Hunting in Georgia

Georgia Traditions, Passed Down Outdoors

Hunting in Georgia is more than a season on the calendar. It is a tradition passed from grandparents to parents, from parents to children, and from one hunting camp to the next.

A living outdoor tradition

Georgia hunting lives in the early-morning quiet before daylight, in the sound of dogs working a field edge, in the stories told around camp after a long sit, and in the care hunters take for the land, the wildlife, and the next generation coming along behind them.

Nearly 630,000 hunters take to Georgia's fields, forests, swamps, river bottoms, farms, plantations, and public lands each year, spending more than 9.9 million days in the field. Some are lifelong Georgians hunting the same county their family has known for generations. Others travel here for deer season, turkey season, waterfowl hunts, quail plantations, wild hog opportunities, or a chance to experience the variety of habitat that makes Georgia one of the South's great hunting states.

From mountains to marshes

That variety is one of Georgia's strengths. In the North Georgia mountains, hunters find steep ridges, hardwood drains, black bear country, mountain WMAs, and traditional public-land deer and turkey hunting.

Across Middle Georgia, pine woods, oak bottoms, river corridors, farms, and managed timberland support strong deer, turkey, dove, hog, small game, and predator hunting. In South Georgia, longleaf pine, wiregrass, agricultural fields, cypress swamps, coastal marsh, and plantation country create some of the most recognizable hunting landscapes in the Southeast.

2026–27 Hunting Season Update

What’s in Season Now

A quick Georgia hunting calendar for deer season and other major opportunities happening before year end.

Season dates verified Sept. 25, 2026

Deer Season

Georgia Archery Deer Season Is Underway

Statewide archery deer season opened Sept. 12. Primitive weapons and youth-only firearms season follows Oct. 10–16, and the general firearms season opens Oct. 17 for most hunters.

Archery equipment may be used throughout the 2026–27 deer season. Either-sex dates, extended seasons, weapon restrictions, and WMA or other public-land hunt dates can vary, so always confirm the rules for the county and property you plan to hunt.

Official Deer Information 2026–27 Regulations

2026–27 Season at a Glance

Major statewide dates useful for planning fall and early-winter hunting trips.

Species	2026–27 season dates	Planning note
Deer	Archery: Sept. 12–Oct. 9 Primitive Weapons & Youth-Only Firearms: Oct. 10–16 Firearms: Oct. 17–Jan. 10 for most hunters	County, extended-season, and public-land rules can differ.
Squirrel	Aug. 15–Feb. 28	Statewide season; check public-land rules before hunting a WMA or other managed property.
Dove	Sept. 5–Oct. 11 Nov. 21–29 Dec. 19–Jan. 31	Public dove fields can have property-specific hunt dates and access requirements.
Canada Goose	Sept. 5–27 Oct. 10–25 Nov. 21–29 Dec. 12–Jan. 31	Migratory bird licensing and federal requirements apply.
Ducks	Nov. 21–29 Dec. 12–Jan. 31	Youth, veteran, and active-duty military waterfowl days are Nov. 14–15.

These are planning dates, not a substitute for the official Georgia regulations. WMA, PFA, state park, federal-land, county, quota-hunt, and species-specific rules may differ.

New This Season

Statewide deer carcass disposal rules

Proper disposal of deer carcasses and unused parts is now required across Georgia to reduce the risk of spreading chronic wasting disease. Approved options include leaving remains on the property where the deer was killed, using a commercial processor, permitted solid-waste disposal, or another approved disposal method.

Review CWD Guidance

CWD Monitoring

Testing strongly encouraged in four counties

Hunters taking deer in Atkinson, Berrien, Lanier, or Lowndes counties are strongly encouraged to submit deer for CWD testing. Georgia DNR lists participating processors, taxidermists, and self-service freezer locations for sampling.

Find Testing Information

Georgia Game, Habitat, and Heritage

From whitetails and turkeys to waterfowl, bear, quail, hogs, and small game, Georgia offers a hunting calendar shaped by region, habitat, land access, and tradition.

Big game and spring gobblers

White-tailed deer remain the backbone of Georgia hunting. From small private tracts and family farms to large hunting clubs, timber leases, and Wildlife Management Areas, deer season shapes the fall for thousands of Georgia hunters.

Eastern wild turkey hunting brings a different kind of challenge in spring, built around patience, woodsmanship, calling, and knowing the land. Black bear hunting adds a mountain and Central Georgia tradition that connects hunters to some of the state's wilder country.

Waterfowl, hogs, dove, and small game

Waterfowl hunting draws hunters to lakes, rivers, swamps, impoundments, and coastal marshes. Feral hogs, dove, quail, rabbits, squirrels, alligator, and other game species add even more variety to the Georgia hunting calendar.

Each species brings its own season, setting, and style of hunting. Use GeorgiaOutdoors to start comparing places, then confirm current seasons, methods, bag limits, licenses, and property rules with Georgia DNR.

