallapoosa County needs a Department permit (in some cases only part of the county). Three bucks per season, no more than one a day, with at least one carrying 4+ points on one antler. Game Check put Tallapoosa County at 209-296 turkeys in 2025, a binned range. ADCNR gives deer harvest only statewide.
ADCNR deer zones, turkey zones, dove zones, dog deer rules, CWD rules and the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report; checked November 1, 2026.
Who runs Chalk Hill SOA and how big it is
Expect about 3,466 acres of hunting ground at Chalk Hill SOA, Tallapoosa County. Tallapoosa County has 3 records with acreage here; Chalk Hill SOA is number 1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division staff of ADCNR run it as part of WFF District II. It belongs to the ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas (limited quota draw hunts).
All mapped public land in Tallapoosa County adds up to 4,324 acres in GIS. Shelby and Chalk Hill map links are reversed in the GIS layer.
Species the source gives for Chalk Hill SOA: Deer, Turkey, Quail, Rabbits, Squirrels, Raccoon, Opossum, Bobcat, Coyote, Feral hogs, Foxes.
From the agency record (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division); checked November 1, 2026.
Distances from Chalk Hill SOA to other public land
Should Chalk Hill SOA be crowded, Yates Lake WMA lies 2.6 mi west.
| Public land | Type | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yates Lake WMA | WMA | 5,616 | Elmore | 2.6 mi | west |
| Coon Creek Tract (Forever Wild) (316 acres) | Forever Wild tract | 316 | Tallapoosa | 2.8 mi | south |
| Tuskegee National Forest | National forest | 11,347 | Macon | 19 mi | southeast |
| Tuskegee Ranger District | Ranger district | 11,347 | Macon | 19 mi | southeast |
| Martin CHA | Community hunting area | 400 | Tallapoosa | 22 mi | north |
| Macon State Forest PDHA | PDHA | 190 | Macon | 22 mi | southeast |
| Jordan PDHA | PDHA | 198 | Elmore | 23 mi | west |
| Coosa WMA | WMA | 17,486 | Coosa | 35 mi | northwest |
Points: ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Where Chalk Hill SOA hunters resupply
Closest town: Reeltown, roughly 5.4 mi away. With 8,653 people, Tuskegee is the biggest nearby town. Jacksonville houses the WFF office that serves Tallapoosa County ((256) 435-5422).
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reeltown | Tallapoosa | – | 5.4 mi | southeast |
| Tallassee | Elmore | 4,715 | 7.4 mi | south |
| Notasulga | Macon | 871 | 13 mi | southeast |
| Dadeville | Tallapoosa | 2,934 | 14 mi | northeast |
| Tuskegee | Macon | 8,653 | 19 mi | southeast |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024); offices and businesses from services.json (ADCNR offices and business listings, chain stores left out); straight-line miles. Checked November 1, 2026.
Public and club ranges for Chalk Hill Special Opportunity Area hunters
From Chalk Hill Special Opportunity Area, Coosa County WMA Range is the closest state-run range (34 miles). Nearby clubs and parks fill the other cards.
From ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Dates tied to Chalk Hill Special Opportunity Area and its surroundings
Near this ground on November 1, 2026: 5 upcoming dates. The 5 SOA hunts here are for drawn hunters only.
Next up
| Held | Event | Away | Where held | Action | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5–8, 2026 | Chalk Hill SOA deer hunt: Gun – Stalk Hunting Antlerless Only · SOA deer (gun, antlerless) draw | On site | Event details | Source | |
| Nov 17–20, 2026 | Chalk Hill SOA deer hunt: Primitive Weapons – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (primitive weapons) draw | On site | Event details | Source | |
| Dec 10–Feb 7 (2026-27) | Chalk Hill SOA deer hunt: Gun – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (gun) draw | On site | Event details | Source | |
| Feb 8–21, 2027 | Chalk Hill SOA quail, rabbit & squirrel hunt · SOA small game draw | On site | Event details | Source | |
| Apr 2–May 2, 2027 | Chalk Hill SOA turkey hunt · SOA turkey draw | On site | Event details | Source |
Photos near and like Chalk Hill SOA
First and last legal light in Chalk Hill SOA
The times below use the solar formula for Chalk Hill SOA rather than the Birmingham table in the Digest, which can be off by several minutes this far from Birmingham.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and game | Ducks, geese, doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:46 a.m. | 6:11 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:11 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:19 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 5:49 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 5:49 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:24 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:42 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:46 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:32 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:49 a.m. | 6:54 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 6:54 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.
Chalk Hill SOA: short answers
How early can I shoot on Chalk Hill SOA?
Game animals: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; on November 21, 2026 that is 5:49 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. at the Tallapoosa County centre.
What part of Alabama is Chalk Hill SOA in?
Tallapoosa County, inside WFF District II. Reeltown is the closest town with a page here, about 5.4 mi away.
Is Chalk Hill SOA a big tract?
Roughly 3,466 acres, per the ADCNR SOA map layer.
Which licenses or permits does Chalk Hill SOA require?
Licenses (hunting and WMA) and a successful random draw.
What zone is Chalk Hill SOA for deer?
Tallapoosa County is shaded A or B on the ADCNR map, a road-defined line. Draw and WMA permits carry their own dates.
Is dog deer hunting allowed at Chalk Hill SOA?
Draw hunts are stalk or archery hunts as listed; no dog deer hunts appear on the SOA page.
Is hunting near bait allowed at Chalk Hill SOA?
No, the privilege is for private land.
What species does Chalk Hill SOA offer?
Listed game: deer, turkey, quail, rabbits, squirrels, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, coyote, feral hogs and foxes.
Which office handles Chalk Hill SOA?
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division manages it. ADCNR office nearby: Montgomery (31 mi).
Which tract is closest to Chalk Hill SOA?
The closest is Yates Lake WMA at 2.6 mi. 9 more lie within 50 miles.
Is fluorescent pink legal on Chalk Hill SOA?
Yes, orange or fluorescent pink (144 square inches or a cap) on gun deer dates.
Chalk Hill SOA trip checklist
Report violations on Chalk Hill SOA to Operation Game Watch at 1-800-272-4263.
Sources: source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest. Checked November 1, 2026.
Other photos on this page: John Coley (CC BY 2.0); Bill Sutton (CC BY 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0).