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WMA · WFF District III · AL
Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area hunting
What the sources say about this wildlife management area in Tuscaloosa County and 1 neighboring county, with the zone rules that reach it.
Photo: Deutschlandreform (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Getting to Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 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.
Mulberry Fork WMA in numbers and names
The ADCNR WMA table puts Mulberry Fork WMA at 35,260 acres in Tuscaloosa and Walker counties. Of the 5 public places with acreage we list in Tuscaloosa County, it ranks 3rd by size. ADCNR manages it through its Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, in WFF District III. Program: ADCNR Wildlife Management Area system.
Per the WMA list it lies in Tuscaloosa and Walker Counties near Tutwiler. Cooperators on the permit: Forever Wild Land Trust and Green Diamond Management Company LLC. GIS counts 37,354 public acres in Tuscaloosa County.
Listed game on Mulberry Fork WMA: Turkey, Waterfowl, Deer, Doves, Rabbits, Squirrels, Feral hogs, Crows, Quail, Woodcock, Snipe, Raccoon, Opossum, Bobcat, Coyote, Foxes, Furbearer trapping.
- Wild turkey
- Ducks
- Canada goose
- White-tailed deer
- Mourning dove
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Feral swine
- Crows
- Bobwhite quail
From the agency record (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division); checked November 1, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area
Mulberry Fork WMA permit requirements
| Requirement | Here |
|---|---|
| Hunting license | Required, 16+ |
| WMA license | $23.40 |
| AREA Permit | Free |
| Daily check-in | App or paper |
| Dog deer | Not allowed |
| Bait | Not allowed |
| Table type | Big and small game |
A $23.40 WMA license, the free AREA Permit map and a daily permit (or the Outdoor Alabama app check-in) are the paperwork for big game and waterfowl on Mulberry Fork WMA. Squirrel, rabbit and other small game on a WMA ride on the $14.30 Wildlife Heritage License, part of every resident hunting license. Statewide gate closures run May 1 through September 15 on most WMAs, with foot traffic still allowed. No dog deer hunting: that line is printed on the Mulberry Fork WMA AREA Permit. Area permits set WMA deer dates; the single bonus buck is validated at the WMA check station and not counted in the statewide limit. The kiosk takes the paper daily permit with your results at the end of each day; the app works too. Leave the feed at home; bait is illegal for hunting on Mulberry Fork WMA and every other public tract.
AREA Permit wording: All deer harvested must be submitted at check station for data collection on the following dates: Nov. 27-29, Dec. 31, and Jan. 2-3.The check station is open from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sources: source, source, source, source (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources). Checked November 1, 2026.
Mulberry Fork WMA openers and closers
Today's status sits in the last column for each Mulberry Fork WMA row.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Doves | Segment 1 | North Zone | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 5, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | North Zone | Sep 6, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 3 | North Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 4 | North Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 |
WMA turkey hunting ends at 1 p.m. daily, and the Mulberry Fork WMA permit sets every other date.
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.
Mulberry Fork WMA dove field list
16 acres across 4 fields are planted for doves on Mulberry Fork WMA, led by browntop millet.
| Field | Crops | Acres | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field 1 | Browntop Millet | 4 | Disk strips and plant with wheat |
| Field 2 | Browntop Millet | 2 | Disk strips and plant with wheat |
| Field 3 | Browntop Millet | 2 | Disk strips and plant with wheat |
| Field 4 | Browntop Millet | 8 | Disk strips and plant with wheat |
ADCNR hunting dates: State Season – (12:00 noon to sunset). No hunting on days of youth, primitive weapons, or gun deer hunts. / State Season – (12:00 noon until sunset) (Saturdays and Wednesdays Only) No hunting on days of youth, primitive weapons, or gun deer hunts
ADCNR WMA Dove Field Information; checked November 1, 2026.
Deer zone and dog rules near Mulberry Fork WMA
| Rule | Tuscaloosa County | Walker County |
|---|---|---|
| Deer zone | A (map) | C, A (map) |
| CWD zone | Outside | Outside |
| Turkey zone | 1 | 1 |
| Fall turkey | Closed | Closed |
| Dove zone | North | North |
| Dog deer | Stalk only | Allowed |
| Waterfowl zone | Statewide | Statewide |
| Alligator area | None | None |
| Turkeys, 2025 | 297-444 | 209-296 |
| WFF district | III | I |
ADCNR names the county of Mulberry Fork WMA in Zone C, 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 Tuscaloosa County and Walker County in one or both. Use zone dates for land around Mulberry Fork WMA, the permit dates on it. Stalk hunting only, no deer dogs: Tuscaloosa 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, Tuscaloosa 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.
