Alabama hunters and anglers buying their 2026-27 licenses may notice things look a little different this year.
The state has replaced a licensing system that served Alabama for about 20 years with My Outdoor Alabama, a new online platform designed to make buying licenses, managing accounts and keeping up with outdoor records easier.
The new system went live Aug. 24 as licenses for the 2026-27 seasons became available. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources partnered with Tyler Technologies on the upgrade, replacing the state’s longtime custom-built system with a cloud-based platform.
ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said when the new system was announced last month that the previous licensing system had served the state for years, but it was time for an upgrade.
“We’ve had the same license system for a long time, and it has worked okay,” Blankenship said. “But we had the opportunity to upgrade and bring our license system into the new age.”
For hunters and anglers who have purchased Alabama licenses before, the change doesn’t mean starting over.
Existing records were migrated into the new system, including previous license information, Game Check and Snapper Check records, and hunter education certifications. ADCNR’s My Outdoor Alabama FAQ encourages customers to claim their profiles and make sure their information transferred correctly.
There is one thing that didn’t make the move: saved payment information.
Credit card and other saved payment information could not be transferred to the new platform. Customers will have to enter their payment information again, and anyone who previously used auto-renew will need to opt back into the service when making a purchase through the new system.
Once an account is set up, customers can use it to purchase licenses, view their license history, update personal information, and access harvest records. Existing customers can locate their accounts using identifying information such as a Customer ID, Conservation ID, or driver’s license information. Each customer must have an individual account, and a valid email address is required to create one.
For some Alabamians, the change could also mean one less trip to the courthouse.
Customers seeking certain licenses that require proof of military service or disability can now upload documentation through My Outdoor Alabama. ADCNR staff review the information, and once eligibility is approved, the customer can purchase the appropriate license online.
The new platform also allows lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to be purchased and managed online. Some licenses have additional eligibility requirements, and ADCNR states that the new Disabled Resident License will not become available until Oct. 1.
Hunters and anglers who head into places where cell service is hard to find haven’t been forgotten either.
The updated Outdoor AL app can store a digital license on a user’s device after the person logs in while connected to cellular service or Wi-Fi. That allows the license to be displayed later without a connection. ADCNR still recommends carrying a printed copy as a backup.
For those who would rather buy a license the old-fashioned way, that option hasn’t disappeared. Hunting and fishing licenses can still be purchased in person from license agents. ADCNR’s license says recreational licenses expire annually on Aug. 31.
Customers who need help with license sales or the new system can call 1-888-848-6887. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Separate support numbers are available for the mobile app and Game Check/Snapper Check.
Hunters and anglers can purchase licenses and access their accounts through My Outdoor Alabama or use the updated Outdoor AL app.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
