Furbearers
Bobcat hunting in Alabama
No closed season; limits, licenses and places to hunt bobcats.
Photo: Yellowstone National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Alabama and the bobcat: an overview
Alabama keeps no closed season on bobcats; ADCNR prints the license year, September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, as the dates. The bobcat bag reads: No bag limit.
The short version for bobcats
- Bag rule: No limit.
- Season outline: Hunting year-round daytime; trapping last Sat. in Oct.-Feb.; pelts tagged within 14 days.
From ADCNR page and ADCNR Regulation Book p. 51 (as of Nov 1, 2026), checked November 1, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
Bobcat calendar statewide
The bobcat dates apply in all 67 counties alike.
| Season | Where | Bag | Opens | Closes | Days | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Statewide | No limit. | Every day | Year-round | ||
| Furbearer trapping, trapping | Statewide | No limit. | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 121 |
Bobcat season notes
- No closed season, daytime only (license year shown).
- Pelts must be tagged by WFF within 14 days (220-2-.30).
- No running dogs on open permit-public land in daytime or after 3 a.m. during spring turkey season.
- Rule: last Saturday in October through last day of February (dates computed: last Saturday of Oct 2026 = Oct 31).
- Nuisance permits from district offices outside season.
From ADCNR page and ADCNR page, checked November 1, 2026.
Bobcat limits in Alabama
What one hunter may take and keep of bobcats, row by row.
| Species row | Limit text |
|---|---|
| Opossum, beaver, nutria, groundhog, bobcat, coyote, fox, feral swine | No bag limit. |
From 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest p. 31, checked November 1, 2026.
Trapping rules for bobcats
| Row | Start | End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat, fox, mink, muskrat, otter and striped skunk | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | Rule: last Saturday in October through last day of February (dates computed: last Saturday of Oct 2026 = Oct 31). The ADCNR predator page says bobcat "can be tr |
For bobcats, the trapping season is the main window; hunting rules are in the season table above.
From ADCNR Regulation Book p. 51 and ADCNR page, checked November 1, 2026.
Bobcat gear and method rules
| Weapon rule | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Predators and hogs | For bobcats: Rifles any caliber; handguns; shotguns 10 ga or smaller; PCP air guns .25+; bows/crossbows; muzzleloaders any caliber; PCP arrow rifles; spear or sharpened blade; permitted raptors. | For bobcats, not: lights/night vision except in the nighttime swine/coyote season with the license. |
- Electronic calls (bobcat): Electrically amplified turkey, dove or waterfowl calls are illegal (possession in the field too); electronic crow and predator calls allowed.
- Traps, snares, poisons (bobcat): No pitfalls, deadfalls, cages, nets, snares, poison or explosives for protected birds/animals (licensed fur catchers may trap furbearers under 220-2-.30).
- Sale of game (bobcat): No sale of game birds or animals or parts except lawfully taken deer hides, hooves, squirrel skins/tails and finished products.
Laser range finders with computing features are legal for bobcat hunters; fully automatic firearms are not.
From 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest p. 34, ADCNR Regulation Book p. 45, Code of Alabama 9-11-245 and 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest p. 52, checked November 1, 2026.
Bobcat: public land and draw hunts
Pick from 41 public areas with bobcats; each land page has its permit map and contact.
| Area | Land type | In | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Warrior WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Lawrence, Winston | 91,263 |
| James D. Martin-Skyline WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Jackson | 60,732 |
| Choccolocco WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Cleburne | 56,838 |
| Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland WMAs | Wildlife Management Area | Baldwin, Mobile | 51,040 |
| Oakmulgee WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Bibb, Hale +2 | 44,500 |
| Upper Delta WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Baldwin, Mobile | 42,451 |
| William R. Ireland, Sr.-Cahaba River WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Bibb, Shelby | 35,559 |
| Mulberry Fork WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Tuscaloosa, Walker | 35,260 |
| Freedom Hills WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Colbert | 33,539 |
| Hollins WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Clay, Talladega | 28,802 |
| Barbour WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Barbour, Bullock | 28,214 |
| Jackson County Waterfowl Areas and Refuges (Jackson County WMA) | Wildlife Management Area | Jackson | 26,934 |
| Blue Spring WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Covington | 24,783 |
| Lauderdale WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Lauderdale | 20,344 |
| Coosa WMA | Wildlife Management Area | Coosa | 17,486 |
SOA draw hunts for bobcats
| Area | County | Hunt | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles F. Sykes – Cedar Creek SOA | Dallas | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Portland Landing SOA | Dallas | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Uchee Creek SOA | Russell | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Thigpen Hill SOA | Butler | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Little River SF SOA | Escambia | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Blackwater River SOA | Baldwin | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Fred T. Stimpson SOA | Clarke | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Upper State SOA | Clarke | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Crow Creek SOA | Jackson | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Shelby SOA | Shelby | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine, Raccoon, Opossum, & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
| Chalk Hill SOA | Tallapoosa | Bobcat, Coyote, Feral Swine, Raccoon, Opossum, & Fox | Open during any scheduled Special Opportunity Hunting Season. |
Antler rules on SOAs are stricter than statewide: most need 3 points on one side or a 16-inch spread.
