How to Get Your Georgia Hunting License

A Georgia hunting license is required for hunters age 16 through 64 to legally take wildlife in the state. Residents pay $15 for an annual license, one of the most affordable base rates in the Southeast, while non-residents pay $100. Hunters born on or after January 1, 1961 must complete a GADNR-approved hunter education course before purchasing a license, though the course itself isn't required to purchase a license.

Licenses are sold at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, by phone, and at local license agents statewide. A Georgia hunting license is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, not a fixed season.

This guide walks you through how to get your Georgia hunting license and Hunter Education Certificate, step by step.

What Is a Hunting License in Georgia?

A Georgia hunting license is the legal document that allows you to take wildlife in the state. It's issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) and comes in several forms, including a standard resident or non-resident annual license, a Senior Sportsman's license for residents 65 and older, and a Sportsman's license that bundles hunting and fishing privileges.

The license itself is separate from your Hunter Education Certificate. The certificate proves you completed a GADNR-approved safety course, and once you earn it, it's valid for life. The license, on the other hand, expires 365 days after purchase and must be renewed to keep hunting.

Who Needs a Hunting License in Georgia?

Georgia law requires a hunting license for anyone age 16 through 64 who hunts wildlife in the state, whether resident or non-resident. Residents 15 and younger are exempt but must hunt under adult supervision. Non-resident hunters 15 and younger only need a license if they're hunting big game; small game is exempt.

Hunter education works on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1961 must complete a GADNR-approved hunter education course before hunting unsupervised, with a few exceptions: it's not required to buy an apprentice or short-term license, to hunt on your own land or a family member's land, or if you're under 12 and hunting under direct adult supervision.

Because the birth-year cutoff covers most adults today, the practical breakdown looks like this:

1. Under 12: exempt from hunter education, but must hunt within sight or hearing of a licensed adult.
2. Age 12 through 15: needs hunter education to hunt unsupervised, or must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
3. Age 16 and older, born on or after January 1, 1961: needs hunter education to purchase a season-long license.
4. Any age, hunting on an apprentice license, a short-term license, or on your own or family land: hunter education isn't required.

Whichever category applies to you, keep proof of your certification or license type on hand while hunting.

How to Get Your Georgia Hunting License (Step-by-Step)

Getting licensed in Georgia is one of the more straightforward processes in the Southeast, especially since the hunter education course is entirely online with no field day required. Here's the full process from start to finish.

1. Complete a GADNR-approved hunter education course if you were born on or after January 1, 1961 and plan to hunt unsupervised.
2. Purchase your license at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, by phone, or at a local license agent.
3. Select your license type: resident ($15), non-resident ($100), or Senior Sportsman's ($7) if you're a resident 65 or older.
4. Add a Big Game license ($25 resident, $225 non-resident) if you're hunting deer, turkey, or bear.
5. Carry your digital license through the Go Outdoors Georgia app, or your printed license and Hunter Education Certificate, any time you hunt.

Once you've completed these steps, you're fully licensed and ready for the field. The sections below cover the hunter education course and license purchase in more detail.

Step 1: Complete a GADNR-Approved Hunter Education Course

Georgia's hunter education requirement is fully satisfied online, with no in-person Field Day required, which sets it apart from several neighboring states.

1. Online course: The Hunter-Ed Georgia course costs $39.95 and is self-paced and IHEA-approved. Most students finish in a few hours.
2. Free classroom option: GADNR also offers a no-cost, in-person classroom course statewide for hunters who prefer hands-on instruction.
3. Free youth online option: Hunters under 16 can complete a free online course through HUNTINGsmart! rather than paying for a commercial provider.

Once you pass either format, print your certificate through your GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com account and you're done. There's no field day to schedule afterward.

Step 2: Purchase Your License

Once you have your Hunter Education Certificate, if it applies to you, you can buy your license through the GADNR website, by phone at 800-366-2661, or at a local license agent.

