The Georgia Hunting Season 2023–2024 provides hunters of all skill levels with various thrilling chances. Georgia is a top location for those looking for exhilarating hunting experiences due to the abundance of animals and strictly controlled hunting seasons. The state offers a range of game species to chase, from deer and turkey to small game like squirrels and rabbits. Georgia is a paradise for hunters wishing to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature while participating in their favorite sport because of its stunning landscapes and well-maintained hunting zones.
HuntingSeasons.org is dedicated to providing you with the best hunting schedule and guide possible. This website is updated every year to provide you the most up-to-date information possible on hunting in Georgia.
Georgia Hunting Seasons
Content Highlights
All hunting in Georgia must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Hunting seasons begin and conclude at various times of the year depending on the sort of animals or game being pursued. It’s possible that county boundaries may cause seasonal dates to shift.
DNR announces these dates and any associated restrictions, prohibitions, or quotas.
The Georgia deer hunting season normally lasts from late September through early January. Hunting with firearms, bows, and crossbows is permitted during this period. As well as distinct hunting zones and seasons, there are various laws for every counties. Before entering the field, hunters must be aware of these regulations and have the necessary licenses and permissions. Consider reading a related post on our website to find out more about the latest Georgia deer hunting season.
GA Deer Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Deer (Archery Extended)
Sept. 9
Jan. 31
Either Sex (ONLY for Baker, Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Early, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Grady, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee, Paulding, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole, and Thomas Counties)
Deer (Archery Either Sex)
Saturday, September 09, 2023
Friday, October 13, 2023
Statewide-Either Sex
Deer (Primitive Weapons & Youth-Only Firearms)
Oct. 14
Oct. 20
Statewide-Either Sex
Deer (Firearms, Buck Only)
Oct. 21
Jan. 14
Statewide-Either Sex dates vary by county
Deer (Extended Firearms)
Oct. 21
Jan. 15
Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties
GA Deer Season Update 2023-2024
Aspect
Details
Hunting Opportunity
Archery and Muzzle-loader Deer Hunts
Location
Bussey Point in Lincoln County, Clarks Hill Lake Peninsula (2,545 acres)
Registration Process
First-come, first-served basis
Maximum Hunters Per Day
100 hunters
Scheduled Hunt Dates
Oct. 20-21, Nov. 17-18, Dec. 15-16
Check-in and Check-out
Entrance gate check-in and check station at the entrance gate
Hunt Hours
One hour before sunrise through one hour after sundown
Licensing
Hunters must be licensed as per Georgia Department of Natural Resources Regulations
Wildlife Management Area Permit
Not required
Bag Limit
Two does and one quality buck each day of each hunt
Quality Buck Criteria
Racks with 15-inch or more main beam length on one side OR 14-inch or greater outside spread
Park Visitors During Hunts
Advised to visit other recreation areas during scheduled hunts
Area Closure
Management area closed two days before each hunt, except for scouting and placing deer stands
Scouting Days
No weapons allowed in Bussey Point on scouting days
Alligator Season
GA Alligator Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Alligator
18-Aug-23 (sunset)
2-Oct-23 (sunrise)
Limited by Zone and Quota For further information, see the regulations
Bear Season
GA Bear Season
Method
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Limit
Northern Zone
Archery
9-Sep-23
13-Oct-23
2
Northern Zone
Primitive Weapons
14-Oct-23
20-Oct-23
2
Northern Zone
Firearms
21-Oct-23
14-Jan-23
2
Central Zone
Firearms
16-Dec-23
2
Southern Zone
Firearms
21-Sep-23
23-Sep-23
2
Southern Zone
Firearms
28-Sep-23
30-Sep-23
2
Southern Zone
Firearms
5-Oct-23
7-Oct-23
2
Southern Zone
Firearms
12-Oct-23
14-Oct-23
2
Bobcat Season
GA Bobcat Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Bobcat
Friday, December 01, 2023
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Statewide. There is no limit.
