2012 Code of Alabama
Title 9 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
Chapter 11 - FISH, GAME AND WILDLIFE.

Article 1 General Provisions.

• Section 9-11-1 - Definitions.
• Section 9-11-2 - Acquisition of lands for state game lands; erection, etc., of buildings for propagation of game, birds or fish.
• Section 9-11-2.1 - Closing of existing hunting lands; replacement acreage; annual reports.
• Section 9-11-3 - Title and deeds to acquired lands; supervision of same.
• Section 9-11-4 - State game refuges or sanctuaries; shooting preserves, game refuges, etc., in national forests, etc.
• Section 9-11-5 - Commissioner, wardens, etc., constituted peace officers.
• Section 9-11-6 - Violations of fish and game laws - Jurisdiction; reporting of convictions and disposition of fines.
• Section 9-11-7 - Violations of fish and game laws - District attorneys to prosecute; district attorney's fee.
• Section 9-11-8 - Violations of fish and game laws - Authority of enforcement officers, etc., generally; arrest without warrant.
• Section 9-11-9 - Violations of fish and game laws - Service and return of warrant as to firms or corporations.
• Section 9-11-10 - Violations of fish and game laws - Clerks to report results of prosecutions.
• Section 9-11-11 - Violations of fish and game laws - Charging of several offenses.
• Section 9-11-12 - Violations of fish and game laws - Fees of arresting officers.
• Section 9-11-13 - Violations of fish and game laws - Style of proceedings.
• Section 9-11-14 - Violations of fish and game laws - Procedure on appeal.
• Section 9-11-15 - Violations of fish and game laws - Judgment on appeal.
• Section 9-11-16 - Seizure, forfeiture and disposal of prohibited devices, etc., used in catching, killing, etc., fish or fur-bearing animals.
• Section 9-11-17 - Deputy game and fish wardens; appointment; duties; authority; revocation of appointment; compensation and status.
• Section 9-11-18 - Furnishing of equipment for game and fish wardens.
• Section 9-11-19 - Assent to federal act relating to fish restoration and management projects; disposition of fishing license fees generally.
• Section 9-11-20 - Release of turkeys into wild areas of state prohibited; exceptions; penalty.
• Section 9-11-21 - Investigation of hunting deaths by grand jury; reporting of such accidents.
• Section 9-11-22 - Commercial fishing equipment required to be affixed with tags.
• Section 9-11-23 - Alabama Marine Resources Endowment Fund.
• Section 9-11-24 - Violation of fish and game laws - Assessment of court costs.
• Section 9-11-25 - Licenses and permits not transferable; penalties.
• Section 9-11-26 - Penalty for offering to sell shellfish, wild fish, or farm-raised fish processed with certain banned drugs.

Article 2 Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Licenses Generally.

