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Town page, Jackson County
Public land and deer zones near Hytop, Alabama
Hunting out of Hytop, Alabama: nearby public land with acreage and access rules, Jackson County zones, the season calendar and local services.
Photo: Shot on James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area, 0.4 mi from Hytop; a nearby stand-in for Hytop. Shannon McGee (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Jackson County counts Hytop among its communities, with county offices in Scottsboro. Hytop is the jumping-off town for James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area, its line less than a mile away. The Census Bureau puts Hytop at 453 residents in its Vintage 2024 estimates, on 3.5 square miles of land. About 58,269 acres of public ground sit within a 10-mile radius of Hytop. Jackson County carries roughly 106,975 public acres in all (89,253 acres of ADCNR WMA land, 29,483 acres of Forever Wild tracts, 460 acres of Special Opportunity Area land, 479 acres of refuge land and 32,275 acres of TVA land). Ranked by miles, the list starts with James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area, whose nearest boundary is less than a mile 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.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Hytop
Hytop hunting zones by county
Alabama draws deer zones along roads and rivers, so public land near Hytop 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County home county | A | 1 | North | Stalk only | – |
The A/B line runs along highways and rivers, and the map places Jackson County in Zone A. (Zone A; ADCNR map.) The Zone A 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. No deer dogs in Jackson County. Jackson County turkey season uses Zone 1 and closes May 3, 2027. Jackson County dove hunters go by the North Zone calendar. The 2024-25 crane report names Jackson County with 46 birds harvested. 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; crane harvest from the ADCNR 2024-25 crane report. Checked November 1, 2026.
Public ground from Hytop
Map pins and table rows cover 10 areas; bold pins mark land that reaches within 10 miles of Hytop.
| Public land | Miles | Kind | Run by | How to hunt it | Acres | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James D. Martin-Skyline WMA town anchor | 0.4 mi NE | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 60,732 | 1 dove field |
| Forever Wild Land Trust – Alabama Power Company PDHA | 2.8 mi NE | Disabled hunters | ADCNR WFF | Disabled, reservation | 1,219 | Quota hunts |
| Crow Creek (Jackson Co. WMA) | 9.9 mi E | WMA unit | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 2,069 | No dog deer |
| Crow Creek Refuge (Jackson Co. WMA) | 9.9 mi E | WMA unit | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 3,346 | No dog deer |
| Crow Creek SOA | 9.9 mi E | SOA, draw | ADCNR WFF | Random draw | 448 | Quota hunts |
| Mud Creek (Jackson Co. WMA) | 14 mi SE | WMA unit | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 8,003 | 1 dove field |
| Mud Creek (Wannville) Dewatering Unit Physically Disabled Waterfowl Hunting Blind | 15 mi SE | Disabled blind | ADCNR WFF | Disabled, reservation | 0 | Single blind |
| Raccoon Creek (Jackson Co. WMA) | 17 mi E | WMA unit | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 8,507 | Acreage differs by source |
| Coon Gulf Tract (Jackson Co. WMA) | 19 mi SE | WMA unit | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 3,960 | Not in WMA table |
| North Sauty Refuge (Jackson Co. WMA) | 19 mi S | WMA unit | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 5,009 | No dog deer |
James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area is the largest area touching the ring, at 60,732 acres. Sorted by program, the land near Hytop is 3 WMAs and community hunting areas and 2 draw and disabled-hunter areas. A WMA license and the free area permit open James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area; most WMA gates stay closed from May 1 to September 15. Phone (256) 587-3114 reaches Reece Butler, the biologist. To hunt Crow Creek Special Opportunity Area you apply for a date and wait for the drawing. Forever Wild Land Trust – Alabama Power Company Physically Disabled Hunting Area belongs to the Physically Disabled Hunting Trail. James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area is on the WMA dove field list with 1 field.
Nearest areas near Hytop in brief
- James D. Martin-Skyline WMA: Jackson County near Scottsboro; 60,732 acres; species: turkey, waterfowl, deer, dove, squirrel; dogs not allowed for deer (2026-27 permit)
- Forever Wild Land Trust – Alabama Power Company PDHA: 1,219 acres; open for deer
- Crow Creek (Jackson Co. WMA): Jackson County near Stevenson; 2,069 acres; species: waterfowl; deer dogs barred (ADCNR map)
- Crow Creek Refuge (Jackson Co. WMA): Jackson County near Stevenson; 3,346 acres; no deer dogs
- Crow Creek SOA: 448 acres; game: deer, waterfowl, feral swine
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.
Hytop hunting businesses
The businesses Hytop hunters lean on each season, sorted by trade and then by distance. To give venison away, Live 2 Hunt Tax & Deer Processing (43 mi) is on the Hunters Helping the Hungry list. Closest CWD partner on the ADCNR list: Jenkins Deer Processing (19 mi). Shoulder mounts and fan mounts start with Gross Stanley Taxidermy, 12 mi out. The closest shop for ammunition and gear is Stevenson Gun And Supply, 16 mi from Hytop. For quail or a guided hunt, Paint Rock Valley Lodge & Retreat (Estillfork) is the closest preserve or guide listed.
| Kind | Listings 15 mi | Listings 35 mi | Nearest business | Away | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venison processing | 0 | 2 | Jenkins Deer Processing | 19 mi SW | Gurley |
| Taxidermy studios | 1 | 5 | Gross Stanley Taxidermy | 12 mi SE | Hollywood |
| Gear shops | 0 | 16 | Stevenson Gun And Supply | 16 mi E | Stevenson |
| Preserves and guide services | 1 | 1 | Paint Rock Valley Lodge & Retreat | 4.2 mi W | Estillfork |
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.