Coyote Season
GA Coyote Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Coyote
Sunday, January 01, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Statewide
Fox Season
GA Fox Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Fox
1-Dec-23
29-Feb-24
Statewide There is no limit
Hog Season
GA Hog Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Private Land Feral Hogs
Sunday, January 01, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Statewide
Public Land Feral Hogs
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Rabbit Season
GA Rabbit Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Rabbit
18-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Statewide
Raccoon Season
GA Raccoon Season
Start Date
End Date
Private Land
1-Jan
31-Dec-23
Public Land
15-Aug
29-Feb-24
Opossum Season
GA Opossum Season
Start Date
End Date
Private Land
1-Jan
31-Dec-23
Public Land
15-Aug
29-Feb-24
Squirrel Season
GA Squirrel Season
Start Date
End Date
Squirrel
15-Aug-23
29-Feb-24
Squirrel Hunting Update
Aspect
Details
Squirrel Hunting Season Start Date
15-Aug
Squirrel Season End Date
Feb-29
Types of Squirrels Allowed
Gray and Fox Squirrels
Maximum Daily Bag Limit
12 per hunter
Beginner's Course Information
GeorgiaWildlife.com/LearnToHuntFish
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
Access available on nearly 1 million acres
Gray Squirrel Characteristics
Abundant, common in both rural and urban areas, weighs 12 oz to 1.5 lbs
Fox Squirrel Characteristics
Varied color phases, larger, weighs 1 lb to nearly 3 lbs
- Only for youth 16 years of age or younger and mobility impaired persons. Not applicable to public lands unless specified.
Changes Implemented Last Season:
- Statewide bag limit reduced to two gobblers per season, with a one gobbler daily bag limit.
- Bag limit on WMAs, VPAs, and National Forest lands (outside WMAs) set at one gobbler per area.
- Private and leased land had a later turkey season opening (April 1, 2023).
- WMAs, VPAs, and National Forests opened a week after private land (April 8, 2023).
Reason for Delayed Opening:
- Allows more breeding to take place, enabling hens to start nesting during the peak incubation period. Based on scientific research.
Turkey Hunter Numbers:
- 2022 season saw 16,941 fewer hunters than the previous season, a 31% drop.
- 2021 season had 54,509 hunters, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions and anticipation of regulation changes.
- 2020 season experienced a 17% decline with 7,637 fewer hunters than 2019.
Challenges to Turkey Population:
- Urbanization and habitat problems, particularly in Piedmont areas.
- Decreased habitat management in urbanized regions leading to increased predator pressure on turkey nests.
Property-by-Property Basis:
- Success in turkey populations varies by individual properties based on landowner management practices.
Private Ownership:
- Nearly 93% of Georgia's land is privately owned, providing opportunities for landowners to develop turkey management plans with DNR assistance.
Continued Research:
- Ongoing turkey research projects, including poult monitoring, bird banding, and satellite tracking to monitor movements.
Impact of Weather:
- Weather conditions can affect turkey habitat, insect abundance, and poult survival. A wetter winter may promote insect availability for poults.
Return of Hunters:
- Uncertain if changes will bring back hunters, with weather and other factors playing a role.
Quail Season
GA Quail Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Quail
18-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Statewide
Georgia Migratory Bird Season
Sora & Rails Season
GA Sora & Rails Season
Season Dates
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
King & Clapper
8-Oct-23 - 28-Oct-23
15
45
8-Nov-23 - 26-Dec-23
15
45
Sora & Virginia
8-Oct-23 - 28-Oct-23
25
75
8-Nov-23 - 26-Dec-23
25
75
Crow Season
GA Crow Season
Start Date
End Date
Note
Crow
4-Nov-23
1-Feb-29
Statewide There is no limit
Woodcock Season
Species
Season Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Woodcock Season
9-Dec-23 - 22-Jan-23
3
9
Duck Season
GA Duck Season
Season Dates
Daily Limits
Possession Limits
Duck (Early) Statewide
18-Nov-23 - 26-Nov-23
6
18
Duck (Late) Statewide
9-Dec-23 - 28-Jan-23
6
18
Sea Ducks
(Scoters, Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks)
18-Nov - 26-Nov
5
15
Sea Ducks
(Scoters, Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks)
9-Dec - Dec Jan 28
5
15
Mergansers
Species
Season Start Date
Season Start Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Mergansers
18-Nov-23
26-Nov-23
5
15
9-Dec-23
28-Jan-23
5
15
Teal Season
Species
Season Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Teal
9-Sep-23 - 22-Sep-23
6
18
Coots
Species
Season Start Date
Season Start Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Coots
18-Nov-23
26-Nov-23
15
45
9-Dec-23
28-Jan-23
15
45
Youth, Active Duty Military & Veterans Waterfowl Days
Species
Season Date
Season Date
Youth, Active Duty Military & Veterans Waterfowl Days
11-Nov-23
12-Nov-23
Snipe Season
Species
Season Start Date
Season Start Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Common (Wilson’s) Snipe
18-Nov-23
28-Nov-23
8
24
Falconry Season
Species
Season Date
Daily Limit
Possession Limit
Falconry
2-Sep-23 - 24-Sep-23
3
9
7-Oct-23 - 22-Oct-23
3
9
11-Nov-23 - 12-Nov-23
3
9
18-Nov-23 - 2-Dec-23
3
9
9-Dec-23 - 28-Jan-23
3
9
Goose Season
GA Goose Season
Season Dates
Daily Limits
Possession Limits
Early Canada Geese
Sept 2–24
5
15
Canada Geese
Oct 14–29
5
15
Canada Geese
Nov 18–26
5
15
Canada Geese
Dec 9–Jan 28
5
15
White-fronted Geese
Oct 14–29
5
15
White-fronted Geese
Nov 18–26
5
15
White-fronted Geese
Dec 9–Jan 28
5
15
Snow Geese
Oct 7–22
5
15
Snow Geese
Nov 18–26
5
15
Snow Geese
Dec 9–Jan 28
5
15
Dove Season
Georgia Dove Hunting Season 2023
Opening Date: September 2, 2023
Hunting Season Dates:
- Sept. 2 to Oct. 8, 2023
- Nov. 18 to 26, 2023
- Dec. 19 to Jan. 31, 2024
Shooting Hours:
- One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Dove Field Forecast:
- Provides information on crops and hunting conditions for opening day. Available at GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/dove.
