1. Hunt Research Tools
  2. Application Season
  3. Georgia

Georgia Hunting

Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in Georgia, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and hunt zones. Plus much more! Start your research right here.

Overview

Known For

Georgia is known for its exceptional hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, and hogs. Include quail and the state is a southern hunter’s paradise. Georgia also has very generous whitetail limits, with hunters being allowed to harvest up to 10 antlerless and two antlered deer each season.

Terrain

Georgia has five distinct geographic regions, ranging from mountains in the northern part of the state to coastal plains on the eastern side. In between are many hills and valleys interspersed with deciduous forests and coniferous plantations.

the best hunting app, onX Hunt, on an iPhone screen with the mapping app up
Get The App
Try Before You Buy

Sign up for a 7-day free trial of onX Hunt and unlock, explore, and master all the map tools and features we offer.

Asset 1apple Asset 2droidAsset 3droid

Georgia Hunting Seasons

Filter By:
Season
Start Date
End Date
Alligator
Aug 18, 2023 – Oct 2, 2023
Alligator
Zone and Quota Limited. See regulations for more details.
Aug 18, 2023
Oct 2, 2023
Bear
Sep 21, 2023 – Sep 23, 2023
Bear – Firearms South Part 1
Southern Zone
Sep 21, 2023
Sep 23, 2023
Bear
Sep 28, 2023 – Sep 30, 2023
Bear – Firearms South Part 2
Southern Zone
Sep 28, 2023
Sep 30, 2023
Bear
Oct 5, 2023 – Oct 7, 2023
Bear – Firearms South Part 3
Southern Zone
Oct 5, 2023
Oct 7, 2023
Bear
Oct 21, 2023 – Jan 14, 2024
Bear – Firearms North
Northern Zone
Oct 21, 2023
Jan 14, 2024
Deer
Sep 9, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Deer – Archery Either Sex
Statewide
Sep 9, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Deer
Oct 21, 2023 – Jan 14, 2024
Deer – Firearms
(See regulation for county restrictions)
Oct 21, 2023
Jan 14, 2024
Dove
Sep 2, 2023 – Oct 8, 2023
Dove – Part 1
Statewide
Sep 2, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
Dove
Dec 19, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Dove – Part 3
Statewide
Dec 19, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Duck
Sep 9, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Duck – Teal Season

6 Per Day

Sep 9, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Duck
Dec 9, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024
Duck – Late
Statewide
Dec 9, 2023
Jan 28, 2024
Fox
Dec 1, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024
Fox & Bobcat
Statewide. No limit.
Dec 1, 2023
Feb 29, 2024
Goose
Sep 2, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Goose – September Canada
Statewide
Sep 2, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Goose
Dec 9, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024
Goose – Canada Part 3
Statewide
Dec 9, 2023
Jan 28, 2024
Goose
Dec 9, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024
Goose – Snow Goose

5 Per Day

Dec 9, 2023
Jan 28, 2024
Grouse
Oct 15, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024
Grouse
Statewide
Oct 15, 2023
Feb 29, 2024
Quail Game Type
Nov 18, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024
Quail
Statewide
Nov 18, 2023
Feb 29, 2024
Rabbit
Nov 18, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024
Rabbit
Statewide
Nov 18, 2023
Feb 29, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Apr 1, 2023 – May 15, 2023
Turkey – Spring
Statewide
Apr 1, 2023
May 15, 2023

Georgia Hunting Regulations

Alligator

Alligator

Bag Limit

Georgia’s alligator hunting season has been designated as a quota hunt where a limited num- ber of hunters are allowed to harvest one alligator (of 48 inches or greater length) each from a specified hunt zone. This allows the Department to closely monitor the number of animals harvested.

Bear

Bear

Bag Limit

Two bears per season, however, only one bear may be taken from the Central or Southern Zone.

Big Game

Deer

Archery

Crossbows, longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows are allowed for hunting any game or feral hog. Arrows for hunting deer, bear or feral hog must be broadhead type. Draw weight, let-off, arrow-length, and sights are not restricted.

Primitive Weapons

Archery equipment, air bows, .30-cal. or larger air rifles and muzzleloaders or muzzeleloading shotguns are legal during primitive weapons season. Scopes are legal.Statewide, excluding archery-only counties. Scopes are legal. Air rifles of .30 cal or larger and air bows are legal. During the statewide primitive weapons deer season and WMA primitive weapons hunts, youth under 16 years of age may hunt deer with any legal deer firearm.

Primitive weapons hunters may not possess any centerfire or rimfire firearm while hunting during the primitive weapons season, unless the person possesses a valid Weapons Carry License in this state (pursuant to OCGA §§ 16-11-126(f) or 16-11-129), subject to the limita- tions (OCGA §§ 16-11-126 and 16-11-127).

Firearms

• Modern Rifles and Handguns: Centerfire only, .22-cal. or larger with expanding bullets. There is no restriction on magazine capacity for rifles.

• Shotguns: 20-gauge or larger loaded with slugs or buckshot.

• Muzzleloaders: .30-cal. or larger, or muzzle- loading shotguns 20 gauge or larger. Scopes are legal.

• Air Guns: Any air rifle of at least .30 caliber or air bow utilizing unignited compressed gas or air is legal during primitive weapons and firearms seasons.F

Hunter Orange Requirements

A hunter, and anyone accompanying the hunter, must wear as an outer garment at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange above the waist (which may include a head covering) when hunting:

• deer during the primitive weapons or fire- arms deer season

• bear during the primitive weapons or firearms

bear seasons ACTIVITIES

• feral hogs during firearms deer or bear seasons

Hunter orange is required during primitive weapons and firearms hunts for deer, bear, and special opportunity coyote and feral hog hunts on WMAs and federal lands. Hunter orange is not required on WMA or Corps of Engineers tracts designated “archery- only”, nor during archery deer hunts held on a WMA during the statewide primitive weapons or firearms seasons (unless otherwise indicated). Hunter orange is required on WMA small game hunts that are concurrent with firearms deer or bear hunts.

