On October 1, the use of firearm sound suppressors became legal for all hunting in Alabama. Previously, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources prohibited the use of suppressors/silencers through their hunting regulations.
On Saturday, May 3, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Board voted unanimously to repeal the prohibition on using a suppressor/silencer while hunting in the Yellowhammer State. Currently, more than thirty states allow hunters to use suppressors while hunting. There are numerous benefits to hunting with suppressed firearms:
- Increased use of suppressors will help to eliminate noise complaints that are frequently an excuse to close hunting lands throughout the country. This will protect hunting areas well into the future.
- Using a suppressor while hunting will reduce recoil and muzzle rise to help increase the accuracy of hunters. More accurate shooting in the field means fewer wounded and lost animals — a good thing for hunters and wildlife.
- While suppressors do not eliminate the sound of a firearm, they do reduce the muzzle report in a manner similar to the way that a muffler reduces exhaust noise from a vehicle. Suppressors simply help to protect against hearing loss.
Thank you to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for repealing this restriction and allowing hunters to further enjoy the rich tradition of hunting that Alabama has to offer.