Dove Harvest Survey:
Public dove field hunters are urged to take the Georgia DNR Dove Harvest Survey to rate their experience. Details at GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/dove.
Report Banded Doves:
Hunters may help conserve doves by reporting leg band numbers to the USFWS. Learn more at reportband.gov. More information at reportband.gov.
Field Legality:
The online brochure, "Dove Hunting and Agricultural Practices in Georgia," at GeorgiaWildlife.com/migratory-bird-info will help hunters determine whether private fields are permissible.
License Requirements:
All hunters 16 and older need a hunting license and Georgia Migratory Bird license. Purchase licenses online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, via phone at 800-366-2661, or at licensing vendor locations (list online).
A valid basic hunting license is required for any squirrel hunting.
You can get an Apprentice License if you’re 16 or older and interested in hunting but still need a hunter education course. It is optional that you be accompanied by a licensed hunter, although doing so will greatly improve your chances of success.
You may purchase a Georgia hunting or fishing license by visiting the website https://www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, calling 1-800-366-2661, or visiting an approved license dealer in the state.
Hunting Regulations
General Rules
Here are several key rules. The rules we’ve mentioned are the most typically violated. Read on for common mistakes.
Hunting from a moving automobile or roadway is prohibited. (Vehicles include cars, trucks, planes, and boats).
Any hunting clothing must have 500 square inches of orange above the waist. Most hunters use a helmet and vest. During rifle season, you must wear orange.
Without the landowner’s permission, hunting is unlawful. This includes power wires and railroad right-of-ways.
Dogs can’t hunt deer without a license. This permission has a restricted scope and area. Only specified counties and dates may request this. Even if you didn’t own the dogs who pursued the deer, you might have committed a crime.
Deer baiting is illegal. The use of bait to entice deer is prohibited. Feed for deer might be anything from grain to maize to wheat to salt to apples. Although you may keep deer food out, you won’t be able to hunt there for 10 days thereafter until you remove all bait.
When shooting deer, elk, or wild hogs, you may use whatever kind of bow you choose, including a crossbow, longbow, recurve bow, or compound bow.
Broadhead-style arrows are required for shooting deer, bears, or feral hogs.
Draw weight, let-off, arrow length, and sights are all unrestricted.
During the season for primitive weapons, archery supplies, air bows,.30-cal. Or bigger air rifles, muzzleloaders, or muzzleloading shotguns are all permitted.
When using primitive weapons, scopes are acceptable.
For shooting deer and bears, modern rifles and pistols must be centerfire.
Expanding bullets, caliber 22 or higher For rifles, there are no limitations on magazine capacity.
For shooting deer and bears, shotguns must be at least 20 gauge and loaded with slugs or buckshot.
For shooting deer and bears, muzzleloaders are required.
30-cal. or bigger, or 20-gauge or bigger muzzleloading shotguns. Scoping is lawful.
For deer and bear hunting during seasons for primitive weapons and guns, air rifles of at least.30 caliber or air bows using unlit compressed gas or air are permitted.
Turkey hunting is permitted with shotguns that use No. 2 or smaller shots, any muzzleloader, and air rifles that are at least.30 caliber, and air bows that use unlit pressurized gas or air. For shooting turkeys, shotguns do not need to be plugged in.
Rifles and handguns must be muzzleloading, rimfire, or.22 calibers or smaller for small game and furbearers. Centerfire weapons.17 caliber and bigger may be utilized for fox and bobcat hunting. For rifles, there are no limitations on magazine capacity.
Shotshells of a length of 3.5 inches or less are required for shotguns used for small game and furbearers, and they must be loaded with No. 2 or smaller shots.
