Georgia Hunting Season: Your Essential Guide to Dates and Regulations

Georgia provides a wide range of hunting opportunities across its varied landscapes, from the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the coastal marshes along the Atlantic. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Wildlife Resources Division manages all hunting seasons and regulations. This guide covers the major game species, their season structures, and what you need to know before heading afield. Always verify exact dates on the official GADNR website before planning your hunt.¹

White-tailed Deer Season

Whitetail deer are Georgia’s most popular game animal. The state offers multiple season types spread across several months, giving hunters extended opportunities from early fall through mid-winter.

Archery Season

Archery season for deer runs September 13, 2025 through October 10, 2025 statewide. This early window provides bowhunters with warm-weather hunting before firearm seasons begin. Both compound bows and crossbows are legal during archery season. Minimum draw weight requirements apply, and broadheads must have a minimum cutting diameter. Archery season often overlaps with early teal season and dove season, making September a busy month for Georgia hunters.

Primitive Weapons Season

Primitive weapons season generally runs from mid-October through mid-October, covering a brief window between archery and firearms seasons. Legal weapons during this period include muzzleloaders, bows, and certain primitive firearms. Specific muzzleloader requirements apply, including ignition type and projectile restrictions. This season attracts hunters who prefer a more traditional approach.

Firearms Season

The general firearms season for deer is the longest and most popular. It runs . Centerfire rifles, shotguns with slugs or buckshot, and handguns meeting minimum caliber requirements are all legal. Season dates can vary slightly between regions. The extended season window covers the peak of the rut in many parts of the state, which generally occurs from late October through November in north Georgia and slightly later in the southern part of the state.

Youth Deer Hunts

Georgia designates specific youth-only deer hunting days, typically scheduled in late September or early October and again in January. These special hunts are open to young hunters under age 16 who are accompanied by a licensed adult. Youth hunts provide an excellent introduction to deer hunting with reduced pressure and adult mentorship.

Either-Sex Days

Georgia regulates antlerless deer harvest through designated either-sex days that vary by county. Some counties allow either-sex harvest throughout firearms season, while others restrict doe harvest to specific days. Hunters must check the either-sex day schedule for their specific county before hunting. This system helps manage deer populations at the county level.

Turkey Season

Turkey hunting in Georgia targets the Eastern wild turkey, and the state has one of the strongest turkey populations in the Southeast.

Spring Gobbler Season

The spring turkey season is the primary turkey hunting opportunity in Georgia. It runs March 22, 2026 through May 15, 2026. A youth turkey hunt weekend is usually held one week before the general spring opener. <strong>Season limit:</strong> 3 The daily bag limit is one gobbler per day, and the season limit is three gobblers for the spring season. Only male turkeys (gobblers or jakes) may be harvested during spring season. Legal methods include shotguns and archery equipment. Electronic calls are prohibited during spring turkey season.

Fall Turkey Season

Georgia also offers a fall turkey season that typically runs from mid-October through mid-November in select counties. Both gobblers and hens may be legal during fall season, depending on the specific regulations for the area. The fall season bag limit is generally more restrictive than the spring season. Fall turkey hunting is less popular but offers a different experience from spring hunting.

Waterfowl Season

Georgia sits along the Atlantic Flyway, making it an important destination for waterfowl hunters. Federal frameworks set the outside boundaries for season dates, and the state selects specific dates within those frameworks.

Duck Season

Duck season in Georgia is typically split into two or three segments. The first segment often opens in late November, with additional segments running through late January. The daily bag limit follows federal regulations, which assign point values to different duck species. Hunters must be able to identify species on the wing. Steel shot or other non-toxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting.

Early Teal Season

An early teal season is usually held in September, running for about 16 days. This season targets blue-winged teal during their early southern migration. The daily bag limit is typically six teal. This season provides an early-fall waterfowl opportunity before the main duck seasons open.

Goose Season

Canada goose season dates generally align with duck season, running from late November through late January. Light goose species (snow geese and Ross’s geese) have seasons that may extend into February or March under conservation order provisions. Daily bag limits vary by goose species.

Woodcock

American woodcock have a season that typically runs from December through late January. The daily bag limit is three birds. Woodcock are found in moist bottomland habitats, particularly in north and central Georgia.

Small Game Seasons

Georgia offers hunting for several small game species that provide accessible opportunities without the complexity of big game seasons.

Quail

Bobwhite quail season typically runs from mid-November through the end of February. The daily bag limit is 12 quail. South Georgia has historically been the heart of quail hunting in the state, with many traditional plantation-style quail hunts still operating. Wild quail populations have declined in recent decades, but managed lands and preserves continue to provide quality upland bird hunting.

