The 2024 Georgia Spring Gobbler Hunt offers outdoor lovers a chance to explore the state’s unique birdlife. Effective conservation, renewal, and contemporary wildlife care make Georgia a haven for birdwatchers.
With 300,000 birds and large numbers in every county, the state provides an exciting hunt for anyone. License and equipment sales finance wildlife and habitat restoration, assuring bird conservation success.
Georgia Turkey Season
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversees shooting in the state and offers details on the seasons, limitations, and regulations for each type of game or animal. The DNR provides a variety of Hunt & Learn Programs for children and adults that aim to advance shooting expertise and environmental knowledge.
| Category | Dates | Bag Limit |
| Special Opportunity Youth/ Mobility Impaired | Mar. 23–24, 2024 | Daily bag of 1 (2 gobblers) |
| Private Land | Mar. 30 – May 15, 2024 | 2 gobblers |
| Public Land | April 6 – May 15, 2024 | 2 gobblers |
Note: Only for youth under 16 and people with movement issues. Unless otherwise stated, this season does not extend to public areas.
Hunting Application
Georgia accepts applications for limited turkey hunts from June 1 through February 15. You must register and be selected to participate. You gain a choice point if you are not picked, which improves your likelihood of being chosen in subsequent seasons. A few days after the deadline, the Georgia DNR performs the selection and informs candidates. On the Georgia DNR website, Georgiawildlife.com/hunting/quota, you can verify your chances of getting a particular hunt. The finest hunts usually take two to four years to be called.
Licenses
| License Type | Cost (Resident) | Cost (Non-Resident) |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | $15 | $100 |
| Big Game License | $25 | $225 |
| Migratory Bird Stamp | $5 | $5 |
| Turkey Tag | $15 | $100 |
Note: For the complete list of License costs, you may read on the eregulations website.
Best Turkey Location
With each area contributing about a third of the total, the Upper Coastal Plain and Piedmont districts had the greatest projected numbers of shooters and yield. In every area, 0.29 turkeys were harvested per shooter. Jakes, or young male turkeys, comprised 8% of the crop. Hunter’s happiness was 63% overall, substantially declining from prior years.
| Location | Hunters | Harvest | Juvenile Male Turkeys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Coastal Plain | 12,396 | 3,639 | 300 |
| Piedmont | 12,758 | 3,730 | 294 |
| Lower Coastal Plain | 6,386 | 1,864 | 152 |
| Ridge and Valley | 4,492 | 1,307 | 106 |
| Blue Ridge | 1,546 | 450 | 31 |
| Total | 37,568 | 10,970 | 843 |
Regulations
- You need a hunting license, a Georgia Big Game License (included in a sportsman’s license), and a capture log.
- Hunters must write the date and county on the capture log and submit the turkey to Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. Hunters under 16, landlords, and special, lifelong, and sporting license users must follow this method. Visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/HarvestRecordGeorgiaGameCheck to get a crop log and report it.
- Who buy firearms, ammo, and leisure permits support animal protection. The Wildlife Restoration Program provides cash for land control, species study, and management. Georgia hunters help conserve animals and their areas.
- Georgia residents under 16 can fish without a license. Unless hunting on private land, those 16 and older, including those escorting kids or others, must have a hunting and big game license. GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, store license vendors, and 1-800-366-2661 sell licenses.
- Anyone born on or after January 1, 1961, who buys a season pass, is at least 12 years old, hunts without adult guidance, or hunts big game in a wildlife management area in Georgia must take a hunter education course. Short-term licenses and hunting on their own or their parents or legal guardians’ land are anomalies. GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/huntereducation or 706-557-3355 have more details.
- Can use shotguns with 3 1/2-inch or No. 2 lead ammo. Modified and full chokes are common. Bows, crossbows, and muzzleloaders are allowed for bird hunting, but guns are not.
- Can lure with cries and decoys. Online tools teach first-time turkey callers. Older gobblers may perceive overuse as fake. Experienced hunters use specialty calls, decoys, firearms, chokes, and shot rounds.
FAQ
When does the 2024 Georgia turkey hunting season start and end?
The nationwide turkey shooting season starts on private property on March 30, 2024, and on public property, such as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Forest territory, on April 6, 2024. The season will conclude on May 15.
Are there any bag limits for turkey hunting in Georgia?
Yes, Georgia has a season bag limit of two gobblers and one grizzled or male turkey.
Is there a youth turkey hunting season in Georgia?
The 2024 junior turkey season will take place on March 23 and 24.
Is a hunter education course required for turkey hunting in Georgia?
Yes, before buying a hunting pass or going shooting alone, anyone born on or after January 1, 1961, must finish a hunter instruction training.
