Georgia Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Hunting in Georgia

Georgia has a wide range of hunting options, from small to large animals. Turkeys and deer are two of the most popular games in the state. It is also one of the states where alligators can be taken.

Regulations for Hunting in Georgia

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has standards, laws, and regulations that hunters must follow before taking game in the state.

The act of taking, killing, capturing, chasing, shooting, games, and wildlife in the state, including feral hogs, is described as hunting in Georgia.

Hunting also includes the use, setting, and drawing of any equipment to take games, whether or not the act of taking the game is successful. You are a member of the hunting process if you aid anyone in the capture of game and wildlife in Georgia.

Some of Georgia’s hunting regulations include the following:

Convicted Felon Hunters Face Restrictions

Convicted hunters are not permitted to have guns in their possession when hunting. Possession of muzzleloaders is included. Convicted felons who have previously had their rights to possess firearms restored at the state or federal level are exempt. Furthermore, this prohibition only applies to the possession of guns and not archery, air rifles, or bows.

Use of Loaded Firearms Restriction

In Georgia hunting, a firearm is loaded in the following situations:

• If there are shells in the magazine or chamber,
• If the nipple is equipped with a percussion cap,
• If the gunpowder is in the frozen pan,
• In the case of crossbows, they will be deemed loaded when cocked.

Plugged Shotgun Restrictions

Shotguns used to shoot migratory birds in Georgia are only allowed to have three shells in the chamber and magazines. If a plug is required to limit the firearm’s capacity, it will only be a single component.

Suppressor Restrictions

You can take game if you have a suppressor that is legally licensed for hunting in Georgia. In order to hunt using suppressors on private territory in Georgia, you must first obtain permission from the landowner.

Regulations for Archery Equipment

In Georgia, it is legal to use compound bows, recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows to hunt game, wildlife, and feral pigs. However, the sort of arrow allowed for hunting species such as bears, deer, and feral hogs should be one with a broadhead. Other restrictions, such as arrow draw weight, length, and let-off, are not controlled for Georgia hunting.

Georgia Prohibited Hunting Activities

Some of the prohibited activities when hunting in Georgia are as follows:

• It is illegal to hunt on private property that you do not own or without the permission of the landowner. This involves looking for game in railroad, electrical, or gas lines. If the land is posted for hunting, you must seek written permission before hunting on it.
• It is illegal in Georgia to hunt while under the influence of alcohol.
• Possessing, importing, holding, or releasing wildlife in Georgia without a proper permit from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is illegal.
• It is prohibited to conceal your ownership of illegally obtained games, wildlife, or parts of their bodies.
• It is illegal in Georgia to kill or disable a game if you do not intend to take or retrieve it.
• It is illegal to take, kill, or shoot farm deer such as elk, axis deer, fallow deer, red deer, and so on. It is also illegal in Georgia to take, kill, or fire at any exotic wild animal, including deer, antelope, and sheep kept with wildlife licenses for enjoyment, sports, and amusement.
• It is illegal to hunt or shoot at a game animal from the other side of a major road.
• It is illegal to hunt from a vehicle, including a motorboat, a powerboat, or an aircraft.
• It is illegal to purchase or sell games or parts of their bodies. Only antlers, tails from squirrels and deer hunting in Georgia, hides from furbearers hunting in Georgia, and alligator body goods are exempt.
• It is illegal to use a computer or any other similar technology to remotely discharge firearms for the purpose of hunting games or wildlife.
• To hunt game in Georgia, it is illegal to employ things such as chemicals, narcotics, explosives, gas, electronically generated sounds, poisons, and so on.
• To take games in Georgia, it is illegal to employ baits, pitfalls, hooks, nets, snares, decoys, deadfalls, and so on.
• It is illegal to use communication devices while hunting or pursuing game or wildlife.
• It is illegal to disturb games and wildlife in their burrows, holes, or other places where they make their homes.
• It is against the law in Georgia to shoot a firearm within 50 yards of any public road.
• It is illegal to use lights to blind wildlife when hunting.

Dressing Rules for Hunters

for hunting during specific seasons. While hunting in Georgia, all hunters and escorts must wear fluorescent yellow outer garments. The cloth must be at least 550 square inches in size and cover the hunter’s waist. A headcover is also possible.

The following are some of the seasons when this dressing is required:

• season for deer hunting using firearms and archaic weapons.
• Bear hunting with firearms and traditional weapons is legal.
• Hunting feral hogs during bear or deer season using a firearm
• Coyote hunting is permitted in Georgia Wildlife Management Areas and on federal properties.

This dress code is not required when hunting in Wildlife Management Areas with only archery weapons. However, you must observe the dress standards for small game hunting in Georgia, such as teddy bear and deer hunting.

Georgia Hunting Permits, Licenses, and Tags

Age and residency are used to grant Georgia hunting licenses, permits, and tags. They also have different validity periods.

In order to be considered a resident of Georgia for hunting and fishing license availability, you must have lived in the state for a minimum of three months prior to applying for the license.

