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2018-2019 Hunting Seasons Summary
Summer has a hold on us, but if you squint through the heat haze you can see a glimpse of autumn around the corner. Students are back to school, the days are growing shorter, and it won't be long before cool breezes drift again through the Georgia pines.
For some, dreams of autumn include walking through those trees in search of game.
Nearly all of Georgia's hunting seasons begin in autumn, with a few kicking off in late summer. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources recently released season dates (PDF) for 2018-19, and we have a summary for you here.
Before you go, make sure you have the proper licenses and review the latest regulations.
2018-2019 Hunting Season Dates
Alligator
You can find alligator regulations on the Wildlife Resources Division website.
Alligator hunts are zone and quota limited.
The 2018 season is from sunset August 17 to sunrise October 8.
Small Game and Migratory Birds
You can find small game regulations and migratory bird regulations on the Wildlife Resources Division website.
Crows
November 3 - February 28
No Limit
Dove
September 1 - 16
October 13 - 31
November 22 - January 15
15 per day,
45 in possession
Fox and Bobcat
December 1 - February 28
No Limit
Falconry
(Squirrel)
August 15 - March 15
12 per day
Falconry
(Grouse)
October 1 - March 15
3 per day
Falconry
(Rabbit)
October 1 - March 15
12 per day
Falconry
(Quail)
October 1 - March 15
12 per day
Grouse
October 15 - February 28
3 per day
March Hens
September 21 - November 11
November 22 - December 29
15 per day
Opossum
October 15 - February 28
No Limit
Quail and Rabbit
November 17 - February 28
12 per day
Raccoon
October 15 - February 28
3 per day
Snipe
November 15 - February 28
8 per day
Squirrel
August 15 - February 28
12 per day
Woodcock
December 8 - January 21
3 per day
Bear
Archery:
September 8 - January 13
Northern Zone only
Primitive Weapons:
October 13 - January 13
Northern Zone only
Firearms:
October 20 - January 13
Northern Zone
January 12
Central Zone
September 20-22
September 27-29
October 4-6
October 11-13
Southern Zone
Hunters are limited to 2 bears per season, with only 1 from the Southern and Central Bear Zones. You cannot kill a female bear with cubs or any bears under 75 pounds.
Bear Hunting Zones
Northern Zone: All counties north of and including Carroll, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Walton, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, and Hart counties.
Central Zone: Bibb, Houston, and Twiggs counties
Southern Zone: Lowndes, Lanier, Echols, Clinch, Ware, Charlton, and Brantley counties
Deer
Archery:
September 8 - January 13
Extended to January 31 in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties.
Primitive Weapons:
October 13 - January 13
Firearms:
October 20 - January 13
Not permitted in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton counties (north of Highway 92), and the part of Glynn County that’s on Jekyll Island.
Hunters are limited to 12 deer per season, with antler and other restrictions.
New rules for 2019-19 season allow the use of bait on private property throughout the state.
Turkey
March 23, 2019 - May 15, 2019
Hunters are limited to 3 gobblers per season.
Reporting Requirements for Bear, Deer, and Turkey
State law requires you to report your deer and turkey harvests within 72 hours.
If you have a smartphone and service while hunting, you can report through the Outdoors Georgia mobile app or on the Georgia Game Check website.
If you don’t have service, log the details on a paper Harvest Record, then report later online or by phone: 800-366-2661.
Bear harvest reporting requirements vary by zone. Make sure you know which ones apply to your hunt.
Where Should I Hunt?
Want to know where your fellow hunters are having success hunting turkey and deer? Review the Go Outdoors Georgia Harvest Results for the past 2 seasons, sortable by county.
Review the Deer Management Q&A page for deer hunting tips.
Make sure you know the different requirements for hunting on public land versus private land.
Don't Forget
Applications for 2018 deer quota hunts on state land are due September 1.
You can also look forward to National Hunting and Fishing Day September 22.
Sign up now for Hunt and Learn programs this fall.
Waterfowl
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Each fall, to prevent deer overpopulation, the Department of Natural Resources schedules quota hunts on public lands. Starting next week, various state parks will close temporarily to facilitate these hunts. See the full schedule of park closures.
Celebrate the great outdoors on National Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday, September 23, 2017. Fishing is free for Georgia residents, and many state parks and recreation areas are hosting special events.
Are you ready to grab your tree stand and ammo and hit the road? Start here for dates and regulations for some of the more popular upcoming seasons.