Archery Season In Georgia: Start Dates

Archery season in Georgia typically begins in early September and ends in January of the following year. For example, in 2021, archery season started on September 11 and ended on January 9, 2022. The following year, in 2022, the archery season dates were September 10, 2022 - January 8, 2023. The 2024 archery season is set to begin on September 14.

Archery season for deer in Georgia

In Georgia, deer hunting season dates vary by county and are regulated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The state's hunting regulations are set in two-year cycles, with some differences between individual counties.

For the 2021-2022 deer hunting season, archery season ran from September 11 to January 9 statewide. However, the season was extended until January 31 in specific suburban counties: Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Muscogee, Paulding, Rockdale, and Seminole.

For the 2022-2023 deer hunting season, the archery season dates were September 10, 2022, to January 8, 2023, statewide. The bag limit for deer in Georgia is 12 per season, with no more than 10 being antlerless and no more than two being antlered. One of the antlered deer must meet specific criteria, as outlined in the hunting regulations.

It's important to note that firearms deer hunting is prohibited in certain counties, including Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Hwy 92), and a portion of Glynn County within Jekyll Island. In the portion of Forsyth County south of GA Hwy 20, only archery, shotguns, and muzzleloaders are permitted. Hunters are advised to consult the official regulations before heading out, as they are responsible for knowing and abiding by the seasons, limits, and restrictions.

County-specific regulations

Archery-only counties include Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton (north of GA Highway 92). These counties follow statewide bag limits and other regulations. Archers in these counties are not permitted to possess any firearms while hunting during the designated archery deer season.

Some counties offer an extended archery season, including 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. These counties also adhere to statewide bag limits and other regulations.

For the first two weeks of archery season, which is extended in some counties, only antlered deer are permitted to be hunted in Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, and Thomas counties.

Chattahoochee National Forest and Oconee National Forest have specific regulations. During firearms deer season, archers must follow the designated firearms either-sex dates on the National Forest. All Chattahoochee National Forest land east of I-75 is closed to antlerless deer hunting, with only antlered bucks allowed. Archery hunting is permitted during the primitive weapon and firearm deer seasons, and deer of either sex may be hunted unless otherwise specified. Archery hunters in these National Forests must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange during primitive weapons and firearms deer seasons, unless in archery-only counties or WMAs (Wildlife Management Areas).

Some counties have specific antler restrictions. In Dooly and Macon counties, antlered bucks must have a minimum outside antler spread of 15 inches. In Hancock, Harris, Meriwether, Montgomery, Randolph, Talbot, and Troup counties, antlered bucks must have a minimum of 4 points, with each point being 1 inch or longer, or a minimum 15-inch outside antler spread.

These county-specific regulations are essential for hunters to be aware of and adhere to, ensuring compliance with local laws and contributing to sustainable hunting practices in Georgia.

Firearms and other weapons

Archery season in Georgia typically starts in September and ends in October, with the exact dates varying slightly from year to year. For example, in 2023, archery season in Georgia is set to begin on September 9 and end on October 13.

The type of firearm or weapon you can use for hunting in Georgia depends on the type of game you are hunting. Here is a breakdown of the legal firearms and weapons for different types of hunting:

Deer Hunting

• Modern Rifles and Handguns: Centerfire only, .22 calibre or larger with expanding bullets. There are no restrictions on magazine capacity for rifles.
• Shotguns: 20-gauge or larger loaded with slugs or buckshot.
• Muzzleloaders: .30 calibre or larger, or muzzleloading shotguns 20 gauge or larger. Scopes are permitted.
• Air Guns: Any air rifle of at least .30 calibre or air bow utilising unignited compressed gas or air is permitted during primitive weapons and firearms seasons.

Primitive Weapons Season

Archery equipment, air bows, .30 calibre or larger air rifles, and muzzleloaders or muzzleloading shotguns are permitted. Scopes are allowed.

Legal Archery Equipment

Crossbows, longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows are permitted for hunting any game or feral hog. Arrows for hunting deer, bear, or feral hog must be broadhead type. There are no restrictions on draw weight, let-off, arrow length, and sights.

