Georgia Hunting Seasons 2023 [Latest Update!]

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 Hunting Season
Georgia Hunting Season

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 SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
Deer (Archery Extended)Friday, September 09, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023Either sex. Counties: Bibb, Chatham, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, & Rockdale
Deer (Archery Either Sex)Saturday, September 10, 2022Sunday, January 08, 2023Statewide
Deer (Youth Firearms)Saturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, January 08, 2023(See regulation for county restrictions)
Deer (Primitive Weapons)Saturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, January 08, 2023(See regulation for county restrictions)
Deer (Firearms)Saturday, October 22, 2022Sunday, January 08, 2023(See regulation for county restrictions)

Bear Season

GA Bear SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
Bear (Archery North)Saturday, September 10, 2022Sunday, January 08, 2023Northern Zone
Bear (Firearms South Part-1)Thursday, September 22, 2022Saturday, September 24, 2022Southern Zone
Bear (Firearms South Part-2)Thursday, September 29, 2022Saturday, October 01, 2022Southern Zone
Bear (Firearms South Part-3)Thursday, October 06, 2022Saturday, October 08, 2022Southern Zone
Bear (Firearms South Part-4)Thursday, October 13, 2022Saturday, October 15, 2022Southern Zone
Bear (Primitive Weapon North)Saturday, October 15, 2022Sunday, January 08, 2023Northern Zone
Bear (Firearms North)Saturday, October 22, 2022Sunday, January 08, 2023Northern Zone
Bear (Firearms Central)Saturday, December 17, 2022Saturday, December 17, 2022Central Zone

Bobcat Season

GA Bobcat SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
BobcatThursday, December 01, 2022Tuesday, February 28, 2023Statewide. There is no limit.

Coyote Season

GA Coyote SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
CoyoteSaturday, January 01, 2022Saturday, December 31, 2022Statewide

Dove Season

GA Dove SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
Dove (Part-1)Saturday, September 03, 2022Sunday, October 09, 2022Statewide
Dove (Part-2)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022Statewide
Dove (Part-3)Monday, December 19, 2022Tuesday, January 31, 2023Statewide

Duck Season

GA Duck SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
Duck (Early)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022Statewide
Duck (LateSaturday, December 10, 2022Sunday, January 29, 2023Statewide

Fox Season

GA Fox SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
FoxThursday, December 01, 2022Tuesday, February 28, 2023Statewide. There is no limit.

Alligator Season

GA Alligator SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
AlligatorFriday, August 19, 2022Monday, October 03, 2022Limited by Zone and Quota. For further information, see the regulations.

Goose Season

GA Goose SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
Goose (September Canada)Saturday, September 03, 2022Sunday, September 25, 2022Statewide
Goose (Canada and Snow Part-1)Saturday, October 08, 2022Sunday, October 23, 2022Statewide
Goose (Canada and Snow Part-2)Saturday, November 19, 2022Sunday, November 27, 2022Statewide
Goose (Canada and Snow Part-3)Saturday, December 10, 2022Sunday, January 29, 2023Statewide

Grouse Season

GA Grouse SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
GrouseSaturday, October 15, 2022Tuesday, February 28, 2023Statewide

Hog Season

GA Hog SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
Feral HogsSaturday, January 01, 2022Dec 31, 202Statewide

Quail Season

GA Quail SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
QuailSaturday, November 12, 2022Tuesday, February 28, 2023Statewide

Rabbit Season

GA Rabbit SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
RabbitSaturday, November 12, 2022Tuesday, February 28, 2023Statewide

Georgia Small Game Season

Georgia Small Game SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End DateNoteBag Limit
AlligatorFriday-August 19, 2022 (sunset)Limited Zone and Quota1 per quota permit.
Monday-October 3, 2022 (sunrise)
FoxThursday-December 1, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideThere is no limit restriction
BobcatThursday-December 1, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideThere is no limit restriction
GrouseSaturday-October 15, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideLimit of 3 each day
QuailSaturday-November 12, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideLimit of 12 each day
RabbitSaturday-November 12, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideLimit of 12 each day
SquirrelMonday-August 15, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideLimit of 12 each day
Raccoon (Private lands)There is no closed seasonThere is no closed seasonStatewideThere is no limit restriction
Monday-August 15, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideThere is no limit restriction
Opossum (Private lands)There is no closed seasonThere is no closed seasonStatewideThere is no limit restriction
Opossum (Public lands)Monday-August 15, 2022Monday-February 28, 2022StatewideThere is no limit restriction

Georgia Turkey Season

GA Turkey SeasonStart DateEnd DateNote
Turkey (Spring)-Private LandSaturday-April 1, 2023Monday-May 15, 2023(Statewide) Two turkeys are yearly quota. Everyday bag of 1.
Turkey (Spring)-Public LandSaturday-April 8, 2023Monday-May 15, 2023
Special Opportunity (Youth/Mobility Impaired)Saturday-March 25, 2023Sunday-March 26, 2023Statewide. 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 SeasonHunting Season Start DateHunting Season End DateBag LimitPossession Limit
Canada GeeseSunday, September 4, 2022Monday-September 26, 2022Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Sunday, October 9, 2022Monday-October 24, 2022Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Sunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Monday-December 12, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
CrowsSunday-November 6, 2022Tuesday-February 28, 2023No limit Restriction
Mourning DovesSunday-September 4, 2022Monday-October 10, 2022Limit of 15 each dayPossession of 45
Sunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 15 each dayPossession of 45
Monday-December 19, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 15 each dayPossession of 45
DucksSunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 6 each dayPossession of 18 (Refer to Species Limits)
Monday-December 12, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 6 each dayPossession of 18 (Refer to Species Limits)
TealSunday-September 11, 2022Monday-September 26, 2022Limit of 6 each dayPossession of 18
GallinulesSunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 15 each dayPossession of 45
Monday-December 12, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 15 each dayPossession of 45
CootsSunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 15 each dayPossession of 45
Monday-December 12, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 15 each dayPossession of 45
MergansersSunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Monday-December 12, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Sea Ducks (Scoters, Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks)Sunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15 (Refer to Species Limits)
Monday-December 12, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15 (Refer to Species Limits)
Common (Wilson’s) SnipeTuesday-November 15, 2022Tuesday-February 28, 2023Limit of 8 each dayPossession of 24
Snow & White-fronted GeeseSunday-October 9, 2022Monday-October 24, 2022Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Sunday-November 20, 2022Monday-November 28, 2022Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Monday-December 12, 2022Tuesday-January 31, 2023Limit of 5 each dayPossession of 15
Sora and RailsWednesday-October 5, 2022Monday-October 24, 2022King & Clapper: 15 per dayPossession of 45
Tuesday-November 1, 2022Tuesday-December 20, 2022
Sora and VirginiaWednesday-October 5, 2022Monday-October 24, 2022Limit of 25 each dayPossession of 75
Tuesday-November 1, 2022Tuesday-December 20, 2022
WoodcockSunday-December 11, 2022Tuesday-January 24, 2023Limit of 3 each dayPossession of 9
Youth, Active Duty Military & Veterans Waterfowl DaysSaturday-November 12, 2022Sunday-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 ContactDetails
DepartmentDepartment of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division
Address2067 US Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025
HoursClosed 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.

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