Alabama Deer Hunting Season

Alabama has one of the most generous deer hunting seasons in the United States. Hunters are able to hunt over one hundred days throughout the year during the Alabama deer hunting season. With a deer population that extends beyond 1.7 million, the state is a popular destination for hunters.

The Most Popular Deer to Hunt

The most hunted deer in Alabama is the white tailed deer. The most recognizable part of the deer is the streak of white under the tail. The whitetail deers can be found not only in the US, but Canada and South America. The most popular habitats for the whitetail deers are the prairies, sage and savanna woodlands. The animals can vary in size and range from 60 to 290 pounds.

Permits and Seasons

Alabama’s deer season opens in October and extends to January. Each season is divided into sections based on the type of device used to hunt deer. The most often used devices are the bow and gun. The bow season begins in mid-October, while the gun season starts a month later in November. However, both seasons will end at the end of January. Over all, there are 108 days for a hunter to harvest a deer. The deer hunting dates are released every year and should be checked with the Alabama Department of Wildlife. The state does have restrictions on how often deer can be hunted by hunters. Antlered buck are one a day and whitetailed buck are limited to three during all of the seasons. Unantlered deer are 2 a day except for spotted fawns during the special muzzleloader, spear, and bow and arrow season.

Where to Hunt

Alabama has a plentiful supply of hunting land. The state has thousands of acres that are mainly used for hunting and recreation purposes. There are over 37 wildlife areas in the state that consist of 760,000 acres. The main areas to harvest deer include Okmulgee, Blue Spring, Sam Murphy, Choccolocco, Lowndes and Cahaba River.

Hunting Tips

Even though Alabama has a large supply of deer, the animals can be elusive. Most deer can be found at waterholes or near acorn trees. Hunters may have a higher chance of locating a deer by scouting from a higher level such as a tree. The species also have a strong sense of smell, which is a used to avoid hunters. Hunters are able to control their scent and gain an advantage on the field by using deer scents. January is the month that whitetails are normally breeding. Hunters may consider this time to be an excellent period to hunt for a mature buck. The bucks are often less cautious and more attuned to a female’s scent during this time.

Additional Limitations

The state of Alabama requires hunters to take a mandatory hunter education program prior to taking part in the Alabama deer hunting season. The course includes 10 hours of instruction and an examination. Hunters will be required to learn information on hunter responsibility, wild life management, laws, species identification, archery, firearms safety, muzzle loading, survival skills and first aid. The goal of the course is to improve the relationship between hunter land owners and hunters. In addition, the education courses are geared to improve hunter behavior, reduce accidents and increased hunters understanding on wildlife laws and management.

Alaska Deer Hunting Season

Big game hunting is a favorite past time in Alaska. In some parts of Alaska, deer hunting in August and September during the Alaska deer hunting season is a popular sport. Here is some information about hunting deer in Alaska.

Alaskan Deer Species

The Sitka Blacktail Deer is found along the coastal regions of Alaska. It has a shorter face and is a smaller, stockier version of most of the blacktail family. Found on the ABC Islands, the Prince Wales Island and other coastal areas, the Sitka deer can be found in old-growth forest rummaging in the shrubs and in heavy timber. Most trophy bucks come from Kodiak Island where there are no natural predators.

Tactics For Hunting Deer in Alaska

Unlike mule deer, Sitka deer are largely nocturnal, so tracking deer along trails to their feeding sites may prove to be frustrating. Spot and stalk techniques are usually employed to capture these elusive creatures. Man-made stands can be effective if you use proper scent containment methods. Still hunting is another effective method.

Many believe that large magnums are necessary in the Alaskan wilderness, however, many guides recommend rifles in order to save your hearing and the hearing of those around you. Use caution and good housekeeping skills when camping to keep away bears.

Permits and Seasons

Alaska Deer Hunting Season is from August 1st to November 30th. Both a hunting license and a harvest tag is required to hunt big game in Alaska. A non-resident annual hunting license is $85.00. A resident tag is $25.00. A harvest tag for a deer is $150.00.

