There are rather significant changes for Georgia deer hunters with the upcoming 2023-2024 season, particularly when it comes to either-sex days. As always, make sure to check the regulations before you pull the trigger on an antlerless deer. While most of the state is now either-sex during all of gun season, there are certain dates that are buck-only in some counties. See the doe-day map below.
Georgia’s archery season for deer opens Sept. 9, and the statewide gun season opens Oct. 21. This year’s deer season will close statewide on Sunday, Jan. 14. A significant new exception is for eight southwest Georgia counties, which will now close on Jan. 15 each season. That’s only one day of difference this year, but based on how the calendar falls, it could be up to six additional days some seasons.
Those eight southwest Georgia counties also join a growing list of suburban counties that allow archery-only deer hunting until Jan. 31. The following counties allow either-sex, archery-only hunting for deer until Jan. 31: Baker, Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Early, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Grady, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee, Paulding, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole and Thomas counties.
Antlerless deer may be taken statewide with archery equipment any open date for deer hunting, except on National Forest lands (see National Forest Deer Hunting).
Turkey hunters will for the third straight season have a later opening day—March 30 on private land and April 6 on public land—and the season limit is again two gobblers, and there’s again a one-gobbler-per-day restriction. Make sure you’re not feeding deer—lots of turkey-baiting cases are made.
The complete 2023-24 Georgia Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits will be available at license vendors and online. Hunters are responsible for knowing and abiding by seasons and limits or be subject to charges and fines.
For turkey hunters in Georgia, spring 2023 offers exciting opportunities to bag a juicy gobbler. Turkey populations are looking good following strong reproduction in 2021. So when exactly is turkey season in Georgia in 2023 and what do you need to know for a successful hunt? This in-depth guide provides key dates, permit info, season limits, and tips for your 2023 Georgia turkey hunt.
Overview of the 2023 Turkey Season
There is one main turkey season in Georgia each spring running from late March to mid May.
- The statewide opening day is March 30th, 2023 on private lands
- On public lands, the season opens slightly later on April 6th
- The season closes on May 15th statewide
Some key things to note about the regulations:
- The daily limit is 1 gobbler per person
- The total season limit is 2 gobblers
- On public lands, only 1 gobbler total may be harvested for the season
- All hunters, including youth, need a free harvest record and must report turkeys through Game Check
So the daily and total season limits are less than previous years, but with strong poult numbers, hunting prospects remain promising for 2023.
Spring Turkey Hunting Outlook for 2023
Turkey reproduction was above average statewide in 2021. This points to more 2-year old gobblers in the woods for hunters this spring.
The southwest region of Georgia had especially high poult numbers in 2021, averaging over 2 poults per hen Central and northern regions of the state also saw improved reproduction, just slightly below the rates in the south
With more juveniles reaching maturity, hunters have reason to be optimistic this spring. The opportunity is there to bag gobblers across Georgia if you hunt patiently and smartly.
Youth Spring Turkey Hunting Day
Before the regular statewide opening, there is also a special youth turkey hunt day on March 23-24, 2023.
This allows youth under 16 and mobility impaired hunters an early chance to get out before the crowds and pressure. Consult regulations for the necessary licenses.
The one-day youth season takes place on private lands only, unless otherwise specified on certain public areas. The regular season bag limits apply.
Acquiring Your Turkey Hunting Permit
All turkey hunters in Georgia need the following:
- A big game license and hunting license (unless hunting your own private land)
- A free wild turkey harvest record, available online or anywhere licenses are sold
- To report harvested turkeys through Game Check within 24 hours
The licenses and harvest record can all be acquired online through GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com or at various retailers.
Prices are:
- Hunting license: $10 residents, $60 non-residents
- Big game license: $9 residents, $204 non-residents
Remember to carry your license and tag while hunting. Licenses purchased online or via phone can be printed or saved digitally.
Turkey Hunting Methods and Tactics
Common methods for spring turkey hunting include:
- Using turkey calls and decoys to lure in gobblers
- Ambushing birds along known travel routes between roosting and feeding areas
- Sitting quietly against a tree in camouflage and calling to birds
- Still hunting through areas gobblers are known to frequent
- Stalking roosted birds and setting up before fly down
Hunters must remain patient and alert. Moving slowly and minimizing noise and movement is key after setting up in a promising area.
Safety is also paramount when other hunters may be out. Avoid wearing red, white and blue which can draw accidental fire. Never stalk turkey calls you didn’t make.
Safety Tips for Georgia Turkey Hunting
Practicing safe turkey hunting means:
- Never shoot at sound or movement alone – confirm the target
- Avoid trying to stalk birds after scattering a flock
- Use a hunter orange vest when moving between setups
- Never wave, flag or shake a decoy to attract birds
- Sit against a large tree to provide a background
- Don’t wear red, white and blue clothing
- Watch out for snakes when sitting still against logs/trees
Hunt safely, legally and ethically. Never take shots beyond your effective range. And remember to enjoy the experience even if you don’t tag out.
