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Bibb County · Ranger district
Oakmulgee Ranger District, Alabama hunting
A 2026-27 guide to the national forest ranger district across Bibb County and 5 other counties (159,204 acres).
Photo: Steven Polunsky (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Oakmulgee Ranger District
Oakmulgee Ranger District: what the Forest Service allows
All Alabama hunting laws apply on Oakmulgee Ranger District; outside WMAs it hunts as open-permit public land, with federal rules on top. National forest deer hunting is stalk only, one deer per day, following the county open-permit dates. From Mar 20, 2027 to May 3, 2027, turkey hunting on Oakmulgee Ranger District ends each day at 1 p.m. No baiting: the ADCNR rule on public lands (WMA, SOA, USFWS, USFS, TVA, Corps) applies to Oakmulgee Ranger District.
Federal rules on Oakmulgee Ranger District
- No discharge within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, across or on a Forest road or into a cave
- No permanent tree stands or cutting limbs
- No food plots
- Motor vehicles only on designated routes (no ATV/UTV game retrieval)
- Leashed dogs may be used to trail wounded deer
| County | NFS land |
|---|---|
| Bibb County | 60,980 |
| Perry County | 32,738 |
| Hale County | 28,051 |
| Chilton County | 24,270 |
| Tuscaloosa County | 10,998 |
| Dallas County | 2,167 |
See also: Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee WMA.
Sources: National Forests in Alabama hunting and shooting, ADCNR deer season and USFS EDW statistics. Checked November 1, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Oakmulgee Ranger District
Zones and county rules around Oakmulgee Ranger District
| Topic | Bibb County | Perry County | Hale County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer zone | A (map) | A/B (map) | A (map) |
| CWD zone | Outside | Outside | Outside |
| Turkey zone | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fall turkey | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Dove zone | North | North | North |
| Dog deer | Stalk only | Stalk only | Stalk only |
| Waterfowl zone | Statewide | Statewide | Statewide |
| Alligator area | None | None | None |
| Turkeys, 2025 | 137-208 | 137-208 | 137-208 |
| WFF district | III | III | III |
Zones A and B split along roads and rivers; for Bibb County, Perry County and Hale County use the ADCNR deer zone map to see which side you are on. Bibb County, Perry County and Hale County appear on the stalk-only list. Statewide, a hunter may take three antlered bucks a season, one a day, and one of the three must have at least 4 points on one antler. Bibb County fell in the 137-208 class of 2025 reported gobblers. There is no county deer harvest figure from ADCNR.
ADCNR deer zones, turkey zones, dove zones, dog deer rules, CWD rules and the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report; checked November 1, 2026.
Oakmulgee Ranger District on paper
Bibb, Perry and 4 other counties holds the 159,204 acres of Oakmulgee Ranger District (Forest Service land statistics). On the agency layer the outline totals 328,200 acres. USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama is the managing agency; the ADCNR district is WFF District III. The record files it under the National Forest System.
The county total for public land is 78,973 acres (Bibb County).
Game listed for Oakmulgee Ranger District: Deer, Turkey, Small game.
From the agency record (USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama); checked November 1, 2026.
Other public land a short drive from Oakmulgee Ranger District
Within 50 miles of Oakmulgee Ranger District there are 8 more public places, about 91,145 acres between them; Oakmulgee WMA is closest.
| Area | Type | Acres | County | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakmulgee WMA | WMA | 44,500 | Bibb, Hale | 14 mi | northwest |
| Cahaba River NWR | Wildlife refuge | 4,774 | Bibb | 18 mi | northeast |
| Cahaba River WMA | WMA | 35,559 | Bibb, Shelby | 20 mi | northeast |
| Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes (Corps) in Clarke County | Corps lake | – | Clarke, Greene | 28 mi | northwest |
| M. Barnett Lawley Field Trial Area (443 acres) | Field trial area | 443 | Hale | 31 mi | southwest |
| Old Cahawba Prairie Tract (Forever Wild) (4,586 acres) | Forever Wild tract | 4,586 | Dallas | 37 mi | south |
| Pine Hills PDHA | PDHA | 85 | Autauga | 37 mi | east |
| Shelby SOA | SOA | 1,198 | Shelby | 39 mi | northeast |
Points: USFS EDW Ranger Districts layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Oakmulgee Ranger District dates for 2026-27
Rows trimmed to the game and land type of Oakmulgee Ranger District.
