Big Game Seasons, Dates & Limits - Georgia Hunting

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Big Game Seasons, Dates & Limits

Hunting seasons, dates, and bag limits on WMAs, PFAs, State Parks, and federal lands may differ from those below. See specific dates in the area specific listing.

Big Game
Species	Season	Dates	Limits & Restrictions
Deer	Archery	Sept. 13 - Oct. 10	See either sex days. 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. See Deer Hunting Regulations for requirements in counties with antler restrictions. *Firearms deer hunting is not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Hwy 92), and that portion of Glynn County lying within Jekyll Island. In the portion of Forsyth County south of GA Hwy 20 only shotguns and muzzleloaders may be used (no other firearms allowed). In Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, & Thomas Cos., the first 2 weeks of archery is buck only.
	Extended Archery: See Deer Hunting Regulations for counties.	Jan. 12 - 31
	Primitive Weapons & Youth-Only Firearms (See Deer Hunting Regulations)	Oct. 11 - Oct. 17
	Firearms*	Oct. 18 - Jan. 11 Oct. 18 - Jan. 15 (Baker, Decatur, Calhoun, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, & Thomas Counties)
Bear	Northern Zone	Archery: Sept. 13 - Oct. 10 Primitive Weapons & Youth Only Firearms: Oct. 11 - 17 Firearms: Oct. 18 - Jan. 11	Two per season, provided, however, no more than one of these may be taken from the Central or Southern Zones. See Hunting Information for bear harvest and reporting requirements. See reporting requirements for bears harvested on WMAs. *If fewer than 6 female bears are harvested on Dec. 20 then a 2nd hunt day will be opened in January (please visit www.georgiawildlife.com after Dec. 22.
	Central Zone	Firearms: Dec. 20*
	Southern Zone	Firearms: Sept. 18-20, Sept. 25-27, Oct. 2-4, Oct. 9-11
Turkey	Special Opportunity, Statewide	Mar. 21-22, 2026	Only for youth under 16 years of age and mobility-impaired persons. This season does not apply to public lands unless otherwise specified.
	Private Lands	Mar. 28 - May 15, 2026	2 Gobblers per season; Daily bag limit of 1 (including Special Opportunity season). On WMAs, VPAs, & National Forest lands: 1 gobbler per area per person. See individual WMA listings for specifics.
	WMAs, VPAs & National Forest	Apr. 4 - May 15, 2026

Georgia

• General Info
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Department Message
  • Contact Information
  • Definitions
  • Chronic Wasting Disease
• Licenses, Permits & Fees
  • Licenses, Permits & Passes
  • Hunting Licenses
• Hunting Regulations
  • Deer Hunting Regulations
  • Hunting Information
  • Quota Hunts
  • Unlawful Activities
• Seasons & Limits
  • Dog-Deer Seasons
  • Deer Seasons and Either-Sex Days
  • Big Game Seasons, Dates & Limits
  • Small Game & Trapping Seasons, Dates & Limits
  • Migratory Birds Seasons
  • Bear, Turkey, Feral Hog, Alligator & Small Game
• Management Areas
  • Unlawful Activities on WMAs
  • WMA Regulations: A-C
  • WMA Regulations: D-H
  • WMA Regulations: I-P
  • WMA Regulations: Q-S
  • WMA Regulations: T-Z
  • Federal Area Regulations
  • State Park Hunting Opportunities
  • Voluntary Public Access Opportunities
• Hunting Opportunities
  • Public Hunting Opportunities
  • Dove & Specialty Hunts
  • Dog Training
  • Shooting Ranges
  • Youth Hunts
  • Mobility-Impaired Hunts
• PDF Downloads
  • Outdoors Beyond Barriers
  • New Hunter & Youth Opportunities
  •