It’s a good time of year if you enjoy hunting in the woods and swamps of Georgia because there are so many options. Deer season is in full swing and several other seasons for small game and waterfowl have just opened or are opening soon. With all these activities going on we will take a minute to go over them and give you some resources for information. Additionally we will take a peek at how whitetail deer season is progressing.

Small game hunting in our state is a passion for many outdoorsmen. One of the most popular species for Georgians is rabbits and that season began November 12th and runs through February 29th. The daily bag limit is twelve. The purists of the sport have been waiting a long time for their dogs to hit the woods and be able to listen to the sweet music of those baying hounds in pursuit of old long ears.

Quail season also opened November 12th and also runs through February 29th with a daily bag limit of twelve birds. Although the numbers of quail have been reduced dramatically for several reasons you can still find wild birds in pockets of South Georgia and there are dozens of places you can hunt on preserves that offer pen raised birds. Most of those who hunt quail enjoy the walks through wooded areas and the thrill of pointers and setters as they find and flush these traditionally quick and crafty game birds.

Raccoon season resumed in mid-October and runs through February 29th with a limit of three per day. The lovers of this sport are as enthusiastic as any you will find and most own or have access to hounds that are trained specifically for hunting raccoon. Most hunting for this game animal is done at night and can take the hunters on a wild chase as they follow their hounds.

The third and final segment of dove season is set to open November 24th and will run through January 7th with a bag limit of fifteen birds per day. Late season dove hunting is much different than that done in September. The birds will likely come into the field in larger groups and are extremely wary. The taking of a limit in the final portion of the season is quite a challenge. Legal hunting hours run from one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Another species that stirs the passion of Georgia hunters is waterfowl. The next season for geese and ducks opens November 19th and runs through November 27th then resumes December 10th and goes through January 29th. The bag limit on geese is five per day and for ducks it is six per day. There are some further limitations on duck bag limits since there are several different kinds. Those regulations specify daily limits for wood ducks as three, four for mallards (two of which can be hens), 2 scaup, 2 redheads, 2 pintails, 1 black, 1 canvasback, and 1 whistling duck. Total daily limit as stated before is six.

It should also be noted that in addition to a hunting license waterfowl hunters must purchase a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and must have an HIP (Harvest Information Program) license which is free. Another regulation that waterfowl hunters should be aware of is that when using shotguns that are ten gauge or smaller, non-toxic shot must be used. No lead shot is permitted.

There are other small game seasons that may be of interest. Legal hunting days, bag limits and regulations for grouse, fox, bobcat, marsh hens, and crows among others can be found by going to www.gohuntgeorgia.com. Full details for all Georgia hunting regulations can be found at the same site.

Finally let’s take a look at how deer season is progressing. The general consensus of hunters, taxidermists, and deer processors is that this season has produced larger than average numbers of deer and also produced an above average number of top end specimens as is often the case in the woodlands of our state. With the rut still going on hunters can continue to expect to see lots of deer movement especially between now and Thanksgiving with the moon moving well past the full stage.

Deer season in South Georgia continues through January 15th and it will be interesting to see if the new rule allowing hunting over bait has had an impact on the overall number of deer taken or the numbers of big deer brought to the ground. There’s no data in on that topic as of yet.