With the 2023 spring turkey hunting dates set and a positive population outlook, Georgia offers exciting opportunities this year for filling your tag. Just be sure to acquire the proper licenses and permits ahead of time and brush up on regulations. Practicing patience and smart hunting strategies will help you call in and harvest a nice tom. Good luck this turkey season!
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2023-24 Georgia Hunting Season Dates
Deer Seasons
Archery Sept. 9 – Jan. 14
Extended Archery* Sept. 9 – Jan. 31
(*Suburban counties & SW GA)
Youth Firearms Week Oct. 14-20
Primitive Weapons Oct. 14 – Jan. 14
Firearms Oct. 21 – Jan. 14
SW GA (8 counties) Oct. 21 – Jan. 15
National Forest Deer Hunting Chattahoochee National Forest firearms deer season (outside of WMAs): Oct. 21 – Jan. 1. West of I-75, follow county either-sex days. East of I-75, entirely closed to antlerless deer hunting. Oconee NF firearms deer: Oct. 21 – Jan. 14. Either-sex days on Oconee NF (outside of WMAs): Nov. 4-5, Nov. 25-26, Dec. 30-31.
Waterfowl Seasons
Early Teal Sept. 9-24
Canada Geese Sept. 2-24; Oct. 14-29; Nov. 18-26; Dec. 9 – Jan. 28
Duck Nov. 18-26; Dec. 9 – Jan. 28
Youth/Military Waterfowl Nov. 11-12
Bear Northern Zone
Archery Sept. 9 – Jan. 14
Primitive Weapons Oct. 14 – Jan. 14
Firearms Oct. 21 – Jan. 14
Bear Central Zone
Bear Southern Zone
Sept. 28-30; Oct. 5-7; Oct. 12-14
2024 Turkey Seasons
Kids, Mobility Impaired: March 23-24
Public-Land: April 6 – May 15
Private-Land: March 30 – May 15
* Two gobbler per season limit; one-gobbler-per-day restriction.
Alligator
Zone & Quota Limited Aug. 18 – Oct. 2
Dove Statewide
Sept. 2 – Oct. 8; Nov. 18- 26;
Dec. 19 – Jan. 31
Opossum & Raccoon (No Limit)
Private-Land: No Closed Season
Public-Land: Aug. 15 – Feb. 29
2023-2024 Small Game & Other Seasons
Crow Nov. 4 – Feb. 29
Fox & Bobcat Dec. 1 – Feb. 29
Grouse Oct. 15 – Feb. 29
Quail Nov. 18 – Feb. 29
Rabbit Nov. 18 – Feb. 29
Snipe Nov. 15 – Feb. 28
Squirrel Aug. 15 – Feb. 29
Woodcock Dec. 9 – Jan. 22
2023 Ga Turkey Season
FAQ
What day does turkey season open in Georgia?
What hunting season is in Georgia right now?
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Species
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Season
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Dove
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Statewide Sept. 2–Oct. 8, Nov. 18–26, Dec. 19–Jan. 31
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Fox & Bobcat
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Dec. 1–Feb. 29
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Grouse
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Statewide Oct. 15–Feb. 29
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Sora & Rails
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Statewide Oct. 8–28, Nov. 8–Dec. 26
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How many turkeys can you legally harvest in Georgia each year?
Which state has no turkey season?
When is turkey hunting season in Georgia?
The statewide turkey hunting season opens on private land on Sat., April 1, 2023, and on public lands, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Forest land, on Sat., April 8, 2023. Turkey season ends statewide on May 15, 2023, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.
Does Georgia have a turkey season?
The 2023 Georgia turkey season marked the second year for the state’s shorter, more restrictive season structure, and according to WRD’s Game Check data, the statewide harvest increased more than 21% from 2022. That sounds like great news for turkey hunters, but don’t start celebrating a return to the good old days of Georgia turkey…
Are Georgia Turkey hunters ready for another tough season?
Hunters may be in store for another tough season as poult production continues to be an issue. Season dates and regulations have been set for the 2024 Georgia turkey season, and the season structure and regulations are nearly identical to last season.
How many turkeys are harvested in Georgia?
Based on data provided by the Georgia DNR, the overall Georgia turkey harvest has declined from a high of over 40,000 birds in 2005 to just 11,909 in 2023. Subsequently, the harvest rate (turkeys harvested per hunter) has dropped from an average of over 0.65 to a low of 0.29 in 2022 (2023 data was not available for this at the time of publishing).