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 1-9 of 46.

Hunting Preserve

Abbott Shooting Preserve

Barney, South Georgia & Coast

quail hunting, pheasant hunting, guided bird hunts, bird dogs, lodging, meals

Visit Official Website 229-561-4472

Quail Plantation

Barnsley Resort / SpringBank Plantation

Adairsville, North Georgia High Country

wingshooting, quail hunting, pheasant hunting, sporting clays, professional guides, resort lodging

Visit Official Website 770-773-7480

Quail Plantation

Baypole Plantation

Meigs, South Georgia & Coast

guided quail hunts, self-guided quail hunts, dove hunts, lodging, membership hunting

Visit Official Website 229-316-0729

Hunting Preserve

Big Red Oak Plantation

Gay, Georgia Heartland

bird hunting, deer hunting, lodging, sporting clays, hunting preserve, corporate outings

Visit Official Website 706-538-6870

Hunting Preserve

Black Creek Lodge

McIntyre, Georgia Heartland

self-guided quail hunting, duck hunting, deer hunting, hog hunting, lodge accommodations

Visit Official Website 478-387-5650

Quail Plantation

Boggy Pond Plantation

Moultrie, South Georgia & Coast

bobwhite quail hunting, guided hunting, hunting lodge, event venue, plantation hunting

Visit Official Website 229-985-5395

Corporate Hunting Retreat

Broomsedge Rod & Gun

Soperton, South Georgia & Coast

duck hunting, quail hunting, pheasant hunting, turkey hunting, deer hunting, hog hunting, predator hunting, lodging, corporate retreats

Visit Official Website 912-529-3174

Hunting Preserve

Burnt Pine

Newborn, Georgia Heartland

bird hunting, quail hunting, pheasant hunting, chukar hunting, sporting clays, fishing, lodging

Visit Official Website 706-557-0407

Hunting Preserve

Dogwood Creek Hunting Preserve

Culloden, Georgia Heartland

guided quail hunts, private quail hunting experiences, bird dogs, dog handlers, half-day hunts, full-day hunts

Visit Official Website 478-538-7761

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 133-144 of 162.

WMA 690 acres

Echeconnee Creek WMA

Macon, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Echeconnee Creek WMA near Macon is a compact archery hunting area with deer, turkey, and small game opportunities and a boat-access Ocmulgee River tract.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 669 acres

Otting WMA

Cloudland, North Georgia High Country

Deer, Turkey, Small Game, Rabbit, Squirrel, Furbearers

Otting WMA is a small Northwest Georgia plateau property with archery deer, turkey, small game, furbearer dog training, river fishing, and rock outcrop habitat.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 600 acres Youth Hunts

Doerun Pitcherplant Bog WMA

Doerun, South Georgia & Coast

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Doerun Pitcherplant Bog WMA protects rare and sensitive bog habitat in Colquitt County with youth hunts, hiking, lake fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 570 acres

Spirit Creek Forest WMA

Hephzibah, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Spirit Creek Forest WMA near Hephzibah is a 570-acre Richmond County property with deer, turkey, small game, and biking access.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 525 acres Youth Hunts

Ball's Ferry

Toomsboro, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl, Small Game

Ball's Ferry near Toomsboro provides Oconee River public hunting access, youth hunts, boat-ramp access, river fishing, restrooms, and picnic facilities.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 513 acres

Lula Bridge WMA

Lula, North Georgia High Country

Waterfowl, Small Game

Lula Bridge WMA provides waterfowl and small game hunting with boat-ramp access to the Chattahoochee River and Lake Lanier.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 500 acres Camping

Hiltonia WMA

Sylvania, South Georgia & Coast

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Hiltonia WMA near Sylvania is a compact Screven County public hunting area with deer, turkey, small game, primitive camping, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 500 acres

Montezuma Bluffs WMA

Montezuma, Georgia Heartland

Deer, Turkey, Small Game

Montezuma Bluffs WMA protects fossil limestone bluffs, rare trillium habitat, old-growth hardwoods, walking trails, viewing decks, and archery-only deer opportunity.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 477 acres

J.L. Lester WMA

Cedartown, North Georgia High Country

Deer, Turkey, Bear, Waterfowl, Dove, Small Game

J.L. Lester WMA near Cedartown is a compact Polk County property with deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove, waterfowl, field trials, and archery range access nearby.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 473 acres Camping

Tallulah Gorge WMA

Tallulah Falls, North Georgia High Country

Deer, Turkey, Bear, Small Game

Tallulah Gorge WMA offers forested mountain hunting terrain around Tallulah Gorge, the Tallulah River, Lake Tugaloo, trails, primitive campsites, and daily sign-in requirements.

View Hunting Details View on Map

WMA 440 acres

Broad River WMA

Danielsville, North Georgia High Country

Deer, Turkey, Bear, Small Game

Broad River WMA near Danielsville is a compact river-oriented public hunting area with deer, bear, turkey, small game, river fishing, and wildlife viewing.

View Hunting Details View on Map

VPA 391 acres

Lola Tract VPA

Stockton, South Georgia & Coast

Deer, Turkey, Bear, Small Game

Lola Tract VPA near Stockton offers public hunting access for deer, bear, turkey, and small game on both sides of the river.

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