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2026-27 WRD guide

Georgia Hunting Seasons 2026-27

Every season row in the 2026-27 Georgia guide, 146 of them for 39 species and groups, in one table you can filter. Fall dates are 2026, winter and spring dates 2027.

Full tableDeer zonesBear zones
146Season rows
132Dated rows
39Species
6Deer colour zones

Photo: USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0)

Key Georgia opening days, 2026-27

Georgia’s hunting year starts with squirrels in mid-August and doves on the first Saturday in September, runs through the deer seasons and the winter duck splits, and ends with spring gobblers in mid-May. Most dates are statewide. The exceptions are deer, where a county’s either-sex colour zone decides the doe days on private land, bear, which is hunted in three zones on very different calendars, and the national forest and WMA rows, which are shorter and often quota or sign-in only.

Aug 15, 2026Squirrel opens
Sep 5, 2026Dove opener
Sep 12, 2026Deer archery
Sep 12, 2026Early teal
Oct 17, 2026Deer firearms
Nov 14, 2026Quail and rabbit
Nov 21, 2026Ducks, first split
Mar 27, 2027Spring turkey, private land

Dates from the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division big game, small game and trapping and migratory bird season pages, checked October 13, 2026.

All 146 Georgia season rows

Type a species, a zone colour, “WMA” or “falconry” to narrow the list. The last column is worked out from today’s date. Zone names link to their own pages, and species names to the species guides.

