Where to Find the Regulations
Online – The Hunting Regulations can be found online at http://www.eregulations.com/georgia/hunting/
In Stores – Your local DNR Regional Office has copies. Walmart, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, and other sporting goods stores and local retailers also carry free physical copies of the hunting regulations.
What Information Can Be Found in the Regulations?
- License Types and Prices
- Statewide Seasons, Dates and Limits
- Rules for Hunting Specific Species
- Public Hunting Opportunities
- Rules for Hunting in Georgia
- Rules for Hunting on a Wildlife Management Area
- Individual Wildlife Management Area Rules and Hunting Dates
Glossary
You might encounter unfamiliar terms and acronyms as you search for information about hunting. Here’s what they mean.
- DNR – Department of Natural Resources. This is the umbrella under which the following six divisions reside: Wildlife Resources (us); Law Enforcement (formerly part of Wildlife Resources); Historic Preservation; Environmental Protection; Coastal Resources; and Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites.
- WRD – Wildlife Resources Divison. We are the division of the Department of Natural Resources that manages wildlife. If it crawls, flies, spawns, swims, runs, grows — is furred, feathered, scaled, photosynthetic, chitinous, or slimy — it’s us.
- Wildlife Management – Practices used to ensure wildlife will be around for the benefit of future generations. We work to regulate the wise use of nature through scientific analysis that leads to informed action plans. Wildlife management works to keep an eye on wildlife populations, regulate populous species, and help rare and endangered species recover.
- Game Management – The section of the Wildlife Resources Division that manages game animals such as deer, quail and turkey.
- Fisheries – The section of the Wildlife Resources Division that manages sportfish such as trout, bass and catfish.
- Nongame – The section of the Wildlife Resources Division that manages wildlife not hunted, fished, trapped or collected. This can include rare plants, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and aquatic life such as mussels and crayfish.
- WMA – Wildlife Management Area. These areas are public lands managed by the Wildlife Resources Division. They differ from State Parks and National Parks, although WMAs may exist near or within State Parks and National Parks.
- PFA – Public Fishing Area. Public lands managed by the Wildlife Resources Division that have good access to fishing, but sometimes contain hunting and other recreational lands as well.
About the Regulations
Hunting Regulations in the state of Georgia operate on a two-year cycle. 2016 is the second year in the 2015-2017 cycle.
How to Navigate the Regulations
The information in the Hunting Regulations is outlined in the Table of Contents, but this outline just scratches the surface on all of the detailed information contained in the regulations. Taking notes or bookmarking pages will help you keep track of useful information.
There are two distinct parts to the regulations.
The first part of the regulations explains the rules of hunting in Georgia in general.
The second part outlines rules that apply to WMAs, including Specific WMA Regulations, which are useful for seeing what activities each WMA offers on what dates. The last few pages focus on specific kinds of hunts offered on WMAs, such as wheelchair hunts, ladies hunts, quota hunts and dog hunts/training.
Noteworthy Topics
Page names come from the Table of Contents.
Even if you are new to hunting, the Major Changes section is recommended reading. It’s short, and it highlights important dates and rules.
The Hunting License Information page contains the pricing chart for all of our current licenses.
License Requirements defines each of the licenses we offer and the circumstances under which they are required. License Requirements also includes Harvest Log requirements.
Legal Firearms, Primitive Weapons and Archery Equipment defines “primitive weapons” and “archery equipment” and covers the species-specific firearms legal to take each animal.
Unlawful Activities is an important section to read. Included topics include landowner permission, rules designed to prevent unethical hunting, vehicle rules and electronics rules.
Youth Opportunities includes charts listing Adult/Child Hunts on WMAs, organized by species.
The Firearms Deer Season Either-Sex Days (either-sex days are when doe may also be taken, as opposed to only bucks) map replaces the old Northern and Southern Zone distinction. Either-Sex Days are now determined by county.
Baiting is also an important topic. Generally, baiting is unlawful. The only exceptions are for deer in certain areas, and feral hogs in certain areas.
Seasons Summary contains a big chart listing all species’ seasons, dates and limits.
New Public Hunting Opportunities is the start of information on WMAs. It contains its own Table of Contents, under which is also the contact information for the Regional Offices.
Wildlife Management Areas QA covers such important topics as Check-In vs Sign-In hunt, an explanation of how feral hogs are “incidental take,” GORP requirements, firewood, fishing, tree stands, horses, bicycles, motor vehicles, and children under supervision.
Specific WMA Regulations
In the Hunting Regulations, you will find an alphabetical list of all our Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), along with hunting rules and dates specific to each. Included in each listing is the phone number for the Game Management Regional Office associated with that property.
If You Still Have Questions
Useful Phone Numbers:
- Hunting & Fishing Licenses – 800.366.2661
- Available from 8AM to 8PM weekdays and 9AM to 5PM weekends
- Hunter Services/Hunter Education – 770.761.3010
- Available from 8AM to 4:30PM weekdays
- Wildlife Resources Division Headquarters Main Number – 770.918.6400
- Available from 8AM to 4:30PM weekdays
- Law Enforcement Division Headquarters Main Number – 770.918.6408
- Available from 8AM to 4:30PM weekdays
See the Contact Information page in the regulations for more.