• Section 9-11-30 - Game breeder's license - Issuance; renewal; expiration; fees.
• Section 9-11-31 - Game breeder's license - Sales by licensee; nonindigenous game breeder option.
• Section 9-11-31.1 - Game breeder's license - Violations
• Section 9-11-32 - Duration and scope of licenses.
• Section 9-11-33 - Hunting and fishing licenses generally - Numbering; delivery of blank licenses to issuing authorities; return of unused licenses and stubs.
• Section 9-11-34 - Hunting and fishing licenses generally - License cards.
• Section 9-11-35 - Hunting or fishing license not required of member of armed forces during war.
• Section 9-11-35.1 - Licensing exception for residents on active military duty.
• Section 9-11-36 - Issuance of licenses generally - Persons authorized; record.
• Section 9-11-37 - Issuance of licenses generally - Issuance fee; reports.
• Section 9-11-38 - Special agents for issuing hunting and fishing licenses - Application for appointment; authority.
• Section 9-11-39 - Special agents for issuing hunting and fishing licenses - Bond generally; appointment.
• Section 9-11-40 - Special agents for issuing hunting and fishing licenses - Bond of agents to be payable to judge of probate or license commissioner.
• Section 9-11-41 - Special agents for issuing hunting and fishing licenses - Furnishing of blank licenses to agents.
• Section 9-11-42 - Special agents for issuing hunting and fishing licenses - Duties generally; remittance of fees collected, etc., to probate judge or license commissioner.
• Section 9-11-43 - Responsibility of judge of probate or license commissioner as to licenses; disposition of fees from sale of licenses.
• Section 9-11-44 - Resident license - Hunting.
• Section 9-11-44.1 - Certification of completion of approved hunter education course required for issuance of license; penalty; "supervision required" status.
• Section 9-11-45 - License to hunt on wildlife management areas; fee; violations.
• Section 9-11-45.1 - Use of crossbows for hunting.
• Section 9-11-46 - Nonresident hunting licenses - "Small game only."
• Section 9-11-47 - Nonresident hunting licenses - "All game."
• Section 9-11-48 - Nonresident hunting licenses - "Trip small game."
• Section 9-11-49 - Nonresident hunting licenses - "Trip all game."
• Section 9-11-49.1 - Establishment of bag limits, etc., for certain nonresidents.
• Section 9-11-50 - Hunting by persons under 16 years of age.
• Section 9-11-51 - Hunting without license, etc.
• Section 9-11-52 - Dog trainer's license.
• Section 9-11-53 - Resident license - Freshwater fishing.
• Section 9-11-53.1 - Resident license - Saltwater fishing.
• Section 9-11-53.2 - Resident annual combination saltwater-freshwater licenses; fee; disposition of fee; additional issuance fees.
• Section 9-11-53.3 - Reciprocal agreement with Florida exempting persons 65 years or older from licensing requirements.
• Section 9-11-53.4 - Resident seven-day trip freshwater fishing license.
• Section 9-11-53.5 - Resident seven-day trip saltwater fishing license.
• Section 9-11-54 - Special fishing license for totally disabled persons; period of validity; request for recertification of disability; fee of issuing authority; definitions.
• Section 9-11-55 - Nonresident freshwater fishing licenses - Annual license; penalty.
• Section 9-11-55.1 - Nonresident freshwater fishing licenses - Use of certain trotlines prohibited; inspection of permissible trotlines required; penalties.
• Section 9-11-55.2 - Nonresident saltwater fishing license; cost; disposition of fees; penalty for violation.
• Section 9-11-55.3 - Combination nonresident saltwater-freshwater license; fee.
• Section 9-11-56 - Nonresident freshwater fishing licenses - Trip license; penalty.
• Section 9-11-56.1 - Nonresident fishing licenses - Commercial license.
• Section 9-11-56.2 - Annual "Free Fishing Day."
• Section 9-11-56.3 - Public fishing pier license; saltwater pier fishing license; fees.
• Section 9-11-57 - Fishing without license.
• Section 9-11-58 - Licenses of nonresident live fish and minnow dealers; fees of issuing authorities; disposition of fees.
• Section 9-11-59 - License to capture or kill fur-bearing animals for commercial purposes; traps.
• Section 9-11-60 - Disposition of funds from sale of fur catchers' licenses; report of licenses issued.
• Section 9-11-61 - Transporting, etc., furs, skins, or pelts without fur catcher's license.
• Section 9-11-62 - Fur dealers defined; presumptions.
• Section 9-11-63 - Fur dealer's license; penalty for violations.
• Section 9-11-64 - Inspection of books and records of dealers, etc.
• Section 9-11-65 - Lifetime resident hunting, freshwater fishing and combination licenses.
• Section 9-11-65.1 - Issuance of hunting and fishing licenses on combination license basis; fees.
• Section 9-11-65.2 - Lifetime resident saltwater fishing license; combination licenses with freshwater fishing, hunting.
• Section 9-11-66 - Fishing in Pike County public lake without paying admission fee.
• Section 9-11-67 - Sportsman's license.
• Section 9-11-68 - Cost adjustments - Hunting and fishing licenses.
• Section 9-11-69 - Cost adjustments - Saltwater fishing licenses.
• Section 9-11-70 - Hunting, fishing, or trapping with revoked or suspended license; licenses not transferable; penalties.
• Section 9-11-71 - Wildlife heritage license.

Article 3 Fishing Laws.

