Federal Area Regulations
Legend
Sign-in required for all bear, deer, and turkey hunts unless otherwise noted for a specific area.
s Sign-in
b Bonus Deer hunt (see Public Hunting Opportunities)
C Youth Hunt (see Youth Hunts)
Q Quota Hunt (see Quota Hunts)
a Archery Only Area
HC Specialty Hunt (see Dove & Specialty Hunts)
l Hunt & Learn
Q Quality Buck
W Mobility-Impaired Hunt – (see Mobility-Impaired Hunts)
B Bird Dog Training
F Furbearer Dog Training
R Rabbit Dog Training
A Archery Range
S Firearms Shooting Range
All deer hunts or seasons are either-sex unless otherwise noted in the area listing.
■ Banks lake NWR
912.496.7836
Alligator
Aug. 25-27
Area Notes
No commercial activities allowed. Open only to quota selected hunters in Alligator Hunt Zone 4. Visit www.fws.gov/refuge/banks-lake for more information.
■ Blackbeard Island NWR
843.784.2468
Archery hunting for deer and feral hogs is offered. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at www.recreation.gov/activitypass/savannah-complex-hunt-permit. Visit www.fws.gov/refuge/blackbeard-island for season dates, refuge regulations, and more information.
■ Bond Swamp NWR
C Q
478.986.5441
Deer
Archery
- Sept. 9 - Nov. 5
Firearms
- C Q50 Nov. 11-12
- Q200 Nov. 17-18, Dec. 1-2
Turkey
Bag Limit: 1 gobbler
Q40 Apr. 6-7, 19-20
Small Game
Bag Limit: 1 fox squirrel/day
Squirrel: Aug. 15-Sept. 8
Squirrel/Rabbit/Quail: Dec. 3-Jan. 31
Waterfowl
Legal hours end at noon.
Q20 Dec. 16-17, 29-30, Jan. 12-13, 26-27
Area Notes
Refuge permits are required for all hunts. Quota deer and waterfowl application deadline is September 20, 2023. Quota turkey application deadline is February 21, 2024. Sign-in required for youth deer hunt. Contact the Piedmont Refuge office to obtain applications, permits and refuge specific hunting regulations. Hunters are required to sign out harvested game at refuge check stations. Feral hogs may only be taken during refuge big game and small game hunts with applicable weapons restrictions. No May 16-31 coyote season. Baiting is prohibited. For more information call 478-986-5441 or email [email protected]. Please check the refuge webpage or call the refuge office for updates.
■ Chattahoochee National Forest (outside of WMAs)
770.297.3000
Hunting bears with dogs is prohibited on the Chattahoochee National Forest lands outside of designated WMAs.
Deer (East of I-75) & Bear
Archery
- Buck Only: Sept. 9-Oct. 13, Jan. 2-14
Primitive
- Buck Only: Oct. 14-20
Firearms
- Buck Only: Oct. 21-Jan. 1
Deer (West of I-75) & Bear
Archery
- Sept. 9-Oct. 13, Jan. 2-14
Primitive
- Oct. 14-20
Firearms
- Buck Only (except during county either-sex days): Oct. 21-Jan. 1
Turkey
Bag Limit: 1 gobbler
Apr. 6-May 15
Small Game
State seasons. The use of centerfire firearms at night is prohibited.
Dog Training
Bear and Hog Dogs: Aug. 1 – Sept. 7 and Jan. 2 – Mar. 17
Bird and Furbearer Dogs: Aug. 15 – May 31
Other requirements apply, see Dog Training
Area Notes
On all National Forest lands, discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property, is prohibited: within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area; across or on a National Forest Service road or across a water body; or, into or within a cave. Transportation of any loaded weapon in a motor vehicle or possession of alcohol when hunting are prohibited. Placing, leaving, or depositing any food, bait, or garbage in a manner likely to attract or concentrate any wildlife, whether for purposes of hunting or viewing animals, is prohibited. Failure to properly store food or garbage so as to prevent access by wildlife is prohibited. Baiting is prohibited. No night hunting. Hogs and coyotes may be taken with archery equipment during archery deer season, with deer weapons during firearms deer season, with turkey weapons during turkey season and with small game weapons during small game dates. Hogs may be hunted with dogs with appropriate weapons restrictions while training dogs during dates when training season coincides with small game or turkey season. No May 16-31 coyote season. NOTE: Be aware of hikers and campers.
■ Cumberland Island NS
C Q
912.882.4336 x258
Deer
Archery
- Q75 b Oct. 3-5
Primitive
- Q75 b Nov. 7-9, Dec. 5-7
Firearms
- C Q50 b Dec. 21-22
Feral Hog
- Q75 Firearms Hog Only: Jan. 9-11, 23-25
Area Notes
Registration opens July 1st at www.pay.gov. Hunting fee is $35. No standby hunters. No non-hunters. Cumberland Island Ferry is available for access to & from the island for a fee. Mandatory check-in one day prior to hunt at Plum Orchard & Brickhill campgrounds. Children must be 10-17 for youth hunts, under age 16 must be accompanied by and under direct supervision of an adult at all times during the hunt. All NPS regulations apply to hunting areas. On primitive weapons hunts, modern centerfire handguns that meet state regulations may be used. Buckshot prohibited. Minimum age for participation in all park hunts 10 years old. No May 16-31 coyote & hog season. Baiting prohibited. All stands must be removed after the hunt. Visit www.nps.gov/cuis for detailed information.
