Sounds like alternates can still get in if a hunter unregisters.
Just got this email:
You are getting this email because you have accepted being an alternate on one of the Special Opportunity Area hunts for the 2017-2018 season.
Each hunt has a list of alternates. You are an alternate for the hunt you accepted. You can view your hunt information at the following link
https://publichunts.dcnr.alabama.gov/Public/AvailableHunts/10 . Log in by clicking on the Sign in to My Hunts Registration link and entering your date of birth and conservation ID.
If a selected hunter unregisters form one of the hunts, the person on top of the randomly selected alternate list will automatically move into the selected hunter position and receive and email notification. At that time there is no action required on your behalf. By accepting the alternate position, you have confirmed your interest in attending that hunt. However, if your schedule or interest has changed you would need to visit the above link and unregister, allowing the next alternate the same opportunity.
At this time our registration system does not have the ability built in to display standings on the alternate list on your registration page. We will certainly look into making that improvement for next year.
We appreciate your interest in the Special Opportunity Area hunting program. Good luck on moving into a hunter position. There has already been several alternates that have moved up from selected hunters unregistering.
Thanks,
Chris Smith
Assistant Chief
Wildlife Section
3342423859 Office