With the approaching 2023–2024 season, there are some pretty big changes for Georgia deer hunters, especially with regard to either-sex days. As always, make sure to check the regulations before you pull the trigger on an antlerless deer. While most of the state is now either-sex during gun season, some counties have specific dates where it’s buck-only. See the doe-day map below.
Georgia’s archery season for deer opens Sept. 9, and the statewide gun season opens Oct. 21. This year’s deer season will close statewide on Sunday, Jan. 14. A significant new exception is for eight southwest Georgia counties, which will now close on Jan. 15 each season. This year, the difference is just one day; however, depending on how the calendar is set, certain seasons may experience up to six extra days.
These eight counties in southwest Georgia are also among the increasing number of suburban counties that permit deer hunting with only an archery until January 1. 31. The following counties allow either-sex, archery-only hunting for deer until Jan. 31: The following counties: Baker, Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Early, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Grady, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee, Paulding, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole, and Thomas
Any day that deer hunting is open in the state may be used to harvest antlerless deer using archery gear, with the exception of National Forest lands (see National Forest Deer Hunting).
For the third year in a row, the opening day for turkey hunters will be later—March 30 on private property and April 6 on public land—and the season limit will once again be two gobblers with a daily restriction of one gobbler. Make sure you’re not feeding deer—lots of turkey-baiting cases are made.
The complete 2023-24 Georgia Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits will be available at license vendors and online. Hunters are responsible for knowing and abiding by seasons and limits or be subject to charges and fines.
Hey there, fellow turkey hunters! Are you ready to get your gobble on in the Peach State? The 2024 Georgia turkey season is just around the corner, and it’s time to brush up on the latest regulations and strategies to bag those gobblers.
Season Dates and Regulations
The 2024 Georgia turkey season kicks off on Saturday, March 30th for private lands and Saturday, April 6th for public lands, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Forest land. The season wraps up on May 15th statewide.
Important Reminders:
- Each WMA has its own specific season dates and regulations, so be sure to check the current hunting regulations before heading out to your favorite WMA.
- Youth hunters (age 16 and under) get a head start with a Special Opportunity Season on private lands only from March 23rd to 24th.
Bag Limits and Season Changes
In response to the recent decline in turkey populations, the Georgia DNR has implemented some changes to the 2024 season:
- Reduced Season Bag Limit: From three gobblers to two gobblers per hunter.
- Reduced Daily Bag Limit: From one bird per day to one bird per day.
- Reduced WMA Bag Limit: From two birds per hunter per WMA to one bird per hunter per WMA.
Best Counties for Turkey Hunting
While turkey numbers have been declining there are still plenty of great hunting opportunities in Georgia. The Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plain regions consistently produce the highest turkey harvests. Here are the top turkey-producing counties in 2023:
- Polk County: 258 birds
- Floyd County: 249 birds
- Burke County: 244 birds
- Bartow County: 240 birds
- Gilmer County: 206 birds
Public Land Turkey Hunting
Georgia boasts over 1 million acres of public hunting land spread across 100 WMAs and two national forests. Some WMAs require applying for a quota hunt, while others are open to anyone who wants to sign in and hunt.
Top Public Land Turkey Hunting Spots:
- Chattahoochee National Forest: 174 turkeys harvested in 2023
- Fort Stewart: 58 turkeys harvested in 2023
- Oconee National Forest: 32 turkeys harvested in 2023
- Paulding Forest WMA: 32 turkeys harvested in 2023
- Pine Log WMA: 30 turkeys harvested in 2023
Applying for Quota Turkey Hunts
Many of the best public land turkey hunting opportunities are quota hunts. The application period runs from June 1st to February 15th each year. You can see the odds of drawing specific hunts based on previous years on the Georgia DNR’s website.
Summary
The “good old days” of Georgia turkey hunting may be fading, but there’s still plenty of action to be had. With careful planning and a bit of luck, you can bag a gobbler this spring. Remember to follow the regulations, respect the resource, and have a safe and enjoyable hunt!
