This guide will help you understand the upcoming 2025-2026 GA hunting season. We will cover key dates, license requirements, and where to find your next hunt. Proper planning and knowledge of hunting regulations are vital for a safe and successful trip.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- An overview of Georgia hunting licenses and key season dates.
- Detailed information on hunting major game like deer, turkey, and bear.
- Updates on hunting minor game species and furbearers.
- Resources for finding public and private hunting lands.
- Answers to frequently asked questions about hunting in Georgia.
Let’s get you ready for a memorable hunting season in the Peach State.
Quick Overview: 2025-2026 Season Dates, Georgia Hunting Licenses, and Regulations
Planning your Georgia hunts starts with understanding the essentials. This includes knowing the license you need and when each game species is in season. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division sets these rules.
Disclaimer: The 2025-2026 season dates provided below are for general planning. Always confirm specific county regulations, WMA rules, and final dates on the official Georgia Wildlife Resources Division website (GeorgiaWildlife.com) before hunting, as details can vary by location and are subject to change.
The table below summarizes primary hunting licenses. Costs shown are base fees from recent information and may not include transaction fees. For current pricing, check GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.
| License Name | Description | Cost (Resident) | Cost (Non-Resident) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | Basic hunting privileges. Hunter education may be required. | Annual: $15 | Annual: $100 |
| Big Game License | Required for deer, turkey, bear in addition to hunting license. | Annual: $25 | Annual: $225 |
| Sportsman’s License | Includes Hunting, Big Game, Fishing (fresh/salt), and Trout. | Annual: $65 | Annual: $400 |
| Apprentice Hunting & Fishing | Short-term license for those without Hunter Education (age 16+). | 1-Day: $5 (+ $1/add. day) | 1-Day: $30 (+ $10/add. day) |
| GA Waterfowl & Migratory Bird | Required for migratory birds (16+). HIP survey completion required. | Annual: $5 | Annual: $5 |
| Lifetime Sportsman’s License | Available to residents; covers most state hunting and fishing. | Varies by age (e.g., Adult $750) | Non-Resident Grandchild: $1,000 |
| Senior Sportsman’s License (65+) | For residents 65+ (born on/after July 1, 1952). | Annual: $7; Lifetime: $70 | Not Offered |
Here is an overview of the general 2025-2026 GA hunting season dates and bag limits.
| Game Species | Season Dates (2025-2026) | General Statewide Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Deer (Archery) | Sept 13, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026 (most counties) | 12 per season (no more than 10 antlerless, 2 antlered; restrictions apply) |
| Deer (Ext. Archery) | Sept 13, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 (select counties) | (Same as above) |
| Deer (Primitive) | Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026 | (Same as above) |
| Deer (Firearms) | Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026 | (Same as above) |
| Deer (Youth Firearms) | Oct 11–17, 2025 | (Same as above) |
| Feral Hog | Private Land: No closed season. Public Land: Varies, often during other open seasons & special May 16-31 period. | No Limit |
| Turkey (Spring 2026) | Private Land: Mar 28 – May 15, 2026. Public Land (WMAs/VPAs/NF): Apr 4 – May 15, 2026 | 2 Gobblers per season; Daily: 1. (WMA/VPA/NF: 1 per area per person) |
| Bear (Northern Zone) | Archery: Sept 13 – Oct 10, 2025; Primitive: Oct 11–17, 2025; Firearms: Oct 18, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026 | 2 per season statewide; only 1 from Central or Southern Zone combined. |
| Bear (Southern Zone) | Firearms: Specific weekends in Sept/Oct 2025 (Dates TBD by DNR) | (Same as above) |
| Alligator (2025) | Quota Hunt: Aug 15 (sunset) – Oct 6 (sunrise), 2025 | 1 per quota permit (min. length applies) |
| Squirrel | Aug 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 12 per day |
| Rabbit | Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 12 per day |
| Quail | Nov 8, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 12 per day |
| Grouse | Oct 15, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | 3 per day |
| Dove | Sept 6 – Oct 12, 2025; Nov 22 – Nov 30, 2025; Dec 18, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026 | 15 per day |
| Fox & Bobcat | Dec 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | No Limit |
| Crow | Nov 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 | No Limit |
| Woodcock | Dec 6, 2025 – Jan 19, 2026 | 3 per day |
| Canada Goose | Early: Sept 6–28, 2025. Late: Oct 11–26, Nov 22–30, 2025, Dec 6, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026 | 5 per day |
| Teal (Early) | Sept 13–28, 2025 | 6 per day |
| Ducks | Nov 22–30, 2025 & Dec 6, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026 | 6 per day (species sub-limits apply) |
| Snow Geese | Oct 11–26, 2025, Nov 22–30, 2025, Dec 6, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026 | 5 per day |
A hunter education course is mandatory for most hunters born on or after January 1, 1961. You must carry your hunter education card while hunting if you are 16 through 25. For migratory birds like ducks and geese, a Georgia Waterfowl and Migratory Bird License and a federal duck stamp are required for hunters 16 and older. Always have your Harvest Record for deer, turkey, and bear.
