Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  Alabama hunters and anglers now have a new way to buy their licenses this season. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has launched a redesigned license platform, My Outdoor Alabama. The new system replaces a custom-built platform that had been in use for 20 years. 

Buyers can access it at www.myoutdooralabama.com starting Monday, August 24, 2026, when licenses for the 2026-2027 seasons go on sale. The new system can also be accessed through the Outdoor AL app. Users must update the app to version 2.0.0 for proper operation. Guides for logging in and creating new accounts are available on the site.

ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said the upgrade was long overdue. "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."

Blankenship added that the new platform will benefit customers on multiple levels. "I think this will be much more functional for our customers," he said. "It will be much better both on the front end for the customers and on the back end to see what we can do with the data and how to utilize that to make good management decisions."

One of the biggest improvements involves customers who need special privilege licenses due to disabilities or military service. Previously, those customers had to visit a county probate office in person and present physical documentation. Blankenship explained the change.

"Some people are having to bring certain things into the county probate offices with documentation on disabilities and military service, things like that," Blankenship said. "With the new system, they will be able to scan the documents and upload them into the system to be able to buy the licenses online at home like everybody else. It will be much better for those customers for sure."

Chris Lewis, ADCNR's Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Director, described how the approval process will work for those customers. "Previously, people who needed these licenses had to go to county courthouses," Lewis said. "We're going to give people the option to do so at home."

Lewis said once documents are submitted online, they are reviewed at the Montgomery office. "Once those documents are approved for eligibility, we email them that they have been approved," Lewis said. "Once they log back into the system, they will see they have been approved to buy a disabled hunting or fishing license."

Lewis noted that some licenses will require annual approval, while others are valid for three or five years. He said the change removes a major burden for many customers. "Before, people would have to drive to the courthouse, park, go inside, and stand in line," Lewis said. "Starting Monday, you can do that at home. I think that is going to be well received."

Billy Pope, ADCNR's Assistant Deputy Commissioner who led the project, said officials want everyone to log in and confirm that their information transferred correctly. The only data not legally allowed to be transferred was payment information. Users will need to re-enter that information and may want to sign up for auto-renewal.

Pope reflected on the scale of the task. "Alabama was an early adopter of online sales for hunting and fishing licenses," Pope said. "The previous system was custom-built and served the department for 20 years. It was time! We upgraded this critical system to a modern, secure platform that provides a better user experience for our customers."

Pope acknowledged that the transition would not be without challenges. "As with every deployment of a new system of this size and complexity, there are growing pains, and we ask for your patience," he said. "While the look and feel may be new, our commitment to serving Alabama's outdoor community remains unchanged."

Lewis highlighted another feature that event organizers will appreciate. "We're looking forward to being able to do gift cards," Lewis said. "We have events where people want to give away a lifetime license. With the new system, they can buy a gift card. The gift card recipient can go at their own leisure, upload their documents, and purchase the license."

Kevin Anson, Director of ADCNR's Marine Resources Division, said recreational saltwater anglers will also benefit. "For recreational anglers, they will have easier access to historical information about their licenses," Anson said. "They can buy licenses they have purchased in the past."

Commercial saltwater license buyers, however, will still need to visit the MRD office in Orange Beach or Dauphin Island. Those licenses will go on sale on October 1, with no pre-sales allowed. Required reporting for red snapper, greater amberjack and gray triggerfish can still be completed through the updated app or at www.outdooralabama.com.

Tyler Technologies helped build the new platform. The company's Alabama manager, Robert Hines, said the ADCNR system processes 715,000 transactions annually and 1.4 million license products. "ADCNR has been a valued partner for more than two decades, and it has been a privilege to work alongside their team on this important modernization effort," Hines said.

Commissioner Blankenship thanked Tyler Technologies and the many ADCNR staff who worked on the project. "I'd like to commend our team at ADCNR for working through the nuances and issues to help put this system together," Blankenship said. "They have worked as a strong team to bring this upgrade to fruition, and it will be very beneficial for our customers going forward."

Customers needing help can reach My Outdoor Alabama support 24/7. For license sales and general support, call 1-888-848-6887. For mobile app support, call 1-866-246-9581. For Game Check and Snapper Check assistance, call 1-800-888-7690.