HERE Atlanta
Atlanta GA
Hunting
Report
Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Fulton and Extended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list).
Hog: Open Year-Round
Turkey: Closed
Dove: Closed
Deer: Open
Extended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list)
First Look • Hunt Conditions
🌕
Full Moon
Illumination: 100%
7:49 am
6:53 pm
54°F
13 mph
Weather as of 8:20 AM ET
Tough — deer feed all night. Try midday stands near bedding areas.
Extended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list) • Fulton
In Season Now: Atlanta Hunting · Oct. 25
Open now
- Extended Archery Deer Sep 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb
- Firearms Deer Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027 · Statewide
- Feral Hog (private land) Year-Round · Private land
Coming up
- Mourning Dove Sep 5 – Oct 11, 2026; Nov 21 – 29, 2026; Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · Statewide
From this page's Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources season calendar. Always verify current regulations before you hunt.
Atlanta Hunting Season Status
Whitetail Deer
OPEN
Season Dates2026–27 GADNR: Archery statewide Sept 12 – Jan 10. Extended archery either-sex through Jan 31 in listed counties (incl. Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Richmond, Chatham). Primitive weapons / youth firearms Oct 10–16. Firearms Oct 17 – Jan 10 (not open in archery-only counties: Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton north of GA Hwy 92, and Jekyll Island portion of Glynn). Special antlerless-only firearms weekend Oct 3–4 (exclusions apply).
Bag Limit:Statewide limit 12 deer/season: no more than 10 antlerless and no more than 2 antlered. One of the 2 antlered must have ≥4 points (1 in+) on one side or ≥15-in outside spread (county antler restrictions may apply — see GADNR map).
Deer season is OPEN via archery/extended archery in Atlanta metro extended-archery counties (through Jan 31). Firearms are prohibited in Clayton/Cobb/DeKalb/north Fulton — archery only there.
Georgia hunting license + Big Game License required. Harvest Record + Georgia Game Check reporting required. IMPORTANT for Atlanta metro: firearms deer hunting is NOT allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, or Fulton north of GA Hwy 92. Those counties are archery (extended through Jan 31). Hunter orange/blaze pink required during firearms/primitive weapons seasons where firearms are legal. Always verify either-sex days and county maps in the official GADNR guide.
per GA DNR WRD · verified 2026-10-07
Feral Hog
OPEN YEAR-ROUND
Season DatesPrivate land: no closed season, no bag limit (GADNR 2026–27). Night hunting and baiting allowed on private land. WMA/National Forest: take only during open deer/turkey/small-game seasons with legal weapons for that season; no night hunting; no baiting on WMA/federal land.
Bag Limit:No bag limit on private land.
Feral hogs OPEN year-round on private land per GADNR. WMA rules differ — verify before hunting public land.
Residents 16+ need a hunting license except on land owned by them or immediate family in the same household. Nonresidents need a nonresident hunting license. Live transport/release regulated by Georgia Dept. of Agriculture — unlawful to transport live feral hogs without GDA permit.
per GA DNR WRD · verified 2026-10-07
Spring Turkey
CLOSED
Season Dates2027 GADNR spring turkey: Special Opportunity (youth/mobility-impaired) Mar 20–21. Private land Mar 27 – May 15. Public land (WMAs, VPAs, National Forest) Apr 3 – May 15.
Bag Limit:2 gobblers per season; daily limit 1 (includes Special Opportunity). On WMAs/VPAs/NF: 1 gobbler per area per hunter.
Next spring turkey: Special Opportunity Mar 20–21, 2027; private land opens Mar 27, 2027.
Georgia hunting license + Big Game License required. Harvest Record required; report turkey harvest via Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. Confirm WMA-specific turkey dates at GoHuntGeorgia.com.
per GA DNR WRD · verified 2026-10-07
Mourning Dove
CLOSED
Season Dates2026–27 GADNR statewide mourning dove: Sept 5 – Oct 11; Nov 21–29; Dec 19 – Jan 31, 2027.
