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Town page, Baldwin County
Public land and deer zones near Bay Minette, Alabama
Hunting out of Bay Minette, Alabama: nearby public land with acreage and access rules, Baldwin County zones, the season calendar and local services.
Photo: Shot on Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, 4.0 mi from Bay Minette; a nearby stand-in for Bay Minette. Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0)
Courthouse business for Baldwin County happens in Bay Minette, where hunters also pick up licenses, supplies and fuel. Hunters bound for Perdido River Wildlife Management Area can stay in Bay Minette; the boundary is 9.4 miles away. The Census Bureau puts Bay Minette at 8,505 residents in its Vintage 2024 estimates, on 17.3 square miles of land. About 26,301 acres of public ground sit within a 10-mile radius of Bay Minette. Baldwin County carries roughly 107,622 public acres in all (92,044 acres of ADCNR WMA land, 51,263 acres of Forever Wild tracts, 3,356 acres of Special Opportunity Area land and 5,872 acres of refuge land). Ranked by miles, the list starts with Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, whose nearest boundary is 4.0 miles away.
Town point and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer, population from the Census Vintage 2024 estimates; public acreage and boundary miles within 10 miles are a GIS measure over ADCNR WMA, SOA and Forever Wild layers and USFS, USFWS, Corps, NPS and TVA boundaries (places.json). WFF district from the ADCNR district offices page. Checked November 1, 2026.
Bay Minette hunting zones by county
Alabama draws deer zones along roads and rivers, so public land near Bay Minette can sit in a different zone or county from the town; every county with nearby land gets a row.
| County | Deer zones | Turkey | Dove zone | Dogs | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin County home county | B | 1 | South | Permit only | Delta duck zone, Gator: Southwest |
| Mobile County | B | 1 | South | Not listed | Delta duck zone, Gator: Southwest |
| Escambia County | B | 1 | South | Not listed | – |
| Monroe County | B | 3 | North | Permit only | Fall turkey, Gator: Southwest |
The A/B line runs along highways and rivers, and the map places Baldwin County in Zone B. (Zone B; ADCNR map.) The Zone B archery opener is October 15, 2026; the private-land gun opener follows on November 21, 2026. Three antlered deer a season is the cap, one daily, and one must have four-plus points on a single antler. Baldwin County is a permit-only county for hunting deer with dogs. Baldwin County turkey season uses Zone 1 and closes May 3, 2027. Baldwin County dove hunters go by the South Zone calendar. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta zone reaches Baldwin County: Wednesday to Sunday, mornings only for waterfowl. For alligator, Baldwin County belongs to the Southwest and Coastal areas. A Bait Privilege License covers baiting deer and hogs on private land; public land is off limits.
Zones from the ADCNR deer zone map and descriptions, turkey zones, dove zones, the dog deer restrictions and the CWD Management Zone; bag limits and baiting from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest. Checked November 1, 2026.
Hunting areas around Bay Minette
Map pins and table rows cover 10 areas; bold pins mark land that reaches within 10 miles of Bay Minette.
| Public land | Miles | Kind | Run by | How to hunt it | Acres | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland WMAs | 4.0 mi W | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 51,040 | No dog deer |
| Upper Delta WMA | 6.1 mi NW | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 42,451 | – |
| Perdido River WMA town anchor | 9.4 mi SE | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 17,337 | 1 dove field |
| Splinter Hill Bog Complex (Forever Wild) | 12 mi NE | Forever Wild tract | Forever Wild | License, free map | 631 | – |
| University of South Alabama Foundation PDHA | 19 mi W | Disabled hunters | ADCNR WFF | Disabled, reservation | 4,462 | Quota hunts |
| Little River State Forest SOA | 28 mi NE | SOA, draw | ADCNR WFF | Random draw | 2,929 | Quota hunts |
| Little River State Forest PDHA | 30 mi NE | Disabled hunters | ADCNR WFF | Disabled, reservation | 1,137 | Quota hunts |
| Fred T. Stimpson SOA | 34 mi N | SOA, draw | ADCNR WFF | Random draw | 5,280 | Quota hunts |
| Blackwater River SOA | 35 mi SE | SOA, draw | ADCNR WFF | Random draw | 3,436 | Quota hunts |
| Lillian Swamp Complex (Forever Wild) | 37 mi SE | Forever Wild tract | Forever Wild | License, free map | 2,262 | – |
Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas is the largest area touching the ring, at 51,040 acres. A WMA license and the free area permit open Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas; most WMA gates stay closed from May 1 to September 15. Phone (334) 530-1765 reaches Jared Knight, the biologist. To hunt Little River State Forest Special Opportunity Area you apply for a date and wait for the drawing. University of South Alabama Foundation Physically Disabled Hunting Area belongs to the Physically Disabled Hunting Trail. Splinter Hill Bog Complex (Forever Wild), a Forever Wild tract, follows county seasons rather than a WMA permit. Perdido River Wildlife Management Area is on the WMA dove field list with 1 field.
