Are you thinking about hunting bobcats in Alabama? This article covers many of the fundamental laws you will need to know to get started. It also provides information such as seasons, harvest limits, and required permits for bobcat hunting in Alabama. It is not a legal document and is not intended to cover all hunting laws and regulations.
In Alabama, a license is required to hunt bobcats. There is no closed bobcat hunting season or bag limit. Bobcat hunting is during daylight hours only.
Purchase an Alabama hunting license here.
Check out all the Alabama hunting seasons.
First time hunting bobcats? Check out my article on the three vital tips for a successful bobcat hunt.
Did you know you can hunt coyotes in Alabama? Read this article on the laws for hunting coyotes in Alabama.
Learn the rules for hunting fox in Alabama.
General rules for hunting bobcats in Alabama.
Suppressors. Legal since 2014 for hunting purposes.
Electronic callers and decoys. Alabama state law forbids only the following: ”Any electrically amplified turkey, dove or waterfowl calls or sound whether real or imitation. Nothing in this regulation shall prevent the use of electrically amplified crow calls. The possession of any electrical device and/or records capable of producing real or imitation turkey, dove or waterfowl calls of any type in the woods, field, or on the waters of this State shall be a violation of this regulation.”
If your electronic caller has these sounds, it may be wise to stick to hand and mouth calls.
While electronic callers are expensive, mouth and hand callers are less pricey but take time to learn how to use.
Read this article and watch the video to learn how to use a closed reed rabbit squealer.
Follow along as call manufacturer Brian Rush shows you three open reed calls you can learn and use today.
You can read about some highly effective but inexpensive ($20) coyotes decoys here.
You can check Amazon’s price list for callers and decoys here.
Pelt tagging required when hunting bobcats in Alabama.
All bobcat and otter, regardless of method of harvest, are required to be tagged by a representative of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division within 14 days of harvest or may be left with a taxidermist with a completed tagging form, and the taxidermist is required to have the bobcat or otter tagged within 14 days of receipt.
Distance from dwelling while hunting in Alabama.
Hunting or Discharging a Firearm Near a Dwelling, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or attempt to hunt within 100 yards of any dwelling belonging to another, whether occupied or not, without the permission of the owner or lessee of said dwelling.
Provided further, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm while hunting in such a manner that any projectile strikes any dwelling or building used for human occupation, whether occupied or not, or any commercial vessel, without the permission of the owner or lessee of said dwelling, building or vessel.
This regulation shall not apply to a landowner or member of his or her immediate family hunting on his or her own property provided that no projectile strikes any of the above stated property of another without the permission of the owner or lessee of said property.
Legal weapons for hunting bobcats in Alabama.
Rifles of any caliber.
Handguns or pistols.
Shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller.
Pre-charged pneumatic air powered guns, .30 caliber or larger.
Long bows, compound bows, or crossbows.
Muzzleloaders and black powder handguns of any caliber.
Pre-charged pneumatic arrow shooting rifles using an arrow equipped with a broadhead which has a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inch and 2 sharpened edges.
Spear or sharpened blade.
Raptors by properly permitted falconers.