A driver’s license and a valid Georgia identity card with your residence address are acceptable as proof of residency. Furthermore, a resident must be domiciled in Georgia, which implies that even if you own property in other states, you can only claim Georgia as your place of residence.

Nonresidents can also apply for Georgia resident permits if they are:

• Military personnel on active duty in Georgia and their relatives Their military identification card will serve as proof of application.
• Students attending a Georgian college and residing in the state full-time Their application requires a student’s iFishing Permit and other documentation.

In Georgia, the following licenses, permits, and tags are issued:

License for Hunting and Fishing

In Georgia, this license combines both hunting and fishing. Holders of this license will be permitted to participate in hunting seasons and fish in numerous bodies of water within the state. The license is valid for three years and is available to both Georgia residents and nonresidents. Residents pay $30 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $150. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Then there’s the one-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

License for Apprentice Hunting and Fishing

This license is valid in Georgia for both fishing and hunting and can be obtained by beginners who require supervision when hunting or fishing. It has a one-day validity and costs $5 for residents and $30 for non-residents.

Hunting License

This is a Georgia hunting license that is available to inhabitants of the state aged 16 to 64. Nonresident hunters can also obtain it as an out-of-state hunting license. Georgia hunting licenses are valid for three years. Residents pay $15 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $100. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $6 for non-residents.

Senior Sportsman’s Permit

This license is only accessible to Georgia residents over the age of 65. A sportsman’s license will allow you to go hunting and fishing. However, it is not applicable to alligator hunting. It has a one-year validity period and costs $7.

Licenses for large games

This license is accessible to both citizens and nonresidents who want to hunt large game in Georgia. It has been good for three years. Residents pay $25 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $225. A one-day pass costs $10 for residents and $130 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $2 for residents and $8 for non-residents.

Deer, alligator, and turkey hunting license

This is a free annual license for both residents and nonresidents.

Permit for Alligator Harvest Quota

This license is valid for both citizens and non-residents and is only valid during alligator season. Residents pay $75, while non-residents pay $250.

Trapping Permit

This is a Georgia game-trapping license that is available to both residents and non-residents of the state. It is only valid for the season of the game in question. Residents pay $40, while non-residents pay $325.

Shooting Preserve Permit

This permit is good for two years. It is available to both residents and nonresidents and costs $12 per person.

Stamps of Migratory Birds and Waterfowl

This is a yearly stamp for migratory bird and waterfowl hunting in Georgia. It is valid for two years and is available to both residents and non-residents for $5.

Hunting License for People with Disabilities

This license is valid for disabled Georgia residents who desire to participate in state hunting activities. This license has two terms of validity. The annual license is $3, while the three-year license is $9.

Permits and tags for fishing in Georgia

Georgia fishing licenses, permits, and tags include the following:

Fishing License

This license allows holders to fish in a variety of Georgia water bodies. It is open to inhabitants between the ages of 26 and 64, as well as nonresidents of all ages. This license has three different validity periods. Residents pay $15 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $100. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Then there’s the extra-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $6 for non-residents.

Youth Fishing License (optional)

This is a fishing license accessible to Georgia teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15. Nonresidents, regardless of age, are not permitted to obtain this license. It is good until the young person reaches the age of 17, and it costs $10.

Trout Permit

This license is required for residents and nonresidents aged 16 and over who want to fish for mountain trout in Georgia. This license can only be used in conjunction with a basic fishing license. The trout license is valid for three years. Residents pay $10 for a yearly license, while non-residents pay $25. The one that is only valid for one day costs $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Then there’s the one-day hunting and fishing license, which costs $1 for residents and $2 for non-residents.

Commercial Fishing Permit

This license is available for commercial use to both citizens and non-residents; however, it is only valid during the hunting season. Residents pay $20, while non-residents pay $200.

License for Disabled Anglers

This license is accessible to Georgia citizens who are disabled and have acceptable documentation of disability. Non-residents are not eligible to apply. A handicap fishing license in Georgia has two validity periods. The one for a year costs $3, while the one for three years costs $9.

2020-2021 Georgia Hunting Season

In Georgia, there are several seasons for hunting games, which are further separated into seasons for deer hunting in Georgia.

Georgia’s shooting season for various species in 2020–21 includes the following:

Seasons for shooting deer in Georgia

• Archery Season (September 12th to January 10th)
• Extended Archery Season (September 12th to January 31st)
• Season of Primitive Weapons (10th of October to 10th of January)
• Firearms Season (October 17th to January 10th)

A valid state hunting permit is required to hunt deer in Georgia. Georgia only issues 7,500 deer hunting permits. You must also qualify before taking deer during the disability hunting season. There is also a juvenile deer hunting season, but only residents can participate. Depending on the county, there may be further restrictions on the use of guns and animals considered to be legal deer.