SpeciesSeasonWhereOpensClosesToday
White-tailed deerArcheryStatewide (private land)Sep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerExtended archeryExtended archery counties (29)Sep 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive weapons & youth-only firearmsStatewide, excluding archery-only countiesOct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearmsStatewide (except archery-only counties and Jekyll Island)Oct 17, 2026Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerArchery (Either-Sex)Yellow zoneSep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive Weapons (Either-Sex)Yellow zoneOct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Yellow zoneOct 17, 2026Nov 27, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Yellow zoneNov 28, 2026Nov 29, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Yellow zoneNov 30, 2026Dec 31, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Yellow zoneJan 1, 2027Jan 1, 2027
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Yellow zoneJan 2, 2027Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerArchery (Either-Sex)Cyan zoneSep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive Weapons (Either-Sex)Cyan zoneOct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Cyan zoneOct 17, 2026Nov 5, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Cyan zoneNov 6, 2026Nov 12, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Cyan zoneNov 13, 2026Dec 31, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Cyan zoneJan 1, 2027Jan 1, 2027
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Cyan zoneJan 2, 2027Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerArchery (Either-Sex)Orange zoneSep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive Weapons (Either-Sex)Orange zoneOct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Orange zoneOct 17, 2026Nov 5, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Orange zoneNov 6, 2026Nov 12, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Orange zoneNov 13, 2026Nov 19, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Orange zoneNov 20, 2026Nov 26, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlered Bucks Only)Orange zoneNov 27, 2026Dec 27, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Orange zoneDec 28, 2026Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerArchery (Either-Sex)Green zoneSep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive Weapons (Either-Sex)Green zoneOct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlerless Only)Green zoneOct 3, 2026Oct 4, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Green zoneOct 17, 2026Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerArchery (Antlered Bucks Only)Magenta zoneSep 12, 2026Sep 27, 2026
White-tailed deerArchery (Either-Sex)Magenta zoneSep 28, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerArchery (Either-Sex)Magenta zoneJan 16, 2027Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive Weapons (Either-Sex)Magenta zoneOct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Antlerless Only)Magenta zoneOct 3, 2026Oct 4, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (Either-Sex)Magenta zoneOct 17, 2026Jan 15, 2027
White-tailed deerArchery (Either-Sex)Gray zoneSep 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
White-tailed deerHunting deer with dogs (either sex)Dog-deer counties
Atkinson (south of US 82), Jefferson, Johnson (east of GA 15)		Nov 26, 2026Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerHunting deer with dogs (either sex)Dog-deer counties
Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Dougherty, Ec…		Oct 17, 2026Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerHunting deer with dogs (either sex)Dog-deer counties
Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Grady, Seminole, Thomas		Oct 17, 2026Jan 15, 2027
White-tailed deerHunting deer with dogs (either sex)Dog-deer counties
Colquitt, Marion, Stewart, Terrell, Webster		Dec 5, 2026Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerArchery (buck only)Chattahoochee National Forest east of I-75 (outside WMAs)Sep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerArchery (buck only), late segmentChattahoochee National Forest east of I-75 (outside WMAs)Jan 2, 2027Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive weapons (buck only)Chattahoochee National Forest east of I-75 (outside WMAs)Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (buck only)Chattahoochee National Forest east of I-75 (outside WMAs)Oct 17, 2026Jan 1, 2027
White-tailed deerArcheryChattahoochee National Forest west of I-75 (outside WMAs)Sep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerArchery, late segmentChattahoochee National Forest west of I-75 (outside WMAs)Jan 2, 2027Jan 10, 2027
White-tailed deerPrimitive weaponsChattahoochee National Forest west of I-75 (outside WMAs)Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearms (buck only except county either-sex days)Chattahoochee National Forest west of I-75 (outside WMAs)Oct 17, 2026Jan 1, 2027
White-tailed deerArcheryOconee National Forest (outside WMAs)Sep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
White-tailed deerPrimitive weaponsOconee National Forest (outside WMAs)Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
White-tailed deerFirearmsOconee National Forest (outside WMAs)Oct 17, 2026Jan 10, 2027
Black bearArcheryNorthern Bear ZoneSep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
Black bearPrimitive weapons & youth-only firearmsNorthern Bear ZoneOct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
Black bearFirearmsNorthern Bear ZoneOct 17, 2026Jan 10, 2027
Black bearDog-bear quota huntChattahoochee and Chestatee WMAsOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026
Black bearFirearms (one day)Central Bear ZoneDec 19, 2026Dec 19, 2026
Black bearFirearmsSouthern Bear ZoneSep 17, 2026Sep 19, 2026
Black bearFirearmsSouthern Bear ZoneSep 24, 2026Sep 26, 2026
Black bearFirearmsSouthern Bear ZoneOct 1, 2026Oct 3, 2026
Black bearFirearmsSouthern Bear ZoneOct 8, 2026Oct 10, 2026
Black bearArcheryChattahoochee National Forest (outside WMAs)Sep 12, 2026Oct 9, 2026
Black bearArchery, late segmentChattahoochee National Forest (outside WMAs)Jan 2, 2027Jan 10, 2027
Black bearPrimitive weaponsChattahoochee National Forest (outside WMAs)Oct 10, 2026Oct 16, 2026
Black bearFirearmsChattahoochee National Forest (outside WMAs)Oct 17, 2026Jan 1, 2027
