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WFF District V town
Spanish Fort, Alabama: public land within reach
Every WMA, Special Opportunity Area, Forever Wild tract and federal property within reach of Spanish Fort, ranked by miles, with the rules that change at the county line.
Photo: Stand-in photo from nearby Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, 3.3 mi from Spanish Fort. Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0)
Spanish Fort is a city in Baldwin County; the county seat is Bay Minette. Spanish Fort was chosen as the base town for Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, whose closest edge is 3.8 miles away. Vintage 2024 counts 11,118 residents in Spanish Fort. Agency and federal polygons within 10 miles of Spanish Fort come to roughly 27,227 acres across 1 listed area. By GIS count Baldwin County has 107,622 public acres, with 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. The quickest public land to reach is Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, whose nearest boundary is 3.3 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.
Rules that change near Spanish Fort
Each row is one county: deer zone by name or map shading, turkey and dove zones, the dog deer rule and anything special.
| Where | Deer zone | Gobbler zone | Dove | Deer dogs | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin County home | B | 1 | South | Permit only | Delta duck zone, Gator: Southwest |
| Mobile County | B | 1 | South | Not listed | Delta duck zone, Gator: Southwest |
Baldwin County is not named in any zone text, so it is Zone A or B; the ADCNR map shades 100% of it as Zone B. (Zone B; ADCNR zone map.) In Zone B, archery opens October 15, 2026 and gun hunting on private or leased land runs November 21 to February 10, 2027. Statewide the antlered limit is three a season, one a day, and one of the three must carry four or more points on one antler. Permit only for deer dogs in Baldwin County. For turkey, Baldwin County falls in Zone 1, opening March 20, 2027. For doves, use the South Zone dates, starting September 12, 2026. In the Mobile-Tensaw Delta zone of Baldwin County, waterfowl hunting stops at 1 p.m. and does not run Mondays or Tuesdays. The Southwest and Coastal alligator areas include Baldwin County. Private-land baiting requires the Bait Privilege License for every hunter.
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.
Spanish Fort public land by distance
A base-area tag marks the land that put Spanish Fort on this site; anything inside 10 miles comes before the rest.
| Land | Miles off | Kind | Managed by | What you need | Acreage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland WMAs reason listed | 3.3 mi NW | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 51,040 | No dog deer |
| Upper Delta WMA | 18 mi N | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 42,451 | – |
| University of South Alabama Foundation PDHA | 23 mi NW | Disabled hunters | ADCNR WFF | Disabled, reservation | 4,462 | Quota hunts |
| Perdido River WMA | 24 mi E | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 17,337 | 1 dove field |
| Splinter Hill Bog Complex (Forever Wild) | 24 mi NE | Forever Wild tract | Forever Wild | License, free map | 631 | – |
| Blackwater River SOA | 30 mi SE | SOA, draw | ADCNR WFF | Random draw | 3,436 | Quota hunts |
| Lillian Swamp Complex (Forever Wild) | 32 mi SE | Forever Wild tract | Forever Wild | License, free map | 2,262 | – |
| Grand Bay Savanna WMA | 34 mi SW | WMA | ADCNR WFF | WMA license, area permit | 5,151 | Acreage differs by source |
| Grand Bay NWR (Alabama portion) | 37 mi SW | Wildlife refuge | USFWS | Refuge rules | 2,610 | – |
Largest of the nearby areas: Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, about 51,040 acres. Before a first trip to Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, download the area permit map and check in each hunt day through the app or a paper permit. The area contact is Jared Knight, (334) 530-1765. Blackwater River Special Opportunity Area is hunted only by random draw: selected hunters get a dedicated unit for a few days. University of South Alabama Foundation Physically Disabled Hunting Area is open by reservation to hunters certified as physically disabled. Splinter Hill Bog Complex (Forever Wild) needs no WMA license, only a hunting license and the free map. For the dove opener, Perdido River Wildlife Management Area plants 1 field; Perdido River WMA carries browntop millet, sesame, corn, and egyptian wheat.
What the records say near Spanish Fort
- Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland WMAs: Baldwin and Mobile Counties, north and south of the causeway; 51,040 acres; listed game: turkey, waterfowl, deer, rabbit, squirrel; stalk hunting for deer (permit and map)
- Upper Delta WMA: Baldwin & Mobile Counties near Stockton; 42,451 acres; game: deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove, rabbit (ADCNR map)
- University of South Alabama Foundation PDHA: 4,462 acres; listed game: deer
- Perdido River WMA: Baldwin County, north of Interstate 10, near Gateswood; 17,337 acres; game: turkey, waterfowl, deer, dove, rabbit; no dog deer hunting (permit PDF)
- Splinter Hill Bog Complex (Forever Wild): 631 acres; open for deer, turkey, 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.
Spanish Fort taxidermy and gear
Counts run to 15 and 35 miles from Spanish Fort, with the nearest few businesses of each trade shown below. Nearest food-bank processor: Knock Em Out John Deer Processing, 21 mi. For a free CWD test, Stockton Deer Processor (20 mi) appears on the ADCNR drop-off list. The taxidermist nearest Spanish Fort on our list is Barbour's Custom Wildlife and Pet Preservation (3.3 mi). Jerry's Sporting Goods, 2.1 mi out, sells guns or outdoor gear. Among preserves and guides, Alger Flats Outfitters (Atmore) sits nearest Spanish Fort.
| Category | Count, 15 mi | Count, 35 mi | First stop | How far | Located in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game processors | 1 | 3 | Carl's Premium Deer Processing | 8.9 mi SE | Loxley |
| Taxidermy | 6 | 10 | Barbour's Custom Wildlife and Pet Preservation | 3.3 mi SW | Daphne |
| Gun and archery stores | 9 | 36 | Jerry's Sporting Goods | 2.1 mi S | Spanish Fort |
| Guides and preserves | 0 | 0 | Alger Flats Outfitters | 48 mi NE | Atmore |
Game processors
Taxidermy
Gun and archery stores
Guides 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.
