So the Cahaba WMA hunting rules state that Raccoon and Opossum hunting dates are "Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 (nighttime only); (No hunting on nights preceding days of scheduled youth, gun, and primitive weapons deer hunts); (Fox hunting–Dogs Only; No Weapons)." So does this mean I can just go out there at night and shoot raccoon or opossum? Do I need an special permit? Just seems strange to me. Also, it doesn't say anything about restrictions for the Refuge like with gun deer hunting, etc. Does this mean I can use a .22 on the refuge?

220-2-.07 Legal Hunting Hours for Game Animals
Legal hunting hours for all game animals during the open season for
same shall be daylight hours only, except fox may be hunted at night with
light and dogs only, and raccoon and opossum may be hunted under the
following conditions: with the use of a light and a shotgun using No. 6 shot
or smaller or a .22 caliber rimfire firearms when hunter or hunters are
accompanied by dog or dogs free of leash, and if hunting on the lands of
another, they must have the written permission of the landowner.
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aaaah thank you good sir. That makes sense now. Any particular reason why you can only hunt if you have a dog?

My guess would be that it's just tradition, and the fact that in Alabama they don't seem to trust anyone to not turn into a poacher or night hunter if you happen to run across a deer while you are in the woods at night with a light and a gun. Kind of like why you can't walk around the wma with a rifle outside of hunting season even though pigs and coyote can legally be hunted year round.