37 S.

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Shelby Special Opportunity Area

2026-27 season. Shelby County. Check the area map for exact boundaries.

Check before you hunt. Confirm these dates in Alabama Administrative Code Rule 220-2-.56, 2026-2027 Wildlife Management Area Hunting Seasons. Seasons, closures and area rules can change.

Deer

Oct 15–18

Archery, either sex. Quota hunt.

One antlered buck and two antlerless deer each for the permit holder and one guest during the 4-day hunt.

In the guide: “Deer · (Archery): Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Oct. 15-18. Permit to be determined through limited quota random selection.”

Nov 19–22

Muzzleloader, either sex. Quota hunt.

One antlered buck and two antlerless deer each for the permit holder and one guest during the 4-day hunt.

In the guide: “Deer · (Primitive Weapons): Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Nov. 19-22. Permit to be determined through limited quota random selection.”

Dec 17–20, Dec 31 – Jan 3, Jan 28–31

Firearms, either sex. Quota hunt.

One antlered buck and two antlerless deer each for the permit holder and one guest. Each may bring one youth 8-15; one gun per hunting pair.

In the guide: “Deer · (Gun): Stalk Hunting Hunter's Choice: Dec. 17-20, Dec 31-Jan 3, and Jan 28-31. Permit to be determined through limited quota random selection.”

Rabbit, squirrel, and raccoon

Feb 11–14, Feb 18–21

Any legal weapon. Quota hunt.

The permit holder may bring three licensed guests and youth 15 and younger. State bag limits.

In the guide: “Rabbit, Squirrel, & Raccoon: Feb. 11-14 and Feb. 18-21. By limited quota permit only for the properly licensed hunter.”

Area rules

Antlered bucks must have at least three points (1 inch or longer) on one main beam. Hunters must record harvest data at the kiosk, leave the jawbone there and email photos to the district biologist. An "(Adult Mentored)" hunt by limited quota permit is listed Sept. 29, Oct. 19 and Nov. 7, after the rabbit, squirrel and raccoon hunts, without naming its species. Bobcat, coyote, feral swine, raccoon, opossum and fox may be taken during any scheduled SOA hunt by its permit holders, with that hunt's weapons. No dogs. Daylight hours only.

Every WMA hunter needs a WMA license and, for each hunt day, a paper AREA permit and WMA daily permit, or check-in and out on the Outdoor Alabama WMA Check-In app. Game taken on WMAs counts toward the statewide and daily bag limits, except bonus bucks validated by WFF personnel. Deer and turkey must be reported in Game Check before leaving the WMA, and brought to the check station on mandatory check station days. Youth hunters on youth deer and turkey hunts must be under 16 and stay within 30 feet of a licensed supervisor 21 or older, or a parent. Hunter orange or pink is required. Youth, active military and veterans may hunt waterfowl statewide on Nov. 21 and Feb. 6. The full WMA rules are Regulation 220-2-.55 (OutdoorAlabama.com/WMARules).

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