Registration for most hunts in Alabama’s Special Opportunity Areas (SOA) opens at 8 am on September 1.
SOAs are smaller in acres than traditional Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and are better suited to a limited-quota hunting format, reducing hunting pressure on game species and increasing quality of hunting. hunting experience. The program offers a limited number of slots for successful permit holders and their guests to hunt on a dedicated 300 to 400 acre site for a two to four day hunt.
The SOA program is offered through Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to provide hunters with unique hunting opportunities.
“The Special Opportunity Area format provides our traditional public land hunters with new and exciting hunting options,” said Chuck Sykes, director of WFF. “It also gives hunters who have always been a little hesitant about hunting on public land a great opportunity to test the waters.”
Hunts and log times
Adult Pigeon Hunts at the Prairie Glades and Portland Landing SOAs: Registration opens at 8 a.m. Sept. 1 and closes at 5 p.m. remaining hunts in Prairie Glades.
Cedar Creek, Portland Landing, Uchee Creek, Thigpen Hill, Blackwater River, Fred T. Stimpson, Upper State, Crow Creek, and Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge SOA Deer Hunting: Registration begins at 8 a.m. on September 1 and closes at 1 pm on September 12.
Oak Mountain State Park SOA Deer Hunt: Registration begins at 8 am on September 1 and closes at 1 pm on September 12.
Geneva State Forest Adult and Young Dog Hunt: Registration opens at 8 am on September 1 and closes at 1 pm on September 12.
Junior Squirrel Hunt at Fred T. Stimpson SOA and Senior Waterfowl Hunt at Crow Creek SOA: Registration opens at 8 am on September 20 and closes at 1 pm on October 4.
Small Game and/or Turkey Hunting at Cedar Creek, Portland Landing, Uchee Creek, Fred T. Stimpson, Upper State, Thigpen Hill, and Blackwater River SOAs: Registration begins at 8 a.m. on December 1 and closes at 1 p.m. on December 13.
Boar Hunts at Portland Landing and Thigpen Hill SOAs: Registration begins at 8 am on December 1 and closes at 1 pm on December 13.
Crow Creek SOA Youth Waterfowl Hunt: Registration opens at 8 am on January 1, 2023 and closes at 1 pm on January 10.
Limited quota permits to hunt SOA are obtained through an online registration and selection process.
Applicants apply online for a preferred SOA property search date. The cost to hunt a SOA is the purchase of a state hunting license and a WMA license.
Hunters will also need a conservation ID number, which is free. There is a $10 registration fee for each adult dove hunting date at the Prairie Glades and Portland Landing SOAs.
Click here to register for one of SOA’s hunts during the dates and times listed.