Georgia 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Georgia's listed 2026-27 archery deer season runs Sep 12, 2026-Jan 10, 2027.
Spring Wild Turkey opens Mar 20, 2027 and closes May 15, 2027.
Small game season opens Aug 14, 2026 and closes Oct 5, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Georgia DNR Wildlife.
- archery deer
- Sep 12, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
- spring turkey
- Mar 20-May 15, 2027
- small game
- Aug 14-Oct 5, 2026
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Key seasons by species
What changed for 2026-27
Deer dates are straightforward; public-land rules are the catch
Georgia's statewide deer calendar is easy to scan, but public-land hunts can run on separate quota or sign-in rules. Treat the table below as the season framework, then confirm the property-specific details.
Pay close attention to the agency PDF for either-sex days, primitive weapons dates, and any late-season changes.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Georgia DNR Wildlife before hunting.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 13-Oct 10, 2025
Buck only for first two weeks (Sept. 13-28) in Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties. Archery equipment may also be used during Primitive Weapons and Firearms seasons.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery Only, Either Sex
Sep 13-Oct 10, 2025
Buck only for first two weeks (Sept. 13-28) in Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties. Firearms deer hunting not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Hwy 92), and Jekyll Island portion of Glynn County.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Weapons & Youth Only Firearms
Oct 11-17, 2025
Either sex statewide. Archery equipment may be used during this season.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Weapons & Youth Only Firearms, Either Sex
Oct 11-17, 2025
Archery equipment may be used during Primitive Weapons season.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Extended Firearms
Oct 18, 2025-Jan 15, 2026
Extended firearms season for specified counties only.
Zone: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Oct 18, 2025-Jan 11, 2026
Buck only statewide; either sex dates vary by county. Firearms deer hunting not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Hwy 92), and portion of Glynn County within Jekyll Island. In portion of Forsyth County south of GA Hwy 20, only shotguns and muzzleloaders may be used.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearms, Buck Only
Oct 18, 2025-Jan 11, 2026
Either Sex dates vary by county. Any weapon legal for deer may be used during Firearms season.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Sep 12, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Weapons
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Special Opportunity Youth/Mobility Impaired
Mar 21-22, 2026
Only for youth under 16 years of age and mobility impaired persons. Does not apply to public lands unless otherwise specified.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth/Mobility Impaired
Mar 21-22, 2026
Only for youth under 16 years of age and mobility impaired persons. Does not apply to public lands unless otherwise specified.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
General
Mar 28-May 15, 2026
Zone: Statewide - Private Land
Wild Turkey
General Season
Mar 28-May 15, 2026
Zone: Statewide Private Land
Wild Turkey
General
Apr 4-May 15, 2026
Public lands restricted to one gobbler per season per area.
Zone: Statewide - Public Land
Wild Turkey
Public Land Season
Apr 4-May 15, 2026
Public lands restricted to one gobbler per season per area.
Zone: Statewide Public Land
Wild Turkey
Youth/Mobility-Impaired
Mar 20-21, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring
Mar 20-May 15, 2027
Zone: Statewide (Private Lands)
Wild Turkey
Spring
Apr 3-May 15, 2027
Zone: Statewide (Public Lands)
Bear
Black Bear
Firearms
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Multiple split seasons: Sept. 18-20, Sept. 25-27, Oct. 2-4, Oct. 9-11 (2025).
Zone: Southern Zone
Black Bear
Archery
Sep 13-Oct 10, 2025
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Sep 18-Oct 11, 2025
Season dates are Sept. 18-20, Sept. 25-27, Oct. 2-4, Oct. 9-11 (split seasons). Earliest open Sept. 18, latest close Oct. 11.
Zone: Southern Zone
Black Bear
Primitive Weapons
Oct 11-17, 2025
During northern zone primitive weapons season, only youth may use any firearm legal for deer.