Turkey Hunting

It is unlawful to hunt turkey with any weapons except shotguns using No. 2 shot or smaller, muzzleloading firearms, longbows, crossbows, recurve bows, or compound bows.

Alligator Hunting

Weapons for alligator hunting are limited to handheld ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs, or arrows with restraining lines attached. Lawfully restrained alligators may be killed with any calibre handgun or bangstick and must be killed immediately before transporting.

Small Game Hunting

Weapons for small game hunting are limited to shotguns with a shot shell size of no greater than 3.5 inches in length with No. 2 lead shot or smaller, or federally approved non-toxic shot size of F or smaller. Alternatively, you can use .22 calibre or smaller rimfire firearms, air rifles, muzzleloading firearms, longbows, recurve bows, crossbows, and compound bows.

Fox and Bobcat Hunting

In addition to the weapons listed for small game hunting, any centre-fire firearm of .17 calibre or larger may be used for hunting fox and bobcat.

Migratory Game Bird Hunting

Shotguns for migratory game bird hunting are limited to a capacity of not more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined. The plug shall be a single piece incapable of being removed through the loading end of the magazine.

Nongame Animals, Birds, and Feral Hogs

There are no firearms restrictions for the taking of nongame animals, nongame birds, or feral hogs.

Use of Suppressors and Silencers

The use of silencers or suppressors for hunting is prohibited in Georgia, except when hunting on private property with the owner's permission or on designated public lands.

Hunting licenses

The archery season in Georgia varies depending on the type of game and the county. For example, in 2023, the archery season for deer in Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, and Thomas counties was from October 21 to January 15.

If you are planning to hunt in Georgia, you will need to purchase a hunting license. The type of license you need depends on several factors, including your age, state residency, the type of game you want to hunt, and whether you have completed a hunter education course. Here is some more detailed information about hunting licenses in Georgia:

Who Needs a Hunting License?

Georgia law requires hunters to have a current Georgia hunting license in their possession while hunting in the state. This applies to all resident hunters aged 16 and older, except when hunting on their own land or the land of immediate family residing in the same household. Non-resident hunters also need a license, except for non-resident small game hunters under the age of 16.

Where to Buy a Hunting License

You can buy a hunting license online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661, or in person at license vendors located statewide.

Hunter Education Requirements

All hunters born on or after January 1, 1961, must successfully complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. However, there are some exemptions to this requirement. Hunter education is not needed if you are buying an Apprentice License or short-term license, hunting on your own land, or hunting pen-raised game birds on a licensed shooting preserve. Hunters under the age of 16 are also exempt from the education requirement but must be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult while hunting.

Types of Hunting Licenses

Georgia offers various types of hunting licenses, including annual, lifetime, and disability licenses. The cost of the license depends on factors such as age, residency, and military status. For example, senior citizens born on or before June 30, 1952, can obtain a Lifetime Sportsman's License for free. Residents who are returning military veterans honorably discharged after July 1, 2005, can receive one annual Honorary License at no cost.

Additional Permits and Stamps

In addition to a basic hunting license, you may need other permits or stamps, depending on the type of game you plan to hunt. For example, if you want to hunt alligator, bear, deer, or turkey, you will need to obtain a Harvest Record. If you are 16 or older and plan to hunt waterfowl, you will need a Federal Duck Stamp. Be sure to review the requirements for the specific type of game you intend to hunt to ensure you have the correct licenses and permits.

Bag limits

Antlerless bag limits can range from 0 to 10 per county. The antlered buck bag limit is 2 deer in most counties, but some counties have tighter antler restrictions for buck harvests. For example, in Dooly and Macon counties, antlered bucks must have a minimum outside antler spread of 15 inches. In Hancock, Harris, Meriwether, Montgomery, Randolph, Talbot, and Troup counties, antlered bucks must have a minimum of 4 points that are 1-inch or longer on either antler or a minimum 15-inch outside antler spread.

In Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, and Thomas counties, the first two weeks of archery are buck-only.

Frequently asked questions