Georgia Announces Changes to 2025/26 Hunting and Fishing Regulations
Posted 2025-08-25 by
The state has issued a new rules and seasons guidebook, available online and in print
Check out the new 2025-2026 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations and Seasons Guide for changes to hunting and fishing laws. (Photo by Bill Konway)
Georgia hunters and anglers can find changes to hunting and fishing regulations in the new 2025-2026 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations and Seasons guide, which is now available online and in print.
The new guide provides updated rules from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division.
According a GADNR press release, the guide includes significant hunting and fishing regulations changes.
HUNTING REGULATIONS CHANGES
Youth definition: A youth is now defined as someone younger than 16.
Early antlerless-only firearms season: To support venison donation in areas with deer-related crop damage, a two-day early October antlerless-only firearms season was added for private lands in select counties. See pages 12 through 13.
Deer carcass disposal: Inedible parts of deer carcasses must be disposed of onsite or, if moved, in accordance with Department of Agriculture laws. See Page 10.
Blaze pink: HB 167 authorizes wearing fluorescent pink or fluorescent orange (at least 500 square inches) during Georgia’s hunting seasons.
FISHING REGULATIONS CHANGES
Bowfishing: There are updated catfish regulations. See Page 56.
Bass limits: public fishing area bass regulations. Evans County PFA and Paradise PFA have new bass limits.
The Evans County PFA is the closest public fishing area to Bulloch County and the region. The 372-acre area encompasses three lakes. The bass regulations have been changed for the new season: Largemouth bass between 12 and 16 inches must be released immediately. Bass up to 12 inches and longer than 16 inches can be kept. Limit five per person, with only one longer than 16 inches.
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“The Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations and Seasons guide provides important need-to-know information on hunting season dates, bag limits, wildlife management areas, quota hunts and youth opportunities,” according to a release from the Georgia DNR. “Also, fishing regulations that include a color fish identification chart for freshwater and saltwater fish, trout stream listings, public fishing area information and state-record fish listings. There is information about recreational licenses, as well.”
The complete guide is available online at GeorgiaWildlife.com. A downloadable PDF is available, too. Printed copies of the 2025-26 guide can be picked up at Wildlife Resources Division offices and license vendors throughout Georgia.
