As the crisp fall air settles over the piney woods and fields of rural Georgia, it’s that time of year again—archery deer season kicked off on September 13, signaling the start of another exciting hunting season
If you’re interested in hunting in Georgia, there’s some things you need to know before you take to the woods. This article will tell you everything you need to know about hunting in Georgia.
We’ll also go over the #1 question: How to get a hunting license. To full answer that question, it depends on if you live in Georgia and if you’re interested in a long-term or shot-term hunting license.
Let’s get right to it.
- How To Get A Georgia Hunting License
- When is Hunting Season In Georgia?
- What Kind Of Animals Can You Hunt?
- Where Can You Hunt In Georgia?
- What Do You Need To Go Hunting?
How To Get A Georgia Hunting License
If you want to hunt deer, quail and other animals, you need a hunting license in Georgia. Otherwise, killing animals for sport or otherwise is unlawful. You can buy a Georgia hunting license online or call 800-366-2661 — but before you do:
Getting licensed is easier than ever—no excuses for heading out without one. Options include:
- Online: Go to GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com—fastest way, with e-versions valid on your phone.
- Phone: Call 1-800-366-2661 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-6 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.-5 p.m.).
- In-Person: Grab one at over 400 retailers like Walmart, Bass Pro, or local bait shops in Tifton or Valdosta.
You’ll need your SSN and ID. For lifetime or disability types, apply online or by mail with proof.
Renewals? Just buy a new one; no grace period, but you can stack ’em.
Requirements
Here are the requirements for getting a Georgia’s hunting license:
- Proper ID and Social Security number
- Must be a Georgia resident
- Must be between 16 and 65
- Completion of hunter education course
What Kinds Of Hunting Licenses Can You Get?
Georgia has several types of hunting licenses, some free and some for a fee.
Georgia offers a range of licenses to fit your needs— from basic hunting to all-in-one Sportsman’s packs that bundle fishing too. Prices haven’t seen major hikes this year, but transaction fees apply ($3 online or at retailers, $5 by phone). Here’s a breakdown:
| License Type | Eligibility | Duration | Cost | What’s Included/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsman’s License | Ages 16-64 | Annual | $65 | Hunting, Big Game, Fishing, Trout, GA Waterfowl (free). Add Federal Duck Stamp ($29) for waterfowl. |
| One-Day | $25 (+$3/add’l day) | Short-term option; great for a quick dove hunt. | ||
| Youth Sportsman’s (Optional) | Under 16 | Multi-year (to age 17) | $15 | Full privileges; hunter ed required after 16. |
| Senior Sportsman’s | 65+ | Annual | $7 | Includes Big Game; free lifetime if born before July 1, 1952. |
| Combo Hunting & Fishing | 16-64 | Annual | $30 | Basic hunting + fishing; add Big Game ($25) for deer/turkey. |
| One-Day | $5 (+$1/add’l day) | – | ||
| Hunting License | 16-64 | Annual | $15 | Basic small game; add-ons needed for big game. |
| One-Day | $5 (+$1/add’l day) | – | ||
| Senior Hunting | 65+ | Annual | $4 | Includes Big Game. |
| Disability Hunting | Certified disabled residents | Annual | $3 | Proof from VA/SSA required. |
| Lifetime Sportsman’s | Residents (various ages) | Lifetime | $70-$750 (age-based; free for seniors born pre-1952) | Excludes annual stamps/permits; apply online. |
Nonresident Licenses
| License Type | Eligibility | Duration | Cost | What’s Included/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsman’s License | 16+ | Annual | $400 | All state-paid privileges except alligator quota. |
| One-Day | $170 (+$20/add’l day) | – | ||
| Youth Sportsman’s | Under 16 | Annual | $50 | Big game OK without extra Big Game license. |
| One-Day | $20 (+$6/add’l day) | – | ||
| Combo Hunting & Fishing | 16+ | Annual | $150 | Add Big Game ($225 annual). |
| One-Day | $30 (+$10/add’l day) | – | ||
| Hunting License | 16+ | Annual | $100 | Basic; youth under 16 exempt for small game. |
| One-Day | $20 (+$6/add’l day) | – | ||
| Lands Pass | 16+ (for WMAs/PFAs) | Annual | $60 | No hunting privileges, just access. |
Apprentice licenses (for those skipping hunter ed) are short-term only and match the one-day rates above
Who Needs a Hunting License in Georgia?