Seasons for hunting bears in Turkey Hunting in Georgia (September 12th to January 10th)

• Season of Primitive Weapons (10th of October to 10th of January)
• Firearms Season (October 17th to January 10th)
• Turkey Season in Alligator Hunting in Georgia (March 20th to May 15th)
• Special Opportunity Youth and Mobility Impaired Season (March 13th to 14th)

Alligator Season in Georgia

• General Hunting Season (from the sunset of August 14th to the sunrise of October 5th)

Permission is required for alligator hunting in Georgia. Each hunter is only authorized to take one alligator every year.

Small Game Hunting Season in Georgia

• Season of the Fox and Bobcat (December 1st to February 28th)
• Grouse Season (October 15th to February 28th)
• Opossum Season (October 15th to February 28th)
• Quail Season (November 14th to February 28th)
• Rabbit Season (November 14th to February 28th)
• Raccoon Season (October 15th to February 28th)
• Squirrel Season (August 15th to February 28th)
• Woodcock Season (December 5th to January 18th)

It is crucial to note that the dates for each game season in Georgia may vary depending on the hunting zone. In addition, hunting restrictions, bag limits, and special hunting seasons in Georgia vary depending on the game and season.

Georgia Fishing and Wildlife Games

The following games and fauna are available for hunting in Georgia:

Georgia deer hunting

Deer hunting is highly popular in Georgia, and it is one of the states in the US with a lot of deer hunting sites. Georgia has around 100 Wildlife Management Areas, each of which ensures excellent deer hunting. The white-tailed deer is found across the state, but it is most common in coastal marsh and forest areas.

Black bear hunting in Georgia

Due to the state’s growing bear population, black bear hunting in Georgia is on the rise. Bears are estimated to number roughly 2,200 in Georgia, and they live in three areas: the mountainous portions of northern Georgia, the southern area of Macon around the Ocmulgee River, and the swampy areas of southern Georgia.

Hunting for Hogs in Georgia

In Georgia, hog hunting is popular in the mountainous regions of northern Georgia. The state is home to some of the biggest hogs in North America. Hunters want wild hogs for the simple reason that they are a nuisance to farmers.

Georgia Alligator Hunting

In Georgia, alligator hunting takes place in wetlands. They live in swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water. Alligators have also been discovered in Georgia drainages and ditches near human areas.

Bobcat hunting in Georgia

Bobcats are one of the most prevalent predators in North America, and they are found across Georgia. They live in different sections of the state, depending on where they can find the greatest prey. In Georgia, bobcat hunting is done in agricultural and woodland areas, where it is most common.

Hunting for foxes in Georgia

The red fox is the only fox species present in Georgia. The appearance of Red Fox in the United States is due to Europeans who moved there. The red fox can be found in practically every state, including Georgia. Red fox hunting in Georgia takes place in regions where they are most common, such as wooded areas, meadows, and croplands.

Georgia Turkey Hunting

Turkey hunting is quite popular in Georgia, and the state has roughly five species of the game. Turkeys are widely distributed in Georgia, and wild turkeys can be found practically everywhere.

Hunting for Georgia Grouse

Northern Georgia’s hilly highlands are home to grouse. They prefer very high elevations, which is why the Chattahoochee Forest is great for them. They are also available on several of the state’s public hunting properties.

Rabbit hunting in Georgia

The Eastern cottontail rabbit is the most popular species for rabbit hunting in Georgia. Appalachian cottontail rabbits, marsh rabbits, and swamp rabbits are also present. Cottontail rabbits are the common name for all of them.

Raccoon hunting in Georgia

Raccoons can be found in a variety of habitats in Georgia. They are usually found in the state’s water bodies, such as marches, lakes, streams, wetlands, and rivers. They can also be found in areas with hardwood trees.

Shooting ranges in Georgia

The Georgia Wildlife Resource Division has archery and shooting ranges for hunters in the state, which include the following:

• State Park, Amicalola Falls
• Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area
• Chickasawhatchee Wildlife Management Area
• Clarks Hill Wildlife Management Area
• WMA Clybel
• Carters Lake WMA in Coosawattee
• PFA of Dodge County
• PFA of Evans County
• PFA of Flat Creek
• State Park of General Coffee
• Georgia Veterans Memorial Park
• WMA J. L. Lester
• PFA McDuffie
• WMA Ocmulgee
• WMA Oconee
• State Park Panola Mountain
• Richmond Hill Wildlife Management Area
• WMA Rich Mountain—Cartecay Tract
• WMA River Bend
• PFA Rocky Mountain
• State Park, Tallulah Gorge
• State Park Unicoi
• State Park, Victoria Bryant
• WMA Walton

Hunting Land in Georgia for Sale and Lease

Georgia hunting lands for sale include the following:

• 264 acres in Statesboro, Georgia (Bulloch County)
• 401 acres in Cusseta, Georgia (Chattahoochee County).
• 226 acres in Metter, Georgia (Candler County).
• 20 acres in Lyerly, Georgia (Chattooga County)

Georgia hunting lands for lease include the following:

• 58 acres in Statesboro, Georgia (Bulloch County)
• 482 acres in Rhine, Georgia (Dodge County).
• 83 acres in Blakely, Georgia (Early County).