Georgia Deer & Hunting Seasons Information and Regulations, 2022 – 2023
*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.
Georgia Deer Season
| Archery Deer Season | Sep. 11 – Jan. 9 |
| Extended Archery Deer Season | Sep. 11 – Jan. 31 |
| Primitive Weapons & Youth-Only Firearms | Oct. 9 – Jan. 9 |
| Firearms | Oct. 16 – Jan. 9 |
*Georgia has a handful of different zones as well as some specific counties that have their own dates and regulations. Please make sure to check the official Georgia Department of Natural Resources website’s deer page here.
Generally speaking, deer hunting in Georgia runs October 16th through January 9th. You can legally bag 12 deer per-season across the state. Only two of those can be antlered deer and no more than 10 can be antlerless. There are also a number of regions that do not allow firearms at any time, regardless of season, so make sure to check the website. It is also important to make sure you have a deer permit since the state does not issue an unlimited amount and they are necessary to hunt.
Doe Tags
As stated above, hunters are allowed 10 antlerless deer per day during the allotted dates and times.
Georgia Bear Season
| Archery Bear Season, Northern Zone | Sep. 11 – Jan. 9 |
| Primitive Weapons, Northern Zone | Oct. 9 – Jan. 9 |
| Firearms Bear Season, Northern Zone | Oct. 16 – Jan. 9 |
| Firearms Bear Day, Central Zone | Dec. 18 |
| Firearms Bear Season, Southern Zone | Sep. 23 – Sep. 25, Sep. 30 – Oct. 2, Oct. 7 – Oct. 9, Oct. 14 – Oct. 16 |
*Georgia has a handful of different zones as well as some specific counties that have their own dates and regulations. Please make sure to check the official Georgia Department of Natural Resources website’s bear page here.
There is season for black bear each fall in Georgia. Archery season runs September 11th through January 9th and firearm season takes place October 16th through January 9th. That is the ONLY legal time to hunt or trap bear within the state. The bag limit consists of two bear per season. However, only one bear is to be taken from within the Central or Southern Zone. You also have to make sure to keep a harvest record in the Northern Zone for the entire season and report all takes within 24 hours
Georgia Turkey Season
| Statewide | Apr. 2 – May 15 |
| Special Opportunity Youth/ Mobility Impaired | Mar. 26 – Mar. 27 |
*Georgia has a handful of different zones as well as some specific counties that have their own dates and regulations. Please make sure to check the official Georgia Department of Natural Resources website’s bear page here.
Management of the turkey populations is strictly a spring-based sport in Georgia. There are a variety of habitats making it the ideal state for turkey enthusiast. Georgia’s turkey hunting season and regulations have changed beginning in Spring 2022.
Moving forward, if hunting on private property, season begins April 2nd. If on public land or National Forest it begins one week later on April 9th. The statewide bag limit has been reduced this year as well. Hunters are allowed two gobblers per season and only one gobbler per day.
Georgia Alligator Season
| Zone & Quota Limited | Aug. 20 – Oct. 4 (sunset to sunrise) |
*Georgia has a handful of different zones as well as some specific counties that have their own dates and regulations. Please make sure to check the official Georgia Department of Natural Resources website’s alligator page here.
All alligator harvests have to be reported within 24 hours. It is legal to trap them with a variety of methods including snares, handheld ropes, harpoons, arrows with restraining lines, and more. After being legally caught, they can be killed with any caliber of handfun.
Georgia Small Game Seasons
| Crows | Nov. 6 – Feb. 28 |
| Dove | Sep. 4 – Oct. 10, Nov. 20 – Nov. 28, Dec. 19 – Jan. 31 |
| Falconry (Squirrel, Rabbit, Quail, Grouse) | Aug. 15 – Mar. 15, Oct. 1 – Mar. 15 |
| Fox & Bobcat | Dec. 1 – Feb. 28 |
| Grouse | Oct. 15 – Feb. 28 |
| Sora & Rails | Oct. 5 – Oct. 24, Nov. 1 – Dec. 20 |
| Opossum | Oct. 15 – Feb. 28 |
| Quail | Nov. 13 – Feb. 28 |
| Rabbit | Nov. 13 – Feb. 28 |
| Raccoon | Oct. 15 – Feb. 28 |
| Snipe | Nov. 15 – Feb. 28 |
| Squirrel | Aug. 15 – Feb. 28 |
| Woodcock | Dec. 11 – Jan. 24 |
*Georgia has a handful of different zones as well as some specific counties that have their own dates and regulations. Please make sure to check the official Georgia Department of Natural Resources website’s small game page here.
Small-game refers to animals weighing in at less than 40 pounds. This often includes pheasants, ducks, coyotes, and more.
Crossbow Regulations
Georgia is pretty friendly for crossbows! Check out these specific regulations before planning your hunt though.
- It is legal to hunt feral hogs using crossbow.
- Scopes are legal.
- Broadheads must be used to hung hogs, deer, or bear.
- It is considered lawful to hunt all legal game species during all seasons using a crossbow. During firearm, primitive weapons, and archery season it is legal to hunt deer.
Hunting Licenses in Georgia
An annual hunting license is good for entirety of the year and is only $15.00 for Georgia residents and $100.00 for non-residents.
Resident Disability Sportsman’s Licenses includes all state paid recreational hunting and fishing privileges as the above licensing.
If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see Hawaii.
Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Florida.
