Georgia 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Georgia's 2026-27 firearm deer season opens October 17, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 15, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below.
Archery deer season opens September 12, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 31, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below.
Duck season runs Nov 21-29, 2026, and Dec 12, 2026-Jan 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Georgia DNR Wildlife.
- firearm deer
- opens Oct 17, 2026; split dates by zone
- archery deer
- opens Sep 12, 2026; split dates by zone
- duck
- Nov 21-29, 2026 and Dec 12, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
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Key seasons by species
How to read Georgia's seasons
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
34 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Archery (Extended)
Either-Sex. Counties: Baker, Barrow, Bibb, Calhoun, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Early, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Grady, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee, Paulding, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole, Thomas.
Zone: Extended Archery Counties
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Either-Sex. Gray zone counties: Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton. Firearms deer hunting not allowed in these counties.
Zone: Gray
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Antlered Bucks Only. Yellow zone counties: Rabun, Towns.
Zone: Yellow
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Either-Sex. Extended Firearms Season. Pink zone counties: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas.
Zone: Pink (Magenta)
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Either-Sex.
Zone: Green
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Either-Sex. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White.
Zone: Orange
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Either-Sex. Cyan zone counties: Fannin, Union.
Zone: Cyan
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Antlered Bucks Only. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White.
Zone: Orange
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Antlered Bucks Only. Cyan zone counties: Fannin, Union.
Zone: Cyan
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Either-Sex. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White.
Zone: Orange
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Antlered Bucks Only. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White.
Zone: Orange
White-tailed Deer
Firearms
Either-Sex. Yellow zone counties: Rabun, Towns.
Zone: Yellow
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed DeerArchery · YellowEither-Sex. Yellow zone counties: Rabun, Towns. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery · OrangeEither-Sex. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery · GreenEither-Sex. Green zone counties include most of south and central Georgia. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery · Pink (Magenta)Antlered Bucks Only. Pink zone counties: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery · CyanEither-Sex. Cyan zone counties: Fannin, Union. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery · Pink (Magenta)Either-Sex. Pink zone counties: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · GreenAntlerless Only. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · Pink (Magenta)Antlerless Only. Pink zone counties: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Weapons · Pink (Magenta)Either-Sex. Pink zone counties: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Weapons · GreenEither-Sex. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Weapons · OrangeEither-Sex. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Weapons · YellowEither-Sex. Yellow zone counties: Rabun, Towns. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerPrimitive Weapons · CyanEither-Sex. Cyan zone counties: Fannin, Union. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · OrangeAntlered Bucks Only. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · CyanAntlered Bucks Only. Cyan zone counties: Fannin, Union. | Closed | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · YellowAntlered Bucks Only. Yellow zone counties: Rabun, Towns. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · OrangeEither-Sex. Orange zone counties: Dawson, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Stephens, Whitfield, White. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · CyanEither-Sex. Cyan zone counties: Fannin, Union. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · YellowEither-Sex. Yellow zone counties: Rabun, Towns. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · CyanAntlered Bucks Only. Cyan zone counties: Fannin, Union. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerFirearms · YellowAntlered Bucks Only. Yellow zone counties: Rabun, Towns. | Upcoming | |
| White-tailed DeerArchery · Pink (Magenta)Either-Sex. Pink zone counties: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas. | Upcoming |
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Youth/Mobility-Impaired
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
Zone: Private Lands Statewide
Wild Turkey
General
Public lands restricted to one gobbler per season per area.
Zone: Public Lands Statewide
Bear
Black Bear
Firearms
Bears killed during bonus deer hunts must be reported via Georgia Game Check. Within 3 business days, bears must be taken to a Game Management Office or state approved cooperator.
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Archery
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Bears must be taken within 24 hours to Fargo Georgia Forestry Commission Office or state approved cooperator. Multiple season dates: Sept. 17-19, Sept. 24-26, Oct. 1-3, Oct. 8-10.
Zone: Southern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Bears must be taken within 24 hours to Fargo Georgia Forestry Commission Office or state approved cooperator.
Zone: Southern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Bears must be taken within 24 hours to Fargo Georgia Forestry Commission Office or state approved cooperator.
Zone: Southern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
Bears must be taken within 24 hours to Fargo Georgia Forestry Commission Office or state approved cooperator. Dixon Memorial WMA open Sept. 24-26, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Zone: Southern Zone
Black Bear
Primitive Weapons
During the northern zone primitive weapons season, only youth may use any firearm legal for bear.
Zone: Northern Zone
Black Bear
Firearms
A second day may be offered; check website for details after December 14, 2025. Harvested bears must be tagged at the Oaky Woods WMA check station between noon and 9 p.m. on the day of the hunt.
Zone: Central Zone
Waterfowl
28 listed rowsCoot
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Coot
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Coot
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Ducks
Statewide
Black or mottled 1, canvasback 2, fulvous whistling 1, mallard 2 (only 1 hen), pintail 1, redhead 2, scaup 1, wood duck 3; eider 3 (only 1 hen), long-tailed duck 3, scoter 3.
Zone: Statewide
Gallinules
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Mergansers
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Snow Goose & White-fronted Goose
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Canada Goose
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Coot
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BrantClosed · Statewide | dates not listed | Closed |
| Canada GooseStatewide · Statewide | Closed | |
| Canada GooseStatewide · Statewide | Closed | |
| CootFalconry · Statewide | Closed | |
| CootFalconry · Statewide | Closed | |
| CootStatewide · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| DucksFalconry · Statewide | Closed | |
| DucksFalconry · Statewide | Closed | |
| DucksStatewide · StatewideBlack or mottled 1, canvasback 2, fulvous whistling 1, mallard 2 (only 1 hen), pintail 1, redhead 2, scaup 1, wood duck 3; eider 3 (only 1 hen), long-tailed duck 3, scoter 3. | Upcoming | |
| DucksFalconry · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| GallinulesStatewide · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| HarlequinClosed · Statewide | dates not listed | Closed |
| MergansersStatewide · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| Snow Goose & White-fronted GooseStatewide · Statewide | Closed | |
| Snow Goose & White-fronted GooseStatewide · Statewide | Upcoming | |
| TealStatewide · Statewide | Closed |
Dove
Mourning Doves
Statewide
Possession limits are 3 times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Doves
Statewide
Possession limits are 3 times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Doves
Statewide
Possession limits are 3 times the daily bag limit.
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Quail
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Quail
General
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Ruffed Grouse
General
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Rabbit
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
General
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel
General
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Fox & Bobcat
General
Zone: Statewide
Small Game
Opossum & Raccoon
General
Zone: Public Lands
Opossum & Raccoon
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Zone: Private Lands
Migratory Birds
Sora & Rails
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Rails
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Common (Wilson's) Snipe
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Rails
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Rails
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Rails
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Rails
Falconry
Zone: Statewide
Sora & Rails
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Statewide
Zone: Statewide
Alligator
Zone & Quota Limited
Season opens at sunset Aug. 14 and closes at sunrise Oct. 5.
Zone: Statewide
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Georgia Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Georgia?
Archery deer season opens September 12, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 31, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below. Firearm deer season opens October 17, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 15, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Georgia DNR Wildlife.
When is Georgia's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season opens October 17, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 15, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below. Check zone and permit details with Georgia DNR Wildlife before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Georgia?
Spring turkey season opens between March 27, 2027 and April 3, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes May 15, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
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.
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