| Species | Window | Covers | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | USFS group | Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 13, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring, hunters with disabilities | USFS group | Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 19, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | USFS group | Mar 20, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone A | Oct 15, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Deer Zone A | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader and air rifle | Deer Zone A | Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Jan 4, 2027 | Feb 10, 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 |
Turkey on Oakmulgee Ranger District follows the national forest group dates, daylight to 1 p.m.
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.
Towns within reach of Oakmulgee Ranger District
Brent, 7.6 mi off, is the closest town with a page here. ADCNR handles Bibb County from Northport; call (205) 339-5716.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent | Bibb | 4,074 | 7.6 mi | north |
| Centreville | Bibb | 2,721 | 9.4 mi | northeast |
| Marion | Perry | 2,702 | 16 mi | southwest |
| Maplesville | Chilton | 660 | 20 mi | east |
| West Blocton | Bibb | 1,197 | 20 mi | north |
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.
Oakmulgee Ranger District hunters: public range and clubs
From Oakmulgee Ranger District, 20 miles separates hunters from South Sandy Shooting Range, the closest ADCNR range. Other ranges within 30 miles fill the next cards.
From ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Oakmulgee Ranger District photo row
When shooting light starts in Oakmulgee Ranger District
Deer, turkey and other resident game may be hunted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset; ducks, geese and doves stop at sunset.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:52 a.m. | 6:17 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:24 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:30 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:47 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:51 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:38 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:54 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:59 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.
Before you ask about Oakmulgee Ranger District
Is there other public hunting land close to Oakmulgee Ranger District?
Nearest on our list: Oakmulgee WMA, 14 mi. 9 more lie within 50 miles.
When is spring turkey season on Oakmulgee Ranger District?
Mar 20, 2027 to May 3, 2027, daylight to 1 p.m. Gobblers only.
When does legal light start on Oakmulgee Ranger District?
5:54 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on November 21, 2026, for deer and other game.
What about hunter orange or pink on Oakmulgee Ranger District?
During gun deer dates, 144 square inches of orange or fluorescent pink above the waist, or a full-size orange or pink cap.
Is Oakmulgee Ranger District a big tract?
Forest Service land statistics gives 159,204 acres.
How do I place Oakmulgee Ranger District on a map?
WFF District III covers it: Bibb, Perry and 4 other counties. Brent is the closest town with a page here, about 7.6 mi away.
Is Oakmulgee Ranger District in Zone A, B, C, D or E?
Bibb County, Perry County, Hale County, Chilton County, Tuscaloosa County and Dallas County falls in Zone A and/or B; the boundary is road-defined, so use the map.
What license lets me hunt Oakmulgee Ranger District?
Hunting license, plus WMA paperwork where a WMA overlaps.
Does the Bait Privilege License work on Oakmulgee Ranger District?
Not allowed. The bait license covers private or leased land only.
May I run hounds for deer on Oakmulgee Ranger District?
Not outside Calhoun, Clay and Talladega forest land.
Which office handles Oakmulgee Ranger District?
Management sits with USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama. Nearest ADCNR desk: Northport.
Oakmulgee Ranger District: last-minute checks
Report deer and turkey through Game Check (Outdoor Alabama app) within 48 hours, and carry your harvest record while hunting Oakmulgee Ranger District.
Sources: source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest. Checked November 1, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Steven Polunsky (CC BY 2.0); Steven Polunsky (CC BY 2.0); US Forest Service – Southern Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).