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Town page, Lawrence County
Hunting from Moulton, AL: land, zones and dates
Miles from Moulton to wildlife management areas and federal land, the deer zone caveat for Lawrence County, turkey harvest class and the nearest ADCNR office.
Photo: Nearby stand-in: Bankhead National Forest, 4.8 mi from Moulton. Fredlyfish4 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lawrence County is run from Moulton; wildlife questions go to the WFF District I office in Tanner. Among the towns around Bankhead National Forest, Moulton came out nearest, with the edge 4.8 miles away. The reason for this page is Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area, whose edge lies within 5 miles of Moulton. Moulton logged 3,408 residents in the 2024 population estimates. With overlaps counted once, public land inside 10 miles of Moulton totals about 23,677 acres (2 listed areas). County-wide, Lawrence County holds some 97,922 acres of public land: 64,700 acres of ADCNR WMA land, 92,375 acres of national forest and 3,448 acres of TVA land. Closest of every listed area is Bankhead National Forest, whose nearest boundary is 4.8 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.
Moulton hunting land, nearest first
Miles run from the Moulton town point to the nearest boundary for land inside 10 miles, and to the mapped centre beyond that; road miles will be longer.
| Property | From town | Type | Run by | Access rule | Acres | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bankhead National Forest listed for | 4.8 mi S | National forest | USFS | Public-land seasons | 182,014 | – |
| Black Warrior WMA listed for | 5.1 mi SW | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 91,263 | No dog deer |
| Mallard-Fox Creek WMA | 16 mi NE | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 1,742 | Acreage differs by source |
| Swan Creek WMA | 20 mi NE | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 8,870 | 1 dove field |
| Wheeler NWR | 25 mi E | Wildlife refuge | USFWS | Refuge rules | 34,427 | – |
| Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) | 26 mi N | Forever Wild tract | Forever Wild | License, free map | 60 | – |
| Seven-Mile Island WMA | 32 mi NW | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 4,685 | Acreage differs by source |
| Key Cave NWR | 34 mi NW | Wildlife refuge | USFWS | Refuge rules | 1,079 | – |
| Shoal Creek Nature Preserve Tract (Forever Wild) | 35 mi NW | Forever Wild tract | Forever Wild | License, free map | 303 | Archery deer only |
| Freedom Hills WMA | 40 mi W | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 33,539 | 1 dove field |
Acreage leader inside 10 miles of Moulton: Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area, 91,263 acres. That circle mixes 1 WMA or community hunting area and 1 federal area. Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area (5.1 mi) is a WMA: license, WMA license, area permit and a daily check-in. Kevin Pugh is listed as biologist ((256) 431-4711). Grab the free map before hunting Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild); county dates apply there. Forest Service land is close: Bankhead National Forest, under Alabama seasons plus the federal 150-yard rule. Dove hunters near Moulton can try Mallard-Fox Creek Wildlife Management Area, with 1 planted field.
Land details for Moulton
- Bankhead National Forest: 182,014 acres; game: deer, turkey
- Black Warrior WMA: Lawrence and Winston counties near Moulton; 91,263 acres; hunted for turkey, waterfowl, deer, dove, rabbit; no dog deer hunting (area permit)
- Mallard-Fox Creek WMA: Lawrence and Morgan Counties near Decatur; 1,742 acres; game: turkey, waterfowl, deer, dove, rabbit (permit PDF)
- Swan Creek WMA: Limestone County near Decatur; 8,870 acres; hunted for turkey, waterfowl, deer, dove, rabbit (permit and map)
- Wheeler NWR: 34,427 acres; seasons for deer, squirrel, rabbit, quail
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.
Draw hunts and disabled-hunter areas near Moulton
Quota hunting near Moulton: 0 SOAs and 2 PDHAs inside 45 miles. PDHA days are booked by reservation after the application is approved.
| Area | Miles | Kind | Gun dates or game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Smith PDHA | 42 mi | Disabled hunters | Deer, by reservation |
| Cherokee PDHA | 42 mi | Disabled hunters | 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.
Moulton county rules: deer, turkey, doves
Before hunting out of Moulton, find the county you will stand in; its row sets the zone dates.
| County | Deer | Turkey | Dove | Dog hunting | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence County local | D / C | 2 | North | Stalk only | – |
| Winston County | D / A / C | 2 | North | Stalk only | – |
| Morgan County | C / D | 2 | North | Stalk only | – |
| Limestone County | A | 2 | North | Stalk only | – |
| Madison County | A | 2 | North | Stalk only | – |
ADCNR names Lawrence County in the Zone D and Zone C text. (Zone D, Zone C; zone map.) Gun deer season on private ground in Zone D starts November 7, 2026 and ends January 27, 2027. The buck limit is three for the season, never more than one a day, with one required to show four points on one antler. Deer hunting in Lawrence County is stalk hunting only. Turkey Zone 2 covers Lawrence County, with spring season March 27 to May 3, 2027. Dove shooting in Lawrence County runs on North Zone segments, the first on September 5, 2026. Bait needs the Bait Privilege License and stays off WMAs, SOAs and federal ground.
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.