Mulberry Fork WMA on the map with its neighbors
Point the truck northeast for 28 mi and you reach Lewis Smith PDHA.
| Place | Type | Acres | County | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Smith PDHA | PDHA | 9.7 | Walker | 28 mi | northeast |
| Sipsey River Swamp North Zone (Forever Wild) | Forever Wild tract | 4,959 | Tuscaloosa | 29 mi | southwest |
| Cahaba River WMA | WMA | 35,559 | Bibb, Shelby | 34 mi | southeast |
| Fayette PDHA | PDHA | 1,105 | Fayette | 34 mi | northwest |
| Sipsey River Swamp South Zone (Forever Wild) | Forever Wild tract | 3,418 | Tuscaloosa | 36 mi | southwest |
| Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes (Corps) in Clarke County | Corps lake | – | Clarke, Greene | 36 mi | southwest |
| Cahaba River NWR | Wildlife refuge | 4,774 | Bibb | 36 mi | southeast |
| Oak Mountain State Park SOA in Shelby County | State park SOA | 3,695 | Shelby | 38 mi | east |
Points: ADCNR WMA layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Mulberry Fork WMA duck season
Alabama runs one statewide duck zone, so the 2026-27 dates below apply to Mulberry Fork WMA 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 Mulberry Fork WMA
Oakman sits 12 mi from Mulberry Fork WMA in a straight line. Population leader in the list: Birmingham, 196,357. For permits and questions, the Northport district office ((205) 339-5716) covers Tuscaloosa County.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakman | Walker | 754 | 12 mi | north |
| Jasper | Walker | 14,561 | 21 mi | north |
| Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa | 114,288 | 25 mi | southwest |
| Birmingham | Jefferson | 196,357 | 30 mi | east |
| Coker | Tuscaloosa | 889 | 30 mi | southwest |
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.
First and last legal light in Mulberry Fork WMA
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 | 6:53 a.m. | 6:18 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 6:18 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:26 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:32 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:49 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:54 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:40 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:55 a.m. | 7:01 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 7:01 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 Mulberry Fork WMA
Public and club ranges for Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area hunters
Drive about 31 miles from Mulberry Fork Wildlife Management Area to reach Cahaba River WMA 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.
Mulberry Fork WMA: short answers
What species does Mulberry Fork WMA offer?
Turkey, waterfowl, deer, doves, rabbits, squirrels, feral hogs, crows, quail, woodcock, snipe, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, coyote, foxes and furbearer trapping.
Can I use corn on Mulberry Fork WMA?
No baiting on public land in Alabama.
What are the turkey dates for Mulberry Fork WMA?
Plan on Mar 20, 2027 to May 3, 2027, daylight to 1 p.m.
Which office handles Mulberry Fork WMA?
It is managed by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. The listed biologist is Drew Tincher at (334) 430-6301.
Must I wear orange on Mulberry Fork WMA?
Orange or pink, 144 square inches above the waist or a full cap, while gun deer hunting is open.
What is the nearest other public land to Mulberry Fork WMA?
Lewis Smith PDHA, about 28 mi northeast. 9 more lie within 50 miles.
Shooting hours near Mulberry Fork WMA?
About 5:56 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. for game on November 21, 2026; ducks stop at sunset.
Dove fields at Mulberry Fork WMA?
4 dove fields (16 acres planted).
Is Mulberry Fork WMA a big tract?
35,260 acres; the number comes from the ADCNR WMA table.
How do I place Mulberry Fork WMA on a map?
It sits in Tuscaloosa and Walker counties (WFF District III). Oakman is the closest town with a page here, about 12 mi away.
Which deer zone rules apply around Mulberry Fork WMA?
Zone C, by the ADCNR county list; the A/B split in Tuscaloosa County and Walker County runs along highways and rivers; read the ADCNR map. Managed-area permits set their own dates.
Other photos on this page: formulanone (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bart Everson (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).