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Oct 18, 2025-Jan 11, 2026
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Dec 20-20, 2025
A second day may be offered; check website for details after December 14, 2025.
Zone: Central Zone
Black Bear
Archery
Sep 12-Oct 9, 2026
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Primitive Weapons
Oct 10-16, 2026
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Oct 17, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Zone: Northern Zone
Dove
Mourning Dove
General Season
Sep 6, 2025-Jan 31, 2026
Season splits: Sept. 6-Oct. 12, Nov. 22-Nov. 30, Dec. 19-Jan. 31.
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Northern Bobwhite Quail
General Season
Nov 8, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Quail
General
Nov 8, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Grouse (Falconry)
Falconry
Oct 1, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
Falconry season.
Zone: Statewide
Ruffed Grouse
General Season
Oct 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Ruffed Grouse
General
Oct 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Rabbit
General Season
Nov 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
General
Nov 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel
General Season
Aug 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
General
Aug 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Fox & Bobcat
General Season
Dec 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Fox & Bobcat
General
Dec 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Opossum & Raccoon
General Season - Private Land
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season on private land.
Zone: Statewide Private Land
Opossum & Raccoon
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No closed season on private land.
Zone: Statewide - Private Land
Opossum & Raccoon
General Season - Public Land
Aug 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide Public Land
Opossum & Raccoon
General
Aug 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide - Public Land
Small Game
Alligator
Zone & Quota
Aug 14-Oct 5, 2026
Zone: Zone & Quota Limited
Fox & Bobcat
Statewide
Dec 1, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Opossum & Raccoon
Public Lands
Aug 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Public Lands
Quail
Statewide
Nov 14, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Statewide
Nov 14, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit & Quail (Falconry)
Falconry
Oct 1, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
Falconry season.
Zone: Statewide
Ruffed Grouse
Statewide
Oct 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
General Season
Nov 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Statewide
Aug 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel (Falconry)
Falconry
Aug 15, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
Falconry season.
Zone: Statewide
Migratory Birds
American Woodcock
General Season
Dec 6, 2025-Jan 19, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Dove
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Split seasons: Sept. 6–Oct. 12 (2025), Nov. 22–Nov. 30 (2025), Dec. 19–Jan. 31 (2025-2026).
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
General
Nov 15, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Sora & Rails
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Split seasons: Sept. 8-13 (2025) and Oct. 6–Nov. 30 (2025).
Zone: Statewide
Sora & Rails
General Season
Sep 8-Nov 30, 2025
Two splits: Sept. 8-13 and Oct. 6-Nov. 30. Earliest open Sept. 8, latest close Nov. 30.
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
General
Dec 6, 2025-Jan 19, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Other
Alligator
General
Aug 15-Oct 6, 2025
Season opens at sunset Aug. 15 and closes at sunrise Oct. 6.
Zone: Zone & Quota Limited
Alligator
Quota/Zone Limited
Aug 15-Oct 6, 2025
Season runs from sunset Aug. 15 to sunrise Oct. 6.
Zone: Zone & Quota Limited
Crow
General Season
Nov 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Crows
General
Nov 1, 2025-Feb 28, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Falconry - Grouse
Falconry
Oct 1, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Falconry - Rabbit & Quail
Falconry
Oct 1, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
Zone: Statewide
Falconry - Squirrel
Falconry
Aug 15, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
Zone: Statewide
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Georgia Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Georgia?
September 12, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Georgia; it is archery white-tailed deer Sep 12, 2026-Jan 10, 2027.
When is Georgia's firearm deer season?
Georgia does not have a firearm deer row in the current data set yet. Check Georgia DNR Wildlife for firearm, rifle, or general deer season details.
When does spring turkey open in Georgia?
March 20, 2027 is the first listed spring turkey opener for Georgia; the listed window is Mar 20-May 15, 2027.
Do I need a license to hunt in Georgia?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Georgia hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Georgia DNR Wildlife.