• Section 9-11-80 - Public and private waters defined.
• Section 9-11-81 - Title to freshwater fish vested in state.
• Section 9-11-82 - Game fish designated.
• Section 9-11-83 - Commercial or nongame fish designated.
• Section 9-11-84 - Sale, transportation, etc., of game fish taken from public or private waters.
• Section 9-11-85 - Game fish to be transported openly; confiscation, etc., of game fish taken or transported illegally.
• Section 9-11-86 - Limitation on transportation, etc., of game fish beyond boundaries of state.
• Section 9-11-87 - Means of catching game fish generally.
• Section 9-11-88 - Catching game or nongame fish by use of gill, trammel, etc., nets.
• Section 9-11-89 - Use of game fish for bait - Generally.
• Section 9-11-90 - Use of game fish for bait - Use of sunfish.
• Section 9-11-91 - Catching, etc., of fish in private ponds, lakes, pools, or reservoirs.
• Section 9-11-91.1 - Unauthorized fishing from or near fish farm.
• Section 9-11-92 - Preventing passage of fish up rivers or creeks.
• Section 9-11-93 - Catching, killing, etc., of fish by use of poisons or explosives.
• Section 9-11-94 - Catching, killing, etc., of game or nongame fish by means not expressly allowed.
• Section 9-11-94.1 - Purchase of tags required for each tarpon taken, killed, or harvested.
• Section 9-11-95 - Disposition of fines, forfeitures, etc.

Article 4 Commercial Fishing in Public Impounded Waters and Navigable Streams.

• Section 9-11-140 - Use of commercial fishing gear in public impounded waters and navigable streams - When, where, and how permitted.
• Section 9-11-141 - Use of commercial fishing gear in public impounded waters and navigable streams - License - Required generally.
• Section 9-11-142 - Use of commercial fishing gear in public impounded waters and navigable streams - License - Individual licenses required; exception for certain assistants.
• Section 9-11-143 - Use of commercial fishing gear in public impounded waters and navigable streams - License - Issuance; fees; records; disposition of fees.
• Section 9-11-144 - Use of commercial fishing gear in public impounded waters and navigable streams -License - Expiration.
• Section 9-11-145 - Use of commercial fishing gear in public impounded waters and navigable streams - License - Forfeiture.
• Section 9-11-146 - Disposition of proceeds from sale of licenses, etc.
• Section 9-11-147 - Marking location of and identifying fishing gear.
• Section 9-11-148 - Game fish taken to be returned to waters; possession of game fish by commercial fishermen.
• Section 9-11-149 - Use of fishing gear within one-half mile below lock or dam.
• Section 9-11-150 - Use of fishing gear within 100 yards of mouths of streams, etc., emptying into salt waters or bays.
• Section 9-11-151 - Seizure, confiscation and disposition of fishing gear used in violation of article.
• Section 9-11-152 - Shipment or transportation of fish taken in violation of article; seizure, confiscation and disposition of fish illegally transported or shipped.
• Section 9-11-153 - Wholesale and retail freshwater nongame fish dealers' licenses; commercial paddlefish dealer’s license.
• Section 9-11-154 - Records of wholesalers and retailers of freshwater nongame fish; inspection, etc., of records.
• Section 9-11-155 - Applicability of provisions of article.
• Section 9-11-156 - Penalties for violations of provisions of article.

Article 5 Spearfishing.

• Section 9-11-170 - Spearing of commercial or nongame fish for sport - When, where and how permitted; notice of competitive events.
• Section 9-11-171 - Spearing of commercial or nongame fish for sport - License - Required; issuance; fees; disposition of revenue from sale.
• Section 9-11-172 - Spearing of commercial or nongame fish for sport - License - Display.
• Section 9-11-173 - Regulation of seasons, hours, etc.
• Section 9-11-174 - Compliance with water safety laws.
• Section 9-11-175 - Possession of spear, etc., evidence of spearfishing; exception.
• Section 9-11-176 - Penalty for violations.

Article 6 Catching of Nongame Fish With Wire Baskets.

• Section 9-11-190 - Catching of nongame fish from public waters by use of wire baskets - When, where and how permitted.
• Section 9-11-191 - Catching of nongame fish from public waters by use of wire baskets - License - Required; issuance; fees; disposition of fees.
• Section 9-11-192 - Licenses not to be sold to persons holding commercial fishing licenses, etc.; sale or offer for sale of fish by licensees, etc.
• Section 9-11-193 - Obtaining more than four licenses or fishing with more than four baskets.
• Section 9-11-194 - Marking of baskets.
• Section 9-11-195 - Destruction of unmarked baskets.
• Section 9-11-196 - Nongame fish only to be taken, etc., with baskets; return of game fish taken to waters.
• Section 9-11-197 - Taking of fish from baskets, etc., by unlicensed persons.
• Section 9-11-198 - Penalty for violations of provisions of article; revocation of licenses.