Georgia Deer Hunting
White-tailed deer are Georgia’s most popular big game animal. Hunting deer is a long-standing tradition here. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources manages the deer population carefully to ensure healthy herds and good hunting opportunities.
Georgia Deer Hunting Seasons (2025-2026)
Disclaimer: These 2025-2026 dates are general. Always confirm specific county, WMA, and extended archery regulations at GeorgiaWildlife.com before planning your hunt.
Georgia offers several deer hunting seasons. Archery season typically opens first, running from September 13, 2025, to January 11, 2026, in most counties. An extended archery season in select counties runs from September 13, 2025, to January 31, 2026. These select counties are often in suburban or specific agricultural areas.
The primitive weapons season, for muzzleloaders and certain air guns, is scheduled from October 11, 2025, to January 11, 2026. Youth hunters have a special firearms week from October 11 to October 17, 2025, allowing them to use any legal deer firearm. The main firearms season for most hunters runs from October 18, 2025, to January 11, 2026.
Georgia Deer Hunting Regulations
Key hunting regulations for deer include a statewide bag limit of 12 deer per hunter per season. No more than 10 can be antlerless, and no more than two can be antlered. One of the two antlered deer must have at least 4 points (one inch or longer) on one side or a minimum 15-inch outside antler spread. Some counties, like Dooly, Macon, and Harris, have more restrictive antler requirements.
All harvested deer must be recorded on your Harvest Record before moving from the kill site. Then, report the harvest via Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. Hunter orange (500 sq. inches) is required during firearms seasons. Baiting is allowed on private land with landowner permission but prohibited on public lands. Dawson County and Seminole County may have specific local regulations; always check for your hunting area.
Georgia Wild Turkey Hunting
Spring turkey hunting is a cherished tradition in Georgia. Pursuing a wary gobbler offers a unique challenge. The state’s wildlife agency manages turkey populations to provide sustainable hunting for this iconic game species.
Georgia Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons (Spring 2026)
Disclaimer: These Spring 2026 dates are general. Confirm specific WMA, VPA, and National Forest dates and rules at GeorgiaWildlife.com.
The main opportunity for turkey hunting is the spring gobbler season. For private lands, the 2026 season is set for March 28 to May 15. For those hunting on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Voluntary Public Access (VPA) lands, and National Forest lands, the season opens a bit later, from April 4 to May 15, 2026.
There is also often a special opportunity season for youth and mobility-impaired hunters just before the main private land opener. These dates are typically the weekend prior, but should be confirmed annually.
Georgia Wild Turkey Hunting Regulations
The bag limit for wild turkey in Georgia is two gobblers per hunter for the entire spring season. The daily limit is one gobbler. On public lands (WMAs, VPAs, National Forests), there’s a more restrictive limit of one gobbler per area, per hunter.
Only male turkeys (gobblers) are legal to harvest. Hunting turkeys over bait is illegal on all lands. Legal weapons include shotguns with No. 2 or smaller shot, muzzleloaders, air guns (.30 caliber or larger), and archery equipment. Using electronic calls for turkeys is prohibited; only recorded calls of natural sounds are allowed for some other species, but not turkey. Turkeys must be recorded on your Harvest Record and reported via Georgia Game Check.
Georgia Black Bear Hunting
Georgia is home to a healthy black bear population, managed across distinct zones: Northern, Central, and Southern. Hunting seasons and regulations for black bear are zone-specific, reflecting different population densities and management goals for this large game species.