South Georgia quail country

South Georgia deserves special mention. The region's quail heritage is one of the most important sporting traditions in the country.

Historic quail plantations, especially in the Red Hills and plantation belt of southwest Georgia, have carried forward a style of guided hunting that dates back more than a century. Carefully managed pine savannas, bird dogs, mule-drawn wagons, and long-standing land stewardship practices still make this part of Georgia a destination for hunters who appreciate both sport and tradition.

Public Land, Private Land, and the Places Hunters Return To

Georgia hunting is built on both public access and private stewardship. The directory below focuses on public hunting areas, but private land remains central to the state's hunting culture.

Private land, leases, clubs, and plantations

Family farms, hunting clubs, timber leases, plantations, outfitters, and private landowners provide a major share of Georgia's hunting opportunity. Large forestland companies such as Weyerhaeuser and other timberland managers make thousands of acres available through recreational and hunting leases.

Many Georgia hunters belong to clubs where members work year-round on food plots, roads, stands, habitat, camp life, and responsible harvest goals. For out-of-state hunters, private leases, guided hunts, plantations, and outfitters can provide a more structured way to experience Georgia hunting.

WMAs and public hunting areas

Public land still matters deeply, and it gives hunters a way to explore Georgia beyond their home county or private lease. Georgia's Wildlife Management Areas, Public Fishing Areas with hunting access, national forest lands, Corps of Engineers properties, state-owned tracts, and other public-access lands open the door to mountain ridges, river swamps, coastal islands, dove fields, waterfowl impoundments, managed hunts, youth hunts, quota hunts, and walk-in adventure.

These public lands are the focus of the GeorgiaOutdoors hunting directory below.

Explore Georgia Public Hunting Areas

Find WMAs and Public Hunting Lands

Use this page as a starting point. Explore hunting areas, compare regions, look for species opportunities, and open the map to see how Georgia's public hunting lands are spread across the state. Then confirm the current rules with Georgia DNR before you go. Seasons, licenses, quota hunts, sign-in requirements, access roads, camping rules, weapon restrictions, and property-specific regulations can change from year to year.

162 Public Hunting Areas

Public hunting areas available to browse and compare across Georgia.

Acreage

1,277,119 acres

Approximate total acreage across published hunting records where acreage has been researched.

Managed Hunts

55 With Quota Hunts

Records marked with quota hunt opportunities. Always verify details through Georgia DNR.

Camping

54 With Camping

Records marked with developed or primitive camping access in the hunting-area data. Details should be verified before planning an overnight stay.

Commercial Hunting Services

Guided Hunts, Plantations & Hunting Lodges

Looking for a guided hunt, plantation experience, hunting lodge, or sporting-clays getaway? These Georgia hunting businesses offer paid services such as guided quail hunts, deer and hog hunts, duck hunts, preserve hunts, lodging, meals, and corporate outdoor retreats.

46 hunting businesses

Showing 10-18 of 46.

Hunting Preserve

Dorchester Shooting Preserve

Midway, South Georgia & Coast

quail hunting, pheasant shoots, sporting clays, coastal fishing, lodging, corporate retreats

Visit Official Website 912-884-6999

Guided Hunts

Double G Outfitters

Reynolds, Georgia Heartland

whitetail deer hunting, turkey hunting, boar hunting, guided hunts, lodging

Visit Official Website 305-778-2157

Hunting Preserve

Fieldstone Hunting Preserve

Dry Branch, Georgia Heartland

quail hunting, duck hunting, pheasant shoots, turkey hunting, hog hunts, sporting clays, corporate hunting excursions, lodging

Visit Official Website 478-250-0913

Quail Plantation

Flat Creek Lodge

Swainsboro, Georgia Heartland

quail hunting, guided hunts, lodging, sporting clays, events, corporate retreats

Visit Official Website 478-419-4300

Hunting Preserve

Gopher Plantation

Millwood, South Georgia & Coast

whitetail deer hunting, hog hunting, quail hunting, thermal hog hunting, hunting lodge

Visit Official Website 912-381-1482

Hunting Preserve

Gray Ghost Plantation

Mauk, Georgia Heartland

deer hunting, quail hunting, turkey hunting, guided hunts, lodge accommodations

Visit Official Website 478-334-5841

Deer Hunting Lodge

Gum Log Plantation

Abbeville, South Georgia & Coast

hog hunting, deer hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, lodging, corporate retreats

Visit Official Website 229-318-0137

Corporate Hunting Retreat

Hart of Dixie Outdoors

Lyons, South Georgia & Coast

guided quail hunts, pheasant tower shoots, turkey hunting, deer hunting, hog hunting, lodging, corporate retreats

Visit Official Website 912-271-5371

Hunting Preserve

Highpoint Quail Hunting Preserve

Bowdon, Georgia Heartland

guided quail hunts, unguided quail hunts, trained bird dogs, half-day hunts, full-day hunts

Visit Official Website 770-580-9702

Hunting Finder

Find a Georgia Public Hunting Area

Search WMAs and public hunting lands by place name, county, city or nearby city, species, region, or useful access features.