Article 7 Reciprocal Agreements as to Freshwater Fishing.

• Section 9-11-210 - Agreements as to fishing in waters of Alabama and of bordering states.
• Section 9-11-211 - Agreements as to fishing in waters lying between Alabama and adjoining states or partly in Alabama and partly in adjoining state.
• Section 9-11-212 - Agreements to apply separately to waters lying between Alabama and each agreeing bordering state.
• Section 9-11-213 - Rights and privileges granted to be exercised in accordance with Alabama laws, etc.

Article 8 Hunting and Trapping of Birds and Game.

• Section 9-11-230 - Title to wild birds and animals vested in state.
• Section 9-11-231 - Permits for collection of wild animals, birds, etc., for scientific purposes, etc.
• Section 9-11-232 - Possession, sale, purchase, etc., of protected wild birds, etc.
• Section 9-11-233 - Enumeration of birds not protected.
• Section 9-11-234 - Hunting, etc., of protected birds or animals on state or federal game sanctuaries or refuges.
• Section 9-11-235 - Taking, etc., of protected birds or animals, raccoons or opossums at night; nighttime hunting of foxes with dogs.
• Section 9-11-235.1 - Taking, etc., raccoons or opossums at night; weapons used.
• Section 9-11-236 - Hunting, etc., or possession of protected birds or animals during closed season.
• Section 9-11-237 - Sale and purchase of game birds and animals including the meat or other product thereof.
• Section 9-11-238 - Hunting, etc., of wild turkeys with dogs.
• Section 9-11-240 - Opening of season for hunting, etc., of female deer and unantlered male deer.
• Section 9-11-241 - Hunting, trapping, etc., of wild game during day on lands of another without permission.
• Section 9-11-242 - Hunting, trapping, etc., of wild game at night on lands of another without permission.
• Section 9-11-243 - Hunting, trapping, etc., of fur-bearing animals within 10 feet of banks of waters on property of another without permission.
• Section 9-11-244 - Taking, etc., of protected birds or animals by means of bait.
• Section 9-11-245 - Unlawful methods of hunting birds or animals protected by law or regulation.
• Section 9-11-246 - Penalties for violations of provisions of Sections 9-11-244 and 9-11-245.
• Section 9-11-247 - Taking, keeping, etc., of raccoons for use in "coon on the log" contests.
• Section 9-11-248 - Permits for holding of "coon on the log" contests.
• Section 9-11-249 - Penalty for violations of provisions of Sections 9-11-247 and 9-11-248.
• Section 9-11-250 - Taking, etc., of deer from public waters.
• Section 9-11-251 - Taking, etc., of deer at night.
• Section 9-11-252 - Penalties for violations of provisions of Sections 9-11-250 and 9-11-251.
• Section 9-11-252.1 - Motor vehicle, weapons, etc., used in nighttime deer hunting declared contraband; seizure report; condemnation and forfeiture; disposition of proceeds.
• Section 9-11-253 - Transportation or shipment of skins or hides of fur-bearing animals without payment of state tax; bonds of dealers.
• Section 9-11-254 - Limitation as to number of traps for taking, etc., of fur-bearing animals; penalty.
• Section 9-11-255 - Transportation, shipment, etc., of protected birds or game.
• Section 9-11-256 - Liability of common carriers, etc., transporting, shipping, etc., protected birds or game.
• Section 9-11-257 - Hunting or discharge of firearm from, upon, or across public roads, etc.
• Section 9-11-258 - Persons hunting deer at night liable for killing stock.
• Section 9-11-259 - Game, birds or animals to be transported openly; confiscation, etc., of game, birds or animals transported or taken illegally.
• Section 9-11-260 - Acquisition of lands, expenditure of revenues, etc., by commissioner for propagation of game birds, game and fur-bearing animals.
• Section 9-11-261 - Permits for propagation of game birds, and game or fur-bearing animals for private purposes.
• Section 9-11-262 - Opening or closing of season for killing of beaver; payment of bounty for killing of beaver.
• Section 9-11-263 - Consent to acquisition of lands, etc., for establishment of migratory bird reservations.
• Section 9-11-264 - Liability for injury or damage to persons or domestic animals of persons using traps, etc., to take, capture, etc., fur-bearing animals; exemption of Lawrence County.
• Section 9-11-265 - Trapping on or from right-of-way of state highway; exemption of Lawrence County.
• Section 9-11-265.1 - Sections 9-11-264 and 9-11-265 inapplicable in Limestone County.
• Section 9-11-266 - Checking of traps; hanging or suspending of bait over or within 25 feet of steel trap.
• Section 9-11-267 - Filing of reports as to animals trapped, purchased, etc., by persons licensed to trap fur-bearing animals and by fur dealers.
• Section 9-11-268 - Penalty for violations of provisions of Sections 9-11-265, 9-11-266 and 9-11-267.
• Section 9-11-269 - Protection of flattened musk turtle.

