Some of the country may not realize it, but Georgia is much more than just Atlanta and its traffic. Get outside the cities and Georgia offers some of the best hunting in the entire country, with plenty of different options for those looking to bag a major trophy this year.

But as with any other state, there are plenty of things to keep in mind that you’ll need to think about. Here are some of the main things to know.

Bear

There are two bears allowed for each hunter, but no females with cubs under 75 pounds are allowed to be taken. Additionally, bears can’t be hunted over bait. You may also take only one bear from the southern or central zones of the state. Bears must be checked and tagged, and the state has three locations to do so:

• Waycross DNR Office
• Fargo Georgia Forestry Commission Office
• Dixon Memorial WMA

Additionally, dogs may be used to hunt bear except in Lanier and Lowndes counties.

Turkey

Hunters in Georgia are allowed 3 gobblers each year. This includes special opportunity season and hunters are required to have a harvest record and report their harvest within 72 hours or face fines and penalties.

Feral Hogs

Feral hogs can be hunted virtually any time. There is no limit and no closed season, but you must possess a hunting license in order to take a hog. The only exception is if you are a resident hunting on family land.

Hogs can also be hunted at night using a light carried on the person or affixed to a helmet, hat, or belt system worn by a hunter. Additionally, hunting over bait is allowed for hog hunting on private land. In National Forest lands, no night hunting or hunting over bait is allowed and the method of the hunt must follow existing seasons – archery during archery deer season, for instance.

Deer

Deer hunting runs from September 8 through January 13, but the specific method of hunting varies:

• Archery – September 8 – October 12
• Primitive Weapons – October 13 – October 19
• Firearms – October 20 – January 13

Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, and Fulton County north of GA Hwy 92 do not allow firearms hunting, and different counties have different requirements as to the minimum size of bucks taken.