■ Eufaula NWR
Q C b
334.687.4065
Deer
Archery
- Sept. 9-Jan. 14, except Bradley Unit which opens Nov. 1
Firearms
- C b Oct. 7, 21
Waterfowl
Q16 Wed. during state season. Shotshell limit of 25. Check with Refuge office for dates.
Area Notes
Closed to alligator hunting. Apply Aug. 1-Sept. 15 for all quota hunts. User fees must be prepaid. Eligible ages for youth hunts are 10-15 years. A waterfowl permit holder may bring up to 2 guests (no more than 3 individuals/blind). No May 16-31 coyote & hog season.
■ Fort Gordon
Q
706.791.6135 or 2397
All hunters must set up an account and acquire a permit at https://ftgordon.isportsman.net. Hunting and fishing permits are offered to the general public through a lottery system on the iSportsman website. Lottery winners can purchase any outdoor recreation permit, valid for one year from date of purchase or no later than Aug. 1 of the year following the drawing. Application period begins July 1 and ends July 15 each year. All hunters, regardless of age, must possess a Hunter Education Certificate. Mandatory daily check-in/ check-out. All hunting is subject to post regulations and hunting access is not guaranteed. For more information go to https://ftgordon.isportsman.net.
■ Fort Stewart &
Hunter Army Airfield
Q
912.767.9040
All hunters must set up an account and acquire a permit at https://ftstewart.isportsman.n.... All hunting is subject to post regulations and access for hunting is not guaranteed. Mandatory daily check-in/out via iSportsman system. For all information pertaining to seasons, bag limits, seasonal firearms restrictions, mandatory check stations, and post regulations go to https://www.ftstewart.isportsm....
■ Harris Neck NWR
843.784.2468
Hunting for deer and feral hogs is offered. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at www.recreation.gov/activitypass/savannah-complex-hunt-permit. Visit www.fws.gov/refuge/harris-neck for season dates, refuge regulations, and more information.
■ Hartwell Lake/
Richard B. Russell Lake/
J. Strom Thurmond Lake (Clarks Hill) (USACE)
C Q
Hunting opportunities vary by area. Please visit each project’s website for information regarding hunting opportunities at: Hartwell — https://bit.ly/3BnnipP — Richard B. Russell — https://bit.ly/3zp546r — Clarks Hill — https://bit.ly/3ylRHmp. An online USACE hunting map application powered by ArcGIS Online is also available at https://bit.ly/3zmNJeF. Information is also available at each lake project office: Hartwell 1-888-893-0678; Richard B. Russell 1-800-944-7207; Clarks Hill 1-800-533-3478.
■ Lake Seminole/W.F. George Lake/G.W. Andrews Lake/West Point Lake/Allatoona Lake/Carters Lake (USACE)
Hunting opportunity may vary by area so please contact the appropriate COE office as provided herein. Some COE properties require a special permit for species-specific hunting; please call or check online well before the season opens as some permits can only be obtained onsite or by US mail. Contact the Corps resource manager’s office at the appropriate lake project for hunting areas: Allatoona 678-721-6700; Walter F. George 229-768-2516; Seminole 229-662-2001; Carters 706-334- 2640; West Point 706-645-2937 OR visit the website http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil- Works/Recreation/Hunting.aspx.
■ Lake Sidney Lanier (USACE)
Q
Deer
Archery
Buford Dam Unit — Nov. 14-16 (pre-hunt meeting Nov. 13)
Islands Unit — Nov. 10-13, Nov. 24-27, Dec. 8-11
Area Notes
For the dam hunts, hunters must apply by letter containing full name, address, phone number, email (if available) and hunt(s) selection to Operations Project Manager’s Office, ATTN: Quota Hunts, 1050 Buford Dam Rd, Buford, GA, 30518 no later than 4:30 pm on October 10. One hunter per letter. For island hunt applications, see https://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Lake-Sidney-Lanier/Hunting/. For information on harvest limits, maps, access and other details visit http://go.usa.gov/SE85. No May 16-31 hog & coyote season.
■ Oconee National Forest (outside of WMAs)
706.485.1776
Deer
Archery & Primitive
- State season.
Firearms
- Buck Only: Oct. 21-Nov. 3, Nov. 6-24, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, Dec. 26-29, Jan. 1-14
- Either sex: Nov. 4-5, 25-26, Dec. 30-31
Turkey
Bag Limit: 1 gobbler
Apr. 6-May 15
Small Game
State seasons.
Hitchiti Experimental Forest
Hitchiti Experimental Forest is only open during Piedmont Refuge hunting seasons with a valid Piedmont Refuge hunting permit and in accordance with Refuge regulations. See Piedmont NWR listing.