Article 8A Interference with Legal Hunting or Fishing.

• Section 9-11-270 - Interference with persons legally hunting or fishing.
• Section 9-11-271 - Activities prohibited.
• Section 9-11-272 - Obeying order of peace officer.
• Section 9-11-273 - Limited application.
• Section 9-11-274 - Penalties.
• Section 9-11-275 - Construction of article.

Article 9 Reciprocal Agreements as to Waterfowl Hunting.

• Section 9-11-280 - Agreements as to hunting and taking of waterfowl from waters of Alabama and of bordering states.
• Section 9-11-281 - Agreements as to hunting and taking of waterfowl from waters lying between Alabama and adjoining states or partly in Alabama and partly in adjoining states.
• Section 9-11-282 - Agreements to apply separately to waters lying between Alabama and each agreeing bordering state; hunting privileges limited to waterfowl.
• Section 9-11-283 - Rights and privileges granted to be exercised in accordance with Alabama laws, etc.

Article 10 Wildlife Management Areas.

• Section 9-11-300 - Establishment.
• Section 9-11-301 - Fixing of boundaries; promulgation of special rules and regulations for management and protection of areas.
• Section 9-11-302 - Closing of land or water in areas to hunting and fishing.
• Section 9-11-303 - Searches and seizures.
• Section 9-11-304 - Carrying or possession of firearms.
• Section 9-11-305 - When dogs permitted in areas; liability of owners of dogs at large in areas.
• Section 9-11-306 - Impoundment of dogs; redemption or destruction of impounded dogs.
• Section 9-11-307 - Penalties for violations of provisions of article, etc.

Article 11 Possession of Wildlife for Public Exhibition Purposes.

• Section 9-11-320 - Definitions.
• Section 9-11-321 - Possession of wildlife in captivity for public exhibition purposes.
• Section 9-11-322 - Appointment of committee to study and recommend standards for care and treatment of captive wildlife.
• Section 9-11-323 - Promulgation of regulations prescribing standards for care and treatment of captive wildlife.
• Section 9-11-324 - Permits to possess wildlife for public exhibition purposes; contents of applications for permits.
• Section 9-11-325 - Condition in permits to allow inspections; notice of and abatement of violations.
• Section 9-11-326 - Enforcement of article, standards and provisions of permits.
• Section 9-11-327 - Penalties for violations of article, standards or provisions of permits.
• Section 9-11-328 - Applicability of provisions of article.

Article 12 Commercial Quail Breeding.

• Section 9-11-340 - "Pen-raised quail" defined.
• Section 9-11-341 - Persons, etc., authorized to engage in propagation, etc., of pen-raised quail.
• Section 9-11-342 - Commercial quail breeder's license.
• Section 9-11-343 - Licensees to obtain markers or marking devices.
• Section 9-11-344 - Carcasses to be marked before sale; quail to be killed otherwise than by shooting.
• Section 9-11-345 - Invoices to be attached to packages of carcasses.
• Section 9-11-346 - Packages of carcasses to be shipped with invoices attached.
• Section 9-11-347 - Invoices to be kept attached to packages of carcasses during storage.
• Section 9-11-348 - Resale or disposition of quail by persons other than retail vendors.
• Section 9-11-349 - Records of licensees; inspection of records and premises of licensees.
• Section 9-11-350 - Article applicable to persons, etc., shipping quail into state.
• Section 9-11-351 - Penalty for violations of provisions of article.