Georgia Black Bear Hunting Seasons (2025-2026)
Disclaimer: These 2025-2026 dates are general and Southern Zone firearms dates are TBD. Always confirm final dates, zonal boundaries, and WMA-specific bear hunting regulations at GeorgiaWildlife.com.
In the Northern Zone, the archery season for bear is September 13 to October 10, 2025. The primitive weapons season runs from October 11 to October 17, 2025. The firearms season in the Northern Zone is October 18, 2025, to January 11, 2026.
The Central Zone typically has a very limited firearms season, often just one or two days in December, with specifics announced closer to the season. The Southern Zone firearms season usually consists of several specific weekends (Thursday-Saturday) in September and October; these 2025 dates are yet to be determined by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Georgia Black Bear Hunting Regulations
The statewide bag limit is two black bears per hunter per season. However, a crucial zonal restriction applies: no more than one of these two bears may be taken from the Central or Southern Bear Zones combined. If you harvest a bear in the Central Zone, your second bear must come from the Northern Zone, and vice-versa.
It is illegal to kill a female bear with cubs or any bear weighing less than 75 pounds. Baiting bears is prohibited statewide. Harvested bears must be recorded on a Harvest Record and reported via Georgia Game Check. Additionally, there’s a mandatory physical check and biological data collection for all harvested bears; procedures vary by zone.
Georgia Minor Game Species Hunting
Georgia offers abundant opportunities for hunting small game, migratory birds, and furbearers. These hunts provide extended seasons and diverse experiences for hunters. Remember to check specific hunting regulations for each species.
Disclaimer: These 2025-2026 season dates are general. Always confirm specific WMA rules, federal migratory bird frameworks, and final dates at GeorgiaWildlife.com before hunting.
Georgia Squirrel Hunting Information (2025-2026)
Squirrel season is one of the longest, running from August 15, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The daily bag limit is 12 squirrels (gray and fox combined). Legal weapons include rimfire rifles, muzzleloaders, air guns, and shotguns.
Georgia Rabbit Hunting Information (2025-2026)
Rabbit season is open from November 15, 2025, to February 28, 2026. Hunters can take up to 12 rabbits per day. The same firearms legal for squirrel hunting are also permitted for rabbits.
Georgia Quail Hunting Information (2025-2026)
The bobwhite quail season runs from November 8, 2025, to February 28, 2026. The daily bag limit is 12 quail. Shotguns are the primary legal weapon for quail.
Georgia Grouse Hunting Information (2025-2026)
Ruffed grouse are found in North Georgia’s mountains. The season is October 15, 2025, to February 28, 2026, with a daily bag limit of 3 grouse.
Georgia Dove Hunting Information (2025-2026)
Dove season is split into three segments: September 6 – October 12, 2025; November 22 – Nov 30, 2025; and December 18, 2025 – January 31, 2026. The daily limit is 15 doves. A Georgia Waterfowl and Migratory Bird License is required.
Georgia Waterfowl & Migratory Bird Information (2025-2026)
Duck season segments are November 22–30, 2025, and December 6, 2025 – January 25, 2026, with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks (species sub-limits apply). Canada Goose seasons are September 6–28, October 11–26, November 22–30, and December 6 – January 25. The early teal season is September 13–28, 2025. An electronic federal duck stamp or physical stamp is required for waterfowl hunters 16+. Non-toxic shot is mandatory.
Georgia Feral Hog Hunting Information
Feral hogs are an invasive species. On private land, there is no closed season and no bag limit. On public lands, hogs can often be taken during any open season for other game, using weapons legal for that season. A special WMA hog and coyote season typically runs May 16-31.
Georgia Alligator Hunting Information (2025)
Alligator hunting is by quota permit only. The 2025 season is August 15 (sunset) to October 6 (sunrise). The limit is one alligator per permit, with minimum length limits.
Other Species (Fox, Bobcat, Crow, Woodcock)
Fox and Bobcat season is December 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026, with no limit. Crow season is November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026, no limit. Woodcock season is December 6, 2025 – January 19, 2026, with a daily limit of 3. Check regulations for use of electronic calls or recorded calls for these species.
Fishing in Georgia
Georgia also features superb fishing opportunities. For more information about creel and length limits, fishing regulations, and to apply for a fishing license, go to the official Georgia DNR site.