All hunters must complete a basic hunters education course before applying for a license or a tag. You cannot reuse a tag or use two or more tags on the same animal.

Other Restrictions

You cannot hunt game using a rimfire firearm or with a muzzle loader except under certain conditions. You also cannot kill a deer that is swimming. You also cannot use a dog or a bow with a deer unless it is a 40 pound weight.

Where To Hunt

Part of Alaska is designated Native American land that is considered private property. Still, there is a vast area open to hunting. Deer populations congregate along the Southwestern part of the state in the coastal forests, so it’s best to check with the state department for a map of federal and state hunting lands. With permission of the owner, you can hunt on private property.

Alaska is well known for its harsh environment. It’s best to plan out a trip well before the Alaska deer hunting season and plan on a longer trip that includes five or more days of hunting instead of a short weekend trip. Another good practice is to hire a field guide who is well-aquainted with the topography of the area, the game in the area and who can lead you to areas where the deer are known to herd.

Sitka deer are so popular to hunt precisely because they are so difficult to bag. Known as the “ghosts of the Pacific,” these deer practice nocturnal habits and are notoriously difficult to track because they are not predictable. Adding to the challenge is the rugged wilderness of Alaska, the danger of other big game such as bear, moose, wolves and wolverines and you can see why hunting deer in Alaska is not a beginner’s game.

Regulations and license costs vary year by year so make sure to check the State website for more information. Residents and those who hunt for subsistence are given priority over non-residents when giving out tags.

If you would like to find out more about the Alaska deer hunting season, visit the Alaska hunting page.

Arizona Deer Hunting Season

Arizona has such diverse landscapes and wildlife habitats that makes it the perfect state for hunters. With so many animals to hunt, there is almost always something in season. The Arizona Game and Fish Department manage the Arizona deer hunting season, licenses and tags. Before planning a hunt it is vital that you know these details so you can plan properly.

Types of Deer

There are two types of deer found in this state. The first is the desert mule deer. They are found throughout Arizona. January is usually the best month to hunt for them. These deer are easier to find and easier to hunt.

The second type is the coues whitetail deer. These can be quite elusive. They are usually found from the Mogollon Rim down to the southern border with Mexico. Most of them are found in the southeastern mountains. They can also be hunted on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

How to Hunt Effectively

There are many tips for hunting effectively in Arizona. Of course the best advice is to purchase very good optics. This is especially true if you are hunting for coues whitetail. They are difficult to see and blend into their surroundings easily because of their coloring.

Crossbow hunting is obviously harder than rifle hunting. While crossbow is harder it is also more satisfying. It adds more dimensions to the hunt. It takes more precision and planning.

Season Dates and Pricing in Arizona

The deer season usually runs from October to November for rifles and archery begins in August and runs through January. Prices for a license and tags vary. A license and tags are required. Full pricing lists are available by visiting http://www.azgfd.gov/. Most can even be purchased online.

Hunting licenses are $32.25 for residents and $151.25 for non residents. Tags cost much more. They are usually is $232.75 for a non resident tag fee. There is a fall draw for tags. This requires applying for several preferences. Depending on the draw, you may not get your first or even second choice.

Hunting Suggestions

It is suggested that if you are new to the Arizona deer hunting season that you hire a guide or a company to help you. They have the expertise to help you along the way. This can really increase your chances of success. When planning your own hunt be sure to get the proper tags and license. Also be sure to know when the seasons are so you are hunting on the right dates.

Arkansas Deer Hunting Season

Deer hunting in Arkansas is an exciting venture. Before hunting, every hunter is expected to have a valid Arkansas license and a deer tag. The hunting tags are available to both residents and non residents. There are two types of tags available that hunters are expected to choose from, there is the white tailed deer tag and the regular deer tag. Hunters with white tailed deer tags are only allowed to hunt the white tailed ones and the same applies to hunters using the regular deer tags. Hunters are allowed to hunt only one deer per year but it also depends with which zone the hunter is hunting from. However, sometimes they get opportunities to hunt more than one deer if they purchase extra nonresident tags to hound a second deer. The most common types of deer found in Arkansas are white tailed deer.

