What License Do I Need?

Overview

The license you will need in order to participate in the outdoor pastimes of hunting and fishing, and visiting state shooting ranges and WRD properties, will depend on if you are a resident of Georgia, your activities of choice, your age and how long you wish the license to be active. Short-term licenses with limited privileges all the way to full-privilege licenses that last a lifetime are available. For residents, there are also discounted licenses available for veterans, active duty military, seniors and people who are disabled.

  • Basic hunting privileges cover hunting small game, participating in an Alligator Harvest Permit holder's alligator hunt, deer-dog hunting, and accessing the state properties on this list. You must meet hunter education requirements to get a license with hunting privileges, except for short-term licenses.
  • Basic fishing privileges cover fishing (except mountain trout) in fresh and salt water and access to the state properties on this list. Saltwater fishing additionally requires the free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit. Mountain trout fishing additionally requires a Trout License.
  • If you do not hunt or fish, a Lands Pass grants access to the state properties on this list. However, purchasing a basic hunting or fishing license for access is a lower cost option in most instances that should be considered by non-hunters and non-anglers.
  • Annual Licenses cover the 365 days after date of purchase and may be stacked to create a license of any year duration.
  • Short Term Licenses (one-day and additional days) cover 1 day (which may be a future date), and additional (consecutive) days may be added at reduced rate per-day, as long as the license has not expired. Up to 10 additional consecutive days may be added, for 11 consecutive days total. If a one-day license and consecutive dates need to be rescheduled before they start, call 1-800-366-2661.
  • Trapping or other commercial licenses are not included in any hunting or fishing license.
  • Please see below for license requirements by age, residency and other considerations.
  • Transaction fees apply for all licenses that have a cost.

Big Game License

Big Game privileges are required to hunt deer, turkey and bear. Some licenses such as the Sportsman’s License include this privilege. A license that covers basic hunting privileges is prerequisite to the Big Game license. This license is available in annual and short-term duration.

Harvest Record

A free Harvest Record is required to hunt deer, turkey, or bear (Northern Zone only). ALL deer, turkey, alligator and bear (Northern Zone only) hunters of all ages are required to have a free Harvest Record, even if they have a full-privilege license or if they are not required to have a hunting license. The Harvest Record is only valid for a single season (March to February). Hunters must obtain a new Harvest Record each season, and record their kill on the paper or electronic version before moving the carcass.

Note: Thanks to an update to the Outdoors GA app, harvests can be logged offline, to sync with the server later when there is signal. All harvested turkey, deer, bear (Northern Zone only) and alligators must be reported within 24 hours through Georgia Game Check. More information on Harvest Records and Georgia Game Check.

Alligator Harvest Permit

An Alligator Harvest Permit is required if you are drawn for an alligator quota hunt, regardless of age. Some licenses cover the cost of this privilege (Optional Resident Youth Sportsman’s, Disability, One-Time Veteran, Lifetime Sportsman’s and Lifetime Hunting). Most licenses do not cover the cost of this privilege. A license that covers basic hunting privileges is prerequisite to this permit.

GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License

The GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License is required for ALL migratory bird hunters (doves, ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe, coots, rails, or gallinules) that are 16 and older, even if a hunting license is not required. This stamp is how Georgia participates in the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). Some licenses allow the license holder to get the GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License at no cost. The GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License is only valid for a single season (March to February). Hunters must obtain a new GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License each season. A Federal Duck Stamp ($29) is still required if hunting duck and geese for hunters age 16 and older.

Trout License

A Trout License is required for persons age 16 and older to fish for or possess mountain trout. Some licenses include this privilege. A license that covers basic fishing privileges is prerequisite to this license.

​Saltwater Information Program (SIP) Permit

A free Saltwater Information Program permit (SIP permit) is required for persons age 16 and older to fish in saltwater, even if they have a full-privilege license or if they are not required to have a fishing license. The SIP permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Anglers must obtain a new SIP permit each year.

Resident License Guide

Proof of Residency

For purposes of purchasing recreational hunting and fishing licenses—except lifetime licenses—“Georgia Resident” means a person who has been domiciled within the State of Georgia for a period of at least three consecutive months before license purchase (declared Georgia their only state of legal residence as shown by a Georgia driver’s license or official GA ID card with a Georgia address). Domiciled means a person's fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposes. A person may own land or dwellings and may stay for a time in several states, but may only have one domicile, and therefore may not be a resident of two states at the same time.

The following nonresident persons may purchase resident recreational hunting and fishing licenses, other than lifetime, honorary or discounted license types:

  • Full-time military personnel on active duty stationed in Georgia, and the dependents of such military personnel stationed in Georgia. Requires Military ID.
  • Nonresident full-time college students living in Georgia and attending a Georgia college. Students must provide a current Georgia student ID as documentation.

