Special Federal Regulations

Blackbeard Island NWR

Interested hunters must visit www.fws.gov/refuge/blackbeard_island or call 843-784-2468, for detailed hunting information. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at https://savannahcoastal.recaccess.com. Refuge permit required. Island closed to general public Oct. 13–17, Dec. 1–5. No alligator hunting.

Bond Swamp NWR

Interested hunters must visit: www.fws.gov/bondswamp. Refuge permits are required for all hunts. Hunters are required to sign out harvested game at refuge check stations. Quota deer and waterfowl application deadline is September 26, 2018. Quota turkey application deadline is February 20, 2019. Contact the Piedmont Refuge office to obtain applications, permits and refuge specific hunting regulations (478-986-5441) or email piedmont@fws.gov. Feral hogs may be taken during big game and small game hunts with applicable weapons restrictions.

Chattahoochee National Forest (outside of WMAs)

Dog training is only allowed from Aug. 1-Sept. 8 and  Jan. 2-Mar. 19; other requirements apply (see page 71). Hunting bears with dogs is prohibited on the Chattahoochee National Forest lands outside of designated WMAs. Hogs may be hunted with dogs with appropriate weapons restrictions while training dogs during dates when training season coincides with small game or turkey season. No May 16-31 coyote season.

Prohibited:

  • Transportation of any loaded weapon in a motor vehicle
  • Possession of alcohol when hunting
  • Placing, leaving, or depositing any food, bait, or garbage in a manner likely to attract or concentrate any wildlife, whether for purposes of hunting or viewing animals. Failure to properly store food or garbage so as to prevent access by wildlife
  • Baiting is prohibited
  • No night hunting

NOTE: The Appalachian Trail (AT) is heavily used all year for camping and hiking. Please be aware of campers/hikers and use caution when hunting near the AT or any other trails/campgrounds.

Coyotes may be hunted during open seasons with weapons restrictions for game species in season; no night hunting; electronic calls may be used.

Cumberland Island NS

Call 912-882-4336/254 for information or visit http://www.nps.gov/cuis for detailed information. Registration begins July 1st, go to www.pay.gov and type “Cumberland” in the search box located on the left hand side of the screen under the section entitled “Find Public Forms”. From the search results, select “Cumberland Island Managed Hunt” and follow the onscreen instructions to complete registration. Hunting fee is $35. No standby hunters; no non-hunters. Cumberland Island Ferry will be available for access to and from the island for a fee. Boat dock space for unloading only. Private boats must stream anchor. All hunter check-in must be at the Plum Orchard hunt camp or Brickhill Campground. Mandatory check-in starts 8:00 a.m. EST one day prior to hunt; On adult-child hunts, hunting is restricted to children ages 10–17 only; children under age 16 must be accompanied by and be under direct adult supervision at all times during the hunt. All National Park Service regulations also apply to hunting areas. On primitive weapons hunts, modern centerfire handguns that meet state regulations may be used. Buckshot prohibited.

Bag Limit: 1 antlered buck & one antlerless deer per hunter. No limit on feral hogs.

Eufaula NWR

Closed to alligator hunting. Portions of Chattahoochee River and Walter F. George Reservoir within the Eufaula NWR boundaries are closed to waterfowl hunting.

Contact the refuge office for quota hunt applications:

Eufaula NWR
367 Highway 165
Eufaula, AL 36027
334-687-4065

Apply Jul. 9–Aug. 15 for youth deer hunts; Aug. 1–Sept. 15 for waterfowl hunts. User fees must be prepaid: $20.00 per waterfowl hunter, $20.00 per youth deer hunter selected. Eligible ages for all youth hunts (deer and waterfowl) are 10–15 years. A waterfowl permit holder is allowed to bring up to two guests (no more than 3 individuals/blind).

