15Oct 2019 by Brian Grossman 8 Comments
Georgia’s 2019-2020 Either Sex Deer Hunting Dates

Georgia’s 2019-2020 Either Sex Deer Hunting Dates

DNR News, Georgia Deer Hunting
Georgia DNR recently announced the dates for Georgia's 2019-2020 deer season. For firearms hunters, those dates are October 19, 2019 to January 12, 2020 (see restrictions below). Once again, the dates in which you can legally harvest does with a firearm vary by county. Those dates are listed on the map and in the table below. If you prefer to search by county name rather than a map, scroll down to the listings at the bottom of the page. We've made every effort to ensure these dates are accurate, but ALWAYS check the newest hunting regulations booklet before heading afield. Firearms deer hunting is not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Hwy 92), and the portion of Glynn County lying within Jekyll Island. In the portion of…
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21Aug 2019 by Brian Grossman No Comments
Corrections to the Printed Georgia Hunting Regulations

Corrections to the Printed Georgia Hunting Regulations

DNR News
Georgia's 2019-2020 regulation booklets recently hit store shelves and WMA check stations, and it quickly became apparent there were some typographical errors. These errors have been corrected in the online version, which can be downloaded here. As for the printed copies, here are the errors that the DNR would like you to be aware of: Mobility-impaired means anyone confined to a wheelchair, hemiplegia, monoplegia, paraplegia or single-leg amputation above the knee.Quail/Rabbit actual opening date: Nov. 16. Crow season actual dates: Nov. 2–Feb. 28. Ossabaw Island Deer Quota Hunt Either-Sex Dates: Nov. 28–Nov. 30. This is a youth hunt not available to adults. Oconee National Forest: Sept. 12–Jan. 1 is not applicable (pg. 71, first sentence in Special Regs section. These sets of dates were removed because they conflicted with pg.…
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06Aug 2019 by Brian Grossman
2019 Georgia Public Dove Fields Forecast

2019 Georgia Public Dove Fields Forecast

DNR News, Small Game Hunting
Biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division have issued the 2019 public dove field forecast covering wildlife management areas and additional dove fields throughout the state. All the fields are listed below, along with which crops are planted, the total acreage of plantings, and the overall condition of the field. Hunters can utilize this online resource as they plan their fall dove hunts. Quota Hunts Many fields listed are available during quota hunts only. Apply for dove field quota hunts through the Go Outdoors Georgia system (deadline to apply is August 15). Some properties are privately owned but made available through a program called the Voluntary Public Access (VPA)/Habitat Incentive Program. WMA Dove Fields for 2019 [table id=38 /] VPA Dove Fields for 2019 [table id=39 /] ##…
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04Aug 2019 by Brian Grossman No Comments
Squirrel Season Opens August 15

Squirrel Season Opens August 15

DNR News, Small Game Hunting
Time to hit the woods in pursuit of Ole Bushytail! Squirrel hunting season provides the first opportunity of the year to start replenishing that meat in the freezer, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Unlike some big game hunts, the pursuit of squirrels often involves more action for energetic youth, providing a greater level of interaction with the outdoors. Beginning August 15, 2019, and lasting through February 29, 2020, hunters can pursue both gray and fox squirrels. The maximum daily bag limit is 12 per hunter. “Hunting squirrel is part of a significant cultural hunting tradition in Georgia,” said John Bowers, chief of the Wildlife Resources Division Game Management Section.  “It’s fun and doesn’t cost a lot to get started, and really gives you a…
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28Jul 2019 by Brian Grossman 2 Comments
Changes in Store for Georgia’s 2019-2020 Hunting Seasons

Changes in Store for Georgia’s 2019-2020 Hunting Seasons

DNR News
The 2019-2020 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide is now available online and in various retail establishments. This guide provides important information on season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, wildlife management areas, quota hunts, youth opportunities and much more.  You may view, download and print the guide at https://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations. Pick up a printed copy at Wildlife Resources Division offices and license vendors throughout Georgia. Some of the major changes to the hunting regulations this year include: New Public Hunting Opportunities: Several new (or additions to existing) properties will be available, including Canoochee Sandhills WMA (Bulloch/Bryan counties), Bullard Creek WMA (Appling County), Rum Creek WMA (Monroe County), Berry Creek Area (Monroe County), and  Lanahassee WMA (Webster County). More about each property at www.georgiawildlife.com/allwmas. Air Guns: Air guns are legal weapons for hunting…
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19Jun 2019 by Brian Grossman 2 Comments
2019-2020 Georgia Waterfowl Season Dates

2019-2020 Georgia Waterfowl Season Dates

DNR News, Waterfowl Hunting
[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="1050"] Photo courtesy USFWS[/caption] Waterfowl hunters can begin making season plans now that the 2019-2020 migratory bird season hunting dates and regulations were recently approved by the Board of Natural Resources. “The 2019-2020 waterfowl hunting season has changed compared to previous years,” said Greg Balkcom, state waterfowl biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division. “The duck hunting season will end on the fixed date of January 31 each year, not the last Sunday in January. The daily bag limit for mallards dropped to two this year, with no more than one hen, and the pintail bag limit dropped to one. These bag limit changes are responsive to population levels for these species.” Behind the scenes, the process used to select the waterfowl hunting regulations in the Atlantic Flyway…
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16Jun 2019 by Brian Grossman
Changes Coming to 2019-2020 Georgia Dove Season

Changes Coming to 2019-2020 Georgia Dove Season

DNR News, Small Game Hunting
Planning ahead for dove season? The 2019–2020 migratory bird season hunting dates and regulations, which includes doves, were recently approved by the Board of Natural Resources. Doves are a federally regulated migratory bird. As such, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service annually establishes a framework (opening and closing dates, maximum season length, and maximum bag limits) within which the states must set their seasons. These frameworks are developed with input of state wildlife agencies, and are informed using biological population, harvest, and habitat data. Recent framework changes to the maximum closing date for doves allows Georgia to adjust its dove season responsive to public desires. “For years our dove hunters have expressed a desire to end the dove season later,” said John Bowers, Chief of the Game Management Section of…
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04Sep 2017 by Brian Grossman
Georgia Youth Hunting Requirements

Georgia Youth Hunting Requirements

DNR News
My son is 12. What does he need to go deer hunting with me? I see these types of questions all the time on social media and wanted to do a post to clarify what licenses, permits and training kids need to hunt in Georgia. Fortunately, Georgia is a very kid-friendly state when it comes to hunting, keeping the expense and requirements very low. Here’s what you need to know based on the youth’s age. Under 12 License/Permits - None Deer/Turkey Harvest Log - Yes, if deer or turkey hunting Migratory Bird Permit - Not Required Hunter Education - Not Required Kids under 12 who reside in Georgia do not need any type of license or permit to hunt. They are not required to take a hunter education course, although…
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01Sep 2017 by Brian Grossman
Georgia Archery Deer Season Opens September 9

Georgia Archery Deer Season Opens September 9

DNR News, Georgia Deer Hunting
Hunters utilizing archery equipment will get the first opportunity at bringing home a deer beginning Saturday, September 9, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Last year, 139,043 archery hunters harvested just over 50,000 deer. Statewide, hunters can use archery equipment throughout the entire 2017-2018 deer season. “Archery season is an excellent time to get an early start on putting some venison in the freezer,” said state deer biologist Charlie Killmaster.  “Although it’s still warm this time of year, it’s the easiest part of the season to pattern deer.  Just don’t forget to report your kill to Georgia Game Check!” Georgia hunters can check out an interactive map that allows them to see the best opportunities available for the counties they hunt at http://georgiawildlife.com/rut-map. All hunters must…
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