Before hunting, there are laws and regulations that should be put into consideration. Hunters should know that there are hunts specifically for youths between the age of 12 and 17. Youths are also required to have the license and the tag just as adults do. The youth hunters are permitted to hunt the antlerless deer only. and should be accompanied by an adult. When hunting for an antlered deer, one of the antlers should be at least more than three inches long. Hunters are required to accompany the carcass while it is being transported during the season for antlered only deer. Deer with an antler less than 3 inches long are usually hunted at the same season as the antlerless deer. Hunters should know that when hunting during the white-tailed season, the tail should be left fully attached to the carcass if the head has been removed for easy identification of the species. There are also limitations regarding the number of bags a hunter is required to carry. In many cases the hunter should have a minimum of two bags. Only modern guns, muzzle loaders and archery are allowed during hunting.

Hunting seasons vary depending on the type of deer being hunted. The common types of hunting seasons are the archery season and the muzzle loader season. The archery season is actually the longest operating from October all the way to February. Muzzle loader on the hand is a short season that runs between October and December. Hunters are not allowed to come with dogs during the muzzle loading season as well as the archery season. The antlered deer hunting season begins in October and is later followed by the antlerless deer hunting season in November to December.

Some of the places to hunt for white-tailed deer are areas around the White River, Felsenthal which is in Ashley county, White Rock area in Northwest Arkansas, Muddy Creek in the county of Montgogmery and in the Buffalo National River. All these places are good for deer hunting but hunters should remember to have their licenses and tags. Hunters are also allowed to hunt on private land only with authorization from the land owner.

Hunters should remember to dress in comfortable clothing and remember to carry all the necessities required during hunting. Wearing camouflaged clothes are an added advantage. In addition, it is important to carry a hunter’s safety card and to not forget their license and tag.

California Deer Hunting Season

The California Deer Hunting Season can be complicated to figure out when it comes to the exact dates it will run through. In general, it runs from late July through November. The entire state is quite large, and it is divided into several zones. The conservation goal of each individual zone, and the weapons being used, will determine each zones’ hunting season. Once you know the exact type of weapon you are planning to use, you can check online for specific dates. The majority of zone’s archery seasons are August 18 through September 9 of 2012. Zones C-1, C-4, and X-10 end on September 2. The general hunting season covers anywhere from August 11 to November 12. Be sure to check for specific dates and regulations for the zones you will be hunting in before going. Many maps and charts can be found online.

There are several different varieties of weapons used in hunting deer. The weapons that can be used for hunting season in California include archery, center fire riffles, muzzleloaders, pistols, shotguns, revolvers, and crossbows. With a general season tag, hunters can use any legal weapon within the state. Archery only tags will only work for archery weapons.

Both resident and non-resident hunters are allowed to hunt in California during the proper seasons. Each licensed hunter may purchase up to two tags per license. You will need one tag for each deer you get.

There are two main species of deer that are hunted during California deer hunting season. The first is the mule deer. It can be recognized by its bifurcated antlers with ears like a mule has. There are several different types of mule deer within California, including the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, the California Mule Deer, the Inyo Mule Deer, the Burro Mule Deer, and the Southern Mule Deer. They can be found throughout most of the state. They prefer hilly terrain, so you won’t find them in the valleys. The greatest numbers of mule deer are located in Central and Northern California, including the coastal prairies, the coastal ranges, and the Sierra Nevada. The black tailed deer are the second type of deer hunted in California. They are smaller in size than a mule deer, and it is considered one of their sub-species, so they will look very similar. These will be found mainly in the northern most parts of the state.

California is a great state to hunt deer, with almost endless possibilities with regards to species and area to hunt. To find out more, visit the California government page on hunting.

Colorado Deer Hunting Season

If the hill and mountain country are calling, Colorado deer hunting season is always right around the corner. Colorado offers opportunities that sportsmen worldwide love. And if the call of the wild is on your mind, here are a few pointers to keep you legal and your venture successful.

Licensing. Before you can hunt, or even apply for the proper permits, you’ll need a hunting license. Be sure you have a valid photo ID, have had hunter safety education, and have paid for a Habitat Stamp. License fees are differentiated for youth and adults, and residents and non-residents.

