Major Changes for 2011–2012

• Baiting of Deer & Feral Hogs: The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation changing Georgia law relating to hunting deer and feral hog over bait.
• Pursuit of Bears & Feral Hogs with Dogs for Training Purposes on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (outside of WMAs): In response to public desires to maintain some level of training opportunity, while minimizing conflicts, regulations governing this activity have been adopted. In addition, a designated season has been established in order to maintain opportunities to pursue bears & feral hogs with dogs for training purposes on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest at times that minimize conflicts with other National Forest user groups. Please refer to training dogs for more information.
• Bear Season for Bibb, Houston, Twiggs Counties: In response to public desires and consistent with biological data, the Wildlife Resources Division is providing the opportunity to hunt bear on private land in Bibb, Houston, and Twiggs Counties.
• Bear Bag Limit (Northern Zone): In response to public desires and to facilitate stabilization of the mountain bear population, the bear bag limit in the Northern Zone has been increased from one (1) to two (2).
• Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP): In response to public input and to increase the self-sufficiency of providing certain recreational opportunities on WMAs and PFAs, a GORP may be required to utilize designated fee areas on state-owned WMAs and PFAs. Additional requirements exist for certain organized events involving more than eight individuals. Individuals that hold a valid lifetime, sportsman, honorary or WMA license are exempt from this requirement.
• Raccoon Zone Lines: In response to public input, the raccoon trapping and hunting zone lines have been eliminated. This change simplifies hunting regulations for raccoon. Raccoons may now be trapped during the trapping season in North Georgia. Individuals must obtain a valid trapping license. With respect to hunting raccoons, the statewide bag limit is now three (3) per person per day.
• Firearms Either-Sex Days for Deer: In response to public desire and shifts in deer population parameters, firearms either-sex days in Banks, Fannin, Franklin, Hart, Rabun, Towns, and Union Counties have been modified. In addition, either-sex days on the entire Chattahoochee National Forest have been set at three (3).
• Special Coyote Hunts on WMAs: In response to public input, several WMAs will provide special opportunities to hunt coyotes. These WMAs are Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA, J.L. Lester WMA, Paulding Forest WMA and Pine Log WMA.
• Feral Hog Hunting with Dogs on WMAs: In response to public input, several WMAs will offer special opportunities to hunt feral hogs with dogs. These WMAs are Altamaha WMA, Pine Log WMA and Townsend WMA.
• Feral Hog Hunts on WMAs: In response to public input, opportunities to hunt feral hogs have been added or expanded on several WMAs.
• Woodcock: In response to changes in the Federal framework for this migratory bird and in response to public desires, hunting opportunity for woodcock has been increased by 15 days.
• Bird Dog Training Areas: In response to public input, bird dog training areas have been established on Fall Line Sandhills WMA, Joe Kurz WMA, West Point WMA, and Flat Creek PFA.