Article 13 Taking of Mussels or Mollusks From Fresh Waters.

• Section 9-11-370 - "Nonresident" defined; burden of proof as to residence.
• Section 9-11-371 - Promulgation of rules and regulations as to taking of mussels or mollusks from fresh waters.
• Section 9-11-372 - Mussel catcher's license.
• Section 9-11-373 - Mussel buyer's license.
• Section 9-11-374 - Disposition of proceeds of sale of licenses.
• Section 9-11-375 - Charge for buying or otherwise obtaining freshwater mussels; disposition of revenues; violation as a misdemeanor.

Article 14 Marine Mammal Protection.

• Section 9-11-390 - Short title.
• Section 9-11-391 - Definitions.
• Section 9-11-392 - Legislative findings and declaration of policy.
• Section 9-11-393 - Imposition of moratorium on taking of marine mammals and marine mammal products; exceptions.
• Section 9-11-394 - Taking, transportation, sale, etc., of marine mammals, etc., in violation of provisions of article, etc.
• Section 9-11-395 - Promulgation of rules and regulations.
• Section 9-11-396 - Penalties for violations of provisions of article, etc.; powers of law enforcement officers, etc., as to enforcement of article, etc.; custody and disposition of equipment, etc., seized in connection with violations of article, etc.; disposition of moneys arising from fines and forfeitures.
• Section 9-11-397 - Funding of programs established under article.
• Section 9-11-398 - Applicability of provisions of article.

Article 15 Commercial Fowl Hunting Preserves.

• Section 9-11-410 - License required.
• Section 9-11-411 - Site of preserve; marking of boundaries; proximity to other preserves or management areas; turkey shooting prohibited.
• Section 9-11-412 - Birds to be hunted.
• Section 9-11-413 - License fee; issuance of license; license to operate a commercial bird hunting preserve.
• Section 9-11-414 - Limits on harvest; hunting period for "pen-raised birds."
• Section 9-11-415 - Tagging of bob-white quail; operators to cooperate with Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources; tagging generally.
• Section 9-11-416 - Records of hunters and amount and species of game taken; inspection.
• Section 9-11-417 - Hunting licenses required of preserve patrons; seven-day license; operators as agent vendors of licenses.
• Section 9-11-418 - Enforcement of game and fish laws; inspection of preserves.
• Section 9-11-419 - Violations; license revocation.

Article 16 Preservation of Wetlands and Hunting of Migratory Waterfowl.

• Section 9-11-430 - Definitions.
• Section 9-11-431 - Construction of article; purpose thereof.
• Section 9-11-432 - Stamp required for hunting migratory waterfowl; form; procedure.
• Section 9-11-433 - Issuance of stamp; cost; disposition of fees; issuing agents; refund for unsold stamps.
• Section 9-11-434 - Revenue used in preservation of wetlands; contracts with non-profit organizations for project outside United States.
• Section 9-11-435 - Requirements for approval of outside United States projects.

Article 17 Commercial Fee Fishing Ponds.

• Section 9-11-450 - Permit required; rules and regulations.
• Section 9-11-451 - Site of fee fishing ponds; marking of entrance.
• Section 9-11-452 - Ponds to be stocked with farm or hatchery produced fish.
• Section 9-11-453 - Application procedure.
• Section 9-11-454 - Fishing license not required; letter permit prominently displayed.
• Section 9-11-455 - Creel limits.
• Section 9-11-456 - Selling of fish caught.
• Section 9-11-457 - Violations; fines.

Article 18 Protection of Black Bears.

• Section 9-11-480 - Legislative findings.
• Section 9-11-481 - Prohibited activities; exceptions; applicability; penalties.

Article 19 Hunting of Native Game Animals and Certain Nonindigenous Animals.

• Section 9-11-500 - Definitions.
• Section 9-11-501 - Hunting of native game animals under certain conditions prohibited.
• Section 9-11-502 - Hunting of tame game animals prohibited.
• Section 9-11-503 - Hunting of nonindigenous animals prohibited.
• Section 9-11-504 - Hunting of pen-raised birds.
• Section 9-11-505 - Penalties.