From lands.json (ADCNR WMA AREA Permits, SOA page, federal rules) and the ADCNR SOA page, checked November 1, 2026.
Licenses and permits for bobcats
Hunter education is required of license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977, unless they buy a supervision-required license.
| License | Residency | For | Cost | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Game | Resident | Age 16-64 | $23.40 | License year |
| Small Game, annual | Nonresident | Age 16+ | $134.10 | License year |
| Fur Catcher's | Resident | Trappers | $28.70 | Oct 2026–Sept 2027 |
| Fur Catcher's | Nonresident | Trappers | Varies | Oct 2026–Sept 2027 |
From the ADCNR license pages and the Digest license section, checked November 1, 2026.
Bobcat harvest data in Alabama
There is no Alabama harvest report for bobcats in the sources; harvest data exist only for turkey by county class, sandhill cranes and CWD tests.
From ADCNR page, checked November 1, 2026.
Bobcat legal light by county
Each row applies the ADCNR hour rule for bobcats to sunrise and sunset at a county centre, Central Time.
Rule that sets bobcat hours: Daylight hours only = 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset (deer and all resident game birds and game animals), except where a night season exists. Fox at night with lights and dogs only; raccoon and opossum at night with lights and free-running dogs; coyote and feral swine at night only in the special nighttime season with the nighttime license (220-2-.07); bullfrog/pig frog day or night; alligator official sunset to official sunrise.
| Date | Point | County | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | Madison County | 6:49 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | Jefferson County | 6:48 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | Montgomery County | 6:42 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | Mobile County | 6:46 a.m. | 4:55 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. |
| Jun 21, 2027 | Longest day | Madison County | 5:33 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 5:03 a.m. to 8:32 p.m. |
| Jun 21, 2027 | Longest day | Jefferson County | 5:37 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:07 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
| Jun 21, 2027 | Longest day | Montgomery County | 5:38 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 5:08 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. |
| Jun 21, 2027 | Longest day | Mobile County | 5:50 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 5:20 a.m. to 8:28 p.m. |
Rules from the Digest shooting hours section; sunrise and sunset computed (NOAA solar formula, Central Time); checked November 1, 2026. Legal hours for all 67 counties.
Common questions on bobcats
How many bobcats may one hunter keep?
Per the 2026-27 bobcat rules, no bag limit.
What dates apply to bobcats in Alabama?
All year, within the hour and method rules on this page.
What guns and bows are legal for bobcats?
Approved bobcat arms: Rifles any caliber; handguns; shotguns 10 ga or smaller; PCP air guns .25+; bows/crossbows; muzzleloaders any caliber; PCP arrow rifles; spear or sharpened blade; permitted raptors.
Do I need a special permit for bobcats?
Licenses that apply: Small Game (resident, $23.40); Small Game, annual (nonresident, $134.10); Fur Catcher’s (resident, $28.70); Fur Catcher’s (nonresident, Varies).
Is there public land for bobcat hunting in Alabama?
41 public areas in this guide list bobcats; the largest are Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area, James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area and Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area.
What time can I start bobcat hunting?
Bobcat hunters use these hours. Daylight hours only = 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset (deer and all resident game birds and game animals), except where a night season exists. Fox at night with lights and dogs only; raccoon and opossum at night with lights and free-running dogs; coyote and feral swine at night only in the special nighttime season with the nighttime license (220-2-.07); bullfrog/pig frog day or night; alligator official sunset to official sunrise.
Must bobcat harvests be reported?
Tag the bobcat pelt through WFF inside 14 days.
Must bobcat hunters wear blaze orange or pink?
Orange or fluorescent pink is required of bobcat hunters whenever gun deer season is open where they hunt, unless an exemption such as a 12-foot stand applies.
Can I trap bobcats in Alabama?
Trapping: Oct 31 to Feb 28. Rule: last Saturday in October through last day of February (dates computed: last Saturday of Oct 2026 = Oct 31). The ADCNR predator page says bobcat “can be trapped October 25 – February 28”. Bobcat and otter tagged within 14 days. Nuisance permits from district offices outside season.
Can bobcat hunters go out on Sundays?
Yes; only area rules, such as the Mobile-Tensaw Delta duck closure on Monday and Tuesday, limit days.
What license does a bobcat trapper need?
A Fur Catcher’s License: $28.70 for residents (90 days residency proof); nonresidents pay the nonresident fee of their home state.