Wild turkeySpecial Opportunity (youth under 16 and mobility-impaired)Statewide (private land unless otherwise specified)Mar 20, 2027Mar 21, 2027
Wild turkeySpring gobblerPrivate landsMar 27, 2027May 15, 2027
Wild turkeySpring gobblerWMAs, VPAs and National ForestApr 3, 2027May 15, 2027
AlligatorQuota hunt (2026 season)Alligator zones 1-9, 1A, 8A (quota permit holders only)Aug 14, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Ruffed grouseHuntingStatewideOct 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Ruffed grouseFalconryStatewideOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027
Bobwhite quailHuntingStatewideNov 14, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Bobwhite quailFalconryStatewideOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027
Bobwhite quailLicensed shooting preservesLicensed shooting preservesOct 1, 2026Mar 31, 2027
RabbitsHuntingStatewideNov 14, 2026Feb 28, 2027
RabbitsFalconryStatewideOct 1, 2026Mar 15, 2027
SquirrelsHunting (gray and fox squirrel)StatewideAug 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027
SquirrelsFalconryStatewideAug 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027
FalconryFalconry, small game (see grouse, quail, rabbit, squirrel rows)StatewideAug 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027
BobcatHuntingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Gray and red foxHunting (gray and red fox)StatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
RaccoonHuntingPrivate landsNo closed seasonYear-round
RaccoonHuntingPublic landsAug 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027
OpossumHuntingPrivate landsNo closed seasonYear-round
OpossumHuntingPublic landsAug 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027
BobcatTrappingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
Gray and red foxTrappingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
MinkTrappingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
MuskratTrappingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
River OtterTrappingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
SkunkTrappingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
WeaselTrappingStatewideDec 1, 2026Feb 28, 2027
RaccoonTrappingStatewideNo closed seasonYear-round
OpossumTrappingStatewideNo closed seasonYear-round
Feral hogPrivate landStatewide private landNo closed seasonYear-round
Feral hogWMAs and National ForestWMAs and National Forest landsNo closed seasonYear-round
Feral hogWMA coyote/hog season (where allowed)WMAs (unless area listing says otherwise)May 16, 2027May 31, 2027
CoyoteYear-round (unprotected)Statewide private landNo closed seasonYear-round
CoyoteWMA coyote seasonAll WMAs (unless area listing says otherwise)May 16, 2027May 31, 2027
ArmadilloYear-round (unprotected)StatewideNo closed seasonYear-round
GroundhogYear-round (unprotected)StatewideNo closed seasonYear-round
BeaverYear-round (unprotected)StatewideNo closed seasonYear-round
NutriaYear-round (unprotected)StatewideNo closed seasonYear-round
Eurasian Collared-DoveYear-roundStatewideNo closed seasonYear-round
Canada GooseCanada goose (incl. September segment)StatewideSep 5, 2026Sep 27, 2026
Canada GooseCanada goose (incl. September segment)StatewideOct 10, 2026Oct 25, 2026
Canada GooseCanada goose (incl. September segment)StatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026
Canada GooseCanada goose (incl. September segment)StatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
Snow and White-fronted GeeseSnow goose & white-fronted gooseStatewideOct 10, 2026Oct 25, 2026
Snow and White-fronted GeeseSnow goose & white-fronted gooseStatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026
Snow and White-fronted GeeseSnow goose & white-fronted gooseStatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
BrantClosedStatewideClosed
DucksRegular duck seasonStatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026
DucksRegular duck seasonStatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
DucksMergansersStatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026
DucksMergansersStatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
American CootCootStatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026
American CootCootStatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
GallinulesGallinules (common gallinule/moorhen, purple gallinule)StatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026
GallinulesGallinules (common gallinule/moorhen, purple gallinule)StatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
Harlequin duckClosedStatewideClosed
DucksEarly tealStatewideSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 2026
DucksFederal Youth, Active Duty Military & Veterans Waterfowl DaysStatewideNov 14, 2026Nov 15, 2026
DucksFalconry (extended)StatewideSep 5, 2026Sep 27, 2026
DucksFalconry (extended)StatewideOct 10, 2026Oct 25, 2026
DucksFalconry (extended)StatewideNov 14, 2026Nov 15, 2026
DucksFalconry (extended)StatewideNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
DucksFalconry (extended)StatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
American CootFalconry (extended)StatewideSep 5, 2026Sep 27, 2026
American CootFalconry (extended)StatewideOct 10, 2026Oct 25, 2026
American CootFalconry (extended)StatewideNov 14, 2026Nov 15, 2026
American CootFalconry (extended)StatewideNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
American CootFalconry (extended)StatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
RailsFalconry (extended)StatewideSep 5, 2026Sep 27, 2026
RailsFalconry (extended)StatewideOct 10, 2026Oct 25, 2026
RailsFalconry (extended)StatewideNov 14, 2026Nov 15, 2026
RailsFalconry (extended)StatewideNov 21, 2026Dec 6, 2026
RailsFalconry (extended)StatewideDec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027
Mourning DoveMourning doveStatewideSep 5, 2026Oct 11, 2026
Mourning DoveMourning doveStatewideNov 21, 2026Nov 29, 2026
Mourning DoveMourning doveStatewideDec 19, 2026Jan 31, 2027
RailsKing, clapper, sora and Virginia railsStatewideSep 11, 2026Sep 14, 2026
RailsKing, clapper, sora and Virginia railsStatewideSep 26, 2026Nov 30, 2026
Wilson's snipeCommon (Wilson's) snipeStatewideNov 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027
American WoodcockWoodcockStatewideDec 5, 2026Jan 18, 2027
American CrowCrowStatewideNov 7, 2026Feb 28, 2027