Bag Limit:Daily bag 15 mourning doves (see GADNR migratory bird table for possession).
Next dove segment per GADNR 2026–27 calendar (Sept 5 opener; then Nov 21 and Dec 19).
Georgia hunting license + Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) required. Nontoxic shot / field rules apply on some public dove fields — verify WMA/VPA listings before hunting.
per GA DNR WRD · verified 2026-10-07
Season dates shown are for Extended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list) private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with GA DNR WRD before hunting.
Report a Season Update
First Look
Atlanta Hunting Weather Now
54F
Clear
Feels like 54°F
as of 8:20 AM ET
Wind
13 mph ENE
Humidity
76%
Pressure
1031 hPa
Moon
Full Moon
Location
Atlanta, GA
Field Scout Tips
- Deer season is open — focus today's hunt on deer. Also open: Hog.
- Cool temps in the optimal range — deer are on their feet. Expect movement throughout shooting hours.
- Full moon means deer fed all night. Try midday stands between bedding areas — they may still be on their feet.
- High humidity (76%) intensifies scent. Spray down thoroughly and hunt with wind in your face.
Solunar Index
Atlanta Hunt Conditions Today
Temperature
54°F
Optimal
Wind Speed
13 mph
Moderate
Barometric
1031 hPa
High — Active
Moon Phase
🌕
Nocturnal
Extended Outlook
Atlanta Hunt Forecast — 5 Days
TODAY
Sunny
70° / 51°
13 mph wind
FAIR
MON
Sunny
72° / 47°
8 mph wind
GOOD
TUE
Sunny
75° / 50°
3 mph wind
GOOD
WED
Partly Sunny
72° / 53°
8 mph wind
GOOD
THU
Mostly Sunny
75° / 54°
8 mph wind
GOOD
Public Hunting Lands
Atlanta Georgia Wildlife Management Areas
5 public hunting areas near Atlanta. Check Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources maps and rules for each property before you go.
Allatoona WMA
6,818 acres STATE WMA
Whitetail Deer
Black Bear
Turkey
Small Game
Waterfowl
GADNR lists Allatoona WMA as a 6,818-acre property in Cherokee and Bartow counties, owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. No ATVs and no camping are allowed.
Georgia WMA rules apply, and WMA hunt dates often differ from statewide dates. Check the GADNR property page and regulations before you hunt.
Field Tip
Check the GADNR property page for current hunt dates, closures and trail rules before you go.
McGraw Ford WMA
2,070 acres STATE WMA
Whitetail Deer
Black Bear
Turkey
Small Game
Dove
Waterfowl
GADNR lists McGraw Ford WMA as a 2,070-acre property on the Etowah River in Cherokee County, with 22 acres of managed dove fields and about 5 miles of river frontage.
Georgia WMA rules apply, and WMA hunt dates often differ from statewide dates. Check the GADNR property page and regulations before you hunt.
Field Tip
Check the GADNR property page for current hunt dates, closures and trail rules before you go.
Dawson Forest WMA
25,500 acres STATE WMA
Whitetail Deer
Black Bear
Turkey
Small Game
Dove
Waterfowl
GADNR lists Dawson Forest WMA as a 25,500-acre property in Dawson County. DNR owns about 15,000 acres, and the City of Atlanta owns the lower 10,000.
Georgia WMA rules apply, and WMA hunt dates often differ from statewide dates. Check the GADNR property page and regulations before you hunt.
Field Tip
Check the GADNR property page for current hunt dates, closures and trail rules before you go.
Paulding Forest WMA
25,707 acres STATE WMA
Whitetail Deer
Black Bear
Turkey
Small Game
GADNR lists Paulding Forest WMA as a 25,707-acre property in Paulding and Polk counties.
Georgia WMA rules apply, and WMA hunt dates often differ from statewide dates. Check the GADNR property page and regulations before you hunt.