Drawn and reserved hunts near Spanish Fort
Draw hunts near Spanish Fort begin with University of South Alabama Foundation Physically Disabled Hunting Area, 23 mi off. SOA deer draw applications opened September 1 and closed September 14, 2026; the next round follows the same pattern next season. Disabled hunters apply once, then reserve days at a PDHA; each area allows a visit every two weeks.
| Name | Reach | Type | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama Foundation PDHA | 23 mi | Disabled hunters | Deer, by reservation |
| Blackwater River SOA | 30 mi | SOA, draw | Dec 3-6, Dec 17-20, Jan 7-10, Jan 21-24, Jan 28-31, Feb 4-7 |
| Little River State Forest SOA | 41 mi | SOA, draw | Dec 3-6, Dec 31 – Jan 3, Jan 14-17, Jan 21-24, Jan 28-31 … |
| Little River State Forest PDHA | 43 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.
Spanish Fort dates from archery to spring turkey
Turkey dates follow Zones 1 to 3 and dove dates the North and South zones, which is why the zone column matters in Baldwin County.
| Species | Hunt | Applies in | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Reported game around Spanish Fort
In the 2025 turkey report, Baldwin County lands in the 297-444 harvest class. The statewide Game Check count fell from 18,263 to 17,049 between 2024 and 2025. No county or yearly deer figures are available from ADCNR.
| County | Game Check class |
|---|---|
| Baldwin County | 297-444 |
| Mobile County | 76-136 |
| Season | Deer tested | CWD 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.
Spanish Fort and nearby, event dates
Counted within some 30 miles of town on November 1, 2026: 9 upcoming dates (DU chapter dinner, Learn to Hunt workshop, NWTF chapter banquet, SOA deer (archery) draw, SOA deer (gun) draw, SOA deer (primitive weapons) draw, SOA small game draw, hunter education course and trapping workshop). Count 4 limited-quota SOA hunts, by draw only.
Dates to come
Spanish Fort shooters: the three nearest ranges
The three closest ranges to Spanish Fort, measured as the crow flies.
Public lines nearest Spanish Fort: Upper Delta WMA Shooting Range, 28 miles. See it
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 1, 2026.
Spanish Fort hunting hours
The times below use the solar formula for Spanish Fort rather than the Birmingham table in the Digest, which can be off by several minutes this far from Birmingham.
| Day | Marker | Sun up | Sun down | Game window | Migratory window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Spanish Fort wildlife office contacts
ADCNR WFF District V answers from Spanish Fort; e-mail dcnr.d5wff@dcnr.alabama.gov. Report violations to Operation Game Watch; district offices handle area and permit questions.
Wildlife staff, Spanish Fort
Offices from the ADCNR WFF district offices page (counties.json, services.json). Checked November 1, 2026.
Spanish Fort quick answers
Are hounds legal for deer in Baldwin County?
Only by ADCNR permit.
Which of the three turkey zones includes Spanish Fort?
Zone 1.
On a WMA near Spanish Fort, when is orange or pink required?
Yes, at all times while hunting, except migratory bird hunters.
What is the price of Alabama’s Bait Privilege License?
$18.95 for residents and $65.25. for nonresidents.
Did Alabama repeal its Sunday hunting law?
No; Act 2015-70 repealed it.
Is there a Game Check phone number?
Yes, at 1-800-888-7690; the Outdoor AL app and the website also work.
How can a Spanish Fort hunter contact ADCNR wildlife staff?
Phone (251) 626-5153 or e-mail dcnr.d5wff@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Does anyone near Spanish Fort cut and wrap deer?
Yes, Carl's Premium Deer Processing (Loxley) is listed 8.9 mi from Spanish Fort.
Which WMA, draw area or federal tract sits closest to Spanish Fort?
Among the listed lands, the nearest is Mobile-Tensaw Delta and W.L. Holland Wildlife Management Areas, whose nearest boundary is 3.3 miles away. Then Upper Delta Wildlife Management Area, roughly 18 miles to its mapped centre.
Is there another base town a short drive from Spanish Fort?
Yes; Bay Minette is nearest, and Chickasaw, Creola and Mobile follow.
How can I tell the deer zone of a tract near Spanish Fort?
Find your land on the ADCNR deer zone map; lines follow highways and rivers, not county lines.
Does Spanish Fort work as a base for hunting Alabama public land?
It has 1 listed area and about 27,227 public acres inside 10 miles.
On the gun opener, how early may a Spanish Fort hunter fire at a deer?
From 5:53 a.m. on November 21, 2026, until 5:23 p.m.
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.
Last checks, Spanish Fort
ADCNR can change dates between printings; open the Baldwin County page and outdooralabama.com once more before the trip.
Other photos on this page: NatalieMaynor (CC BY 2.0); 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); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0).