Every row in the season tables of the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division 2026-27 guide (PDF), checked October 13, 2026. Rows with no dates are species with no closed season, or closed species.

Deer either-sex zones decide the doe days

Click a zone for its counties, its day-by-day calendar and the deer harvest in those counties.

Green zone

134 counties. Firearms either-sex days: 86; antlerless-only days: 2.

Magenta zone

9 counties. Firearms either-sex days: 91; antlerless-only days: 2.

Gray zone

3 counties. Firearms either-sex days: 0.

Orange zone

9 counties. Firearms either-sex days: 28; buck-only gun days: 58.

Cyan zone

2 counties. Firearms either-sex days: 8; buck-only gun days: 78.

Yellow zone

2 counties. Firearms either-sex days: 3; buck-only gun days: 83.

The archery season and primitive weapons week are either sex on private land in every zone, except the first two weeks of archery in the Magenta counties, which are buck only. The colour zones only change what a gun hunter may take after the firearms opener.

Either-sex days by zone, checked October 13, 2026.

Rules that go with every Georgia season

Shooting hours

Legal hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset (all migratory birds).

Night hunting

Alligators, raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, bobcats and feral hogs may be hunted at night (feral hogs at night on private land only; no night hunting on WMAs/National Forest for hogs and coyotes). Lights for raccoons, opossums, foxes or bobcats must be carried on the hunter's body, on a hat/helmet, or on a belt system; no voltage limit.

Orange or blaze pink

At least 500 sq in of daylight fluorescent orange or fluorescent blaze pink above the waist (may include a head covering), worn as an outer garment by the hunter and anyone accompanying the hunter.

Sunday hunting

The 2026-27 guide imposes no statewide Sunday restriction: statewide seasons run on consecutive dates including Sundays, and WMA/VPA listings schedule some hunts on Sundays. Individual WMAs, refuges and Corps lakes may restrict days of the week in their own listings.

Quota hunts

WRD quota hunts allow a set number of hunters per area/date; apply online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com (applications due 11:59 p.m. EST on the deadline). Permits are non-transferable; notification by email only.

Closed areas

Counties or parts not opened by law or regulation are closed; Morgan Falls Lake (Bull Sluice) in Fulton County and Willeo Creek closed to all hunting.

Hunting information, quota hunts, checked October 13, 2026. Shooting hours by county · Quota hunt guide.

Season guides for the most hunted Georgia game

White-tailed DeerBig gameWild TurkeyBig gameMourning DoveMigratory birdsDuckMigratory birds
All 34 speciesLicensesYouth and veteran hunts

Georgia hunting season questions

What are the 2026 Georgia deer opening days?

Archery opens Sep 12, 2026, primitive weapons Oct 10, 2026 and firearms Oct 17, 2026.

When does Georgia deer season end?

Firearms season closes Jan 10, 2027, or Jan 15, 2027 in the Magenta zone; archery runs to Jan 31, 2027 in the 29 extended archery counties.

When is turkey season in Georgia?

Spring only: private land Mar 27 to May 15, 2027, public land from Apr 3, 2027.

Which dates are the Georgia dove splits?

Sep 5 to Oct 11, 2026; Nov 21 to Nov 29, 2026; Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027.

When is duck season in Georgia?

Regular duck season: Nov 21 to Nov 29, 2026; Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027. Early teal Sep 12 to Sep 20, 2026.

Does Georgia have hunting zones?

Yes for deer (six either-sex colour zones, plus extended archery, archery-only and dog-deer counties), bear (Northern, Central and Southern) and alligators (11 zones). Waterfowl uses one statewide zone.

Which species have no closed season in Georgia?

Feral hogs on private land, coyotes, beavers, nutria, armadillos, groundhogs and Eurasian collared doves, plus raccoons and opossums on private land.

Do WMAs follow the statewide Georgia dates?

Not always. WMAs, VPAs and the national forest have their own listings, often shorter and by quota or sign-in; the area page has the dates.

Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0); StephenGA (CC0 1.0); Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0).