Georgia Game Season Guide 2025-2026 – Hunting Dates by Region
Planning your next outdoor adventure in the Peach State? Whether you’re tracking whitetail through hardwood forests or calling turkeys in mountain terrain, Georgia offers diverse wildlife opportunities for sportspeople of all experience levels. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need for a successful expedition – from season dates and bag limits to licensing requirements and management zones.
Georgia Hunting at a Glance
Georgia’s hunting landscape combines rich natural habitats with carefully managed conservation areas. With over 100 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) spanning more than one million acres, plus private lands and national forests, enthusiasts have plenty of options to pursue game throughout the state’s distinctive ecological regions.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division oversees regulations that balance conservation with recreational opportunities, ensuring sustainable wildlife populations for future generations.
📊 Quick Reference: Key Species & Dates 2025-2026
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Archery) | Sept. 13 – Oct. 10 | 12/season | Bow only |
| Deer (Firearms) | Oct. 18 – Jan. 11 | 12/season | Rifle, shotgun |
| Turkey | Mar. 28 – May 15, 2026 | 2 gobblers/season | All legal methods |
| Dove | Sept. 6 – Oct. 12 | 15/day | Shotgun |
| Ducks | Nov. 22-30, Dec. 6 – Jan. 25 | 6/day | Shotgun |
| Squirrel | Aug. 15 – Feb. 28 | 12/day | Various |
🦌 All Big Game: Archery & Rifle
Whitetail Deer remains the crown jewel of Georgia’s big game opportunities. The 2025-2026 schedule offers multiple approaches:
Archery Season (Statewide): • Sept. 13 – Oct. 10 (either sex) • Extended archery in select counties: continues through Jan. 31
Primitive Weapons & Youth: • Oct. 11 – Oct. 17 (either sex, statewide)
Firearms Season: • Oct. 18 – Jan. 11 (buck only initially, either sex varies by county) • Extended firearms in southwestern counties: Oct. 18 – Jan. 15
Bag Limits: 12 deer per season (maximum 10 antlerless, 2 antlered). One antlered deer must have at least 4 points (1+ inch) on one side or 15-inch outside spread.
Black Bear opportunities vary by zone:
• Northern Zone: Archery (Sept. 13-Oct. 10), Primitive weapons (Oct. 11-17), Firearms (Oct. 18-Jan. 11)
• Central Zone: Firearms (Dec. 20, possible second day)
• Southern Zone: Firearms split into four weekend periods starting Sept. 18
Bag Limit: 2 bears per season, but only 1 from central or southern zones.
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall, Youth
Spring Turkey provides excellent opportunities across both private and public lands:
Private Land Season: • Mar. 28 – May 15, 2026
Public Land Season: • April 4 – May 15, 2026 (restricted to 1 gobbler per area)
Youth/Mobility Impaired Special: • Mar. 21-22, 2026 (does not apply to public lands unless specified)
Bag Limits: 2 gobblers per season on private land, daily bag of 1. Public lands restrict hunters to one gobbler per specific area.
🦝 Furbearers
Fox & Bobcat Season: • Dec. 1 – Feb. 28 • No bag limit
Opossum & Raccoon: • Private land: No closed season • Public land: Aug. 15 – Feb. 28 • No bag limit
These species provide excellent opportunities for predator management and fur harvesting during the winter months when pelts are prime.
🐦 Upland Birds
Ruffed Grouse: • Oct. 15 – Feb. 28 • 3 per day limit
Quail: • Nov. 8 – Feb. 28
• 12 per day limit
Crow: • Nov. 1 – Feb. 28 • No limit
These traditional upland species offer classic wingshooter experiences across Georgia’s diverse habitats.
🐿️ Upland Animals
Squirrel: • Aug. 15 – Feb. 28 • 12 per day
Rabbit: • Nov. 15 – Feb. 28 • 12 per day
Woodcock: • Dec. 6 – Jan. 19 • 3 per day, 9 in possession
These small game species provide excellent opportunities for beginners and seasoned hunters alike.