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2023-24 Georgia Hunting Season Dates
Deer Seasons
Archery Sept. 9 – Jan. 14
Extended Archery* Sept. 9 – Jan. 31
(*Suburban counties & SW GA)
Youth Firearms Week Oct. 14-20
Primitive Weapons Oct. 14 – Jan. 14
Firearms Oct. 21 – Jan. 14
SW GA (8 counties) Oct. 21 – Jan. 15
National Forest Deer Hunting Chattahoochee National Forest firearms deer season (outside of WMAs): Oct. 21 – Jan. 1. West of I-75, follow county either-sex days. East of I-75, entirely closed to antlerless deer hunting. Oconee NF firearms deer: Oct. 21 – Jan. 14. Either-sex days on Oconee NF (outside of WMAs): Nov. 4-5, Nov. 25-26, Dec. 30-31.
Waterfowl Seasons
Early Teal Sept. 9-24
Canada Geese Sept. 2-24; Oct. 14-29; Nov. 18-26; Dec. 9 – Jan. 28
Duck Nov. 18-26; Dec. 9 – Jan. 28
Youth/Military Waterfowl Nov. 11-12
Bear Northern Zone
Archery Sept. 9 – Jan. 14
Primitive Weapons Oct. 14 – Jan. 14
Firearms Oct. 21 – Jan. 14
Bear Central Zone
Bear Southern Zone
Sept. 28-30; Oct. 5-7; Oct. 12-14
2024 Turkey Seasons
Kids, Mobility Impaired: March 23-24
Public-Land: April 6 – May 15
Private-Land: March 30 – May 15
* Two gobbler per season limit; one-gobbler-per-day restriction.
Alligator
Zone & Quota Limited Aug. 18 – Oct. 2
Dove Statewide
Sept. 2 – Oct. 8; Nov. 18- 26;
Dec. 19 – Jan. 31
Opossum & Raccoon (No Limit)
Private-Land: No Closed Season
Public-Land: Aug. 15 – Feb. 29
2023-2024 Small Game & Other Seasons
Crow Nov. 4 – Feb. 29
Fox & Bobcat Dec. 1 – Feb. 29
Grouse Oct. 15 – Feb. 29
Quail Nov. 18 – Feb. 29
Rabbit Nov. 18 – Feb. 29
Snipe Nov. 15 – Feb. 28
Squirrel Aug. 15 – Feb. 29
Woodcock Dec. 9 – Jan. 22
Turkey season opener in Georgia 2024! #cantstoptheflop #kingofspring #turkeyhunting #turkeyseason
FAQ
What date does turkey season start in Georgia?
What are the dates for hunting season in Georgia?
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Species
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Dates
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Big Game
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Deer
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Oct. 14 – Oct. 20
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Oct. 21 – Jan. 14 Oct. 21-Jan. 15 (Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, & Thomas Counties)
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Bear
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Archery: Sept. 9 – Oct. 13 Primitive Weapons & Youth Only Firearms: Oct. 14 – 20 Firearms: Oct. 21 – Jan. 14
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Firearms: Dec. 16*
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What states turkey season opens first?
What license do I need to hunt turkey in GA?
When is turkey hunting season in Georgia?
Let’s see what they are. Georgia’s statewide turkey hunting season is from March 30 to May 15, 2024, on private property and April 6 to May 15, 2024, on public hunting land, aligning with the turkey’s breeding season. March 23–24, 2024 offers a great chance for youth (accompanied by legal guardians) and mobility-impaired people.
What is Georgia Turkey season 2024?
Georgia Turkey Season 2024: Latest Dates, Bags, Licenses & Regulation! The 2024 Georgia Spring Gobbler Hunt offers outdoor lovers a chance to explore the state’s unique birdlife. Effective conservation, renewal, and contemporary wildlife care make Georgia a haven for birdwatchers.
Is turkey hunting a sustainable activity in Georgia?
According to Emily Rushton, a Wildlife Resources Division wild turkey project coordinator, the average reproduction of turkeys has risen in the past. At the same time, Georgia’s turkey population is carefully managed through habitat management, research, and regulated hunting practices, ensuring that turkey hunting remains a sustainable activity.
Is turkey hunting legal in Georgia?
Legal and ethical turkey hunting in Georgia requires knowledge of the laws and regulations. Hunter safety and turkey sustainability are the state’s goals. Hunters in Georgia must know and abide by these rules. To hunt turkeys in Georgia, hunters must obtain the appropriate season hunting licenses.