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Colbert County · Community hunting area
Riverton Community Hunting Area hunting
Hunting access on public ground in Colbert County, about 5,285 acres.
Photo: Nick Shields (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Riverton Community Hunting Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Riverton Community Hunting Area
- Brush Creek Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Rose Trail Park Boat RampBoat ramp · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Waterloo Riverside Boat RampBoat ramp · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Waterloo Second Creek Boat RampBoat ramp · 3.7 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.
Hunting rules on Riverton CHA
| 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 |
| Table type | Big and small game |
For deer, turkey or ducks on Riverton CHA, 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 Riverton CHA 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 Riverton CHA.
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 Riverton Community Hunting Area
The Riverton CHA file
Size on record: 5,285 acres, per the ADCNR WMA table; the ground lies in Colbert County. Its mapped polygon measures 6,239 acres in GIS, a different number from the published size. Among 3 sized records in Colbert County, it places 2nd. ADCNR, through the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, manages it (WFF District I).
It is part of the ADCNR Wildlife Management Area system. Look for it in Colbert County near Cherokee. ADCNR runs it in cooperation with Forever Wild Land Trust. 49,385 acres of Colbert County are mapped as public land.
The record names this game: Turkey, Waterfowl, Deer, Doves, Rabbits, Squirrels, Crows, Quail, Woodcock, Snipe, Raccoon, Opossum, Bobcat, Coyote, Feral hogs, Foxes, Furbearer trapping.
- Wild turkey
- Ducks
- Canada goose
- White-tailed deer
- Mourning dove
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Crows
- Bobwhite quail
- Woodcock
From the agency record (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division); checked November 1, 2026.
Riverton CHA: the county rules that apply
| Zone or rule | Colbert County |
|---|---|
| Deer zone | CMZ |
| CWD zone | High risk |
| Turkey zone | 2 |
| Fall turkey | Closed |
| Dove zone | North |
| Dog deer | Permit only |
| Waterfowl zone | Statewide |
| Alligator area | None |
| Turkeys, 2025 | 209-296 |
| WFF district | I |
the CWD Management Zone is listed for the county around Riverton CHA; the boundary runs on highways and rivers. The permit for Riverton CHA overrides the zone calendar for deer. Colbert County: CMZ county, High Risk Zone sampling weekends 2026-11-21-22, 2027-01-16-17, 2027-02-06-07. In Colbert County deer dogs need a permit; no dogs on open-permit public land there. The season limit is three antlered deer (one per day), and one must show 4 or more points on one antler. Turkey reports for Colbert County in 2025: 209-296 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 Riverton CHA is open to hunt
2026-27 windows that reach Riverton CHA, with an open-or-closed badge.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | WMA group | Mar 20, 2027 | Mar 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring, hunters with disabilities | WMA group | Mar 26, 2027 | Mar 26, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | WMA group | Mar 27, 2027 | May 3, 2027 |
The AREA Permit carries the Riverton CHA 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.
Riverton CHA waterfowl dates
Riverton CHA follows the single statewide waterfowl calendar.
| 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.
Riverton CHA on the map with its neighbors
Rows run from nearest to farthest, beginning with Lauderdale WMA (8.3 mi, northwest).
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauderdale WMA | WMA | 20,344 | Lauderdale | 8.3 mi | northwest |
| Cherokee PDHA | PDHA | 242 | Colbert | 9.7 mi | southeast |
| Freedom Hills WMA | WMA | 33,539 | Colbert | 14 mi | south |
| Key Cave NWR | Wildlife refuge | 1,079 | Lauderdale | 16 mi | southeast |
| Seven-Mile Island WMA | WMA | 4,685 | Lauderdale | 18 mi | southeast |
| Shoal Creek Nature Preserve Tract (Forever Wild) | Forever Wild tract | 303 | Lauderdale | 24 mi | east |
| Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) | Forever Wild tract | 60 | Lauderdale | 41 mi | east |
Points: ADCNR WMA layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Supplies and help around Riverton CHA
The nearest town page is Cherokee, 8.5 mi from Riverton CHA. Florence (42,716 residents) has the most services, 21 mi away. The WFF district office for this county is at 21453 Harris Station Rd., Tanner.
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee | Colbert | 967 | 8.5 mi | southeast |
| Sheffield | Colbert | 9,335 | 20 mi | east |
| Florence | Lauderdale | 42,716 | 21 mi | east |
| Tuscumbia | Colbert | 9,222 | 21 mi | southeast |
| Belgreen | Franklin | – | 29 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.
Riverton CHA 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 Riverton CHA.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:56 a.m. | 6:18 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 6:48 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 6:18 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:31 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:36 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:54 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:58 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:32 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:43 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:57 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 7:02 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 Riverton CHA
Public and club ranges for Riverton Community Hunting Area hunters
Colbert County has the ADCNR range nearest Riverton Community Hunting Area: Freedom Hills WMA Range (15 miles). Two more ranges follow.
From ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Riverton CHA questions and answers
Is there other public hunting land close to Riverton CHA?
Lauderdale WMA sits 8.3 mi away. 6 more lie within 50 miles.
Hunter orange rules for Riverton CHA?
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 Riverton CHA?
For deer on November 21, 2026: 6:01 a.m. until 5:14 p.m..
How do I place Riverton CHA on a map?
Riverton CHA lies in Colbert County, in WFF District I. Cherokee is the closest town with a page here, about 8.5 mi away.
Is Riverton CHA a big tract?
The figure on file is 5,285 acres (the ADCNR WMA table).
Which permits apply on Riverton CHA?
The WMA set: license, $23.40 WMA license, AREA Permit, daily sign-in.
Deer zone for Riverton CHA?
Named zone: the CWD Management Zone. Area permits override zone dates on managed areas.
Does Riverton CHA allow dog hunting for deer?
Not here. No dog deer hunting per the permit.
Bait and feeders on Riverton CHA?
No. ADCNR bans hunting with bait on WMAs, SOAs and federal land. Supplemental feed is banned in the CMZ.
Which animals may be hunted on Riverton CHA?
The record lists turkey, waterfowl, deer, doves, rabbits, squirrels, crows, quail, woodcock, snipe, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, coyote, feral hogs, foxes and furbearer trapping.
Who manages Riverton CHA?
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. Call (256) 353-2634 (Jud Easterwood, biologist).
Riverton CHA: last-minute checks
Signs on the ground outrank any web page; look for posted safety zones and closed areas on Riverton CHA.
Sources: source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest. Checked November 1, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Warren LeMay (CC BY-SA 2.0); Kevin Stephenson (CC BY 2.0); Michael Mulqueen (CC BY 2.0).