Nearest areas near Bay Minette in brief
- Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland WMAs: Baldwin and Mobile Counties, north and south of the causeway; 51,040 acres; species: turkey, waterfowl, deer, rabbit, squirrel; dogs not allowed for deer (2026-27 permit)
- Upper Delta WMA: Baldwin & Mobile Counties near Stockton; 42,451 acres; open for deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove, rabbit (area permit map)
- Perdido River WMA: Baldwin County, north of Interstate 10, near Gateswood; 17,337 acres; species: turkey, waterfowl, deer, dove, rabbit; deer dogs barred (ADCNR map)
- Splinter Hill Bog Complex (Forever Wild): 631 acres; open for deer, turkey, waterfowl, feral swine
- University of South Alabama Foundation PDHA: 4,462 acres; game: deer
Lands from ADCNR WMA, SOA, PDHA and Forever Wild pages and layers, the 2026-27 area permits, USFS, USFWS, NPS, Corps and installation records (lands.json; each land page cites its own source). Boundary miles from places.json, other miles to each mapped point. WMA rules from the ADCNR Where to Hunt page. Checked November 1, 2026.
Bay Minette hunting businesses
The businesses Bay Minette hunters lean on each season, sorted by trade and then by distance. To give venison away, Knock Em Out John Deer Processing (29 mi) is on the Hunters Helping the Hungry list. Closest CWD partner on the ADCNR list: Stockton Deer Processor (9.1 mi). Shoulder mounts and fan mounts start with Rolling T Taxidermy, 9.2 mi out. The closest shop for ammunition and gear is Outdoor Addiction, 1.2 mi from Bay Minette. For quail or a guided hunt, Alger Flats Outfitters (Atmore) is the closest preserve or guide listed.
| Kind | Listings 15 mi | Listings 35 mi | Nearest business | Away | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venison processing | 1 | 3 | Stockton Deer Processor | 9.1 mi N | Stockton |
| Taxidermy studios | 2 | 10 | Rolling T Taxidermy | 9.2 mi E | Bay Minette |
| Gear shops | 5 | 28 | Outdoor Addiction | 1.2 mi SE | Bay Minette |
| Preserves and guide services | 0 | 0 | Alger Flats Outfitters | 36 mi NE | Atmore |
Venison processing
Taxidermy studios
Gear shops
Preserves and guide services
Processors from the ADCNR Hunters Helping the Hungry list, the ADCNR CWD sampling page and its drop-off map, and Yellow Pages; taxidermists, shops and preserves from chain store locators and Yellow Pages (services.json). Checked November 1, 2026; hours were not checked.
Bay Minette quota hunts within 45 miles
5 draw or disabled-hunter areas lie within 45 miles of Bay Minette. ADCNR took SOA deer applications from September 1 to September 14, 2026. Each disabled hunting area runs two or three days a week from shooting houses on openings.
| Area | Distance | Type | Hunts |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama Foundation PDHA | 19 mi | Disabled hunters | Deer, by reservation |
| Little River State Forest SOA | 28 mi | SOA, draw | Dec 3-6, Dec 31 – Jan 3, Jan 14-17, Jan 21-24, Jan 28-31 … |
| Little River State Forest PDHA | 30 mi | Disabled hunters | Deer, by reservation |
| Fred T. Stimpson SOA | 34 mi | SOA, draw | – |
| Blackwater River SOA | 35 mi | SOA, draw | Dec 3-6, Dec 17-20, Jan 7-10, Jan 21-24, Jan 28-31, Feb 4-7 |
From the ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas page and the 2026-27 PDHA map packet (lands.json); deadlines from regs.json. Checked November 1, 2026.
Bay Minette open seasons, 2026-27
Alabama sets deer dates by zone, and Baldwin County falls in Zone B; the 55 rows below come from the ADCNR season pages and the Digest.
| Game | Method | Covers | Opening day | Closing day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery, bucks only | Deer Zone B | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 24, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone B | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Deer Zone B | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader and air rifle | Deer Zone B | Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone B | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone B | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone B | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone B | Jan 4, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Turkey Zone 1 | Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring, hunters with disabilities | Turkey Zone 1 | Mar 19, 2027 | Mar 19, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | Turkey Zone 1 | Mar 20, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | |
| Feral hogs | Feral swine | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Feral hogs | Night, with dogs | Statewide | May 8, 2027 | Aug 30, 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 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | Dec 18, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Doves | Segment 1 | Dove South Zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 12, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | Dove South Zone | Sep 13, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 3 | Dove South Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 4 | Dove South Zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Teal | Special teal season | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 21, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth and veteran day | Statewide | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 6, 2027 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 1 | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 2 | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 3 | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Geese | Geese, segment 4 | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Coots | Coot season | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Coots | Coot season | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mergansers | Merganser season | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | |
| Mergansers | Merganser season | Statewide | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 1 | Coastal gator area | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 16, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 2 | Coastal gator area | Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 3 | Coastal gator area | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 1 | Southwest gator area | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 16, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 2 | Southwest gator area | Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 23, 2026 | |
| Alligator | Alligator hunt 3 | Southwest gator area | Sep 10, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Coyote | Coyote | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Foxes | Fox | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Opossum | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Beaver, nutria, groundhog | Beaver, nutria, groundhog | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Bullfrogs and pig frogs | Bullfrog and pig frog | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected birds | Unprotected birds | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | King, clapper, Virginia rail, sora, gallinule | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Wilson's snipe | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 | |
| Rails and gallinules | King, clapper, Virginia rail, sora, gallinule | Statewide | Nov 27, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 |
From the ADCNR seasons and bag limits, the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest and the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guide (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), checked November 1, 2026.
