Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge for hunters

Wheeler NWR refuge hunting conditions

Federal refuge rules allow upland game hunting and big game hunting on Wheeler NWR, but only in designated areas and under extra conditions.

Wheeler NWR: upland game hunting

We allow hunting of quail, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

• We require hunters to possess and carry a current and signed hunting permit, found on the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge hunting brochure, when hunting on the refuge.
• Hunters may hunt with shotguns using only #4 shot or smaller, rifles and handguns using rim-fire ammunition only, or archery equipment that complies with State regulations.
• We allow hunting on designated areas Monday through Saturday. We prohibit hunting on Sunday.
• We allow the use of dogs when hunting upland game.
• Hunters must use a body safety harness at all times while hunting from a tree.
• Hunters must remove tree stands, blinds, or other personal property from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
• Hunters may only hunt during designated days and times.

Wheeler NWR: big game hunting

We allow the hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

• The conditions set forth at paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (iii) and (v) through (vii) of this section apply.
• We prohibit organized drives. We define a “drive” as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause game to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the game.
• Hunters may only hunt with archery equipment that complies with State regulations and flintlocks .40 caliber or larger.
• You may only hunt feral hog during the refuge archery and flintlock deer season.

Refuge hunting page: While waterfowl may not be hunted here, the refuge does offer hunting opportunities for many popular game species. The deer herd is growing because of the refuge's diversity of habitats — including bottomland hardwood forest, pine uplands and croplands. Hunters may pursue deer during the state archery season, and the refuge offers a refuge-specific flintlock season.

NEW SEASONAL WATERFOWL SANCTUARY: We’re pleased to share that Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama will be creating a 335-acre waterfowl sanctuary starting November 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027.

Wheeler NWR: the USFWS hunt units

Public land such as Wheeler NWR is excluded from the bait privilege; corn piles and feeders are not legal aids here.

Sources: USFWS refuge hunting page, 50 CFR 32.20. Checked November 1, 2026.

What the county rules mean for Wheeler NWR

By name, Zone C and Zone D apply here, though not to every acre of the county. Limestone County and Madison County have Zone A or Zone B ground. That line is drawn on highways and rivers, not county lines, so check the ADCNR deer zone map before you hunt near it. Deer are stalk hunted in Limestone County, Morgan County and Madison County under the county list. Of the three antlered deer allowed each season, one must have 4 or more points on one antler. ADCNR binned the 2025 Game Check turkey harvest in Limestone County at 76-136 birds; county deer harvest is not published in Alabama.

ADCNR deer zones, turkey zones, dove zones, dog deer rules, CWD rules and the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report; checked November 1, 2026.

Shops and offices close to Wheeler NWR

Wheeler NWR lies 5.0 mi from Priceville. The 2024 count puts Huntsville first at 230,402 residents. District office for Limestone County: Tanner ((256) 353-2634).

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.

Pictures for Wheeler NWR

Wheeler NWR answers from the sources