Georgia is a top location for those looking for exhilarating hunting experiences due to the abundance of animals and strictly controlled hunt. 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 zones.
Georgia Hunting Seasons
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) |
| Either Sex | 9-Sep – 13-Oct | Statewide-Either Sex |
| Firearms | ||
| Primitive Weapons & Youth-Only | Oct. 14 – Oct. 20 | |
| Buck Only | Oct. 21 – Jan. 14 | Statewide-Either Sex dates vary by county |
| Extended | Oct. 21 – Jan. 15 | Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties |
GA Deer Update
| 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
- 18-Aug (sunset) to 2-Oct (sunrise)
Bear
| Northern Zone | Archery | 9-Sep – 13-Oct |
| Primitive Weapons | 14-Oct – 20-Oct | |
| Firearms | 21-Oct – 14-Jan | |
| Central Zone | 16-Dec | |
| 21-Sep – 23-Sep | ||
| 28-Sep – 30-Sep | ||
| 5-Oct – 7-Oct | ||
| 12-Oct – 14-Oct |
- Note: Bag of 2
Bobcat
- Dec 1 – Feb 29
Coyote
- Jan 1 – Dec 31
Fox
- Dec 1 – Feb 29
Hog
| Private Land | 1-Jan – 31-Dec |
| Public Land | 16-May – 31-May |
Rabbit
- 18-Nov – 29-Feb
Raccoon
| Private Land | 1-Jan – 31-Dec |
| Public Land | 15-Aug – 29-Feb |
Opossum
| Private Land | 1-Jan – 31-Dec |
| Public Land | 15-Aug – 29-Feb |
Squirrel
- 15-Aug – 29-Feb
Squirrel Hunting Update
| 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 |
| Culinary Inspiration for Squirrel Recipes | GeorgiaWildlife.blog/2018/08/26/5-squirrel-recipes-youll-ever-taste |
| More Information | GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources |
| License Renewal/Purchase | GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com |
Grouse
- 15-Oct – 29-Feb
GA Turkey 2024
| Public Lands | April 6 – May 15, 2024 |
| Private Land | March 30 – May 15, 2024 |
| Special Youth / Mobility Impaired Opportunity | March 23 – March 24, 2024 |
| – Bag Limit: 2 gobblers per season |
| – Daily Bag: 1 gobbler |
Quail
- 18-Nov – 29-Feb
Georgia Migratory Bird
Sora & Rails
| GA Sora & Rails | 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
- 4-Nov – 1-Feb
Woodcock
9-Dec-23 – 22-Jan-23 with daily limit of 3 and possession of 9.
Duck
| Dates | Daily Limits | Possession Limits | |
| (Early) Statewide | 18-Nov – 26-Nov | 6 | 18 |
| (Late) Statewide | 9-Dec3 – 28-Jan | ||
| Sea Ducks | 18-Nov – 26-Nov | 5 | 15 |
| (Scoters, Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks) | |||
| Sea Ducks | 9-Dec – Jan 28 | ||
| (Scoters, Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks) |
Mergansers
| 18-Nov – 26-Nov |
| 9-Dec – 28-Jan |
Note: A daily limit of 5 and possession of 15
Teal
- 9-Sep – 22-Sep ; (DL-6/PL-18)
Coots
| 18-Nov – 26-Nov |
| 9-Dec – 28-Jan |
Note: A daily limit of 15 and possession of 45
Youth, Active Duty Military & Veterans Waterfowl Days
11-Nov – 12-Nov
Snipe
18-Nov – 28-Nov
Falconry
| 2-Sep – 24-Sep |
| 7-Oct – 22-Oct |
| 11-Nov – 12-Nov |
| 18-Nov – 2-Dec |
| 9-Dec – 28-Jan |
Goose
| Goose Schedule | Dates | Daily Limits | Possession Limits |
| Early Canada | Sept 2–24 | 5 | 15 |
| Canada | Oct 14–29 | ||
| Nov 18–26 | |||
| Dec 9–Jan 28 | |||
| White-fronted | Oct 14–29 | ||
| Nov 18–26 | |||
| Dec 9–Jan 28 | |||
| Snow | Oct 7–22 | ||
| Nov 18–26 | |||
| Dec 9–Jan 28 |
Dove
| Dove Game |
|---|
| Opening Date: September 2, |
| Hunting Season Dates: |
| - Sept. 2 to Oct. 8/span> |
| - Nov. 18 to 26 |
| - Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| 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). |
Gallinules
| 18-Nov – 26-Nov |
| 9-Dec – 28-Jan |
Note: A daily limit of 15 and possession of 45
Download Printable Schedule
GA Hunting License
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.
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).
- 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 animal, you might have committed a crime.
- Deer baiting is illegal. The use of bait to entice the animal is prohibited. Feed 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, muzzleloaders are required. and, shotguns must be at least 20 gauge and loaded with slugs or buckshot.
- 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 game 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. 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. for ducks is prohibited while using lead shots.
- Pursuing 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.
- 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 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 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.
- 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
When does Georgia deer season start?
Georgia’s firearm begins on October 22, following the deer archery, which starts on September 10. And Gun season is starting late due to a calendar quirk. Specifically, Gun deer begins the Saturday after October 15, which in this case is October 22.
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.
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Baiting deer in Georgia has been legal for years.