Where to Hunt in Georgia
Georgia’s diverse landscapes provide many places to hunt. From mountains to coastal plains, hunters can find a variety of habitats. While much land is privately owned, Georgia also offers extensive public hunting opportunities.
Best Public Lands
Georgia has over one million acres of public hunting land. This includes Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), National Forests like the Chattahoochee-Oconee, and State Forests. These areas offer hunting for many game species. You can find detailed maps and regulations for public hunting land in Georgia to plan your trips. Many WMAs like Cochrans Creek offer specific hunts, some through a quota system. The state continually works on new public hunting opportunities.
Guided Hunts
For those new to an area or seeking a specialized hunt, guided hunts are a great option. Outfitters across Georgia provide services for deer, turkey, bear, hogs, and more. They often have access to prime private land and provide expertise. You can explore options for Georgia hunt clubs and outfitters to find experienced guides.
Private Land Hunting
A significant amount of hunting in Georgia occurs on private property. Access can be through landowner permission, leasing land, or joining a hunting club. Finding Georgia hunting leases can provide exclusive access to well-managed properties. For those looking for a long-term investment, Browse hunting land for sale in Georgia offers the chance to own your personal hunting paradise. Hunting Locator is a premier resource for connecting hunters with these private land opportunities.
More Resources from Hunting Locator
To help you prepare for your Georgia hunts, here are some additional helpful articles:
- Quail Hunting in Georgia: Discover specific tips and insights for pursuing bobwhite quail in Georgia with our detailed guide. Find it at https://huntinglocator.com/blog/quail-hunting-in-georgia/.
- Hog Hunting in Georgia: Learn the ins and outs of feral hog hunting in the state, from regulations to effective techniques. Read more at https://huntinglocator.com/blog/hog-hunting-in-georgia/.
- Georgia’s Deer Hunting Season: Get an in-depth perspective on deer hunting seasons, strategies, and what makes Georgia a great deer hunting destination. Explore the details at https://huntinglocator.com/blog/deer-hunting-season-georgia/.
- Understanding Hunting Lease Agreements: If you’re considering leasing land, this article breaks down the essential components of a hunting lease agreement. Educate yourself at https://huntinglocator.com/blog/hunting-lease-agreement/.
FAQ
What are the hunting seasons in GA?
Georgia has varied hunting seasons. For 2025-2026, deer archery starts around Sept. 13, firearms around Oct. 18. Turkey season (Spring 2026) is late March-May. Small game, waterfowl, and bear seasons also occur. Always check GeorgiaWildlife.com for exact dates for each game species, as they vary.
How much is a GA hunting license?
A basic resident annual hunting license is around $15. A sportsman’s license, covering more privileges, is about $65. Non-resident licenses are higher. Prices can change, so verify with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com for current fees before purchasing your hunting license.
Do I need a hunting license to hunt on my own land in Georgia?
Resident landowners and their immediate family hunting on their own property are generally exempt from needing a state hunting license. However, they must still adhere to season dates, bag limits, and reporting requirements like the Harvest Record and Georgia Game Check for deer, turkey, and bear.
How many deer can I harvest in GA?
The statewide bag limit is 12 deer per season. Of these, no more than 10 may be antlerless, and no more than 2 may be antlered. One antlered deer must meet specific point or spread requirements. Some counties may have different antler restrictions.
Can you hunt hogs at night in Georgia?
Yes, on private land in Georgia, feral hogs may be hunted at night with the aid of a light. There are no voltage restrictions on the light. Night hunting for hogs is generally not permitted on public lands like WMAs and National Forests.
Is there a bear hunting season in Georgia?
Yes, Georgia has regulated black bear hunting seasons. These are managed by zone (Northern, Central, Southern) with specific dates for archery, primitive weapons, and firearms. Bag limits and regulations, like mandatory physical checks, apply.
Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Georgia?
Hunters born on or after January 1, 1961, must generally complete a hunter education course before purchasing a season hunting license in Georgia. Exemptions exist, such as for those buying an apprentice license or hunting on their own land.
The Final Shot
Georgia offers a rich and diverse hunting scene with ample opportunities for many game species. Understanding the GA hunting season dates, hunting regulations, and licensing is key to a successful and ethical hunt. Whether you’re after deer, turkey, bear, or small game, proper preparation makes all the difference. Remember to consult official natural resources channels like GeorgiaWildlife.com for the most current information. Good luck and safe hunting!
