Alabama Deer Population and Management ArchiveAlabama Page

View the archive by scrolling through the window belowHistoric deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.   A list of articles is below the window.

Alabama Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Deer Kill (rounded to nearest 1,000)

1985-2016

1950:      4,000

1968:    20,000

1984:  237,000

1985:  280,000

1986:  300,000

1987:  323,000

1988:  275,000

1989:  242,000

1990:  294,000

1991:  295,000

1992:  293,000

1993:  350,000

1994:  331,000

1995:  398,000

1996:  367,000

1997:  423,000

1998:  390,000

1999:  416,000

2000:  478,000

2001:  411,000

2002:  410,000

2003:  478,000

2004:  499,000

2005:  461,000

2006:  436,000

2007:  342,000

2008:  356,000

2009:  289,100

2010:  337,000

2011:  254,800

2012:  266,725

2013:  269,960

2014:  274,874

2015:  294,885

2016   295,000

2017:  212,444

2018:  203,040

2019:  218,358

2020:  272,731

2021:

301,122

2022:

308,729 



Alabama estimates its total harvest from mailed hunter surveys.  The 2017 estimate follows this approach.

Harvest Reports

References:   Links to articles referenced  on the state page

2021 

Deer Statistics for 2020-21

Alabama Hunters Bagging Big Bucks This Season February 5, 2021

2017  References

Archive of Prior Years

Historic Alabama Deer Population

A list of articles in the Archive.  Alphabetical Order by Year.

2021

Alabama 2020-21 County Deer Harvest Statistics

Alabama Hunters Bagging Big Bucks This Season February 5, 2021

2020

Prescribed Fire Planned at Wind Creek State Park in March February 26, 2020 Alabama

Public land provides opportunities to hunt rut all season December 4, 2020 Alabama

Record deer hunting season in Alabama brings reminds for hunters' safety December 31, 2020

2019

Alabama Bait Bill Becomes Law May 8, 2019

Bait Privilege License Opens Opportunities for Deer Hunters September 6, 2019 Alabama

What hunters need to know as Alabama deer season begins November 17, 2019 Alabama

Where have all the hunters gone? Decline threatens economy, conservation efforts February 11, 2019 Alabama

2018

2017 - 2018 Deer Statistics for Alabama

Alabama DCNR works to stop slide in hunter numbers December 18, 2018 Alabama

Coyote caught on CCTV camera attacking and killing a deer in Alabama November 22, 2018

Doe harvest key to deer management February 10, 2018 Alabama

How hunters saved the deer and turkey in Alabama April 27, 2018

Killed deer underreported in Alabama despite mandate April 22, 2018

Spears, Board updates number of hunting rules June 9, 2018 Alabama

Sportsmen's Caucus Celebrates 10th Year in Alabama February 9, 2018 Alabama

2017

2016 Hunt Estimate, Baiting Deer Remains Illegal in Alabama September 15, 2017

2017 Alabama Deer Forecast September 20, 2017

Advisory Board Approves 'Dog Encroachment' Amendment March 13, 2017 Alabama

Advisory Board Approves 'Dog Encroachment' Amendment March 13, 2017 Alabama

Advisory Board Updated on Game Check, Snapper Check February 18, 2017 Alabama

Alabama Game Breeder Receives $750,000 Fine for Illegally Importing Deer October 5, 2017 Alabama

Autauga public hunting area named for former conservation commisisoner January 13, 2017 Alabama

Baiting Deer Remains Illegal in Alabama September 15, 2017

Changing the game: a new baiting bill for deer and wild hog in Alabama March 6, 2017 Alabama

Deer restocking program means big bucks for Ala. hunting industry October 12, 2017 Alabama

Follow Guidelines for Successful Wildlife Food Plots August 11, 2017 Alabama

More than 82,000 Deer Reported in Alabama’s First Year of Game Check March 6, 2017 Alabama

More than 82,000 Deer Reported in Alabama’s First Year of Game Check March 6, 2017 Alabama,

Population, Experts share tips as rifle season approaches November 16, 2017 Alabama

QDMA Estimated Alabama Deer Hunt for 2015-16

Rescue Not Required July 19, 2017 Alabama

Restocking Efforts, August, 2017 Alabama

Senate bill would legalize hunting deer, hogs over bait February 17, 2017

State hunting by the numbers February 14, 2016 Alabama

The Effects of Soils on Whitetail Deer September 23, 2017 Alabama

2016

Alabama Deer Forecast for 2016 October 11, 2016

Biologists, hunters react to hunting season extension July 24, 2016 Alabama

Board Recommends Changes to Alabama's Hunting and Fishing Regulations April 5, 2016 Alabama

