Despite its close proximity to Birmingham, the Cahaba River WMA receives relatively little hunting pressure.  In order to hunt the WMA, you must possess a State Hunting License appropriate for the game that you are pursuing, a Wildlife Management Area License, and a Wildlife Area Permit (which is actually a map of the WMA).  The WMA License is required weather you are hunting small or big game.  In addition to these items, gun hunters of deer must obtain a gun hunt permit from the WMA check station prior to beginning a days hunt.

Deer hunting on the Cahaba River WMA is available to both the gun and bow hunter.  During the 2006 - 2007 hunting season, the WMA will offer five (5) gun hunts totaling 9 days.  Additionally, there is a one day Youth Hunt and two Primitive Weapons hunts.  Bow hunters will be able to hunt the WMA for the entire statewide hunting season with the exception of the dates on which gun deer hunts are scheduled.  Click HERE for more info.  The Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area has over 50 maintained food plots specifically designed to provide opportunities for the deer hunter.

I have observed many turkey on the property and believe there to be a good population of this wily bird.  Mitchell Gibbs is a local hunter who spends a good bit of time exploring the Management Area, and he has harvested a turkey off of this property.  Mitchell visits the Discussion Board fairly regularly, so post a question to him there.  The season opens March 15, 2008 and closes April 30, 2008.  There is a Youth Only hunt scheduled for March 8, 2008, and a hunt specifically for the physically disabled on March 14, 2005.  Hunting is restricted to the hours of daylight until noon.

For small game hunting, stick to the drainages and along the Cahaba River.  These areas have not been cleared of timber and still hold good stands of hardwoods.

The Cahaba River WMA is open to duck hunting with the same season dates as that of the state, with the exception that no duck hunting is allowed on days of scheduled gun deer hunts.  I am doubtful that many migratory ducks visit the area, however, the surrounding habitat holds some promise for the possibibility of a descent Wood Duck hunt.  Furthermore, with the increase in our resident goose population, someone willing to invest the time could probably pattern the early morning and late afternoon flight habits of the area geese and get in some decent pass shooting.