What You’re Hunting. Deer populations are primarily in two species: Mule Deer, often called “mulies” and White-Tailed Deer. Though the two species are largely the same size, mule deer have a stiffer gait with tails tucked when running; the white-tail is more graceful in gait, and its white-tailed is exposed when running. Differences also exist in antler development and ears. Mule deer can be found throughout Colorado while white-tailed deer tend to range in the eastern plains and woodlands. Regulations also exist for elk and moose, so be aware of your hunting preferences when making application. Pronghorn, though permitted for hunting on a more limited basis, are also a possibility in the big game category. You’ll need to have a species in mind when making application for a permit.

Permitting. Adult permits are mostly limited to established quotas per deer species. These “Limited Licenses” are set annually by Colorado wildlife officials, and include calculation of preference points. Be sure to check Colorado official publications for explanation of these preferences and how they are weighted. Permit drawings compose a significant method by which deer can be taken with applications deadlines set for late spring and issued in June. However, if you don’t make the drawings, two other categories, Over-The-Counter and Leftover Limited Licenses, become available in July and August respectively.

How You Hunt. The popular rifle hunting season usually occurs from late October to, in some cases, early December. Specialty hunting methods (archery, muzzleloading) precede this period in August and September. Colorado deer hunting season dates vary on a regional basis, so be sure you know where you plan to hunt, and what type of weapon you intend to use. Become educated on what government agency owns the land you desire to hunt. A variety of restrictions differ depending on the landowning agency. If it is private land, having the owner’s permission is required. Keep in mind that legal hunting hours in Colorado begin a half-hour before sunrise and end a half-hour after sunset.

Like many states with concern for herd management, Colorado’s deer hunting season regulations can appear convoluted at first glance. But don’t become discouraged, a few minutes of reading and research can offer a working knowledge for becoming compliant and enjoying the thrill of the hunt.

If you want more information about the seasons, laws, and regulations of hunting deer in this state, visit the state government hunting page.

Connecticut Deer Hunting Season

Connecticut is a deer hunter friendly state. This can be seen from the fact that the Connecticut deer hunting season last for 120 days. The following is a list of pertinent information regarding deer hunting in Connecticut.

Species of Deer in Connecticut
Connecticut is populated predominantly with Whitetail deer. This state has one of the largest per capita deer population of any other state in the country. In some counties there are 29.4 deer for every square-mile of land in the county. This is due to the fact that there are very few natural predators in the state and that recent winters have been relatively mild. In addition the fact that dear were protected by law for the early part of the 20th century has led to their overpopulation.

Acceptable Methods of Hunting in Connecticut.
Because of the large population of Whitetail deer that exist in Connecticut the laws regarding hunting and the methods used for hunting deer are somewhat lenient. The methods that can be used for hunting deer are the following:

Archery
Legal bows that can be used include longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows as long as they have a minimum drawl weight of 40 pounds. It is also required that the arrowhead must have two blades, must be at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest point. According to Connecticut law it is prohibited to use arrows that are tipped with any sort of drug, or poisoned, or tranquilizing substance.
The use of crossbows is permitted, but only under special circumstances these include use by handicapped individuals and individuals who have special licenses to hunt on private land in specific zones during the month of January. Crossbows that are used in this type of hunting must meet the qualifications of having a draw weight between 125 and 220 pounds. It is illegal to use or possess a firearm while bow hunting in Connecticut.

Hunting with a firearm
The list of firearms that can be used for hunting in Connecticut include shotguns, rifles, muzzleloader, and high velocity air guns. Individuals who use firearms and hunting must be 500 feet away from any building that is used as a residence, or a storage place for flammable material, or as a place for keeping domestic animals. Before using a firearm in hunting for deer, an individual should familiarize himself with the specifications for the type of ammunition, which is appropriate for each type of firearm. It is prohibited to have a loaded firearm in your vehicle.