Georgia residents as defined above (declared Georgia their only state of legal residence) may purchase a lifetime license if they have a current Georgia driver’s license or official Georgia identification card issued by the Department of Driver Services three month previous except for short term driver’s licenses issued pursuant to GA Code Section 40-5-21.1.

Landowners

Georgia resident landowners (as defined; declared Georgia their only state of legal residence as shown by a Georgia driver’s license or official GA ID card with a Georgia address) who are hunting on their own land or hunters hunting on land that is owned by their immediate family (you live in the same household as them and they are a blood relative or claim you as a dependent) need the free Harvest Record (all ages) when hunting deer or turkey, and a free GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License (16+ years old), when hunting migratory birds (dove, ducks, geese,etc.), plus a Federal Duck Stamp ($29) (16+ years old), when hunting ducks or geese but are exempt from other Georgia hunting and fishing license requirements. Hunter education is not required for a person hunting only on their own land or that of a parent or legal guardian, or to persons permitting a child or ward 12–15 years of age to hunt on the parent’s or guardians own land.

Sportsman's License: $65 annual | $25 for one-day & $3 for additional days

Resident hunters age 16–64 may purchase a Sportsman's License. A Sportsman's License provides all state paid hunting and fishing privileges (some free licenses may be required (see below), with the exception of the paid Alligator Harvest Permit. Hunting, Big Game, GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License, Trout, and Salt and Freshwater Fishing privileges are included. A Sportsman's license of annual or longer duration requires completion of a qualifying hunter education course.

Additional free licenses may be required, based on activity. These include the free Harvest Record for deer, turkey, alligator, and bear (Northern Zone only), the GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License (at no additional cost for Sportsman's License holders), free annual Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit for saltwater fishing, and the Federal Duck Stamp ($29).

See information on alligator harvest permits if hunting alligator.

Sportsman's licenses are available to residents in annual and short-term durations. Lifetime licenses are also available. See Annual License for more information on annual licenses. See Lifetime Licenses for more information on lifetime licenses.

Youth Sportsman's License (Optional): $15

Resident youth hunters age 15 and under can get a Youth Sportsman's License. The youth must complete hunter education in order to hunt without supervision or to hunt after their 16th birthday under this license.

The multiyear license is effective until the youth's 17th birthday. Between the youth's 16th and 17th birthdays, they will have a full-privilege Sportsman’s license! Additional free licenses may be required based on the activity. These include the free Harvest Record for deer, turkey, alligator, and bear (Northern Zone only) (all ages), the GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License (age 16 and older, no additional cost for Sportsman's License holders), free annual Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit for saltwater fishing (age 16 and older), and the Federal Duck Stamp ($29, age 16 and older).

Senior Sportsman's License: $7

Sportsman’s licenses are available to seniors (age 65+) born on or after July 1, 1952, at a discounted rate, in either lifetime ($70) or annual ($7) options. See Lifetime Licenses for additional options.

Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license.

Combo Hunting & Fishing License: $30 annual | $5 for one-day & $1 for additional days

Residents age 16–64 may purchase an annual combo hunting and fishing license. A Combo License combines basic hunting and basic fishing privileges. Completion of a qualifying hunter education course is required for Combo Licenses of annual or longer duration.

Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:

This license is available in annual and short-term durations.

Apprentice Combo Hunting & Fishing License: $5 for one-day & $1 for additional days

If you would like to try hunting but haven't completed hunter education (available online or in-person) and are 16 and older, you can purchase an apprentice license and go try hunting! Although we recommend learning hunting from a mentor or another licensed hunter, you are not required to have a licensed hunter with you.

Anyone age 16 and older can purchase this license. There is no limit on the amount of one-day apprentice licenses you can purchase. You can stack up to 10 consecutive days of one-day licenses at a time.

Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:

Hunting License: $15 annual | $5 for one-day & $1 for additional days

Residents age 16–64 may purchase a hunting license. This license covers basic hunting privileges. Completion of a qualifying hunter education course is required for Hunting Licenses of annual or longer duration.
Residents 15 years of age or younger may opt for the optional Youth Sportsman's License.

Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:

This license is available in annual and short-term durations.

Senior Hunting License: $4

Annual Resident Hunting licenses are available to seniors (age 65+) at a discounted rate. This license includes a big game privilege.

  • Hunting deer, bear and turkey requires a free Harvest Record for deer, turkey, and bear.
  • Migratory birds hunting (including dove) requires the GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License, and hunting duck and geese additionally requires the Federal Duck Stamp ($29).

See Senior Sportsman's license and Lifetime Licenses for additional options.
Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license.

Fishing License: $15 annual | $5 for one-day & $1 for additional days

Residents age 16–64 must have a fishing license to fish in fresh and salt waters of Georgia. This license covers basic fishing privileges.

  • Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:
  • Saltwater fishing additionally requires the free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit.
  • Mountain trout fishing additionally requires the paid Trout License.

Fishing licenses are available in annual and short-term durations.

Optional Youth Fishing License: $10

Resident youth under the age of 15 can get an Optional Youth Fishing License. The multiyear license is effective until the youth's 17th birthday. Mountain trout privileges are included in this license.

Senior Fishing License: $4

Annual Resident Fishing licenses are available to seniors (age 65+) at a discounted rate. This license includes a trout fishing privilege.

See Senior Sportsman's license and Lifetime Licenses for additional options.
Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free lifetime license.

Nonresident License Guide

Landowners

Nonresident landowners owning land in Georgia must obtain a nonresident license to hunt or fish. Nonresident family members of a resident landowner must obtain a nonresident license to hunt or fish, except that nonresidents under age 16 may fish or hunt small game without a Georgia license. When hunting big game, nonresidents less than 16 must possess a valid nonresident hunting license, but are exempt from the big game license requirement.

Sportsman's License: $400 annual | $170 for one-day & $70 for additional days

Nonresident hunters 16 and up may purchase a Sportsman's License. A Sportsman's License provides all state paid hunting and fishing privileges, with the exception of the Alligator Harvest Permit. A Sportsman's license of annual or longer duration requires completion of a qualifying hunter education course.

Hunting, Big Game, GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License, Trout, and Salt and Freshwater Fishing costs are included.

Trapping or other commercial licenses are not included.

Additional free licenses may be required, based on activity. These include the free Harvest Record for deer, turkey, alligator, and bear (Northern Zone only), the GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License (at no additional cost for Sportsman's License holders) and the free annual Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit for saltwater fishing. A paid Federal Duck Stamp ($29) is needed to hunt duck and geese.

See information on Alligator Harvest Permits if hunting alligator.

This license is available in annual and short-term durations.

Youth Sportsman’s (15 years of age or younger at purchase): $50 annual | $20 hunting for one-day & $6 for additional days

Nonresident youth 15 years of age or younger do not need a Hunting License to hunt small game, but they must have a basic hunting privilege to hunt big game, and a free Harvest Record for deer, turkey, alligator, and bear (Northern Zone only). The Big Game License is not required by nonresident persons under the age of 16.

Note: If 15 years of age or younger, a fishing and trout license is not required, a SIP is not required for salt water, a GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License is not required for migratory birds, a Federal Duck Stamp is not required for duck and geese, and they do not need a license or pass to access state WMAs and PFAs. An annual Nonresident Youth Sportsman’s License ($50) is available for purchase by youth 15 years of age or younger that allows big game hunting. After age 16, they may continue to use the youth sportsman’s license acquired before their 16th birthday for required hunting and fishing licenses until it expires. A free GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License and SIP must be obtained at age 16 by youth license holders. See hunter education requirements.

Combo Hunting and Fishing License: $150 annual | $30 for one-day & $10 for additional days

Nonresidents 16 and up may purchase an annual combo hunting and fishing license. A Combo License combines basic hunting and basic fishing privileges. Completion of a qualifying hunter education course is required for Combo Licenses of annual or longer duration.
Nonresidents 15 years of age or younger with this license do not need a big game license to hunt big game, but a free Harvest Record is required to hunt for deer, turkey, alligator, and bear (Northern Zone only).

Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:

This license is available in annual and short-term durations.

Apprentice Combo Hunting & Fishing License: $30 for one-day & $10 for additional days

If you would like to try hunting but haven't completed hunter education (available online or in-person) and you are 16 and older, you can purchase an apprentice license and go try hunting! Although we recommend learning hunting from a mentor or another licensed hunter, you are not required to have a licensed hunter with you.

Anyone age 16 and older can purchase this license. There is no limit on the amount of one-day apprentice licenses you can purchase. You can stack up to 10 consecutive days of one-day licenses at a time.

Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:

Hunting Licenses: $100 annual | $20 for one-day & $6 for additional days

Nonresidents 16 and up may purchase a hunting license. This license covers basic hunting privileges. Completion of a qualifying hunter education course is required for Hunting Licenses of annual or longer duration.
Nonresidents 15 years of age or younger must have this license to hunt big game, but do not need a Big Game license. A free Harvest Record is required by all ages to hunt for deer, turkey, alligator, and bear (Northern Zone only).

Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:

This license is available in annual and short-term durations.

Fishing License: $50 annual | $10 for one-day & $3.50 for additional days

Nonresidents 16 years of age and older must have a fishing license to fish in fresh and salt waters of Georgia. This license covers basic fishing privileges. 

  • Additional paid or free licenses may be needed depending on location and activity:
  • Saltwater fishing additionally requires the free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit.
  • Mountain trout fishing additionally requires the paid Trout License.

Fishing licenses are available in annual and short-term durations.