Georgia Hunting Seasons, 2023-2024
Heading down to Georgia will offer you the chance to snag large and small game. From deer, bear, turkey — and even alligators — Georgia hunting seasons provide several opportunities to bag the harvest of your choice.
Georgia provides several options for purchasing hunting licenses and permits. Hunters can obtain them through a license agent, over the phone or by way of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website. Both residents and nonresidents are able to purchase licenses and apply for special permits and passes online.
The state also offers several programs beneficial to new and seasoned hunters. Junior and first-time hunters can participate in Hunt and Learn programs, which overview skills necessary for hunting and processing wild game. More experienced hunters may find interest in the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program, which pairs hunters with nearby state hunting locations. WMA’s also host specialty hunts for a variety of hunting levels and groups.
Georgia Deer Seasons
| Archery | Sept. 9-Oct. 13 |
| Extended Archery | Sept. 9-Jan. 31 |
| Primitive Weapons & Youth-only Firearms | Oct. 14-Oct. 20 |
| Firearms | Oct. 21-Jan. 14 Oct. 21-Jan. 15 |
Permits are required for deer hunts. Only 7,500 permits are issued. Specialty hunts, such as the disability hunting season, require permits. Nonresident junior hunters are not allowed to hunt during the youth hunt season. Some counties have special regulations regarding the use of firearms and what is considered a legal deer.
Georgia Bear Seasons
| Archery | Sept. 9-Oct. 13 |
| Primitive Weapons | Oct. 14-20 |
| Firearms | Northern zone: Oct. 21-Jan. 14 Central zone: Dec. 16 Southern zone: Sept. 2-23, Sept. 28-30, Oct. 5-7, Oct. 12-14 |
Georgia 2023 Turkey Seasons
| General Spring 2023 Season | Private Land: March 30-May 15 Public Land: April 6-May 15 |
| Special Opportunity Youth/Mobility Impaired | March 23-24 |
Georgia Alligator Seasons
| General Season | Aug. 18 (sunset)-Oct. 2 (sunrise) |
*Permits are required to hunt alligator, and only one alligator can be harvested per year.
Georgia Small Game Seasons
| Fox and Bobcat | Dec. 1-Feb. 29 |
| Grouse | Oct. 15-Feb. 29 |
| Opossum | Aug. 15-Feb. 29 Open season on private lands |
| Quail | Nov. 18-Feb. 29 |
| Rabbit | Nov. 18-Feb. 29 |
| Raccoon | Aug. 15-Feb. 29 Open season on private lands |
| Squirrel | Aug. 15-Feb. 29 |
Bag limits, special seasons and hunting regulations for Georgia hunting seasons do vary based on animal and seasons. For more information on obtaining licenses, permits and regulations, visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.