In Georgia, anyone born on or after January 1, 1961, must complete a hunter education course before buying a license with hunting privileges lasting longer than a short-term stint—think annual or lifetime options.
georgiawildlife.com Youth under 16 don’t need a license for small game, but they do for big game like deer or turkey (via a free Harvest Record), and they must be under direct supervision of an adult 18 or older who can take immediate control of their firearm.
georgiawildlife.com Residents ages 16-64 need a basic hunting license, while seniors 65+ get discounted rates. Nonresidents? You’ll pay more, but the rules are similar.A quick note on residency: To qualify as a Georgia resident, you need to have lived here for at least three months and show a Georgia driver’s license or ID.
Active-duty military stationed here or out-of-state college kids attending a Georgia school can snag resident rates too. Landowners hunting on their own property (or immediate family land) are exempt from most licenses, but still need that free Harvest Record for big game.
Pro tip for rural hunters: If you’re hitting public lands like Di-Lane WMA near Cordele, remember that everyone 16+ needs either a valid hunting license or a $30 annual Lands Pass to enter WMAs or Public Fishing Areas (PFAs).
Essential Add-On Permits
Don’t forget these free or low-cost extras:
- Harvest Record: Free for all big game hunters (deer, turkey, bear, alligator). Log kills via the GA Game Check app or online within 24 hours. georgiawildlife.com
- Big Game License: $25 resident/$225 nonresident annual—required for deer, turkey, bear unless bundled.
- GA Waterfowl & Migratory Bird License: Free with most licenses; $5 otherwise for doves, ducks, etc.
- Federal Duck Stamp: $29 for waterfowl hunters 16+ (buy at USPS or online).
- Alligator Harvest Permit: $75 resident/$250 nonresident if you win the quota lottery (apply June-July).
For dog-deer hunting popular in south Georgia counties like Baker or Early, get a special permit at least 30 days in advance.
When Is Hunting Season In Georgia?
To control animal populations and preserve ecosystems, Georgia has specific hunting seasons for both big and small game. Here is a hunting season, according to the Department of Georgia Wildlife.
| Animal | Season | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Sept. 9–Jan. 31 Extended Archery Either Sex (ONLY for Baker, Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Early, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Grady, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee, Paulding, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole, and Thomas Counties) — Sept. 9–Jan. 31 Primitive Weapons & Youth-Only Firearms, Either Sex Statewide — Oct. 14–Oct. 20 Firearms, Buck Only Statewide (Either Sex dates vary by county) — Oct. 21–Jan. 14 Extended Firearms Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties — Oct. 21–Jan. 15 | 12 per season, statewide. No more than 10 may be antlerless and no more than 2 may be antlered. One of the 2 antlered deer must have at least 4 points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers or at least a 15-inch outside spread. Firearms deer hunting is not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Highway 92), and that portion of Glynn County lying within Jekyll Island. In the portion of Forsyth County south of GA Highway 20, only shotguns and muzzleloaders may be used (no other firearms allowed). *Buck only for the first two weeks (Sept. 9-24) in Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties. |
| Bear | Northern Zone — Archery: Archery: Sept. 9–Oct. 13 Primitive Weapons: Oct. 14–Oct. 20* Firearms: Oct. 21–Jan. 14 Central Zone: Firearms: Dec. 16** Southern Zone: Firearms: Sept. 21–23, Sept. 28–30, Oct. 5–7, Oct. 12–14 | 2 per season; provided, however, that no more than 1 may be taken from the central or southern bear zones. *During the northern zone primitive weapons season, only youth may use any firearm legal for deer. **A second day may be offered in the Central Bear Zone; check our website for details after December 16, 2023 |
