When it comes to hunting, Georgia is a fantastic choice due to the state’s wide range of wildlife and hunting seasons. In this article, we’ll discuss the hunting seasons in Georgia, what types of game you can hunt, and where to hunt. So whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just getting started, read on to learn more about hunting in Georgia.
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
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.
Take a look below for a brief calendar of all Georgia hunting seasons for 2022 and 2023:
Georgia Deer Season
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) | Friday, September 09, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Either sex. Counties: Bibb, Chatham, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, & Rockdale |
| Deer (Archery Either Sex) | Saturday, September 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | Statewide |
| Deer (Youth Firearms) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | (See regulation for county restrictions) |
| Deer (Primitive Weapons) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | (See regulation for county restrictions) |
| Deer (Firearms) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | (See regulation for county restrictions) |
Bear Season
| GA Bear Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear (Archery North) | Saturday, September 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | Northern Zone |
| Bear (Firearms South Part-1) | Thursday, September 22, 2022 | Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Southern Zone |
| Bear (Firearms South Part-2) | Thursday, September 29, 2022 | Saturday, October 01, 2022 | Southern Zone |
| Bear (Firearms South Part-3) | Thursday, October 06, 2022 | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Southern Zone |
| Bear (Firearms South Part-4) | Thursday, October 13, 2022 | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Southern Zone |
| Bear (Primitive Weapon North) | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | Northern Zone |
| Bear (Firearms North) | Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Sunday, January 08, 2023 | Northern Zone |
| Bear (Firearms Central) | Saturday, December 17, 2022 | Saturday, December 17, 2022 | Central Zone |
Bobcat Season
| GA Bobcat Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Thursday, December 01, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Statewide. There is no limit. |
Coyote Season
| GA Coyote Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Saturday, January 01, 2022 | Saturday, December 31, 2022 | Statewide |
Dove Season
| GA Dove Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove (Part-1) | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Sunday, October 09, 2022 | Statewide |
| Dove (Part-2) | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | Statewide |
| Dove (Part-3) | Monday, December 19, 2022 | Tuesday, January 31, 2023 | Statewide |
Duck Season
| GA Duck Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck (Early) | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | Statewide |
| Duck (Late | Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 29, 2023 | Statewide |
Fox Season
| GA Fox Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox | Thursday, December 01, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Statewide. There is no limit. |
Alligator Season
| GA Alligator Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator | Friday, August 19, 2022 | Monday, October 03, 2022 | Limited by Zone and Quota. For further information, see the regulations. |
Goose Season
| GA Goose Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose (September Canada) | Saturday, September 03, 2022 | Sunday, September 25, 2022 | Statewide |
| Goose (Canada and Snow Part-1) | Saturday, October 08, 2022 | Sunday, October 23, 2022 | Statewide |
| Goose (Canada and Snow Part-2) | Saturday, November 19, 2022 | Sunday, November 27, 2022 | Statewide |
| Goose (Canada and Snow Part-3) | Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Sunday, January 29, 2023 | Statewide |
Grouse Season
| GA Grouse Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse | Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Statewide |
Hog Season
| GA Hog Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feral Hogs | Saturday, January 01, 2022 | Dec 31, 202 | Statewide |
Quail Season
| GA Quail Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quail | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Statewide |
Rabbit Season
| GA Rabbit Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | Statewide |
Georgia Small Game Season
| Georgia Small Game Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Note | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator | Friday-August 19, 2022 (sunset) | Limited Zone and Quota | 1 per quota permit. | |
| Monday-October 3, 2022 (sunrise) | ||||
| Fox | Thursday-December 1, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | There is no limit restriction |
| Bobcat | Thursday-December 1, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | There is no limit restriction |
| Grouse | Saturday-October 15, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | Limit of 3 each day |
| Quail | Saturday-November 12, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | Limit of 12 each day |
| Rabbit | Saturday-November 12, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | Limit of 12 each day |
| Squirrel | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | Limit of 12 each day |
| Raccoon (Private lands) | There is no closed season | There is no closed season | Statewide | There is no limit restriction |
| Monday-August 15, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | There is no limit restriction | |
| Opossum (Private lands) | There is no closed season | There is no closed season | Statewide | There is no limit restriction |
| Opossum (Public lands) | Monday-August 15, 2022 | Monday-February 28, 2022 | Statewide | There is no limit restriction |
Georgia Turkey Season
| GA Turkey Season | Start Date | End Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey (Spring)-Private Land | Saturday-April 1, 2023 | Monday-May 15, 2023 | (Statewide) Two turkeys are yearly quota. Everyday bag of 1. |
| Turkey (Spring)-Public Land | Saturday-April 8, 2023 | Monday-May 15, 2023 | |
| Special Opportunity (Youth/Mobility Impaired) | Saturday-March 25, 2023 | Sunday-March 26, 2023 | Statewide. Young adults (those 16 and under) and those with mobility impairments are excluded. Unless otherwise stated, this season does not apply to public lands. |
Georgia Migratory Birds Season
| Georgia Migratory Birds Season | Hunting Season Start Date | Hunting Season End Date | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Geese | Sunday, September 4, 2022 | Monday-September 26, 2022 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 |
| Sunday, October 9, 2022 | Monday-October 24, 2022 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 | |
| Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 | |
| Monday-December 12, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 | |
| Crows | Sunday-November 6, 2022 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 | No limit Restriction | |
| Mourning Doves | Sunday-September 4, 2022 | Monday-October 10, 2022 | Limit of 15 each day | Possession of 45 |
| Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 15 each day | Possession of 45 | |
| Monday-December 19, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 15 each day | Possession of 45 | |
| Ducks | Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 6 each day | Possession of 18 (Refer to Species Limits) |
| Monday-December 12, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 6 each day | Possession of 18 (Refer to Species Limits) | |
| Teal | Sunday-September 11, 2022 | Monday-September 26, 2022 | Limit of 6 each day | Possession of 18 |
| Gallinules | Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 15 each day | Possession of 45 |
| Monday-December 12, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 15 each day | Possession of 45 | |
| Coots | Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 15 each day | Possession of 45 |
| Monday-December 12, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 15 each day | Possession of 45 | |
| Mergansers | Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 |
| Monday-December 12, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 | |
| Sea Ducks (Scoters, Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks) | Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 (Refer to Species Limits) |
| Monday-December 12, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 (Refer to Species Limits) | |
| Common (Wilson’s) Snipe | Tuesday-November 15, 2022 | Tuesday-February 28, 2023 | Limit of 8 each day | Possession of 24 |
| Snow & White-fronted Geese | Sunday-October 9, 2022 | Monday-October 24, 2022 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 |
| Sunday-November 20, 2022 | Monday-November 28, 2022 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 | |
| Monday-December 12, 2022 | Tuesday-January 31, 2023 | Limit of 5 each day | Possession of 15 | |
| Sora and Rails | Wednesday-October 5, 2022 | Monday-October 24, 2022 | King & Clapper: 15 per day | Possession of 45 |
| Tuesday-November 1, 2022 | Tuesday-December 20, 2022 | |||
| Sora and Virginia | Wednesday-October 5, 2022 | Monday-October 24, 2022 | Limit of 25 each day | Possession of 75 |
| Tuesday-November 1, 2022 | Tuesday-December 20, 2022 | |||
| Woodcock | Sunday-December 11, 2022 | Tuesday-January 24, 2023 | Limit of 3 each day | Possession of 9 |
| Youth, Active Duty Military & Veterans Waterfowl Days | Saturday-November 12, 2022 | Sunday-November 13, 2022 |
Download Printable Schedule
GA Hunting License
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.