Services around Moulton
Call, map and website buttons appear only where a source gave them; opening hours were not checked. Florence Frozen Meat (30 mi) processes donated deer for Hunters Helping the Hungry. Deer heads for testing can go to North Alabama Deer Shack, an ADCNR sampling partner. Newman's Taxidermy (Trinity) is the first taxidermy stop, 9.5 mi from Moulton. The closest shop for ammunition and gear is AAA Gun Store, 1.1 mi from Moulton. Among preserves and guides, T S Huntin Stuff (Muscle Shoals) sits nearest Moulton.
| Service | Close (15 mi) | Wider (35 mi) | Closest | Miles | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer processors | 1 | 10 | Heaps Meat Processing | 8.3 mi NE | Trinity |
| Taxidermy shops | 2 | 8 | Newman's Taxidermy | 9.5 mi NE | Trinity |
| Sporting goods | 4 | 25 | AAA Gun Store | 1.1 mi E | Moulton |
| Outfitters and preserves | 0 | 2 | T S Huntin Stuff | 27 mi NW | Muscle Shoals |
Deer processors
Taxidermy shops
Sporting goods
Outfitters and preserves
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.
Moulton season dates
For Lawrence County this table lists 72 seasons across deer, turkey, small game, migratory birds and predators for the 2026-27 year.
| Animal | Season type | Where | Start | Finish | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone C | Oct 15, 2026 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Deer Zone C | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 16, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader and air rifle | Deer Zone C | Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone C | Jan 2, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer Zone D | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth gun | Deer Zone D | Oct 30, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader and air rifle | Deer Zone D | Nov 2, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone D | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone D | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone D | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone D | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone D | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone D | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone D | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone D | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, public land | Deer Zone D | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, dogs, private land | Deer Zone D | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone D | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone D | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, public land | Deer Zone D | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 27, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun, stalk, private land | Deer Zone D | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 27, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late archery, bucks only | Deer Zone D | Jan 16, 2027 | Jan 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Turkey Zone 2 | Mar 20, 2027 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring, hunters with disabilities | Turkey Zone 2 | Mar 26, 2027 | Mar 26, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring | Turkey Zone 2 | Mar 27, 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.
Hunting events within reach of Moulton
The 30-mile circle around Moulton takes in 1 upcoming date; the kinds are DU chapter dinner.
Still ahead
| Date | Event | Distance | Location | Sign-up or details | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2026 | Colbert-Lawrence Ducks Unlimited Dinner · DU chapter dinner | 30 | Sheffield: Clarion Inn Sheffield Muscle Shoals | Buy tickets | Source |
Moulton shooters: the three nearest ranges
The three closest ranges to Moulton, measured as the crow flies.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 1, 2026.
Moulton area harvest figures
The 2025 Game Check harvest class for Lawrence County is 76-136 birds. 17,049 birds went through Game Check statewide in 2025 (18,263 in 2024). County deer harvest numbers are not released by ADCNR.
| County | Turkeys reported |
|---|---|
| Lawrence County | 76-136 |
| Winston County | 209-296 |
| Morgan County | 76-136 |
| Limestone County | 76-136 |
| Madison County | 209-296 |
| Season | Tested | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Moulton legal hours
Legal light for deer around Moulton runs 30 minutes either side of sunrise and sunset; for ducks it starts 30 minutes before sunrise and ends at sunset.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:54 a.m. | 6:16 p.m. | 6:24 a.m.–6:46 p.m. | 6:24 a.m.–6:16 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:28 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 5:58 a.m.–5:13 p.m. | 5:58 a.m.–4:43 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:34 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:04 a.m.–5:10 p.m. | 6:04 a.m.–4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:52 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:22 a.m.–5:12 p.m. | 6:22 a.m.–4:42 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:56 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | 6:26 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:41 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 6:11 a.m.–5:56 p.m. | 6:11 a.m.–5:26 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:55 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. | 6:25 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | 6:25 a.m.–7:00 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.
Moulton conservation offices
Lawrence County belongs to WFF District I, run from the ADCNR WFF District 1 Office in Tanner ((256) 353-2634). No office visit is needed for a license: buy it online, in the app or from a license agent.
Tanner wildlife office, about 21 mi away
Offices from the ADCNR WFF district offices page (counties.json, services.json). Checked November 1, 2026.
Moulton hunting questions
On what date does private-land rifle season for deer end near Moulton?
January 27, 2027 in Zone D.
Does a deer zone line cross Lawrence County?
Yes, Lawrence County shows Zone D and Zone C.
Do deer hounds near Moulton need a Department permit?
Dogs are not allowed for deer there.
Can Moulton hunters chase turkeys in the fall?
No; fall turkey runs only in six Zone 3 counties.
Is orange needed in a stand 12 feet up near Moulton?
Yes, in a stand 12 feet or higher, or an enclosed box stand.
May a Moulton hunter shoot deer over corn or other bait?
Only on private or leased land with a Bait Privilege License.
In what year did Alabama lift the Sunday hunting ban?
April 21, 2015.
Do license-exempt Alabama hunters still use Game Check?
Yes, licensed or exempt, every deer and turkey is reported.
Which ADCNR district office handles Moulton?
The ADCNR WFF District 1 Office, 21453 Harris Station Rd., Tanner, (256) 353-2634.
How far must I haul a deer from Moulton to a processor?
Roughly 8.3 mi, the distance to Heaps Meat Processing in Trinity.
Which WMA, draw area or federal tract sits closest to Moulton?
Among the listed lands, the nearest is Bankhead National Forest, whose nearest boundary is 4.8 miles away. Runner-up: Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area, whose nearest boundary is 5.1 miles away.
What other bases sit close to Moulton?
Hillsboro comes first, with Decatur, Addison and Priceville after it.
Does Moulton work as a base for hunting Alabama public land?
It has 2 listed areas and about 23,677 public acres inside 10 miles.
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.
Moulton final checks
Leaving Moulton before dawn? Look up legal light for the date and the zone dates for the land you chose.
Other photos on this page: dmtilley (CC BY 3.0); Toby Gray (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); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0).