Connecticut Deer Hunting Permits and Seasons
Connecticut has a generous deer hunting season of more than 100 days. The season for archery hunting begins September 15 of each year, and concludes on January 31 of the following year. Hunting with a bow is restricted to between half an hour after sunrise until sunset. Before engaging in deer hunting with bow one must participate in a CE/FS bow hunting course, or its equivalent from some other state.

Hunting with a rifle or shotgun on private land can be done between November 14 through December 4. Hunters are limited to one deer of either sex, and one antlerless deer. Hunters are required to have a private land shotgun or rifle deer permit, and also a revolver permit if they are playing on hunting with a revolver.

Hunters looking to use a muzzleloader can use this fire arm on private land between December 5 and December 31. The same bag limits apply to a muzzleloader as apply to a shotgun or a rifle. A muzzleloader deer permit and a firearms hunting license for private land is also required by law.

Individuals use looking to use a muzzleloader on state land can do this between December 5 and December 18. Here the bag limits are one deer of either sex. Hunters are required to have the permits for using firearms on public land.

Delaware Deer Hunting Season

Delaware is a small state that has a large deer population. These deer populations can be hunted by deer hunters during the deer hunting season.

Species of Deer Available for Hunting in Delaware

There is only one species of deer in Delaware that can be hunted by deer hunters. This is the white-tailed deer specie. The white-tailed deer species is commonly found in the field around coniferous trees. This is the most common place these animals search for their food. Another area where these animals can be found is near a river. They mostly get their water needs from the river.

Method of Deer Hunting in Delaware

Delaware deer hunting laws and regulations permit the use of a bow and arrow, shotgun and muzzleloaders to hunt deer. Thus legally, the only firearms permitted are shotgun and muzzleloaders. Rifles are strictly prohibited for deer hunting in the state. Thus, deer hunters who are more accustomed to hunting deer with rifles should start practicing long distance shot with shotguns and muzzleloaders. It is quite a different experience hunting deer with shotguns and muzzleloaders. This is why practice is of utmost importance for accurate aiming and killing of the game. A shotgun larger than 10 gauge is strictly prohibited for hunting game in Delaware. The approved shotgun for deer hunting in Delaware cannot hold more than two shells according to state laws.

The stand hunting technique is the most widely accepted method in hunting white-tailed deer. The success rate of this method is account for its popularity in the hunting of white-tailed deer species. The method involves standing and aiming at the targeted game from a distance. The muzzle loaders and bow and arrow produce more positive results when compared to shotguns. However it is against state laws to incorporate poison into an arrow. Thus using arrow as your weapon, don’t rub a poisonous substance on it.

Permits and Seasons of Deer Hunting in Delaware

To qualify for deer hunting in Delaware, a hunter must first register at the Delaware
State Parks Hunting Registration. The registration usually costs $10. After successful completion of the registration process, the next step is to obtain a Delaware hunting license. The price of this hunting license varies. It is actually dependent on whether the game hunter is a resident of the state or not. The price of a Delaware hunting license for a state resident cost about $25. The resident must be an adult to qualify for the license. While a non resident seeking a hunting license in the state of Delaware will have to pay about $130 for the license. The two documents must be kept at the all times by the deer hunter, during all hunting expeditions.

The hunting season is usually announced by the State Parks Hunting Body. All other necessary instructions are usually announced along with the date for deer hunting in the area. Delaware has 18 deer hunting management zones. Thus, deer hunters have enough areas to hunt their game.

Other Laws and Regulations

It is strictly prohibited to hunt deer outside the hunting season. Thus under no circumstances should any deer hunter breach this particular regulation. Legal action will be taken against the defaulter. Hunting deer with rifles and machine guns are strictly prohibited according to the Delaware hunting regulations.

Why You Need to Hunt in Delaware

Hunting in Delaware will be a fun for deer hunters. There is plenty of game in this state. Also the state hunting laws are not that bad.

Florida Deer Hunting Season

Deer Hunting Seasons in Florida begin in late summer and last through the winter. Florida is home to the white-tailed deer. There are many acres of land and forest areas perfect for hunting.

