hunting license hold - All
German Hunting Union (DJV – Deutscher Jagdverband)
The German Hunting Union (DJV) is the largest hunting organization in Germany, founded in 1949. DJV represents the interests of hunters, is engaged in nature conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources and the popularization of hunting traditions. The Union actively participates in the development of legislation related to hunting and wildlife protection, and also supports scientific research and educational programs for hunters.
As of 2022/23, there were about 434,370 hunting license holders throughout Germany. As of 2019, there were 388,529 hunting license holders in Germany, including 27,190 women (7%). This means that the number of hunters in Germany is growing, and there is a significant increase in female hunters. The total area of the hunting grounds, i.e. the total area of all areas not belonging to the so-called peaceful areas and therefore suitable for hunting, is about 319,000 km2, which accounts for about 89% of the total area of Germany. Areas and hunting license holders are distributed among the individual federal states (lands).
The German Hunting Association (DJV) was founded on 30 November 1949 as the German Hunting Protection Association in Bad Dürkheim as an association of the West German state hunting associations and organized around 70% of the approximately 100,000 hunting license holders in the Federal Republic at that time. The name was a deliberate link to the Allgemeine Deutscher Jagdschutz-Verein (ADJV), a hunting association founded in 1875, which was influenced by the German nobility and, at its dissolution in 1934, was last led by Alfons Prinz von Isenburg. The most important and ultimately achieved political goal of the DJV at the time of its foundation was the extensive incorporation of the Reich Hunting Act into the hunting law of the federation and the Länder.
DJV Structure and Membership.
The German Hunting Association (DJV for short, officially German Hunting Association – Association of German State Hunting Associations for the Protection of Game, Hunting and Nature) is a non-profit, registered association and the association of 15 German state hunting associations based in Berlin.
Deutscher Jagdverband operates through a network of regional associations spread across Germany’s federal states (Länder). These branches organize events, provide resources, and represent local interests within the broader framework of the national union. Membership is open to individuals who share the values of ethical hunting and environmental responsibility.
Through its regional hunting associations, the DJV had around 257,000 members in 2023. The state hunting associations are subdivided as independent organizations into district groups and Hegeringe.
The DJV's primary mission is to preserve and promote responsible hunting traditions while ensuring the long-term sustainability of ecosystems. It emphasizes the importance of balancing human activities with the needs of wildlife and their habitats. Key objectives include:
• Wildlife and Hunting Management. The DJV advocates for science-based approaches to managing animal populations, such as deer, wild boar, and other game species. This includes controlling population sizes to prevent overgrazing and habitat destruction.
• German Conservation Efforts. By working closely with environmental groups, government agencies, and local communities, the DJV supports projects aimed at protecting endangered species and restoring natural habitats.
• Hunting Education and Training. The organization places a strong emphasis on educating its members about ethical hunting practices, safety protocols, and ecological awareness. It also offers training programs for aspiring hunters to ensure they meet high standards before obtaining licenses.
• Hunting Rights Policy Advocacy. As a lobbying group, the DJV engages actively in political discussions at both national and European levels. It strives to influence legislation that affects hunting rights, land use, and biodiversity conservation.
Address:
Deutscher e Jagdverband.V.
185/186 Friedrichstraße,
10117 Berlin,
Germany.
Phone number:
+49 30 209 1394 0
Official website:
www.jagdverband.de
Alabama Hunting Season 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025 AL hunting with our complete guide to big and small game seasons, including whitetail deer, rabbits, ducks, alligator, and more. Learn about hunting licenses, bow and rifle rules, bag limits, and Iowa‐specific regulations.
What Is There to Hunt in Alabama?
From the sun‑bleached marshes along Mobile Bay to the rolling hardwood ridges inland, Alabama supports a wealth of species. You can stalk a wary whitetail deer beneath towering pines or whisper through the cane for a wild turkey at dawn. In the thick swamps, waterfowl—from teal to wood ducks—fill the skies, while open fields hold bobwhite quail and cottontail rabbits. Feral swine root through the underbrush year‑round, and trappers pursue raccoon, fox, and mink on private lands. Even alligator—the Old South’s trophy—can be taken under strict permit.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Alabama?
Not all Alabama hunts are dictated by calendars. Landowners and nuisance‑control hunters can pursue feral swine, coyote, and a variety of fur‑bearers—raccoon, muskrat, badger, mink, and more—any day of the year. These “open season” species help manage populations and offer off‑season opportunities when woodlands and fields would otherwise lie quiet.
Alabama Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
When autumn arrives, river bottoms and creek banks come alive with the flurry of turkey drumming and crowing. Come winter, the rut has hunters glassing ridge tops for mature bucks.
