Georgia Baiting Laws Summary

Statewide*

It is unlawful for any person to hunt any game animal (except as noted below) or game bird upon, over, around, or near any place where any corn, wheat, or other grains, salts, apples, or other feed or bait has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered so as to constitute a lure, attraction, or enticement to such game animals or game birds. It shall also be unlawful to hunt any game animal or game bird upon, over, around, or near any such place for a period of 10 days following complete removal of all such feed or bait.

The placing of any feed or bait and the hunting of any game or feral hog over such feed or bait on Wildlife Management Areas is prohibited.

Any person who takes any big game, other than in accordance with the following exceptions, shall upon conviction be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and subject to a fine not to exceed $5,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months, or both.

The DNR Board may by rule or regulation restrict the feeding, baiting, or hunting of deer and/or feral hogs upon, over, around or near such feed or bait in any county and any adjoining county, upon documented occurrence of a communicable disease in deer in such county. No person shall feed, bait or hunt deer and/or feral hogs in violation of any such restriction imposed. DNR will notify current licensed hunters by mail or electronic means within a restricted county. DNR may place signs to give such notice of restrictions.

Exceptions for Deer
(Zone Limited)

• In the Southern Deer Zone, deer may be hunted upon, around, over or near any feed or bait on private lands provided such person has written permission of the landowner. Any such feed or bait shall not be placed in a manner as to cause hunting on an adjacent property to be prohibited. The placing of any feed or bait and the hunting of deer over such feed or bait on any state or federal lands is prohibited.
• In the Northern Deer Zone, it is unlawful to hunt deer upon, around, over or near any feed or bait when the hunter is less than 200 yards away or within sight of such feed or bait. Any such feed shall not be placed in a manner as to cause hunting on an adjacent property to be prohibited. The placing of any feed or bait and the hunting of deer over such feed or bait on any state or federal lands is prohibited.

Exceptions for
Feral Hogs (Statewide)

Feral hogs may be hunted upon, around, over or near any feed or bait on private lands year round provided that any such feed or bait is not placed within 50 yards of any property ownership boundary. Any such feed or bait shall not be placed in a manner as to cause hunting on an adjacent property to be prohibited.

* Additional restrictions apply to federally regulated migratory birds (e.g., doves, ducks, geese, etc.). See the Late-Season Migratory Bird Regulations or visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com/
hunting/regulations.