Field Tip
Check the GADNR property page for current hunt dates, closures and trail rules before you go.
Cedar Creek WMA
41,000 acres STATE WMA
Whitetail Deer
Turkey
Small Game
Dove
GADNR lists Cedar Creek WMA as a 41,000-acre U.S. Forest Service property on the Oconee National Forest, established in 1949.
Georgia WMA rules apply, and WMA hunt dates often differ from statewide dates. Check the GADNR property page and regulations before you hunt.
Field Tip
Check the GADNR property page for current hunt dates, closures and trail rules before you go.
Did We Miss a Spot?
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Community
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Coverage
Atlanta Hunting News
Local — Atlanta and Metro Atlanta
More at Outdoor Sports
Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Atlanta and Metro Atlanta, GA
Outfitters and Gear
Hunting Gear Guide
Gear reviews and picks for the Atlanta hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Metro Atlanta, GA Hunting
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
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Decoy
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ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B…
Optic / Scope
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Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount
Laser Rangefinder
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$2899.97
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
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Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,…
GPS / Navigation
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$399.99
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Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
Laser Rangefinder
Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars.
$799.00
Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk
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TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track…
Trail Camera
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingExtended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list) Key Dates
GA Hunting Season Calendar
Sep 12 – Oct 9, 2026
Archery Deer
GADNR statewide archery. Bag 12/season (max 10 antlerless, 2 antlered).
Sep 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Extended Archery Deer
GADNR extended-archery counties include Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb.
Oct 10 – 16, 2026
Primitive Weapons & Youth-Only Firearms Deer
Either-sex; not in archery-only counties.
Oct 17, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Firearms Deer
Not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb or Fulton north of GA Hwy 92.
Year-Round
Feral Hog (private land)
No closed season or bag limit on private land; WMA rules differ.
Sep 5 – Oct 11, 2026; Nov 21 – 29, 2026; Dec 19, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Mourning Dove
Statewide, 15 per day.
Mar 20 – 21, 2027
Turkey — Special Opportunity (youth & mobility-impaired)
Private lands unless otherwise specified.
Mar 27 – May 15, 2027
Spring Turkey — Private Lands
2 gobblers per season, 1 per day.
Apr 3 – May 15, 2027
Spring Turkey — WMAs, VPAs & National Forest
1 gobbler per area per person.
Dates reflect 2026 Georgia hunting regulations for Extended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list). Always verify with the current GA DNR WRD Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change.
Questions and Answers
Atlanta Hunting FAQ
Common questions about hunting in the Atlanta area, answered.
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Deer season dates in Extended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list) vary by year and land type (private vs WMA). Specific dates for Fulton have not been confirmed against current GA DNR WRD regulations for this guide — see https://georgiawildlife.com for the current Georgia Hunting and Fishing Guide.
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Public hunting near Atlanta is listed in the WMA directory above. GA DNR WRD manages all WMAs in Georgia; a WMA license is required in addition to a basic hunting license.
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Yes. All hunters in Georgia need a state hunting license. Deer and turkey require an additional big game permit. Hunting on any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) requires a WMA license. Federal migratory bird hunters age 16 and older need a federal duck stamp for waterfowl. Licenses and permits are available through GA DNR WRD at https://georgiawildlife.com or at authorized license agents throughout Fulton.
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Sunday hunting rules in Georgia vary by land type and local ordinance. Verify with GA DNR WRD and Fulton before hunting on Sunday.
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Deer bag limits in Extended Archery Counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb + metro list) vary by land type (private vs WMA) and by antlered vs antlerless. Limits for Fulton have not been confirmed against current GA DNR WRD regulations for this guide — see https://georgiawildlife.com for the current Georgia Hunting and Fishing Guide.
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Bear hunting in Georgia is regulated by GA DNR WRD. Bear populations and seasons vary by Game Zone. Check the current GA DNR WRD hunting guide for bear zones and tags relevant to Fulton.
HUNTING NEWS NEAR ATLANTA GA
Hunting coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.