| Turkey | Private Land: Mar. 30–May 15, 2024 2 gobblers per season. Daily bag of 1. Public Land: April 6–May 15, 2024 Special Opportunity Youth/ Mobility Impaired — Mar. 23–24, 2024 | 2 gobblers per season. Daily bag of 1. Only for youth 16 years of age or younger and mobility impaired persons. This season does not apply to public lands unless otherwise specified. |
| Alligator | Zone & Quota Limited Aug. 18 (sunset)–Oct. 2 (sunrise) | 1 per quota permit. |
| Crows | Statewide — Nov. 4–Feb. 29 | No limit |
| Dove | Statewide — Sept. 2–Oct. 8, Nov. 18–26, Dec. 19–Jan. 31 | 15 per day, 45 in possession. |
| Fox and Bobcat | Statewide — Dec. 1–Feb. 29 | No limit. |
| Grouse | Statewide — Oct. 15–Feb. 29 | 3 per day. |
| Sora and Rails | Oct. 8–28, Nov. 8–Dec. 26 | King & Clapper: 15 per day, 45 in possession. Sora & Virginia: 25 per day, 75 in possession. |
| Opossum and Raccoon | Statewide — Private Land: no closed season Public Land: Aug. 15–Feb. 29 | No limit. |
| Quail | Statewide — Nov. 18–Feb. 29 | 12 per day. |
| Rabbit | Statewide — Nov. 18–Feb. 29 | 12 per day. |
| Woodcock | Statewide — Dec. 9–Jan. 22 | 3 per day, 9 in possession. |
| Snipe | Statewide — Nov. 15–Feb. 28 | 8 per day, 24 in possession. |
| Squirrel | Statewide — Aug. 15–Feb. 29 | 12 per day. |
| Falconry | Squirrel: Aug. 15–Mar. 15 Rabbit, Quail: Oct. 1–Mar. 15 Grouse: Oct. 1–Mar. 15 | Squirrel: 12 per day. Rabbit & Quail: 12 per day. Grouse: 3 per day. |
What Kind Of Animals Can You Hunt In Georgia?
Scott Carroll / Unsplash.com
Once you get your Georgia hunting license, you can hunt for several types of animals, and game, including alligator hunt, deer-dog hunting and more. Here is a list.
- Deer — Big Game license required
- Turkey — Big Game license required
- Dove & Waterfowl
- Small Game
- Bear — Big Game license required
- Alligator
- Non-native & Invasive Species (feral hogs, coyotes, armadillos, beavers, groundhogs, starlings, pigeons and English sparrows)
If you want to hunt turkey and deer, you’ll need a free Harvest Record, which must be renewed each year.
If you’re going to be hunting birds, you’ll need a Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp. This is required to shoot all migratory birds (doves, ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, etc.) For ducks and geese, you’ll need a Federal Duck Stamp ($25).
Where Can You Hunt In Georgia?
If you want to get out and hunt, you need to know where to go. To hunt on private land, you obviously need permission.
Before you hunt on private land, ask the landowner if you can access the land. You can hunt on state land with no problem, if you follow the rules.
Georgia provides a list of state properties where you can access the land and hunt, if you have a license.
What Do You Need To Go Hunting?
If you want to go out into the woods and hunt some deer or other big game, make sure you have the equipment you need. Here are some supplies you’ll want to buy before you go hunting.
Hunting Suits
Hunting Boots
Last Words
Safety first, y’all. If you were born after 1960, knock out a certified course online or in-class via GoHuntGeorgia.com—it’s mandatory for longer licenses.
eregulations.com
Youth 12-15 can hunt unsupervised post-course. Check out DNR’s Hunt & Learn programs for hands-on youth training, perfect for introducing the next generation to spots like the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Hunting is one of the most enjoyable experiences you can do in the great outdoors. When you get your hunting license, make sure you’re always conscious of others in the woods. Safety should always be your top priority.
As we mentioned up top, there are two ways to buy a Georgia hunting license:
- You can buy a Georgia hunting license online
- Or you can call a local agent at 800-366-2661
You don’t have to be a hunter to appreciate enjoying a nice steak or pulled pork on your plate. The only way that culinary experience happens is by hunting.
Interested in more fun outdoors? Check out the adventurous things to do in Atlanta.