Hytop quota hunts within 45 miles
3 draw or disabled-hunter areas lie within 45 miles of Hytop. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forever Wild Land Trust – Alabama Power Company PDHA | 2.8 mi | Disabled hunters | Deer, by reservation |
| Crow Creek SOA | 10 mi | SOA, draw | – |
| Mud Creek (Wannville) Dewatering Unit Physically Disabled Waterfowl Hunting Blind | 15 mi | Disabled blind | Deer, by reservation |
From the ADCNR Special Opportunity Areas page and the 2026-27 PDHA map packet (lands.json); deadlines from regs.json. Checked November 1, 2026.
Hytop open seasons, 2026-27
Alabama sets deer dates by zone, and Jackson County falls in Zone A; the 48 rows below come from the ADCNR season pages and the Digest.
| Game | Method | Covers | Opening day | Closing day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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, dogs, public land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone A | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone A | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone A | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone A | 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 North Zone | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 5, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 2 | Dove North Zone | Sep 6, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 3 | Dove North Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Doves | Segment 4 | Dove North 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 | |
| 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 Hytop hunters
Turkey reports from Jackson County in 2025 came to the 445-612 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 |
|---|---|
| Jackson County | 445-612 |
| 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.
Hytop area hunts, classes and dinners
A 30-mile crow-flight radius gives 5 upcoming dates as of November 1, 2026. SOA hunts (3) admit only hunters picked in the ADCNR draw.
Upcoming dates
| Held | Event | How far | Where held | Action | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15–Nov 22, 2026 | Crow Creek SOA deer hunt: Archery – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (archery) draw | 10 | Event details | Source | |
| Dec 3–20, 2026 | Crow Creek SOA deer hunt: Primitive Weapons – Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice · SOA deer (primitive weapons) draw | 10 | Event details | Source | |
| Jan 2–31, 2027 | Crow Creek SOA waterfowl hunt · SOA waterfowl draw | 10 | Event details | Source | |
| Feb 6–7, 2027 | ADCNR Trapping Education Workshop (Jackson County) · trapping workshop | 11 | Register | Source | |
| Feb 6, 2027 | Crow Creek SOA youth waterfowl hunt · SOA youth draw | 10 | Sign up | Source |
Hytop: gun clubs and ADCNR lines nearby
Skyline WMA Shooting Range heads the Hytop list (4 miles), with two more after it.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 1, 2026.
Legal light, Hytop
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 | 6:48 a.m. | 6:11 p.m. | 6:18 a.m.–6:41 p.m. | 6:18 a.m.–6:11 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:23 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 5:53 a.m.–5:07 p.m. | 5:53 a.m.–4:37 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:29 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 5:59 a.m.–5:05 p.m. | 5:59 a.m.–4:35 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:47 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:17 a.m.–5:06 p.m. | 6:17 a.m.–4:36 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:51 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:21 a.m.–5:24 p.m. | 6:21 a.m.–4:54 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:36 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 6:06 a.m.–5:51 p.m. | 6:06 a.m.–5:21 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:49 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:19 a.m.–7:25 p.m. | 6:19 a.m.–6:55 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.
Hytop conservation offices
Wildlife questions for Jackson County go to the WFF District II office, 4101 Hwy. 21 North, Jacksonville. From the centre of Jackson County, the closest ADCNR office open to visitors is the District 1 Office in Tanner, about 58 miles away. WFF district offices keep weekday hours, so call before driving over.
ADCNR in Jacksonville (74 mi out)
ADCNR in Tanner: 53 mi
Offices from the ADCNR WFF district offices page (counties.json, services.json). Checked November 1, 2026.
Hytop hunters ask
Is Jackson County on the stalk-only list for deer?
Yes.
Is hunting deer over bait allowed in Jackson County?
Yes on private or leased land with the Bait Privilege License.
Do Hytop 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 Hytop?
Record it on your harvest record before moving it, then report through Game Check within 48 hours.
Is Sunday a legal hunting day around Hytop?
Yes. Alabama has no Sunday restriction; some areas set their own days.
Who skins and cuts deer for hunters based in Hytop?
Jenkins Deer Processing in Gurley tops our processor list for Hytop, 19 mi away.
Who answers WMA questions for hunters in Hytop?
Call the WFF District II office at (256) 435-5422.
Where else could I stay if Hytop is booked up?
Try Pleasant Groves, Hollywood, Stevenson and Scottsboro, each a short drive away.
Starting in Hytop, what is the nearest place I can legally hunt on public land?
Start with James D. Martin-Skyline Wildlife Management Area, whose nearest boundary is less than a mile away. After it comes Forever Wild Land Trust – Alabama Power Company Physically Disabled Hunting Area, whose nearest boundary is 2.8 miles away.
Add up the public land within 10 miles of Hytop: what is the total?
Some 58,269 acres in 5 areas.
Which of Alabama’s deer zones takes in Hytop?
Jackson County is in Zone A; the A/B line is road-defined, so check the ADCNR zone map.
Opening morning near Hytop: when does legal light start and stop?
5:54 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. on November 21, 2026, worked out for Hytop.
What was the 2025 turkey harvest class in Jackson County?
Its 2025 Game Check class was 445-612 birds.
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.
Hytop pre-trip checks
For hunts out of Hytop, the area permit on each land page and the Digest settle any doubt.
Other photos on this page: Shannon McGee (CC BY-SA 2.0); Maria Brindle (CC BY-SA 4.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0).