Training Dogs

Persons training dogs for hunting must have a valid Hunting License unless they are on their own land or land of an immediate relative. See specific rules regarding WMAs. There is no closed season for training dogs on private lands. It is unlawful to possess firearms (except handguns with blank or shot cartridges), axes, climbers, or other equipment for taking game while training hunting dogs except that shotguns with number six or smaller shot may be used while training pointing, flushing, and retrieving dogs using pen raised quail and pigeons provided that the dog trainer maintains proof of purchase of pen raised quail. It is unlawful to run deer with dogs, except during open seasons for hunting deer with dogs, or to take game by any means while training hunting dogs, except during open seasons for such game.

On National Forest lands, hunting dogs may not be trained from June 1–August 14 and pen-raised birds may not be used at any time. However, the pursuit of bears and feral hogs with dogs for training purposes may only occur Aug. 1–Sept. 8, Jan. 2–Mar. 19, and May 1–24 during legal daylight hours. Specific regulations apply to the pursuit of bears with dogs for training purposes on the Chattahoochee National Forest. See section below for details.

Pursuit of Bears With Dogs for Training Purposes on the Chattahoochee National Forest: Bears may only be pursued with dogs for training purposes Aug. 1–Sept. 8; Jan. 2–Mar. 19; May 1–24 during legal daylight hours. It is unlawful for any person to allow their dog(s) to pursue bears on the Chattahoochee National Forest at any other time. Any person participating or assisting in this activity must possess a valid hunting license, Big Game license, and WMA license and must check-in once per season at either Rich Mountain WMA, Swallow Creek WMA, or Warwoman WMA check stations. Each person must keep a copy of their check-in permit on their person at all times while participating or assisting in the lawful pursuit of bears with dogs for training purposes. In addition, each dog used in pursuit of bears for training purposes must be marked with hunter’s name, address, and telephone number.

Dogs must be removed from the area upon departure and it is unlawful to allow dog(s) to pursue bears onto property for which written permission has not been granted, or onto any WMA, PFA, or other state-owned lands, or Federal lands unless otherwise authorized.