Area Notes
On all National Forest lands, discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property, is prohibited: within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area; across or on a National Forest Service road or across a water body; or, into or within a cave. No dog training Mar. 20-July 31 and Sept. 9-Jan. 1. Pursuit of bears with dogs is prohibited. Hogs may be taken only during daylight hours consistent with regulations above. Coyotes may be taken during hunts; weapons are restricted to legal firearms and archery equipment for the game species specified for a particular hunt as indicated heretofore; electronic calls may be used; night hunting is prohibited. Placing, leaving, or depositing any food, bait or refuse in a manner likely to attract or concentrate any wildlife, whether for purposes of hunting or viewing animals, is prohibited. It is also prohibited to fail to properly store food or refuse to prevent access by wildlife. For public health and safety, the transportation of a loaded long gun or cocked crossbow in a motor vehicle is prohibited. NOTE: A firearm is considered “loaded” if a round of ammunition is in the chamber or magazine, a percussion cap is on the nipple, or powder is present in the frizzen pan. A “Long gun” is a firearm with an extended barrel, usually designed to be fired braced against the shoulder. It shall include all rifles, shotguns, carbines, muzzleloaders, and/or other such weapons. For public health and safety, the possession of an alcoholic beverage as defined by state law, while hunting, is prohibited.
■ Okefenokee - Cowhouse Unit
b
912.496.7836
Deer
Archery
- Sept. 9-26, Oct. 1-4, 8-13
Firearms
- b Sept. 28-30, Nov. 2-4
- s Oct. 5-7, Nov. 22-26
- Buck Only: s Oct. 14-29
Turkey
Apr. 6-May 15
Small Game
Squirrel Only: Aug. 15-Nov. 10
Squirrel/Rabbit/Quail: Nov. 11-17, Nov. 19-Dec. 1, Dec. 3-Feb. 29
Bears and alligators may not be taken. Foot travel only on ONWR portion of Cowhouse Island. No dogs allowed except pointing dogs for hunting quail. Sign-in at Dixon Memorial WMA. Feral hogs may be taken May 16-31, no dogs allowed. No coyote hunting.
■ Okefenokee - Pocket Unit
912.496.7836
Deer
Archery
- Sept. 16-Nov. 14
Sign-in/sign-out required. Bears and alligators may not be taken. Foot travel only off paved road. No dogs allowed. No May 16-31 coyote season, no coyote hunting.
■ Okefenokee NWR - Suwannee Canal Unit
Q W C b
912.496.7836
Deer
Firearms
- W C Q30
- Q10 b Oct. 20-21
Quota applications accepted Aug. 15-Sept. 15 at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/okef.... Youth are those 16 and under and supervised by an adult 21 or older. Hunter Education is required for youth hunters. Shooting hours close at noon; Shotguns and muzzleloaders only; hunters are charged a $15.00 permit fee; check-out required; hunters are not required to tag deer prior to check out — special NWR tags provided for two harvested deer; hunt area zoned; Chesser Island zone is for wheelchair or youth hunters only. No dogs allowed. Feral hogs may be taken: no limit. No May 16-31 coyote season, no coyote hunting.
■ Piedmont NWR
C Q W b
478.986.5441
NOTE: The Hitchiti Experimental Forest is open for hunting only during refuge hunting seasons with a valid Piedmont Refuge hunting permit and in accordance with refuge regulations.
Deer
Archery
- Sept. 9-Oct. 1
Primitive
- Q1250 b Oct. 26-28
Firearms
- W Q25 & C Q50 s Oct. 14-15
- Q1250 b Nov. 2-4, 9-11
Turkey
Bag Limit: 1 gobbler
Q300 Apr. 9-13, 23-27, May 7-11
Small Game
Squirrel: Limit 1 fox squirrel/day Aug. 15-Sept. 8, Oct. 2-13, 16-25, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 5-8, Nov. 12-Jan. 31
- Quail & Rabbit: Nov. 18-Jan. 31
- Raccoon & Opossum: Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, Dec. 29-30, Jan. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
Area Notes
Refuge permits are required for all hunts. Applications for quota deer hunts must be received by August 30. Quota turkey hunts applications must be received by February 28. Permit fee required for all quota hunts. Baiting is prohibited. No May 16-31 coyote season. Contact the refuge office to obtain applications, permits and refuge specific hunting regulations (478-986-5441) or email [email protected].
■ Savannah NWR
843.784.2468
Hunting for deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, opossum, beaver, armadillo, alligator, feral hog, and coyote is offered. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at www.recreation.gov/activitypass/savannah-complex-hunt-permit. Visit www.fws.gov/refuge/savannah for season dates, refuge regulations, and more information.
■ Wassaw NWR
843.784.2468
Hunting for deer and feral hogs is offered. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at www.recreation.gov/activitypass/savannah-complex-hunt-permit. Visit www.fws.gov/refuge/wassaw for season dates, refuge regulations, and more information.
