Turkey Hunting Season Kicks Off Saturday

The statewide Georgia turkey hunting season opens on private land on Sat., March 30, 2024, and on public lands, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Forest land, on Sat., April 6, 2024.

Turkey season ends statewide (on both public and private land) on May 15, 2024, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

Emily Rushton, Wildlife Resources Division wild turkey project coordinator said in 2022, statewide turkey reproduction averaged 1.5 poults per hen, which was on par with the average over the past decade, but lower than 2021’s 10-year record high,

Still, she said the number of available gobblers will likely be comparable to the past few years.

The daily and season bag limits are one gobbler may be taken per hunter per day, and a season total of two gobblers.

On WMAs and National Forest land (outside of WMAs), the bag limit is one gobbler per area.

All turkey hunters, including those under 16 years of age, landowners, honorary, lifetime, and sportsman license holders, must obtain a free harvest record each season.

Before moving a harvested turkey, hunters are required to immediately enter the date and county on the harvest record, and within 24 hours, must complete the reporting process through Georgia Game Check.

Resident youth hunters under age 16 will not need a license.

Hunters age 16 years or older (including those accompanying youth or others) will need a hunting license and a big game license unless hunting on their own private land.

Get your license at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, at a retail license vendor or by phone at 1-800-366-2661.

Find more hunting information at GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources.