DO IT: Hunting

Hunting and Shooting: On Target in Georgia

Hunting is a big-time sport in Georgia. Throughout the state, you’ll find quail hunting plantations and
hunting lodges, often with horseback riding, skeet shooting, fishing, and hiking.

Georgia has nearly 100 Wildlife Management Areas with approximately 1 million acres of public hunting lands. Nearly every part of the state has at least one WMA within a one-hour drive.

Hunting is also allowed on certain National Wildlife Reserves under specific conditions. For more information, click here.

Forest corporations own about 2.5 million acres of Georgia forestland. Most operate recreational access (hunting lease) programs as a formal part of their business model. Large providers specific to Georgia include CatchMark, Rayonier, Westervelt, and Weyerhaeuser. Their websites provide information on lands available for lease for hunting.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) establishes hunting seasons and limits for various game animals, including when hunters can use bows, primitive weapons, firearms, or falconry. Regulated animals include deer, bear, turkey, squirrel, alligator, fox, bobcat, opossum, raccoon, rabbit, quail, grouse, crows, dove, woodcock, snipe, marsh hens, and waterfowl.

Residents and non-residents born on or after January 1, 1961 must successfully complete a hunter education course prior to purchasing a season hunting license. However, a hunter education course is not required to purchase an Apprentice License or a three (3) day Combo Hunting/Fishing License. Hunter education courses certified or mandated by any state wildlife agency or Canadian province are accepted. Hunter Education is not required to hunt on one’s own land or land of a parent or guardian.

Hunting is the backbone of wildlife conservation in the United States. Hunting license sales determine not only the amount of federal funds Georgia receives, but they also generate revenue that goes directly back into conservation. To continue its conservation mission, Georgia’s DNR has established programs to help pass the love of hunting on to the next generation. A mentoring program connects new hunters with experienced ones. Hunt & Learn programs help new hunters and their mentors to develop their outdoor skills. And the Field to Fork program recruits adults interested in learning to hunt for food.

For the current hunting regulations, click here.

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Hunting - Locations

Butts County Visitor Center

Historic Heartland
25 Third St.
Jackson, GA 30233
770-775-4839

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Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

Historic Heartland
543 Elliott Trl.
Covington, GA 30252
770-784-3059

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Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. Alt. 75 and GA Hwy. 75 N.
Helen, GA 30545
706-535-5700

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City of Forsyth CVB

Historic Heartland
20 N. Jackson St.
Forsyth, GA 31029
478-974-1460

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Elbert County Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 72
Elberton, GA 30635
770-595-4222

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Meadows Clay Sports

Historic Heartland
1064 Rumble Rd
Forsyth, GA 31029
478-994-9910

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Smithgall Woods State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
601 Tsalaki Tr.
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-3087

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Sprewell Bluff Park

West Georgia
700 Sprewell Bluff Rd.
Thomaston, GA 30286
706-601-6711

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Victoria Bryant State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1105 Bryant Park Rd.
Royston, GA 30662
706-245-6270

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Allatoona Lake and Visitors Center

Northwest Georgia Mountains
1138 GA Hwy. 20 Spur
Cartersville, GA 30121
678-721-6700

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Alligator Creek Wildlife Management Area

Magnolia Midlands
Georgia Highway 19
Lumber City, GA 31549
229-426-5267

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Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area

Georgia Coast
U.S. Hwy. 17
Darien, GA 31525
912-262-3173

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Aska Trails

Northwest Georgia Mountains
152 Orvin Lance Dr.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-5680

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Barbara Calhoun Park

Historic Heartland
Tucker Road
Perry, GA 31069
478-988-2860

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Barnsley Gardens Resort

Northwest Georgia Mountains
597 Barnsley Gardens Rd.
Adairsville, GA 30103
770-773-7480

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Beaver Creek Plantation

Classic South
3698 Hwy. 80 E.
Twin City, GA 30471
478-763-2920

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Big Lazar Wildlife Management Area and Public Fishing Area

West Georgia
Bunkham Rd. 4 miles east of Talbotton on U.S. Hwy. 80
Talbotton, GA 31827
706-845-4180

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Big Red Oak Plantation Shooting Preserve

West Georgia
8428 Greenville St.
Gay, GA 30218
706-538-6870

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Blanton Creek Wildlife Management Area

West Georgia
GA Hwy. 103 S.
Hamilton, GA 30286
478-825-6354

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Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 52 W. or GA Hwy. 60 N.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
770-535-5700

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Blue Ridge, Georgia

Northwest Georgia Mountains
152 Orvin Lance Dr
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-5680

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Boggs Creek Day Use Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
U.S. Hwy. 129 N.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-745-6928

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Boggy Pond Plantation

Plantation Trace
1084 Lanier Rd.
Moultrie, GA 31768
229-985-7772

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BranHill Plantation

Magnolia Midlands
146 Town Creek Rd.
Denton, GA 32473
912-389-8970

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Broad River Natural Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 79 W.
Elberton, GA 30635
770-535-5700

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Broken Arrow Outfitters

Historic Heartland
106 Ag Village Boulevard
Perry, GA 31069
478-224-1616

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Bullard Creek Archery Range

Magnolia Midlands
Off Philadelphia Church Rd.
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
229-426-5267

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Bullard Creek Shooting Range

Magnolia Midlands
Off Philadelphia Church Rd.
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
229-426-5267

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Bullard Creek WMA – Towns Bluff Tract

Magnolia Midlands
Bell Telephone Rd.
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
229-426-5267

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Campers Haven

West Georgia
1296 Campers Haven Rd.
Vienna, GA 31092
229-268-9076

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