Alabama's turkey hunting season will open Monday, March 16, 2009, and close on April 30, 2009, in most counties. Traditionally, turkey season has opened on the 15th day of March, but since that date fell on a Sunday, the Conservation Advisory Board opted to push the opening forward by one day.

The special youth turkey hunting days also affected the opening date. Regulations allow Alabama's youth to hunt the Saturday and Sunday prior to the season's official opening. "If we opened on the 15th, then youth turkey hunting days would have been too early," said Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley. "This way we have youth turkey hunting days on March 14-15 and opening day on the 16th. We understand that some hunters may believe that March 15 is always the day that turkey season opens, but that is not the case. We have to evaluate what's best for everyone and the 16th was that date," he said.

Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and Winston have different opening dates for turkey season. Please visit www.outdooralabama.com for complete details.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

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