Rabbit

Rabbit season generally runs from mid-November through late February. The daily bag limit is typically 10 rabbits. Cottontail rabbits are found statewide, and rabbit hunting with beagles is a longstanding Georgia tradition.

Squirrel

Squirrel season in Georgia is one of the longest hunting seasons available. It typically runs from mid-August through the end of February. The daily bag limit is 12 squirrels. Both fox squirrels and gray squirrels are legal game. Squirrel hunting is an excellent way for new hunters to learn woodsmanship and marksmanship in a low-pressure setting.

Dove

Mourning dove season is split into three segments. The first segment typically opens on the first Saturday in September and runs through mid-October. A second segment opens in mid-November, and a third segment runs in December through January. The daily bag limit is 15 doves. Dove hunting on managed fields is a cherished social tradition across Georgia, especially in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions.

Bear Season

Georgia offers limited black bear hunting in the mountainous counties of north Georgia. Bear season dates and eligible counties are set annually by GADNR. The season typically includes archery, muzzleloader, and firearms segments that align with deer season dates in bear-eligible counties.

Season Structure

The bear season generally runs from mid-September through mid-January in designated counties, with harvest methods matching the concurrent deer season type. Only specific north Georgia mountain counties are open to bear hunting. The bag limit is one bear per hunter per season. Hunters must check in harvested bears within 24 hours at a GADNR check station.

Eligible Areas

Bear hunting is restricted to counties in the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding foothills. Counties in the Chattahoochee National Forest area are typically included. The specific list of bear-eligible counties is published annually in the hunting regulations digest. Bear populations in north Georgia have been growing steadily, and the regulated harvest helps manage population levels.

Alligator Season

Georgia’s alligator season is lottery-based. Hunters must apply through GADNR for a limited number of alligator harvest permits. The application period typically opens in the spring, and successful applicants are notified before the season opens.

Season Details

The alligator season usually runs from mid-August through mid-October. Hunting is restricted to designated zones across south Georgia and the coastal areas. Each permit is valid for a specific zone. Legal harvest methods include hand-held snares, harpoons, bowfishing equipment, and bang sticks. Firearms may be used only to dispatch a restrained alligator. The bag limit is one alligator per permit.

Feral Hog

Feral hogs are a destructive invasive species in Georgia, and the state encourages their removal. There is no closed season for feral hogs on private land. Hogs may be hunted at any time of year using any legal hunting method, day or night, with landowner permission. No bag limit applies on private land.

On Wildlife Management Areas and other public lands, feral hog hunting is generally allowed during other open hunting seasons but may have specific restrictions. Some WMAs offer dedicated hog-only hunts. Night hunting for hogs on private land is legal and is a popular method for controlling populations.

Licensing Requirements

All hunters in Georgia must have a valid hunting license. This applies to both residents and non-residents, with some limited exceptions for landowners hunting on their own property and youth under certain ages.

License Types

Georgia offers resident and non-resident hunting licenses. Non-resident licenses are priced significantly higher than resident licenses. Resident hunters must have maintained legal residence in Georgia for at least three months. A Big Game License is required in addition to the basic hunting license for hunting deer, bear, and turkey. A WMA stamp is required for hunting on any Wildlife Management Area. A Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (Duck Stamp) is required for waterfowl hunting, along with a state waterfowl license.

Quota Hunts

Many WMAs require quota hunt permits for specific species and dates. Quota hunts are awarded through an online application and drawing process. Applications typically open several months before the hunt dates, and demand often exceeds available permits. Apply early and have backup plans.

For a complete breakdown of licensing, hunter education, and regulatory details, see our Georgia hunting regulations guide.

Important Reminders

• Check Regulations Annually: Season dates and bag limits can change each year. Always refer to the current GADNR hunting regulations digest before your hunt.
• Public vs. Private Land: Georgia has over one million acres of WMAs open to public hunting, but specific rules apply. See our Georgia land access guide for details.
• Safety First: Wear fluorescent orange during firearms deer season. Practice safe firearm handling at all times.
• Report Your Harvest: Georgia requires hunters to report deer and turkey harvests through the Game Check system within 24 hours.
• Respect Wildlife: Follow all bag limits and practice ethical hunting.

Planning your Georgia hunt requires attention to the specific season dates, methods, and areas you intend to hunt. The variety of seasons and species available makes Georgia one of the most versatile hunting states in the Southeast.

More Georgia Hunting Resources

• How to get a Georgia hunting license
• Hunting locations in Georgia

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