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Forever Wild tract · WFF District II · AL
Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) hunting
What the sources say about this Forever Wild nature preserve and recreation area in Cherokee County, with the zone rules that reach it.
Photo: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0)
Getting to Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 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.
Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) in numbers and names
The Forever Wild tract layer puts Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) at 1,127 acres in Cherokee County. Of the 4 public places with acreage we list in Cherokee County, it ranks 4th by size. ADCNR manages it through its State Lands Division (Forever Wild Land Trust), in WFF District II. Program: Forever Wild Land Trust tracts with hunting provisions (Nature Preserves and Recreation Areas).
GIS counts 11,025 public acres in Cherokee County.
Listed game on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild): Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, Small game, Feral hogs.
From the agency record (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division (Forever Wild Land Trust)); checked November 1, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
Hunting rules on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) is hunted under county rules with a hunting license plus the no-cost permit map. Deer hunters on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) use a bow or a crossbow. Trapping is allowed on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) under the permit. FW 7 – Indian Mountain Tract is the biggest of the 3 tracts on this permit (527 acres). The permit map on file is the 2025-2026 edition; check for a newer one. Leave the feed at home; bait is illegal for hunting on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) and every other public tract.
| Tract | Acres | Date |
|---|---|---|
| FW 7 – Indian Mountain Tract | 527 | September 18, 1997 and September 15, 1998 |
| FW 18 – Indian Mountain – Garner Tract | 80 | December 3, 2001 |
| FW 144 – Indian Mountain – Simmons Addition | 520 | January 30, 2017 |
Sources: Forever Wild permit map, Forever Wild hunting regulations. Checked November 1, 2026.
Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) openers and closers
Today's status sits in the last column for each Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) row.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone A | Oct 15, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone E | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late archery, bucks only | Deer Zone E | Jan 16, 2027 | Jan 27, 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Gun deer rows are left out: deer on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) are bow or crossbow only.
From the ADCNR seasons and bag limits, the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest and the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guide; checked November 1, 2026. All Alabama seasons.
Deer zone and dog rules near Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
| Rule | Cherokee County |
|---|---|
| Deer zone | E, A (map) |
| CWD zone | Outside |
| Turkey zone | 1 |
| Fall turkey | Closed |
| Dove zone | North |
| Dog deer | Stalk only |
| Waterfowl zone | Statewide |
| Alligator area | None |
| Turkeys, 2025 | 297-444 |
| WFF district | II |
ADCNR names the county of Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) in Zone E, but those zones cover only part of each named county. ADCNR gives no county list for Zones A and B. Shading on the ADCNR deer zone map puts Cherokee County in one or both. Stalk hunting only, no deer dogs: Cherokee County, at least in part. Alabama caps antlered deer at three a season and one a day; one buck needs a 4-point side. For 2025, Cherokee County sat in the 297-444 turkey class on the ADCNR map; deer totals by county do not exist publicly.
ADCNR deer zones, turkey zones, dove zones, dog deer rules, CWD rules and the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report; checked November 1, 2026.
Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) on the map with its neighbors
Point the truck southwest for 21 mi and you reach Choccolocco WMA.
| Place | Type | Acres | County | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choccolocco WMA | WMA | 56,838 | Cleburne | 21 mi | southwest |
| Big Oak PDHA | PDHA | 1,839 | Cleburne | 22 mi | south |
| Shoal Creek Ranger District | Ranger district | 119,572 | Cleburne, Calhoun | 24 mi | southwest |
| Little River Canyon National Preserve in DeKalb County | National preserve | 15,641 | DeKalb, Cherokee | 29 mi | north |
| Little River WMA | WMA | 13,100 | Cherokee, DeKalb | 29 mi | north |
| Mountain Longleaf NWR | Wildlife refuge | 9,070 | Calhoun | 29 mi | southwest |
| Clarke Range Complex at Fort McClellan | Military land | – | Calhoun | 37 mi | southwest |
| Talladega National Forest | National forest | 394,869 | Cleburne, Clay | 44 mi | southwest |
Points: ADCNR Forever Wild Tracts layer (tracts whose PMapLink is this permit map) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) duck season
Alabama runs one statewide duck zone, so the 2026-27 dates below apply to Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) unless its own permit narrows them.
| Species | Season | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teal | Special teal season | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 |
| Ducks | Ducks | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 |
| Ducks | Ducks | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 |
| Geese | Geese, segment 1 | Sep 5, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 |
| Geese | Geese, segment 2 | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 |
| Geese | Geese, segment 3 | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 |
| Geese | Geese, segment 4 | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Coots | Coot season | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 |
| Coots | Coot season | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Mergansers | Merganser season | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 |
| Mergansers | Merganser season | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guide; checked November 1, 2026.
Towns and ADCNR offices near Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
Centre sits 16 mi from Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) in a straight line. Population leader in the list: Jacksonville, 14,651. For permits and questions, the Jacksonville district office ((256) 435-5422) covers Cherokee County.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centre | Cherokee | 3,845 | 16 mi | northwest |
| Nances Creek | Calhoun | – | 18 mi | southwest |
| White Plains | Calhoun | – | 24 mi | southwest |
| Jacksonville | Calhoun | 14,651 | 24 mi | southwest |
| Heflin | Cleburne | 3,557 | 28 mi | south |
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.
Hunting hours for Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
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.
| Day | Moment | First sun | Last sun | Deer hours | Bird hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:47 a.m. | 6:10 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:21 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 5:51 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 5:51 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:26 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:44 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:48 a.m. | 4:55 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:33 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:48 a.m. | 6:54 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 6:18 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.
Landscape and game photos for Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
Public and club ranges for Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) hunters
Drive about 29 miles from Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) to reach Etowah Public Shooting Range, the nearest public bench. Ranges within 30 miles take the remaining cards.
From ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Hunters ask about Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
Shooting hours near Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
About 5:51 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. for game on November 21, 2026; ducks stop at sunset.
Must I wear orange on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
Orange or pink, 144 square inches above the waist or a full cap, while gun deer hunting is open.
How large is Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
1,127 acres; the number comes from the Forever Wild tract layer.
How do I place Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) on a map?
It sits in Cherokee County (WFF District II). Centre is the closest town with a page here, about 16 mi away.
Which deer zone rules apply around Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
Zone E, by the ADCNR county list; the A/B split in Cherokee County runs along highways and rivers; read the ADCNR map.
Which licenses or permits does Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) require?
Hunting license plus the free Forever Wild permit map.
Can I use corn on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
No baiting on public land in Alabama.
Can I hunt deer with dogs on Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
County status: stalk only (Cherokee County).
Who looks after Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
It is managed by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division (Forever Wild Land Trust). The nearest ADCNR office is in Jacksonville, (256) 435-5422.
What does Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) hold for hunters?
Deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game and feral hogs.
What is the nearest other public land to Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)?
Choccolocco WMA, about 21 mi southwest. 7 more lie within 50 miles.
One more look before Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild)
Confirm dates, permits and the deer zone for Indian Mountain Complex (Forever Wild) before the drive.
Sources: source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest. Checked November 1, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); formulanone (CC BY-SA 2.0); Jim, the Photographer (CC BY 2.0).