Georgia Hunting Guide Buy a license(opens official site)
2026–27 season guide

Hunting in Georgia, USA

Season dates, bag limits, licenses and public land for deer, turkey, bear, hogs and birds — everything you need to plan a legal hunt in the Peach State.

  • ~1Macres of public land
  • 100+WMAs
  • Sep 12archery opener
  • 12deer per season
See season dates Licenses & fees

Independent guide · Updated

Game species in Georgia

From mountain bears to coastal ducks — what you can hunt and when each season runs.

Georgia hunting seasons 2026–27

Statewide dates for private land. Fall dates fall in 2026, winter dates in 2027.

SpeciesSeason datesBag limit
White-tailed deer
 Archery: Sep 12 – Jan 10Primitive weapons: Oct 10 – 16Firearms: Oct 17 – Jan 10Extended archery in select counties to Jan 31 12 per season: up to 10 antlerless, 2 antlered (one buck must have 4+ points on one side)
Wild turkey
 Spring: late March – May 15 on private landWMAs and national forests open about a week later (2026: Mar 28 and Apr 4) 1 gobbler per day, 2 per season (1 per WMA)
Black bear
 Northern zone: mid-Sep – mid-JanCentral zone: one day in DecemberSouthern zone: select days, Sep – Oct Set by zone (report every bear)
Feral hog
 Private land: year-roundPublic land: during each WMA's open seasons No limit
Mourning dove
 Sep 5 – Oct 11 · Nov 21 – 29 · Dec 19 – Jan 31 15 per day
Ducks
 Late November – late January, split seasonFederal frameworks set final dates each fall 6 per day (species limits apply)
Squirrel
 Aug 15 – Feb 28 12 per day
Rabbit
 Mid-November – Feb 28 12 per day
Bobwhite quail
 Mid-November – Feb 28 12 per day

WMAs, national forests and some counties set their own dates. Always confirm in the official Georgia Hunting Regulations before you go.

Georgia hunting licenses & fees

Buy online in minutes, print or save to your phone, and you're legal the same day.

Georgia resident

$15 / year

Hunting license

  • + $25 big game license for deer, turkey or bear
  • WMA license for most Wildlife Management Areas
  • Short-term, combo and lifetime options
Buy resident license

Nonresident

$100 / year

Hunting license

  • + $225 big game license for deer, turkey or bear
  • WMA license for most Wildlife Management Areas
  • Short-term licenses for a single trip
Buy nonresident license

Before you go

  • Hunter educationRequired for a season license if you were born on or after January 1, 1961.

  • Orange or pink500 sq in of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist during firearms deer and bear seasons.

  • Harvest RecordFree. Log date and county before you move a deer, turkey or bear.

  • Game CheckReport every deer, turkey and bear within 24 hours in the Outdoors GA app or online.

  • Migratory birdsFree HIP permit for dove and ducks, plus a Federal Duck Stamp for waterfowl.

  • Landowner permissionAlways get permission before hunting private land.

Fees as published by Georgia DNR for 2025–26. Check current prices at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.

Top public hunting land in Georgia

Georgia's Wildlife Resources Division opens nearly one million acres to public hunting across 100+ Wildlife Management Areas, national forests and Voluntary Public Access lands.

  1. 1

    Cohutta WMA

    North Georgia mountains · Bear, deer, turkey

  2. 2

    Oaky Woods WMA

    Middle Georgia · Deer, bear

  3. 3

    Cedar Creek WMA

    Oconee National Forest · Deer, turkey

  4. 4

    Chickasawhatchee WMA

    Southwest Georgia swamp · Deer, turkey, hogs

  5. 5

    Altamaha WMA

    Coastal Georgia · Ducks, deer

  6. 6

    Ossabaw Island WMA

    Barrier island quota hunts · Deer, hogs

Many WMA hunts are quota (lottery) hunts — apply early through GoOutdoorsGeorgia.

About hunting in Georgia

Georgia is one of the most rewarding hunting states in the Southeast. From the Blue Ridge mountains through the Piedmont's hardwoods to the pine flatwoods, river swamps and barrier islands of the coast, the state supports a large white-tailed deer herd, strong wild turkey numbers, three separate black bear populations and year-round feral hog hunting.

Seasons are long: bowhunters start in mid-September, and small-game hunters stay afield until the end of February. The Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources sets seasons and bag limits, sells licenses and manages the state's Wildlife Management Areas.

Frequently asked questions

When does deer season open in Georgia in 2026?

Archery opens September 12, 2026, primitive weapons run October 10–16, and the statewide firearms season opens October 17. Most of the state closes January 10, 2027, while extended archery in select counties runs to January 31.

What licenses do I need to hunt in Georgia?

Most hunters 16 and older need a Georgia hunting license plus a big game license for deer, turkey or bear. A WMA license is needed on most Wildlife Management Areas. Residents and nonresidents can buy licenses at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.

Is hunter education required in Georgia?

Yes. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1961 must complete a hunter education course before buying a season hunting license. Short-term licenses and hunting on your own land are exceptions.

How many deer can you harvest in Georgia?

The statewide season limit is 12 deer: up to 10 antlerless and 2 antlered, and one of the two bucks must have at least four points on one side.

Can you hunt feral hogs year-round in Georgia?

Yes. On private land there is no closed season and no bag limit, as long as you have the landowner's permission. On public land, hogs may be taken only during the seasons set for each WMA.

What is the turkey bag limit in Georgia?

One gobbler per day and two per season, with a limit of one gobbler from each WMA or national forest area.