Search hunting areas Species Region Access feature

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162 matching hunting areas

Showing 121-132 of 162.

WMA 1,560 acres

Oliver Bridge WMA

Statesboro, South Georgia & Coast

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Oliver Bridge WMA near Statesboro offers deer, turkey, small game, canoe access, river fishing, wildlife viewing, and a no-camping/no-ATV public hunting experience.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,500 acres

Phinizy Swamp WMA

Augusta, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, Small Game

Phinizy Swamp WMA near Augusta protects 1,500 acres of swamp and pond habitat with deer, turkey, small game, waterfowl, canoe access, and walk-in fishing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,493 acres Camping

Morgan Lake WMA

Ludowici, South Georgia & Coast

Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, Small Game

Morgan Lake WMA near Ludowici is a 1,493-acre archery hunting area with boat ramp, canoe access, lake access, primitive camping, and lake and river fishing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,475 acres Camping

Little River WMA

Eatonton, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Dove, Small Game, Rabbit, Furbearers

Little River WMA near Eatonton is a 1,475-acre state-owned property with Little River access, camping, dove fields, shooting access, specialty hunts, and seasonal dog training.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,343 acres

Bartram Forest WMA

Milledgeville, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Bartram Forest WMA in Baldwin County offers archery hunting for deer, turkey, and small game on a property shared with recreation-area users.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,330 acres

Sprewell Bluff WMA: East

Thomaston, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Sprewell Bluff WMA: East lies east of the Flint River near Thomaston with deer, turkey, small game, river fishing, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,200 acres

Germany Creek WMA

Thomson, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Germany Creek WMA in McDuffie County is a 1,200-acre public hunting area with deer, turkey, small game, lake access, lake fishing, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,000 acres

Hart County WMA

Hartwell, North Georgia High Country

Deer, Turkey, Bear, Dove, Small Game

Hart County WMA near Hartwell is a 1,000-acre public hunting area with deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove, geocaching restrictions, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 1,000 acres

Soap Creek WMA

Lincolnton, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Soap Creek WMA near Lincolnton is a 1,000-acre public hunting area with deer, turkey, small game, lake access, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 923 acres

Lake Walter F. George WMA

Fort Gaines, South Georgia & Coast

Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, Small Game

Lake Walter F. George WMA near Fort Gaines includes land and islands along the Lake Walter F. George reservoir with deer, turkey, small game, and waterfowl hunting.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 892 acres

Sandhills WMA: East

Butler, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Sandhills WMA: East protects rare sandhill habitat in Taylor County with deer, turkey, and small game hunting.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 800 acres

Keg Creek WMA

Appling, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Keg Creek WMA in Columbia County provides archery-only deer, turkey, small game, canoe access, hiking trails, lake access, lake fishing, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

Know Before You Hunt

GeorgiaOutdoors is a trip-planning guide, not the final legal authority. Always use Georgia DNR and Go Outdoors Georgia for current rules, license requirements, quota applications, harvest reporting, and property-specific regulations.

Official Resource

Georgia DNR Hunting Resources

Official hunting resources, regulations, season information, species pages, hunter education, and public-land planning links.

Open Resource

Official Resource

Go Outdoors Georgia

Purchase licenses and permits, manage your account, apply for quota hunts, obtain HIP permits, and report harvest.

Open Resource

Official Resource

Explore the GeorgiaOutdoors Hunting Map

Use our map to browse public hunting areas by region, species opportunities, camping access, quota hunts, youth hunts, and other planning features.

Open Resource

Official Resource

Georgia Quota Hunts

Official information about managed quota hunts and the application process.

Open Resource

Georgia Trophy Records & Legendary Hunts

Record-book bucks are part of what keeps Georgia hunters talking. Use these resources for official registry information, county history, and a look at some of the state’s most memorable deer.

Official DNR Records

Georgia Deer Registry

Georgia's Deer Registry recognizes quality deer taken by hunters in the state and uses Boone & Crockett scoring standards for entries.

View the Georgia Deer Registry

Record Book Inspiration

Top Non-Typical Registry Bucks

Georgia DNR registry results include legendary non-typical bucks such as Billy Joe Padgett's 248 4/8 Telfair County deer from 1998 and John L. Hatton Jr.'s 240 3/8 Monroe County deer from 1973.

Search DNR Registry Results

County-by-County Records

County Deer Records

Georgia Outdoor News maintains a long-running county-by-county deer records resource based on racks measured by certified Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young scorers.

Explore GON Deer Records

Plan Carefully, Hunt Responsibly

Use the Map, Then Confirm Official Details

Explore Georgia hunting areas, compare public-land options, and use official state resources before you head out. Always confirm current rules, access, weather, property boundaries, licenses, quota requirements, closures, and harvest reporting requirements.

Explore Hunting Areas Licenses & Harvest Reporting

Explore Hunting in Georgia