Deer in Alabama, a brief discussion of the last 12,000 years June 28, 2016

Effort to reintroduce elk to Alabama in 1916 March 13, 2016

Factors influencing reproductive success in male white‐tailed deer 2016

State deer herd appears in decline May 7, 2016 Alabama, Anniston Star

State hunting by the numbers February 14, 2016 Alabama

To bait or not to bait: that's the question for deer hunters February 21, 2016 Alabama

2015

2014-15 Deer Hunting Season in Review July, 2015 Alabama

2015 Trophy Deer Forecast: Alabama October 21, 2015

Alabama Deer Forecast for 2015 September 9, 2015

Deer baiting bill apparently dead May 16, 2015 Alabama

Deer carcasses dumped in Calera: 'It's by coldhearted, ruthless killers' February 19, 2015 Alabama

Deer hunters should see plenty of action during the rut December 12, 2015 Alabama

Deer Hunters: Don't Harvest Orange-collared Deer October 29, 2015 Alabama

Deer releases win-win for wildlife, Fort Rucker March 5, 2015 Alabama

Deer season goes into February this year January 30, 2015 Alabama

Deer season opens with a twang October 8, 2015 Alabama

Experts say bigger bucks taken by area hunters February 2, 2015 Alabama

Find the food, find the deer December 9, 2015 Alabama

Fire Is Good Wildlife Management Tool January 15, 2015 Alabama,

Habitat Management Helpful For All Wildlife August 20, 2015 Alabama,

Hunters limited in use of drones November 22, 2015 Alabama

Hunters, stores, officials prep for opening of gun season November 20, 2015 Alabama

Hunting regulations define ‘area’ October 7, 2015 Alabama

Legalize deer baiting? Let us look closer March 25, 2015 Alabama

Predator issues affecting our deer population January 10, 2015 Alabama

State extends deer season in some areas February 2, 2015 Alabama

Supplemental feeding regulations apply as deer season approaches October 1, 2015 Alabama,

The Importance of Alabama's White-Tailed Deer Herd July 2, 2015 Alabama,

Timberland in Alabama's Madison and Jackson counties offered in sealed bid auction April 13, 2015

Tips for hunting Alabama whitetails during the rut November 25, 2015 Alabama

Whitetail Rutting Activity in Alabama Varies Widely January 13, 2015 Alabama,

Wide-ranging coyote study underway in Southeast February 10, 2015 Alabama

Xtreme Whitetail Adventures of Alabama's 832 acres of land sold for $7 million April 16, 2015 Alabama,

2014

Alabama Deer Hunting Forecast for 2014 October 4, 2014

Alabama hunters take advantage of holidays, extended season December 29, 2014 Alabama

Alabama hunters urged not to kill deer with orange collars September 30, 2014

Alabama votes to allow use of suppressors for hunting May 12, 2014

An Encore Vote on Hunting in Alabama November 2, 2014

Birmingham, Oak Mountain Deer Management Program on Track for 2014-15 Season August 6, 2014 Alabama

Conservation board extends deer hunting season May 3, 2014 Alabama

Deer breeding: Big game is big business March 30, 2014 Alabama

Deer Darting, Auburn University February 2, 2014

Deer die-off cause revealed ... June 26, 2014 Alabama

Deer hunters get new lines crossed August 3, 2014 Alabama

Deer season features cold weather, few changes February 23, 2014 Alabama

DMAP still available, new version in works June 21, 2014 Alabama

February deer hunting appears to have achieved its goal February 13, 2014 Alabama

February deer season in Alabama likely to be expanded next year February 11, 2014

February deer season was positive February 21, 2014 Alabama

February deer season will continue May 14, 2014 Alabama

Fully intact female Deer found in belly of record-smashing 1,000 pound alligator caught in Alabama August 22, 2014

Hunters urged to practice safety for remainder of deer season January 17, 2014 Alabama

Hunting has huge impact on Alabama economy November 18, 2014

Hunting on Pelham Range in decline since fort’s closure December 26, 2014 Alabama

Hunting With Suppressors In Alabama: Controversial Among Hunters May 9, 2014

Long live the orange-collared deer; if it's brown, it's down September 8, 2014 Alabama

Mandatory reporting needed to get accurate deer count February 12, 2014 Alabama

More States Aim to Protect Hunting April 27, 2014 Alabama

New deer season proposals considered by state regulators March 9, 2014 Alabama

Reporting the harvest September 9, 2014 Alabama

Several changes in deer season August 10, 2014 Alabama

State cuts doe harvest for upcoming season September 28, 2014 Alabama

State game department proposes expansion of February deer hunting area March 1, 2014 Alabama