Waterfowl hunters must use 10-gauge or smaller shotguns loaded with nontoxic shots no larger than size “F” that has received government approval. Hunting for ducks is prohibited while using lead shots.
Hunting is prohibited in Willeo Creek or the Bull Sluice section of Morgan Falls Lake in Fulton County.
Hunting is prohibited in all counties and portions of counties that are not expressly permitted by law or regulation.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, state parks, wildlife management areas, public fishing areas, and other state or federal property are not included in the list of counties that are available for hunting.
Georgiawildlife.com has details on protected species.
Hunters and anyone accompanying them must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight bright orange above the waist during the seasons for shooting deer, bears, and feral hogs with handguns or other primitive weapons (including head covering).
On Wildlife Management Areas, Veterans’ Hunting Programs, and federal properties, hunters must wear hunter orange during hunts with primitive weapons and guns for deer, bear, and special opportunity coyote and feral hogs.
When archery deer hunts are conducted in a Wildlife Management Area or during statewide primitive weapon or firearms seasons, hunter orange is unnecessary (unless otherwise indicated).
On small game hunts conducted concurrently with firearms deer or bear hunts in Wildlife Management Areas and under the Veterans’ Hunting Program, hunter orange is needed (per General Wildlife Management Area Regulations).
The only exceptions to this rule are alligators, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and feral pigs, which may be killed at night. Legal hunting hours are from 30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after sunset.
Raccoon, opossum, fox, or bobcat hunters must carry lights on their bodies, attach them to their hats or helmets, or incorporate them into their belt systems. These lights are not voltage-restricted.
Hunting migrating birds is permitted from 30 minutes before dawn till sundown (per Migratory Bird Seasons). On the Go Outdoors GA App, you can get the hours of sunrise and sunset.
Transportation & Tagging
Before removing the deer from its site of harvest, register it using the Go Outdoors GA app, GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, or 1-800-366-2661. Using the App, you may report your whereabouts even without cell service.
Without a mobile device, a paper license must include the deer’s harvest date and county.
Your deer must be reported online or by phone within 24 hours. Write the confirmation number in your harvest journal.
If a deer is to be transported or processed by another person, it should be tagged with the owner’s name, date of harvest, county, and sex.
You must also submit the tag’s check-in confirmation number to prove a legal kill.
Violation & Fines
The Wildlife Violator Compact includes Georgia as a member state (WVC).
This means that hunters from other WVC states who are visiting Georgia may enjoy the same protections as Georgians should they be found in violation of any law.
Any hunting rights in other member states may be revoked due to a conviction in Georgia.
Costs associated with going to court and paying a fine may add up quickly. If you go deer hunting outside of the allowed hours, for instance, you may face a fine of at least $500 and a year in prison.
Before hitting the field, be sure you’ve read and fully grasped all applicable rules and regulations.
Contacts
Georgia Hunting Contact
Details
Department
Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division
Address
2067 US Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025
Hours
Closed on Sunday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Monday - Friday (Eastern Time Zone)
Contacts
Main Number
(706) 557-3333
Toll Free
(833) 557-3303
Game Management
(706) 557-3350
Fisheries Management
(706) 557-3305
Law Enforcement
(770) 918-6408
Wildlife Conservation
(706) 557-3213
Game Check Assistance
(800) 366-2661
Ranger Hotline
(800) 241-4113
FAQ on GA Hunting Seasons
When does Georgia deer season start?
Georgia’s firearm season begins on October 22, following the deer archery season, which starts on September 10. And Gun season is starting late due to a calendar quirk. Specifically, Gun deer season begins the Saturday after October 15, which in this case is October 22, 2022.
When does Georgia deer season end?
In Georgia, the last day of deer season for the entire state is observed from mid January. However, in the archery-only counties in the suburbs, bowhunting is allowed until January 31. Specifically, bow hunters may legally take antlerless deer from September 10 to January 8.
What is Georgia Game Check, and what are the harvest reporting requirements?
In Georgia, all alligator, bear, deer, and turkey harvests must be reported to Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. Additional reporting requirements may apply for hunts conducted on specific Wildlife Management Areas, Veterans’ Hunting Programs, and State Parks, as outlined in the General Wildlife Management Area Regulations.
How to Report a hunt in Georgia?
Harvests may be reported by using the Go Outdoors GA App, the website GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, or by calling the toll-free number 1-800-366-2661. If you do not have phone coverage at the time of the harvest, you can still use the app to record your harvest by entering the harvest date and county on the Harvest Record and then syncing to receive a confirmation number when you reach an area with phone service. The harvest must be reported before it is moved from the site of the kill.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
Baiting deer in Georgia has been legal for years.