Georgia Spring Turkey Season Opens Today On Private Land

Georgia’s 2026 spring turkey season opens today on private land, with public land hunting set to begin April 4. The season will run statewide through May 15.

A special youth and mobility-impaired hunt was held March 21 and 22 to kick off the season.

Hunters are allowed a total of two legal gobblers for the season, with a limit of one gobbler per day. Legal hunting hours run from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Wildlife officials remind hunters that everyone— including those under 16, landowners, and lifetime license holders — must have a free Georgia turkey harvest record. All harvested birds must also be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.

Hunters age 16 and older are required to have a valid hunting license and big game license. Those hunting on Wildlife Management Areas must also have a WMA license.

State wildlife officials say this year’s season could be a strong one, with indications of an increased number of 2-year-old birds across Georgia.

New Specialty Tag Lets Georgians Support State Parks and Historic Sites

Georgians now have a new way to support the state’s parks and historic landmarks by purchasing a specialty license plate for vehicles or trailers. The new tag is available through the state’s online e-services portal at renewal time for $80 the first year and $55 each year after that, while those who want the plate before renewal can visit their local county tag office and pay the difference in fees.

Money raised from the new specialty tag will directly benefit the State Parks and Historic Sites Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Those funds will help protect, manage, and maintain Georgia’s natural, historical, and cultural resources while also supporting public enjoyment, recreation, and educational opportunities across the state.

State officials say the new plate gives residents a simple way to show pride in Georgia’s outdoor and historic treasures while helping preserve them for future generations. More information is available through the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Spring Turkey Season Opens March 28 on Private Land in Georgia

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Georgia hunters are preparing for the start of spring turkey season, with the statewide opener on private land set for Saturday, March 28, 2026.

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North Georgia Trout Stocking Season Gets Underway

Trout stocking trucks are getting ready to roll across North Georgia as state and federal wildlife officials prepare for another busy spring fishing season.

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Youth, Mobility-Impaired Hunters get Early Start to Turkey Season March 21-22

Youth and mobility-impaired hunters in Georgia will get an early start to turkey season during a special hunt set for March 21-22, 2026, on private lands. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division says the opportunity allows eligible hunters to harvest a gobbler before the statewide season officially opens.

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Georgia DNR Urges Clean Bird Feeders as Warm Weather Brings Higher Risk of Backyard Bird Illness

As spring approaches and temperatures warm across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is reminding residents that clean bird feeders and birdbaths can significantly reduce the spread of disease among backyard birds.

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Senate Bill 148 Expands Outdoor Learning and Hunter Education in Georgia Schools

Senator Bo Hatchett of Georgia’s District 50 says Senate Bill 148 is designed to help students become more well-rounded by exposing them to lessons they may not learn elsewhere, emphasizing the value of hands-on outdoor education. Supporters note that similar curriculum has been taught in Georgia schools for decades, and they say this bill reinforces the importance of outdoor learning while formalizing hunter education and outdoor classroom opportunities.

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Final Days of Georgia Deer Season Near for Northwest Georgia Hunters — Safety Reminders as Season Wraps Up

With the calendar turning toward mid-January, deer hunters across Northwest Georgia are in the final stretch of the 2025–26 season, and Georgia DNR is reminding sportsmen to double-check dates, follow county rules, and make safety a top priority in the woods.

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Georgia Students Invited to Celebrate Wildlife Through Art in “Give Wildlife a Chance” Poster Contest

Teachers and students across Georgia are being encouraged to spotlight the state’s wildlife through creativity by entering the 36th annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest, open to grades K-5.

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Georgia DNR Reports Preliminary CWD-Positive Deer in Atkinson County

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division has received notification of a preliminary positive Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) test result for a deer in Atkinson County. (For reference, Atkinson County is roughly 260 miles from Chattooga County.)

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