Alabama’s rich landscape invites you in, and the culture makes you feel right at home. Those searching for land for sale in Alabama will find farmland, hunting and recreational opportunities, and forestry within a historically hardworking community.
Alabama History
Early inhabitants of the Alabama area were Native American tribes which included the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw nations, who established settlements throughout the region and developed agricultural practices that worked with the land. Spanish explorers established temporary settlements in the 16th century, while the French created the first European settlement in the late 17th century near present-day Mobile. After acquiring the territory from the British after the American Revolution, the Alabama Territory was created and would soon become the 22nd state in the United States. The early economy relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton plantations sustained by slave labor. The Civil Rights and Reconstruction saw Alabama experiencing a shift toward industrialization, particularly in the mining and manufacturing sectors. Coal, iron, and steel production became the backbone of the Alabama economy. Today, Alabama has intentionally created economic diversification, with industries including manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and tourism working alongside long-standing traditions of agriculture, forestry, and hunting.
Hunting Land for Sale in Alabama
From its richly dense forests, ample wetlands, and open fields, Alabama offers several different habitats from which hunters can experience a diverse array of wildlife. Hunters pursue Whitetail deer, Eastern turkey, feral hogs, and many other highly sought-after game animals. Southern Alabama swamps and forests produce ample opportunities for turkey, waterfowl, small game, and big game hunting that even includes the American Alligator. Regulations, licensing, and safety information is available from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Farm Land For Sale in Alabama
With over 43,000 working farms on 8.9 million acres, Alabama’s diverse agricultural landscape provides rich growing opportunities for various crops, including cotton, peanuts, soybeans, corn, wheat, sorghum, vegetables, and fruits, including peaches, strawberries, and blueberries. Those looking for farm land for sale in Alabama will find a variety of farming opportunities in both crops and livestock. Beef and dairy operations bolster the booming poultry industry; Alabama is among the top producers of broilers, or chicken raised for meat, in the country. Other livestock, including hogs, sheep, and goats, are also raised in the state. Like many other states, Alabama farmers benefit from federal and state programs and subsidies that provide financial and technical assistance and resources to enhance both agricultural productivity and the conservation and preservation of farmland.
Water Rights in Alabama and Alabama Waterways
With access to major waterways, including the Tennessee River, Mobile River System, and the Gulf of Mexico, freshwater and coastal waters support commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, navigation, transportation, and hydroelectric power generation. Ample waterfront land for sale in Alabama is always available. Due to the state’s climate and water resources, water conservation is an essential consideration in the Alabama economy. Alabama water rights and management are regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Office of Water Resources. The state is also divided into five water management districts, each with its governing board. Like many states, Alabama utilizes the riparian rights doctrine in which landowners whose property borders a water body have the right to use the water for residential or agricultural use.
Alabama Mineral Rights
Oil, gas, coal, metals, and other valuable substances are found throughout Alabama’s landscape beneath the surface. Ownership of mineral rights in the state are severed from surface rights, meaning that the ownership of minerals may be separated from the ownership of surface land. The Alabama Oil and Gas Board and the Alabama Surface Mining Commission regulate mineral exploration and extraction.
Timberland for Sale in Alabama
Alabama’s forests cover 70% of the state, ranking third in the United States for timber with roughly 23 million acres. Alabama's forests shift from dominant hardwoods in the north to Short-Leaf and Loblolly Pines in the state's center, finally merging into beautiful Southern Longleaf Pine in the south. The USDA currently has a "Longleaf Pine Initiative" to restore and protect these magnificent forests. Pine plantations and hardwood timber forestry are the most common types of timberland in the area, often managed through silvicultural practices such as planting, thinning, and prescribed burning to maximize growth and productivity.
Alabama Industry & Recreation
With about 30 Wildlife Management Areas covering thousands of acres of land, folks visiting the region have a variety of hunting and recreational opportunities to explore. With three National Forests – Bankhead, Conecuh, and Talladega – and so many millions of acres of additional forests, recreation opportunities abound. Abundant waterways from rivers and lakes to coastal regions allow anglers to bag bass, panfish, and the Alabama staple of the backwoods cuisine, fried catfish. Waterfowl are also a popular hunting sport in the coastal and waterfront areas in Alabama.
Land for Sale in Alabama
Make yourself comfortable and take in all the state has to offer as you settle into your own version of Sweet Home Alabama. Contact your local Whitetail Properties Land Specialist to find your ideal plot of Alabama land for sale today.
