Legal Firearms & Archery Equipment

Convicted Felons may not possess any firearm (including primitive weapons) while hunting unless that individual’s right to carry has been restored (OCGA § 16-11-131). This does not apply to archery equipment.

Archery: Crossbows, longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows are allowed for hunting any game or feral hog. Arrows for hunting deer, bear or feral hog must be broadhead type.

Loaded Weapon: A crossbow is considered loaded if it is cocked and either has a bolt or arrow engaged or partially engaged on the shooting rail or track or with a trackless crossbow when the crossbow is cocked and a bolt or arrow is notched.

Deer & Bear Firearms

• Modern Rifles and Handguns: Centerfire Only, .22-cal. or larger with expanding bullets.
• Shotguns: 20-gauge or larger loaded with slugs or buckshot. Buckshot is not allowed on WMAs, unless otherwise specified.
• Muzzleloaders: .44-cal. or larger, or muzzleloading shotguns 20 gauge or larger. Scopes are legal.
• Primitive Weapons: Legal weapons during primitive weapons season include crossbows, bow and arrow, and muzzleloading firearm. Scopes are legal.

Turkey Firearms: Shotguns with No. 2 or smaller shot and any muzzleloading firearm.

Feral Hog Firearms: Any deer, bear, turkey or small game firearms.

Small Game & Furbearer Firearms

• Rifles and Handguns: Any .22-cal. or smaller rimfire, air rifle, or any muzzleloading firearm.
• Shotguns: Any having shot shell size 3.5 inches or smaller in length with No. 2 or smaller shot.
• Shotguns (Waterfowl): Any 10-gauge or smaller loaded with federally approved nontoxic shot of size “F” or smaller. Lead shot may not be in possession while hunting waterfowl.

Special Firearm Restrictions

• Plugged Shotguns: Shotguns must be plugged to a maximum capacity of 3 shells (magazine and chamber combined) except for deer, bear and feral hog shotguns, which are limited to maximum capacity of 5 shells. Plugs must be one piece and incapable of being removed through the loading end of the magazine.
• Silencers: Silencers may not be used for hunting.

Alligator Equipment: Hand-held ropes or snares, snatch hooks, harpoons, gigs, or arrows with restraining line attached. Lawfully restrained alligators may be killed with any caliber handgun or bangstick.

Unprotected Species Firearms: For unprotected species only—any firearm.