Fort Gordon

Hunting and fishing permits are offered to the general public through a lottery by Fort Gordon Natural Resources Branch using the Fort Gordon iSportsman system. Lottery winners can purchase any outdoor recreation permit. Permits are valid for one year from date of purchase or no later than 1 August of the year following the drawing. The application period for the lottery will begin on 1 July each year and run for approximately two weeks. Applicants must be 18 years old to apply. A favorable NCIC background check is required before entering the installation. All hunters, regardless of age, must possess a Hunter Education Certificate. A Fort Gordon permit is required for any type of outdoor recreation. Access may be restricted due to military training requirements and all hunting and fishing is subject to Fort Gordon regulations. See the Fort Gordon regulations for annual seasons, quotas, and bag limits. For more information go to https://ftgordon.isportsman.net or call the Fort Gordon Natural Resources Branch at 706-791-2397/9983.

Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield

Interested hunters must visit https://ftstewart.isportsman.net. Mandatory phone check-in. All hunting subject to post regulations and access for hunting is not guaranteed.

Harris Neck NWR

Interested hunters must visit www.fws.gov/refuge/harris_neck, or call 843-784-2468, for detailed hunting information. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at https://savannahcoastal.recaccess.com.

Hartwell Lake/Richard B. Russell Lake

Hunting is prohibited on some Corps lands for safety reasons, particularly designated public recreation areas and some lease areas except as authorized by the Project Manager. Also, hunting opportunity may vary by area so please contact the appropriate COE office as provided herein. Some areas are designated archery only; firearms are permitted in some areas.

Contact the Corps resource manager’s office at the appropriate lake project for hunting areas:

*Contact the resource manager’s office for feral hog hunting opportunities and restrictions outside of the firearms deer season.

Hitchiti Experimental Forest

The Hitchiti Experimental Forest is open for hunting only during Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge hunting seasons with a valid Piedmont Refuge hunting permit and in accordance with refuge specific regulations.

Lake Seminole

Hunting is prohibited on some Corps lands for safety reasons, particularly designated public recreation areas and some lease areas except as authorized by the Project Manager. Also, hunting opportunity may vary by area so please contact the appropriate COE office as provided herein. Some areas are designated archery only; firearms are permitted in some areas. Some COE properties require a special permit for species-specific hunting; please call or check online well before the season opens as some permits can only be obtained onsite or by US mail.

Contact the Corps resource manager’s office at the appropriate lake project for hunting areas:

  • Allatoona: 678-721-6700
  • Sidney Lanier: 770-945-9531
  • Walter F. George: 229-768-2516
  • Seminole: 229-662-2001
  • Carter’s: 706-334-2640
  • West Point: 706-645-2937

 Visit the website: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Hunting.aspx.

Lake Sidney Lanier

Buford Dam

All facilities will be closed to the general public during the hunts.

Limit: 2, only one of which may be antlered.

Hunters must apply by letter no later than October 10, 4:30 p.m. containing full name, address, phone number, and email address (if available) to:

Operations Project Manager’s Office
ATTN: Craig Sowers
P.O. Box 567
Buford, GA 30515-0567

One hunter per letter. Hunters must attend a pre-hunt meeting at 7:00 p.m. the evening before the hunt. Disabled Veterans will receive preference in the quota selection. More information is available online at website http://go.usa.gov/SE85.

Islands (Usace)

Limit: One deer per day.

Hunters must record harvest through Georgia Game Check. State bag limits and harvest restrictions apply.

Hunters must apply by letter no later than October 10, 4:30 p.m. containing full name, address, phone number, and email address (if available) to:

Operations Project Manager’s Office
ATTN: Craig Sowers
P.O. Box 567
Buford, GA 30515-0567

One hunter per letter.

Hunting areas typically accessible by boat only. More information is available online at website http://go.usa.gov/SE85.

