Calling All Alabama Hunters! Hunt Lease Auction Incoming!

Get ready, Alabama hunters! The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is gearing up for a live auction of hunting leases! State Lands has pinpointed a whopping 140 potential hunting lease tracts across 32 counties for this upcoming 5-year lease cycle. This is your chance to snag some primo hunting ground!

Mark Your Calendars: Auction Details

The public auction will be held Saturday, May 31, at the Grande Hall at Old Mill Square in Columbiana. Get there early! Doors open for bidder registration at 8:15 a.m., and the auction kicks off at 10 a.m. sharp.

Key Advice Before You Bid

Before you show up and start bidding, State Lands Director Patti Powell McCurdy stresses the importance of preparation. Read the official Auction Announcement very carefully. It's your go-to guide for all the bidding requirements.

Expanding Hunting Opportunities

ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship emphasizes that this hunting lease program enhances the already fantastic public hunting opportunities offered by ADCNR on WMAs, SOAs, and Forever Wild Land Trust tracts. This auction isn't touching those areas!

Your Personal Hunting Experience

"This gives the public an opportunity to lease a tract and enjoy it with family and friends. Our bidders range from hunting clubs to grandparents looking for a place to take their grandkids hunting," says Commissioner Blankenship. "It’s just a different experience we are offering the public.”

More Than Just Hunting

McCurdy explains that this auction helps State Lands fulfill its duty to manage state-owned land to generate revenue for agencies like the Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health.

Tract Variety

Tracts range from 34 acres in Walker County to a sprawling 1,400 acres in Tuscaloosa County! Terrain includes uplands, bottomlands, and Appalachian foothills. Some are bow hunting only, so there are diverse options to suit every hunter's preference!

Important Bidder Requirements

Each bidder must bring a certified or cashier’s check (no cash or personal checks) for the required bid deposit for each tract. Check the Complete Tract Listing to find the specific deposit amount.

Absentee Bids Accepted

Can't make it to the auction? No problem! Written absentee bids will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the State Lands Division in Montgomery. Get the full details on how to submit an absentee bid in the Auction Announcement.

What Happens Next?

State Lands will open the written absentee bids the day after the deadline. Bidding at the May 31st auction will start at either the minimum bid or the highest written absentee bid. State Lands aims to post a list of the highest absentee bids by the close of business on May 29th.

Key Lease Requirements

Review the Sample Lease before bidding! Key points include maintaining general liability insurance, submitting a list of approved hunters, and agreeing to provide some landowner assistance.

Lease Restrictions

Lease terms include provisions that restrict the use of the properties to the lessee, authorized guests, and members of the lessee hunting club. The lease holder must maintain property line fire breaks and till, fertilize, and plant fire lanes, roadsides, and/or approved food plots at the lessee’s expense. No new food plots or other agricultural practices are allowed without approval from State Lands. No lease can be assigned, and tract access is not guaranteed.

A Win-Win Situation

State Lands invests time and resources to ensure these leases benefit both the state and hunters. The leases generate revenue for state agencies while offering a unique hunting opportunity. So, if you missed out last time, now's your chance!