Hunting Seasons by Zone

Florida is broken down into 4 zones. Zone A is located in the southern portion of Florida. Zone B is located in the mid-eastern part, while zone C is located in the mid and north western part of Florida. Zone D is located in the north western parts of Florida. Each zone has its own dates, weapons and whether or not you are allowed to hunt deer with or without antlers.

Zone A begins its bow and crossbow season in late July and runs through August. Muzzleloading season usually begins at the beginning of September which runs into the general gun season. Zone B begins its bow and crossbow season in mid-October. Muzzleloading and general gun season follow shortly after, beginning in November and December. Bow and crossbow begin in Zone C a little earlier than Zone B, starting in mid-September. It also begins its muzzleloading season and general gun season earlier, which starts in early November and early December. The last zone, Zone D, begins close to the same time as Zone B, which is in October for bow and crossbow and follows with muzzleloading season and general gun season in November and December; lasting until early February.

Permits and Laws

There is a bag limit of two deer per day. Depending on if it is antlerless deer hunting time, it is normally two antlered deer allowed. In Florida, it is required to have a $5 deer hunting permit, as well as, a hunting license. In order to be eligible for a hunting license in Florida, anyone born after June 1, 1975 must take a hunting safety course. When you purchase your license you will have to show proof of completing this class. For a Florida resident, an annual sportsman hunting license will cost $80.50. If you are a non-resident of Florida you can pay a 10 day fee of $46.50. There are many other types of licenses available as well.

There are some exemptions on whether or not a permit is needed. Some of these exemptions include if you are under 16 years old and are with an adult over 18 years old who has a valid license and permit; or you are a senior that possesses a free hunting and fishing permit from the county tax collectors’ offices.

It is important to make sure the area that you are in is allowing hunting at that specific time. You can visit http://myfwc.com/hunting for specific dates and zones. There may also be certain parks, within an area that is open for hunting, that may not allow certain types of hunting just in that specific area.

Georgia Deer Hunting Season

Georgia deer hunting is one of the most popular pastimes for hunters in Georgia. The season extends statewide from early September to mid January along with some extended seasons for archery and some firearms for the month of January. Before you start planning your hunting trip or vacation days from work, you will want to check the dates for the area you plan on hunting along with the local laws.

There are several different seasons that are taking place at this time. The first season will be archery of either sex meaning you can hunt bucks and does at the same time. This season last from early September to mid October, there are also a few counties that have extended archery season to all of January. Firearms season is the other more popular season to hunt deer. The northern zone of Georgia this season last from mid October to the beginning of January the southern zone offers the season from mid October to mid January. There are several other laws you will want to know before you start your hunting expedition.

The number of dear you are allowed to kill is only 12 per season and this is a statewide law. You are allowed no more than ten antlerless deer or does. Along with two antlered dear with one of them having at least four points one inch or longer on one side of the antlers. Some of the counties have other limitations or requirements you will want to check where you are planning to hunt to see if they have any of these unique laws in place.

If you are going to be hunting with an underage hunter, you will need to know the requirements for them as well as yourself. If the hunter is, under 16 they are not required to complete a hunter education course however, they must hunt with a licensed adult who is at least 18. The underage hunter must also stay within sight or hearing distance of the adult hunter. If the hunter is between 12 and 15, they may hunt unsupervised if they have completed a hunters education course they will also have other restrictions for them as well.

Hunters who are 16 to 25 must have a hunter education certificate when they purchase their hunting license. They will want to keep their certification and license with them while they hunt as well. Older hunters 25 and over they must meet hunter education requirements but do not need to keep the certification with them while they hunt or to get their license.

The cost of license varies depending on what you are hunting and if you are a resident or non-resident. For a big game license, the cost is $9 for residents and $135 for non-residents. There are also several other options you can choose as well. They offer one and three-day hunting license one day is $5.50 for residents and $12 for non-residents. The three day pass is only available for non-residents and cost $30. If you are a resident, you may choose to get a lifetime license, which includes both hunting and fishing, except the federal duck stamp. The costs of the license range are under 2 $200, 2-15 $350, 16 and over $500, 60-64 $95, and over 65 are free. If you are a non-resident, the cost is $1,000 and that is for any age.