Georgia’s turkey hunting season is just around the corner, with hunters eagerly preparing to head into the woods.
The statewide season kicks off on private lands on Saturday, March 29, and on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for public lands, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and National Forest land.
The season will run through May 15, as announced by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).
With turkey reproduction rates remaining steady over the past decade, hunters can expect a season similar to previous years.
“The number of available gobblers will likely be comparable to the past few years,” though regional variations exist, said WRD Wild Turkey Project Coordinator Emily Rushton.
The northern regions have maintained steady turkey populations, while the southern part of the state may see a rise in two-year-old gobblers due to increased reproduction two years ago, according to a press release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Turkey Hunting Rules & Regulations
- Bag Limits: One gobbler per hunter per day, with a season total of two gobblers. On WMAs and National Forest land, the limit is one gobbler per area.
- Harvest Reporting: All hunters, including youth and landowners, must obtain a free harvest record each season. Before moving a harvested turkey, hunters must enter the date and county on their record and report it through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.
- Licensing Requirements: Hunters under 16 do not need a license, but those 16 and older require a hunting license and a big game license unless hunting on private land they own. Licenses can be obtained at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com or by calling 1-800-366-2661.
Staying safe while hunting
Safety remains a top priority during turkey season. as Jennifer Davison, WRD state hunter education administrator, emphasized firearm safety and proper hunting precautions.
“Pursuing turkeys is an exciting opportunity, no matter how long you have been hunting, but it is important to think about safety precautions relative to your firearm and to that type of game,” she said.
Key tips for a safe hunting experience include:
- Avoid wearing red, white, blue, or black—colors that could be mistaken for a turkey.
- Use a wide, solid background when calling turkeys to maintain visibility.
- Never stalk a gobbling turkey—they have excellent eyesight and hearing, making stealth nearly impossible.
- Be cautious when transporting harvested turkeys, covering them in blaze orange to avoid misidentification.
Conservation & turkey hunting’s impact
Beyond the excitement of the hunt, every recreational license and turkey hunting purchase supports wildlife conservation in Georgia.
A portion of sales from hunting gear—including shotguns and ammunition—funds habitat management, species research and other conservation efforts through the Wildlife Restoration Program, according to a press release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
For more details on hunting regulations and safety guidelines, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources.
