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Jackson County · WMA
Jackson County WMA Waterfowl Areas and Refuges hunting
Hunting access on public ground in Jackson County, about 26,934 acres.
Photo: Tom Woodward (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Jackson County WMA Waterfowl Areas and Refuges
Parking, trailheads and gates near Jackson County WMA Waterfowl Areas and Refuges
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Hwy 2 Public Ramp (Mud Creek)Boat ramp · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Hwy 46 (TN River)Boat ramp · 2.9 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.
Hunting rules on Jackson County WMA
| Need | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hunting license | Required, 16+ |
| WMA license | $23.40 |
| AREA Permit | Free |
| Daily check-in | App or paper |
| Dog deer | Not allowed |
| Bait | Not allowed |
For deer, turkey or ducks on Jackson County WMA, add the WMA license ($23.40) to your hunting license, then check in by app or daily permit every hunt day. Small game other than waterfowl is covered by the Wildlife Heritage License ($14.30), which resident hunting licenses already include. Most WMA gates close from May 1 to September 15; walking in stays legal. The AREA Permit marks Jackson County WMA as no dog deer hunting. Deer days on a WMA come from its permit, including bonus-buck dates that add one buck a season beyond the usual three. Check out with your results every day, by app or by paper slip at the kiosk. Hunting deer or hogs over bait is a private-land privilege in Alabama and does not extend to Jackson County WMA.
Data collection, from the permit: TURKEY: (Youth) March 20 (Daylight until 1 p.m.) Gobblers only. Decoys Allowed. (Physically Disabled) March 26 (Daylight until 1 p.m.) Gobblers only. Decoys Allowed.
Sources: source, source, source, source (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources). Checked November 1, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Jackson County WMA Waterfowl Areas and Refuges
The Jackson County WMA file
Size on record: 26,934 acres, per the ADCNR WMA table (five units); the ground lies in Jackson County. Among 12 sized records in Jackson County, it places 2nd. ADCNR, through the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, manages it (WFF District II). It is part of the ADCNR Wildlife Management Area system.
Look for it in Jackson County near Stevenson and Scottsboro. ADCNR runs it in cooperation with Forever Wild Land Trust, TVA and USFWS. 106,975 acres of Jackson County are mapped as public land.
The record names this game: Turkey, Waterfowl, Crows, Raccoon, Deer, Doves, Rabbits, Squirrels, Quail, Rails, Woodcock, Snipe, Opossum, Bobcat, Coyote, Feral hogs, Foxes, Furbearer trapping.
- Wild turkey
- Ducks
- Canada goose
- Crows
- Raccoon
- White-tailed deer
- Mourning dove
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Bobwhite quail
From the agency record (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division); checked November 1, 2026.
Jackson County WMA: the county rules that apply
| Zone or rule | Jackson County |
|---|---|
| Deer zone | 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 | 445-612 |
| WFF district | II |
The A/B boundary through Jackson County follows US 80, the Alabama River, I-65, I-85 and other roads, so the ADCNR deer zone map is the reference. The permit for Jackson County WMA overrides the zone calendar for deer. Jackson County is stalk-only for deer (in part or in whole). The season limit is three antlered deer (one per day), and one must show 4 or more points on one antler. Turkey reports for Jackson County in 2025: 445-612 birds (ADCNR class). Deer harvest by county is not released.
ADCNR deer zones, turkey zones, dove zones, dog deer rules, CWD rules and the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report; checked November 1, 2026.
When Jackson County WMA is open to hunt
2026-27 windows that reach Jackson County WMA, with an open-or-closed badge.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | WMA group | Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 13, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring, hunters with disabilities | WMA group | Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 19, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | WMA group | Mar 20, 2027 | May 3, 2027 |
The AREA Permit carries the Jackson County WMA deer and small game calendar; this table covers the group turkey dates.
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.
Jackson County WMA waterfowl dates
Jackson County WMA follows the single statewide waterfowl calendar. Jackson County WMA is one of the WMAs with its own waterfowl regulation.
| Species | Segment | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Jackson County WMA on the map with its neighbors
Rows run from nearest to farthest, beginning with Mud Creek PDHA waterfowl blind (2.6 mi, east).
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mud Creek PDHA waterfowl blind | PDHA blind | – | Jackson | 2.6 mi | east |
| Crow Creek SOA | SOA | 448 | Jackson | 10 mi | north |
| James D. Martin-Skyline WMA | WMA | 60,732 | Jackson | 14 mi | northwest |
| Forever Wild-Alabama Power PDHA | PDHA | 1,219 | Jackson | 14 mi | northwest |
| Sauta Cave NWR | Wildlife refuge | 270 | Jackson | 17 mi | southwest |
| Little River WMA | WMA | 13,100 | Cherokee, DeKalb | 30 mi | southeast |
| Little River Canyon National Preserve in DeKalb County | National preserve | 15,641 | DeKalb, Cherokee | 30 mi | southeast |
Points: ADCNR WMA layer (union of the Jackson County units) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Supplies and help around Jackson County WMA
The nearest town page is Hollywood, 4.9 mi from Jackson County WMA. Scottsboro (15,957 residents) has the most services, 12 mi away. The WFF district office for this county is at 4101 Hwy. 21 North, Jacksonville.
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood | Jackson | 928 | 4.9 mi | southwest |
| Pisgah | Jackson | 690 | 6.9 mi | southeast |
| Stevenson | Jackson | 1,975 | 9.1 mi | northeast |
| Scottsboro | Jackson | 15,957 | 12 mi | southwest |
| Hytop | Jackson | 453 | 14 mi | northwest |
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.
Jackson County WMA shooting hours on key dates
ADCNR prints one sunrise and sunset table for downtown Birmingham and warns that other places can differ by 10 minutes or more, so the times below are worked out for Jackson County WMA.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:48 a.m. | 6:11 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:11 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:23 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:29 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:47 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:51 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:36 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:49 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 6:55 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 Jackson County WMA
Public and club ranges for Jackson County Waterfowl Areas and Refuges (Jackson County WMA) hunters
Jackson County has the ADCNR range nearest Jackson County Waterfowl Areas and Refuges (Jackson County WMA): Skyline WMA Shooting Range (14 miles). Two more ranges follow.
From ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Jackson County WMA questions and answers
Is there other public hunting land close to Jackson County WMA?
Mud Creek PDHA waterfowl blind sits 2.6 mi away. 6 more lie within 50 miles.
Hunter orange rules for Jackson County WMA?
Yes in gun deer season: 144 sq. in. above the waist or a full-size cap, orange or pink.
What time can I start hunting Jackson County WMA?
For deer on November 21, 2026: 5:53 a.m. until 5:07 p.m..
How do I place Jackson County WMA on a map?
Jackson County WMA lies in Jackson County, in WFF District II. Hollywood is the closest town with a page here, about 4.9 mi away.
Is Jackson County WMA a big tract?
The figure on file is 26,934 acres (the ADCNR WMA table (five units)).
Which permits apply on Jackson County WMA?
The WMA set: license, $23.40 WMA license, AREA Permit, daily sign-in.
Deer zone for Jackson County WMA?
Jackson County also has Zone A or B ground, and that line follows roads and rivers, so check the ADCNR zone map. Area permits override zone dates on managed areas.
Does Jackson County WMA allow dog hunting for deer?
Not here. No dog deer hunting per the permit.
Bait and feeders on Jackson County WMA?
No. ADCNR bans hunting with bait on WMAs, SOAs and federal land.
Which animals may be hunted on Jackson County WMA?
The record lists turkey, waterfowl, crows, raccoon, deer, doves, rabbits, squirrels, quail, rails, woodcock, snipe, opossum, bobcat, coyote, feral hogs, foxes and furbearer trapping.
Which office handles Jackson County WMA?
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. Call (256) 437-2788 (Austin LeCroy, biologist).
Jackson County WMA: last-minute checks
Signs on the ground outrank any web page; look for posted safety zones and closed areas on Jackson County WMA.
Sources: source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest. Checked November 1, 2026.
Other photos on this page: FieldsportsChannel TV (CC BY 2.0); Don Faulkner (CC BY-SA 2.0); Kumweni (CC BY 2.0).