The Conservation Advisory Board of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has changed deer and turkey hunting rules starting with the 2013-2014 hunting season.

Hunters may provide supplemental feed on private land for deer and wild hogs under the new rule. The feeder must be out of the hunter’s line-of-sight, and the hunter must be at least 100 yards away.

Another change shifts deer hunting season in southwest Alabama to Dec. 12 – Feb. 10.

Counties affected include all of Baldwin, Mobile, Washington and Escambia; the majority of Covington, Conecuh, Monroe and Clark; and parts of Choctaw, Butler and Wilcox.

Representatives for ADCNR said biological information showing a later mating in southwest Alabama prompted the change.

The deer hunting season in other areas of the state could change in the future, depending on data collected through a new mandatory game check system.

“Right now we can’t tell you how many deer are killed in the state of Alabama,” said ADCNR Deputy Commissioner of Conservation Curtis Jones. “We could do a good job guessing, but we hope this game check system will allow us to have a lot better feel for monitoring our deer herd during the season.”

Starting in November, hunters must report harvest of any deer or turkey to ADCNR.

Reports may be made at OutdoorAlabama.com or on the Outdoor Alabama app. The department will also establish a 1-800 number for reporting.

The board also voted to close the fall turkey hunting season in Alabama. Hunters will be required to report turkey harvests starting with the spring 2014 turkey hunting season.