Wild Turkey (Spring): March 22 – May 15, zones 1–3. Youth hunters and disabled veterans get early‑season privileges.
Whitetail Deer (General): Archers begin in early October; firearms open mid‑November. Controlled‑management tags for antlerless deer run in January.
Alligator: Special draw‑permit hunt on Mobile‑area waters, usually in late summer.
Each big‑game hunt in Alabama is tied to biological cycles—turkeys respond to spring’s first warmth, and deer move as mast crops mature. Check your zone’s specific dates and whether you need a separate youth, muzzleloader, or population‑management tag.
Alabama Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Pheasants may elude you here, but bobwhites and quail are plentiful in managed fields. Mourning doves flock around grain bins in late summer, a perfect warm‑weather shoulder-season shoot.
Bobwhite Quail & Rabbits: Oct 1 – Feb 28. Low‑country forests near the coast hold skittish cottontails; upland pine plantations host quail coveys.
Doves: Sept 1 – Nov 9 and Dec 1 – Jan 27 splits. High‑flying shot requires fast reflexes as birds wheel around baited fields.
Waterfowl (Ducks & Geese): Nov 7 – Jan 31; split north/south. Bring a camo dredge or flooded‑timber layout; ducks react to cold fronts, while geese concentrate on harvested rice and corn.
Remember your Federal Duck Stamp and HIP registration before you slip into wet boots.
Bag Limits by Species
Alabama’s bag limits balance opportunity with conservation. You might take two gobblers in spring (one per day), or six ducks per day—just watch for sub‑limits on mallards, teal, and canvasbacks. Deer hunters can claim three antlered bucks per season, plus antlerless via special tags. Feral swine and coyote? Hunt ‘em unguided all year, no limits.
License & Tags Information
Every hunter in Alabama—resident or not—needs a basic hunting license, which automatically covers small game and deer. You’ll add:
Turkey Tag in spring
Deer Tags (antlered and antlerless) in fall and winter
Alligator Permit (draw only)
Non‑residents should apply early for limited‑entry deer and alligator permits, while youth and disabled licenses come with discounts or earlier dates.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Alabama supports a full toolkit:
Archery Seasons kick off as hardwood leaves turn, running through January.
Firearms (rifle & shotgun) dominate mid‑November to early January, when the woods are quietest and deer feed heavily.
Muzzleloaders & Air Rifles get their own windows—perfect for muzzleloader‑only zones that see less pressure.
Many zones allow dogs and bait during deer seasons; others drop stands and require still‑hunting only—always verify local rules.
Regulations & Resources
Legal shooting hours span from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset, though bowhunters often enjoy an extra hour at dusk. Blaze orange is mandatory during all firearms seasons, and private‑land hunters must secure permission before entering fields or woods. Mandatory harvest reporting for deer, turkey, and alligator keeps Alabama’s wildlife agency informed and seasons sustainable.
For full regulations, zone maps, and application windows, bookmark:
Alabama Legislative Services Agency
https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/220-2-.01
Alabama’s hunts are as varied as its landscapes—from swamp‑hunts for wood ducks to hilltop stands for rutting bucks. By planning early, respecting bag limits, and following state regulations, you’ll set yourself up for safe, successful seasons in 2025–26. Check official resources before you head out, and may every stalk, call, and shot be memorable.
Hunting season in East Belgium
In East Belgium hunting can be carried out in an expansive forested area spanning some 45,000 hectares (111,000 acres). The right to hunt there can be obtained by leasing a hunting ground of at least 50 hectares (123 acres) from the forest owners (the Walloon region, the municipalities or the private owners). This lease runs for 6, 9 or 12 years. It goes without saying that every hunter must hold a hunting licence which is obtained by passing a suitable examination.
In East Belgium, game predominantly consists of stags, deer and wild boars, the hunting of which is strictly organised by legislation and the large gamekeeping communities. Contrary to popular belief, hunting is not only organised for the pleasure of hunters but, above all, for the purpose of regulating the number of animals in the forest so that the economic utilisation of the forest is ensured. If game numbers are too high, this can result in substantial damage being caused to the rejuvenation of leaf trees and to trees of economic value. For this reason, culling plans were already introduced many years ago which specify the exact number of animals which may be culled during the hunting season. These are based on the game population counted by the forest administration in the spring.
Conservation
Approximately 500 people have permission to hunt in East Belgium, either as tenants of a hunting ground or because they have received an invitation from such a tenant. The hunters are members of a large game ring whose primary objective is to organise hunting by respecting the manner in which the wildlife lives and the conservation of nature – in direct collaboration with the forest administration.
Game is extremely popular among gourmets as a gastronomic delicacy. The sale of culled game is strictly regulated in order to guarantee that it can be traced. The sale is carried out by specialised, approved companies which have applied for a licence.