Wildlife Officials: Game Reporting Low February 10, 2014 Alabama

2013

A Front-Row Seat to the Rut Show November 6, 2013 Alabama

Alabama conservation commissioner says dog-deer hunter concerns won't change gun deer season proposal for now February 26, 2013

Alabama conservation commissioner set to introduce regulations extending deer season in Southwest Alabama January 24, 2013

Alabama conservation officials: Supplemental feeding 'area' definition does not legalize baiting March 18, 2013

Alabama Game Check System now voluntary September 27, 2013

Biologists expect this year's deer herd to be healthy October 24, 2013 Alabama

Compromise on new Ala hunting rule fails September 6, 2013 Alabama

Deer Feeding, Alabama's Controversial New Law is Good News for Hunters December 3, 2013

Deer season extended to February October 11, 2013 Alabama

Deer season shift in southwest Alabama July 7, 2013 Alabama

Effectiveness of Alabama's modified feeding law tested as hunting seasons begin October 25, 2013

February deer season proposed for South Alabama February 17, 2013

Fetal Surveys Showing Deer Management Isn't 'One Size Fits All July 5, 2013 Alabama

G&F Forecast: Top Counties Alabama Deer Hunting in 2013 October, 2013

Game Check amended, Alabama hunters getting three days instead one to register kills September 20, 2013

Game Check' needs further review September 8, 2013 Alabama

Hunters can record deer harvest online January 18, 2013 Alabama

Hunters have 24 hours to report August 25, 2013 Alabama

Hunters Should Avoid Harvesting 'Collared Deer' in Research Locations December 4, 2013 Alabama

labama's game-check program voluntary this season October 13, 2013

Legislation could halt mandatory harvest reporting for hunters April 22, 2013 Alabama

New deer feeding laws in place for state this year August 18, 2013 Alabama

Questions raised about new Ala game reporting rule September 2, 2013 Alabama

Rut report: Deer in various phases of breeding season across Alabama January 4, 2013

Senate bill seeks to extend statewide Alabama deer season two weeks February 22, 2013

Senate bill seeks to extend statewide Alabama deer season two weeks February 22, 2013

Southwest Alabama February deer season map, restricted doe harvest map released at advisory board meeting February 9, 2013

The Road to Alabama's New February Deer Season September 14, 2013

2012

About 250000 hunters in state, Hunters can express views at meeting March 8, 2012 Alabama

Alabama Acorn Crop November 28, 2012

Alabama conservation commissioner signs emergency order stopping deer releasese into the wild December 7, 2012

Alabama Legislature debates deer season extension March 13, 2012 Alabama

Alabama's Deer Management Assistance Program Changes Encourage Enrollment October 22, 2012

Big Buck Project begins deer releases in Alabama's Marengo County October 12, 2012

Big Buck Project begins deer releases in Alabama's Marengo County October 12, 2012

Big Buck Project takes whitetail-deer stocking to new level in Marengo County September 20, 2012 Alabama

Big Buck Project under way November 8, 2012 Alabama

Conservation Advisory, Extending Deer Season March 24, 2012 Alabama

Conservation Advisory, Extending Deer Season March 24, 2012 Alabama

Coytoes: A new player in deer management in the Southeast April 15, 2012 Alabama

Deer hunts getting under way at Alabama park October 30, 2012

Deer Management Assistance Program is worth supporting May 27, 2012, Alabama

Deer Management In The New Era Of Coyotes August 30, 2012 Alabama

DMA Opposes Alabama's Big Buck Project - Do Not Release Captive Deer into the Wild September 26, 2012

Extending deer season, baiting still hot discussion topics January 8, 2012 Alabama

Fire helps to balance man's use of the natural world April 20, 2012 Alabama

Fracking risks in Alabama June 1, 2012 Alabama

Groups at odds over deer project October 21, 2012 Alabama

Hunting: In Alabama, a dog and a deer to remember December 12, 2012

Pet deer, confiscated by state, makes her way home; may be taken again June 5, 2012, Alabama

Some deer hunting myths will live forever January 1, 2012 Alabama

Strengthening the herd: Hunters adapt to limit November 24, 2012 Alabama

Taking Deer Management to the Next Level September 10, 2012 Alabama

2011

Alabama Conservation Advisory Board votes to relax buckshot restrictions May 22, 2011

Alabama deer study leader skeptical about benefits of longer season March 6, 2011

Alabama wildlife officials wary of longer deer season March 14, 2011

Deer habitat management on a 'natural' budget April 11, 2011 Alabama

Permit system took bite out of Alabama dog hunting controversy May 22, 2011

Sika deer killed in Alabama positively identified as young stag November 3, 2011

Warm Season Food Plantings for Deer June 9, 2011 Alabama

Wildlife-attracting Chinese chestnuts hit market this fall April 18, 2011 Alabama