Harvest data for Bay Minette hunters
Turkey reports from Baldwin County in 2025 came to the 297-444 range. Reported turkeys statewide: 18,263 in 2024, 17,049 in 2025. ADCNR publishes no deer harvest by county or by year, so none is shown here.
| County | Harvest class |
|---|---|
| Baldwin County | 297-444 |
| Mobile County | 76-136 |
| Escambia County | 209-296 |
| Monroe County | 297-444 |
| Year | Deer sampled | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 2,826 | 1 |
| 2024-25 | 2,677 | 5 |
| 2025-26 | 2,367 | 9 |
| 2026-27 | 45 | 0 |
Turkey from the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report (harvest classes read from the county map); deer from ADCNR deer hunting page; CWD tests statewide from ADCNR CWD sampling results. Checked November 1, 2026.
Bay Minette area hunts, classes and dinners
A 30-mile crow-flight radius gives 9 upcoming dates as of November 1, 2026. SOA hunts (4) admit only hunters picked in the ADCNR draw.
Upcoming dates
Bay Minette: gun clubs and ADCNR lines nearby
Rhodes Quail Farm heads the Bay Minette list (6 miles), with two more after it.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 1, 2026.
Legal light, Bay Minette
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. | 6:21 p.m. | 6:22 a.m.–6:51 p.m. | 6:22 a.m.–6:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:22 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 5:52 a.m.–5:22 p.m. | 5:52 a.m.–4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:27 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 5:57 a.m.–5:21 p.m. | 5:57 a.m.–4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:44 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:14 a.m.–5:24 p.m. | 6:14 a.m.–4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:49 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 6:19 a.m.–5:41 p.m. | 6:19 a.m.–5:11 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:37 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 6:07 a.m.–6:04 p.m. | 6:07 a.m.–5:34 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:56 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–7:32 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–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.
Bay Minette conservation offices
Wildlife questions for Baldwin County go to the WFF District V office, 30571 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort. WFF district offices keep weekday hours, so call before driving over.
ADCNR in Spanish Fort
Offices from the ADCNR WFF district offices page (counties.json, services.json). Checked November 1, 2026.
Bay Minette hunters ask
What was the 2025 turkey harvest class in Baldwin County?
Its 2025 Game Check class was 297-444 birds.
Is Baldwin County on the stalk-only list for deer?
No, it is permit-only for dogs.
Is hunting deer over bait allowed in Baldwin County?
Yes on private or leased land with the Bait Privilege License.
Do Bay Minette deer hunters have to wear orange or pink?
Yes, during gun deer dates: 144 square inches of orange or pink above the waist, or a full-size orange or pink cap.
What are the reporting steps for a deer taken near Bay Minette?
Record it on your harvest record before moving it, then report through Game Check within 48 hours.
Is Sunday a legal hunting day around Bay Minette?
Yes. Alabama has no Sunday restriction; some areas set their own days.
Who skins and cuts deer for hunters based in Bay Minette?
Stockton Deer Processor in Stockton tops our processor list for Bay Minette, 9.1 mi away.
Who answers WMA questions for hunters in Bay Minette?
Call the WFF District V office at (251) 626-5153.
Where else could I stay if Bay Minette is booked up?
Try Stockton, Spanish Fort, Creola and Bucks, each a short drive away.
Leaving Bay Minette, which listed hunting land do I reach first?
Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, whose nearest boundary is 4.0 miles away. After it comes Upper Delta Wildlife Management Area, whose nearest boundary is 6.1 miles away.
Add up the public land within 10 miles of Bay Minette: what is the total?
Some 26,301 acres in 3 areas.
Which of Alabama’s deer zones takes in Bay Minette?
Baldwin County is in Zone B; the A/B line is road-defined, so check the ADCNR zone map.
Opening morning near Bay Minette: when does legal light start and stop?
5:53 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. on November 21, 2026, worked out for Bay Minette.
Answers from places.json, lands.json, counties.json, services.json and the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest; Game Check from the ADCNR Regulation Book, hunter orange from ADCNR, baiting from Code of Alabama, Sunday hunting from Code of Alabama 13A-12-1. Checked November 1, 2026.
Bay Minette pre-trip checks
For hunts out of Bay Minette, the area permit on each land page and the Digest settle any doubt.
Other photos on this page: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Maria Brindle (CC BY-SA 4.0); Melissa McMasters (CC BY 2.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0).