Oconee National Forest

No dog training Jun. 1–Aug. 1. Pursuit of bears with dogs is prohibited. Pursuit of hogs with dogs for training purposes only: Aug. 1–Sept. 6, 2018; Jan. 14–Mar. 19, 2019; May 1–23, 2019. Hogs may be taken only during daylight hours consistent with regulations above and dogs are not allowed. Hogs and coyotes may be taken during deer, turkey and small game hunts; weapons are restricted to legal firearms and archery equipment for the game species specified for a particular hunt as indicated heretofore; electronic calls may be used; night hunting is prohibited. Placing, leaving, or depositing any food, bait or refuse in a manner likely to attract or concentrate any wildlife, whether for purposes of hunting or viewing animals, is prohibited. It is also prohibited to fail to properly store food or refuse to prevent access by wildlife. For public health and safety, the possession of an alcoholic beverage as defined by state law, while hunting, is prohibited. No ATVs. For public health and safety, the transportation of a loaded long gun or cocked crossbow in a motor vehicle is prohibited.

NOTE: A firearm is considered loaded if a round of ammunition is in the chamber or magazine, a percussion cap is on the nipple, or powder is present in the frizzen pan. A long gun is a firearm with an extended barrel, usually designed to be fired braced against the shoulder. It shall include all rifles, shotguns, carbines, muzzleloaders, and/or other such weapons.

Okefenokee NWR

Cowhouse Unit

Bears and alligators may not be taken. Foot travel only on ONWR portion of Cowhouse Island. No dogs allowed except pointing dogs for hunting quail. Sign-In & Check-In at Dixon Memorial WMA. Visit www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee or call 912-496-7836 for more information.

Pocket Unit

Bears and alligators may not be taken. Foot travel only off paved road. No dogs allowed. Visit www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee or call 912-496-7836 for more information.

Suwannee Canal Unit

Hunt is a quota hunt limited to 30 hunters (10 additional slots for wheelchair and youth hunters). Each mobility-impaired/youth hunter can have one escort to assist with their hunt that is authorized to hunt under the same permit. Quota applications can be found at http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2354.pdf.

Quota applications will be accepted from August 15 to September 15, and should be submitted in person at Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center at Okefenokee NWR or by mail to:

Okefenokee Hunt Program
2700 Suwannee Canal Road
Folkston, GA 31537

Youth hunters are those 16 and under and supervised by an adult 21 or older. A hunter education certificate is required for youth hunters. Shooting hours close at noon; shotguns with slugs or muzzleloaders only; hunters will be charged a $15.00 permit fee; check-out required; hunters are not required to tag deer prior to check out; special bonus tag provided for two harvested deer; hunt area zoned; Chesser Island zone is for wheelchair and/or youth hunters only. No dogs allowed. Feral hogs may be taken: no limit. Call 912-496-7836 or visit www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee for more information.

Piedmont NWR

Refuge permits are required for all hunts. Applications for quota deer hunts must be received by August 29, 2018. Quota turkey hunts applications must be received by February 27, 2019. Hunters selected for quota hunts will be charged a refuge permit fee. The Hitchiti Experimental Forest is open for hunting only during Piedmont refuge hunting seasons with a valid Piedmont Refuge hunting permit and in accordance with refuge regulations. Contact the refuge office to obtain applications, permits and refuge specific hunting regulations (478-986-5441) or email piedmont@fws.gov. Small Game hunting only includes the following species: squirrel, rabbit, quail, raccoon and opossum. The wheelchair deer hunt (wheelchair bound only) requires a special refuge permit and hunters must apply by Oct. 1, hunters and volunteers must check in with refuge staff starting at noon day prior to hunt. Hunters must check in and out each day of hunt and scout day.

Savannah NWR

Interested hunters must visit www.fws.gov/refuge/savannah, or call 843-784-2468, for detailed hunting information. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at https://savannahcoastal.recaccess.com. No alligator hunting.

Wassaw Island NWR

Interested hunters must visit www.fws.gov/refuge/wassaw, or call 843-784-2468, for detailed hunting information. All hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase a $25 Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Annual Hunt Permit at https://savannahcoastal.recaccess.com. No alligator hunting.