Deer

Deer

Dog Hunting

Hunting deer with dogs is by permit only. Deer may be hunted with dogs only during authorized seasons and areas. Hunting deer with dogs is allowed on leased properties of at least 1,000 contiguous acres or privately-owned properties of at least 250 acres that are permitted by DNR. Permits are specific to only one piece of property and only one permit application per property should be submitted. Applications for a permit must be received at least 30 days prior to hunting deer with dogs. Applications are available at gadnrle.org/special-permits. The permit number must be clearly marked on all dogs and all vehicles being used during the hunt. Call (770) 918-6408 for specific rules and regulations.

Bag Limit

12 per season, Statewide. See Deer Seasons and Either-Sex Days for either sex days. No more than 10 may be antlerless and no more than 2 may be antlered. One of the 2 antlered deer must have at least 4 points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers or at least a 15-inch outside spread.

Migratory Birds

Dove

Crows – Bag Limit

No limit

Eurasian Collared Doves – Bag limit

May be taken at any time; no limit.

Common Snipe – Bag Limit

8 per day

24 in possession

Woodcock – Bag Limit

3 per day

9 in possession

Mourning Doves – Bag Limit

15 per day

45 in possession

Small Game

Small Game

Squirrel – Bag Limit

12 per day

Fox – Bag Limit

No Limit

Bobcat – Bag Limit

No Limit

Grouse – Bag Limit

3 per day

Quail – Bag Limit

12 per day

Rabbit – Bag Limit

12 per day

Opossum – Bag Limit

No Limit

Raccoon – Bag Limit

No Limit

Turkey

Turkey Game Type

Bag Limit

State wide bag limit is 2. Bag limit is statewide limit except that no more than one (1) gobbler per season may be taken per a single WMA, department-managed land, or National Forest lands outside of WMAs unless otherwise noted in the specific area listing.

Check your Turkey

All turkey hunters are required to have a Harvest Record for the current season. Additionally, harvested turkeys must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours

Waterfowl

Waterfowl

Duck – Bag Limit

6 per day

18 in possession See Species Limits

Species Specific Duck Limits

  • Black or Mottled Duck 1 per day 3 in possession (total for both species)
  • Canvasback 2 per day 6 in possession
  • Fulvous Whistling Duck 1 per day 3 in possession
  • Harlequin Ducks Closed Season
  • Mallards 2 per day (only 1 may be a hen) 6 in possession (only 3 may be hens)
  • Pintail 1 per day 3 in possession
  • Redheads 2 per day 6 in possession
  • Scaup 1 per day 3 in possession
  • Wood Ducks 3 per day 9 in possession

Teal – Bag Limit

6 per day

18 in possession

Gallinules – Bag Limit

15 per day

45 in possession

Canada Geese – Bag Limit

5 per day

15 in possession

Mergansers – Bag Limit

5 per day

15 in possession

Sea Ducks (Scoters, Eiders, Long-Tailed Ducks) – Bag Limit

4 per day

12 in possession Must include no more than:

Eiders 3 per day only one may be a hen

Long-Tailed Duck 3 per day

Scoters 3 per day

Snow and White-fronted Geese – Bag Limit

5 per day

15 in possession

Sora and Rails – Bag Limit

King & Clapper: 15 per day

45 in possession

Sora and Virginia: 25 per day

75 in possession

Non-Toxic Shot

Any 10-gauge or smaller loaded with federally approved nontoxic shot of size “F” or smaller. No lead shot may be in possession while hunting waterfowl.

Plugged Shotguns

For hunting migratory game birds, shotguns shall be limited to a capacity of not more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. If a plug is necessary to so limit the capacity, the plug shall be of 1 piece and incapable of being removed from the loading end of the magazine.

Shotguns

Any 10-gauge or smaller loaded with federally approved nontoxic shot of size “F” or smaller. Lead shot may not be in possession while hunting waterfowl.

Coots – Bag Limit

15 per day

45 in possession

*Season dates and regulation data provided by

Georgia Licenses, Permits and Regulations

Georgia hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website. Click below to view the website.

Hunting GPS Maps

Every Georgia hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Georgia hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunting zones, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Georgia.

Hunting Zones

Georgia’s hunting zones are denoted by color-coded regions: Yellow, Orange, Green, Magenta, Cyan, and Gray. For hunters looking for dense deer populations in the state look toward the Upper Coastal Plain and Piedmont areas. Click below to view Georgia’s hunting zones in more detail through an interactive map.

Hunting Layers

GA Private Lands Preview

GA Private Lands

Over 4,000,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Georgia. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.

GA Gov Lands Preview

GA Gov Lands

onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 3,400,000 acres in Georgia. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.

GA Possible Access Preview

GA Possible Access

onX has mapped 2,700,000 acres of possible access lands in Georgia including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.

SUBLAYERS (3) Expand Sublayers
GA Management Areas Preview

GA Management Areas

Georgia Management Regions along with Black Bear, and Alligator Management Areas

Includes 3 Sublayers

  • GA Deer Seasons and Either Sex Days
  • Black Bear Management Units
  • Alligator Management Units
GA Voluntary Public Access Preview

GA Voluntary Public Access

Georgia Voluntary Public Access Lands

hunter looking at onX Hunt on their phone


The #1 GPS Hunting App

  • 975 million acres of public land
  • 10,668 unique hunting units
  • 421 map overlays and counting
  • 5,000 game wardens approve