I found it odd that as a resident I had to purchase a WMA permit just to apply.

Maybe your reading comprehension is better than mine, but this is where I read and came to the conclusion that a NR would not have to buy a permit to apply. This is straight from the website.

“I am a non-resident and want to register for a Special Opportunity Area (SOA) limited quota permit. Must I purchase an Alabama hunting license to register?

No, however you must purchase a “DCNR Registration Privilege” license to obtain your Conservation ID number to register. There is no charge for the “DCNR Registration Privilege” license, which can be obtained online.

I am a non-resident and want to register for a Special Opportunity Area (SOA) limited quota permit. Must I have a Conservation ID number to register?

Yes. Non-resident hunters who are interested in registering for a Special Opportunity Area (SOA) limited quota permit and do not have a current Alabama hunting license, can purchase a “DCNR Registration Privilege” license at no cost to obtain their Conservation ID number for registration. Obtain a “DCNR Registration Privilege” online. Please note, if you are selected for an SOA permit you must have a valid Alabama hunting and WMA license to accept your permit.”

https://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/license-faqs

How long ago was that question from? You had to start having wma last year. Several here tried to register without wma license and wouldn’t be accepted. I expect it’s the same for nr they don’t have to have a hunting license to register just wma license.

Not according to the website a NR can register without purchasing a WMA permit.

I am one of the ones who had the initial question because I read this language and thought “surely as a resident I could do the same” so I “purchased” one of those free “Registration Privileges” but it still would not let me register until I bought the WMA permit.

It’s really clear on the website that a NR can do so though.

It really irritates me how the state takes advantage of the residents with this type of stuff. As far as I’m concerned, a NR should be required to purchase a WMA license, but according to the published guidance, that’s not the case. They would only be required to purchase it to accept their successful draw.

I just tried to apply using the "registration privilege" as an NR, and it said my account couldn't be found when I tried to add hunts to my cart.

Is there any way to tell what the odds are for these draws? Would at least be interesting to know before applying.

I pulled this over from the ADCNR website. I think it may be what is labeled: Game Check H.E.L.P on the online list of licenses.
I’m not sure if that will help your situation. Although a Sunday afternoon on the eve of the SOA registration period isn’t the ideal time to unravel this mystery, I’ll bet a call to your local field office in the morning may enlighten you to any options.

PRIVILEGE:
• Resident and non-resident hunters who are interested in registering for a Special
Opportunity Area (SOA) limited quota permit and do not have a current Alabama hunting license, can obtain a “DCNR Registration Privilege” at no cost to get a Conservation ID (CID) number for registration.
NOTE:
• If selected for an SOA permit, a valid Alabama hunting and WMA license must be
purchased PRIOR to hunting.
• Not needed if purchasing any other annual recreational privilege.
• This does not include any hunting privileges.
COST:
• No Charge
HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR REGISTRATION NUMBER:
• Visit www.outdooralabama.com/license-information
• Call 1-888-848-6887 (Immediate confirmation code is given. Convenience fee of $5.25 when using toll free
number.)
• Visit your local Probate Office or License Commissioner
• Visit one of our License Agents (Many bait and tackle stores)
• Visit one of our District Offices
• Visit the Montgomery Office (64 N Union St., Ste. 567, Montgomery, AL 36104)

A WMA “Permit” is now required to register for SOA hunts
An Alabama hunting “License” is not required until you go hunting

I will be calling tomorrow to talk to someone about that. If true I’ll cuss everyone I can get till they hang up then show up at some point. We paid for the shucks the least they could do would be make everyone pay.

Making NR pay in advance to register would cause the procedure to meet the definition of a lottery. Lotteries are forbidden by our state's constitution, but the commissioner has a lawyer with experience in defending illegal gambling operations, so who knows what he will get away with again. Remember the alligator lottery where you had to pay a registration fee until it was finally elimiinated? They got away with it for a while and nothing happened to them when they got caught.

So it’s not a lottery if they make residents pay?

I think you'll find residents only have to buy a WMA license if they are chosen. It's confusing like that on purpose.


Big government needs all the money it can get any way they can get it.

This thread got me curious so I tried to sign up for several hunts and every one turned red and said that I didn’t have the right license to apply for the hunts. I purchased the wma license and tried it again and it worked perfectly. Ain’t nothing but a money grab and now I contributed.

I’ve been saying it’s a money grab since last year when they started requiring a WMA permit purchase to sign up. Pisses me off.

The key words in the rule itself are that "successful applicants" are required to have the licenses. If they get caught making you buy the licenses before you can register, nothing will happen to them even though they are in violation of our state constitution by turning it into a lottery.

I had to purchase the WMA permit to get my application to take.

Some of y'all are going to be real surprised if you decide to try hunting out west