🕊️ Other Small Game
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Limit | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Sept. 6-Oct. 12, Nov. 22-30, Dec. 19-Jan. 31 | 15 | 45 |
| Snipe | Nov. 15-Feb. 28 | 8 | 24 |
| Sora & Virginia Rails | Sept. 8-13, Oct. 6-Nov. 30 | 25 combined | 75 |
| King & Clapper Rails | Sept. 8-13, Oct. 6-Nov. 30 | 15 combined | 45 |
🦆 Migratory Birds
Early Seasons: • Early Canada Geese: Sept. 6-28 (5 per day) • Teal: Sept. 13-21 (6 per day)
Youth/Military/Veterans Days: • Nov. 15-16 (special waterfowl opportunities)
🦆 Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers, Geese
Regular Duck Season: • Nov. 22-30 and Dec. 6 – Jan. 25 • 6 per day, 18 in possession
Species-Specific Duck Limits: • Black/Mottled Duck: 1 daily • Canvasback: 2 daily
• Mallards: 2 daily (only 1 hen) • Pintail: 1 daily • Redheads: 2 daily • Scaup: 1 daily • Wood Ducks: 3 daily
Mergansers: • Same dates as ducks • 5 per day (maximum 2 Hooded Mergansers)
Canada & White-fronted Geese: • Sept. 6-28, Oct. 11-26, Nov. 22-30, Dec. 6 – Jan. 25 • 5 combined per day
Snow Geese: • Oct. 11-26, Nov. 22-30, Dec. 6 – Jan. 25 • 5 per day
🦢 Other Waterfowls
Coots: • Nov. 22-30, Dec. 6 – Jan. 25 • 15 per day, 45 in possession
Gallinules: • Nov. 22-30, Dec. 6 – Jan. 25
• 15 per day, 45 in possession
Sea Ducks (Scoters, Eiders, Long-tailed): • Nov. 22-30, Dec. 6 – Jan. 25 • 4 per day, 12 in possession • Count toward overall duck bag limit
🎯 More Games & Special Opportunities
Alligator (Quota Hunt): • Aug. 15 (sunset) – Oct. 6 (sunrise) 2025 • 1 per quota permit
Falconry Seasons: • Squirrel: Aug. 15 – Mar. 15 (12 per day) • Rabbit & Quail: Oct. 1 – Mar. 15 (12 per day)
• Grouse: Oct. 1 – Mar. 15 (3 per day) • Waterfowl: Sept. 6-28, Oct. 11-26, Nov. 15-16, Nov. 22-30, Dec. 1 – Jan. 25 (3 per day)
🐊 Special Hunts: Alligator & More
Alligator Hunting:
- August 15-October 6, 2025 (sunset to sunrise)
- Quota permit required
- Limited to designated zones
- One alligator per permit
🗺️ Georgia Hunting Zones
Georgia’s wildlife management system divides the state into regions to establish appropriate regulations based on habitat, wildlife populations, and conservation needs:
- Northern Zone: Primarily mountainous terrain with distinct wildlife patterns
- Central Zone: Mixed forests and agricultural areas
- Southern Zone: Coastal plains and river bottoms
For detailed zone maps and boundaries, visit the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division’s interactive hunting map.
🎟️ License Requirements & Fees
To hunt legally in Georgia, most sportspeople need appropriate licensing:
Resident Hunting License (Ages 16-64):
- Annual: $15
- Senior Sportsman’s (65+): $7
Non-Resident Hunting License:
- Annual: $100
- One-Day: $20 (+ $6 per additional day)
Big Game License (required for deer, turkey, bear):
- Resident Annual: $25
- Non-Resident Annual: $225
Sportsman’s License (includes hunting, fishing, big game):
- Resident Annual: $65
- Non-Resident Annual: $400
Other Required Items:
- Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp: $5 (for waterfowl)
- Federal Duck Stamp (for waterfowl)
- Free Harvest Record for deer and turkey
- Hunter Education certificate for those born after January 1, 1961
Licenses can be purchased online at Go Outdoors Georgia, by phone (1-800-366-2661), or at authorized retail agents throughout the state.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need hunter education to hunt in Georgia?
A: Yes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1961. Exceptions apply for apprentice licenses or when hunting on your own land.
Q: Can I hunt on my own property without a license?
A: Georgia residents can hunt on their own land or land owned by immediate family (blood or dependent relationship) residing in the same household without a license.
Q: Are there special youth hunting opportunities?
A: Yes. Georgia offers youth-specific hunting days, reduced fees for youth licenses, and educational programs through the “Hunt & Learn” initiative.
Q: How far from roads can I hunt on public land?
A: On Wildlife Management Areas, hunting is prohibited within 50 yards of any road opened for vehicular access.
Q: Can I hunt at night in Georgia?
A: Night hunting is prohibited except for alligators, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and feral hogs with proper equipment and licensing.
🔗 Related Resources
- Whitetail Deer Hunting Guide
- Florida Hunting Season Information
- Alabama Hunting Season Information
- South Carolina Hunting Season Information
Adventure Awaits in Georgia’s Great Outdoors
From the mountain forests of North Georgia to the coastal marshes of the southeast, the Peach State offers diverse and rewarding experiences for sportspeople. By following regulations, respecting natural resources, and practicing ethical field techniques, you’ll help ensure these traditions continue for generations.
Remember to verify specific zone regulations, check in/out requirements for public lands, and always prioritize safety in the field. Whether you’re pursuing trophy bucks in the Piedmont or calling turkeys in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia’s outdoor opportunities await your next expedition.
Before heading out, download the Outdoors GA mobile app for digital licenses, check-in capabilities, and instant regulation updates – putting everything you need right at your fingertips.
