Georgia youth and disability turkey hunting opportunities

ATLANTA — Although the majority of Georgia Turkey hunters are waiting for the state turkey season to open on March 30, a select group of the state’s hunters will get an early start. Hunters 16 years old or younger and hunters with mobility impairment can hit the woods on March 23 and 24 if they are hunting on private land.

A few regulations relate to each of these hunting opportunities: Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) who may call for turkey but not take or attempt to take a turkey during the hunt.

“Possession of a Georgia handicap placard is adequate documentation of a qualifying disability,” Georgia DNR Region Supervisor Brian Vickery said.

DNR regulations require: 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.

More information is available at georgiawildlife.com/HarvestRecordGeorgiaGameCheck.

Resident Georgia youth hunters under age 16 will not need a license. However, all hunters age 16 years or older, including those accompanying a youth hunter or other, will need a valid hunting license and a big game license unless hunting on their own private land. All licenses and required documents are available at “Get your license” on www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, a licensed retail vendor or by phone at 1-800-366-2661.

A number of designated youth opportunities also are available through specified quota hunts on Georgia’s Wildlife Management Areas. However, the deadline to apply for this year’s hunt has passed. If you did not apply this year, we’ll give you a heads up going into the 2025 season.

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