You'll need a government-issued photo ID, proof of hunter education if required, and payment.

Step 3: Add a Big Game License and Go Hunting

A standard Georgia hunting license doesn't cover deer, turkey, or bear. Taking any of these species requires a separate Big Game license, and a free Harvest Record for deer and turkey that you'll need to report your take.

Once your license and any needed permits are in hand, you're ready to hunt. Before you head out, review general hunting safety practices to make sure you're field-ready.

Georgia Hunting License Requirements by Age

Let's take a look at the requirements for hunting licenses in Georgia by age.

Big Game license: Deer, turkey, and bear require a separate Big Game license ($25 resident, $225 non-resident) in addition to the base hunting license, regardless of age.

Season dates and bag limits vary by species and zone, so check before you plan a hunt.

Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost

Georgia keeps its hunter education options simple, since the entire requirement can be completed without ever attending an in-person Field Day. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats and costs.

Once you earn your certificate, it stays valid for life no matter which format you choose. The hunting license itself is the only part of this you'll renew, and that happens every 365 days.

What to Bring When Buying Your License

Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Georgia hunting license. You'll need:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Hunter Education Certificate, if required for your age and birth year
• Payment (credit or debit card online or by phone, or check or card in person)
• Proof of Georgia residency, if applying for resident rates

Georgia Hunting Laws and Penalties

Hunting without a required license in Georgia is a misdemeanor under the state's general Title 27 penalty statute, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both.

Make sure you review Georgia's hunting laws and regulations for the full requirements.

What About Reciprocity?

Georgia accepts hunter education certificates from any U.S. state or Canadian province, since the state's own program is built to IHEA-USA standards. Other IHEA-USA-compliant states and provinces return the favor and accept a Georgia Hunter Education Certificate.

The hunting license itself, however, is not transferable. Hunters visiting from out of state still need to purchase a Georgia non-resident license.

Out-of-State Visitors

Non-residents can hunt in Georgia with a non-resident annual license ($100), plus a Big Game license ($225) for deer, turkey, or bear.

One exception worth noting: non-resident hunters 15 and younger don't need a license at all for small game, though they do need one if they're targeting big game.

Start Your Georgia Hunter Safety Course Today

The Hunter-Ed Georgia course is approved by GADNR, self-paced, and available on any device. Complete it entirely online, with no field day required, and get your lifetime Georgia Hunter Education Certificate.

Approved by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) | Last verified August 7, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I need a hunting license in Georgia?

A: Yes, if you're between 16 and 64. Hunters under 16 are exempt but must be supervised, and residents 65 and older need a low-cost Senior Sportsman's license instead of a standard one.

Q: How old do you have to be to get a Georgia hunting license?

A: There's no minimum age to hold a license, but the standard requirement applies starting at 16. Hunters under 16 can hunt under adult supervision without one.

Q: How much does a Georgia hunting license cost?

A: A resident annual license costs $15. A non-resident annual license costs $100. A resident Senior Sportsman's license costs $7. Prices reflect GADNR's current published fee schedule.

Q: Does a Georgia hunting license expire?

A: Yes, but not on a fixed date. A Georgia license is valid for 365 days from the date you buy it, so your renewal date depends on your purchase date.

Q: Can I take the hunter education course entirely online in Georgia?

A: Yes. Georgia is one of the more flexible states here: hunters of any age can complete the entire requirement online with no in-person Field Day.

Q: Do I need hunter education in Georgia?

A: Yes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1961 and plan to hunt unsupervised. Exceptions exist for apprentice or short-term license buyers, hunting on your own land, and hunters under 12 who are supervised.

Q: What if I'm visiting Georgia to hunt?

A: Non-residents need a non-resident annual license ($100), plus a Big Game license ($225) for deer, turkey, or bear. Non-resident youth 15 and younger don't need a license for small game.

Q: What's the penalty for hunting without a license in Georgia?

A: It's a misdemeanor under Georgia's general Title 27 penalty statute, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both.