Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 391-4 - WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION › Subject 391-4-2 - HUNTING REGULATIONS › Rule 391-4-2-.22 - Bear

Current through Rules and Regulations filed
				through June 27, 2024
(1) Bears may be taken with archery equipment
				during the statewide archery deer season, with primitive weapons during the
				statewide primitive weapons deer season, and with firearms during the statewide
				firearms deer season in Barrow, Carroll, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hart,
				Jackson, Madison, and Walton counties and all counties north of these counties
				except that county specific weapons restrictions enumerated in
				391-4-2-.25 and
				391-4-2-.26 shall apply to bear
				hunting in such counties. Youth under 16 years of age may hunt bears with any
				firearm legal for hunting deer during the northern zone primitive weapons
				season for bears.
(2) Bears All
				harvested bears in the counties specified in subsection (1) must be reported
				within 24 hours of carcass recovery pursuant to
				391-4-2-.03.
(3) The entire hide and skull of any
				harvested bear in the counties specified in subsection (1) shall be taken
				during normal business hours to any Game Management facility or participating
				processor or taxidermist listed as open for bear check-in in the annual Hunting
				Seasons and Regulations guide for tagging by the department within 3 business
				days of harvest.
(4) Bears may be
				taken in Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Ware
				counties on the last two (2) Thursdays of September and the Friday and Saturday
				immediately following each, and the first two (2) Thursdays of October and the
				Friday and Saturday immediately following each. Hunting with dogs is allowed
				except that still hunting only is allowed in Lanier and Lowndes counties. Bears
				must be checked and tagged within 24 hours of harvest at the Georgia Forestry
				Commission Office at Fargo, the Georgia Forestry Commission Office at Folkston,
				or the Dixon Memorial check station during the hours and dates listed as open
				for bear check-in in the annual Hunting Seasons and Regulations
				guide.
(5) Bears may be taken in
				Bibb, Bleckley, Houston and Twiggs counties on the third Saturday in December.
				If fewer than 6 female bears are killed by hunters during the December season,
				the 1st Saturday after January 1 will be open to hunting. Hunting with dogs is
				prohibited. Bears must be checked and tagged at the Oaky Woods WMA check
				station from 12 noon through 9 p.m. on the day of hunt.
(6) It is unlawful to kill a female with cubs
				or kill a cub having a live weight of less than 75 pounds.
(7) It is unlawful to possess a bear unless
				it is reported and tagged as stated in subsections (1), (2) and (3)
				above.
(8) Bag limit 2; provided,
				however, that an individual may take no more than 1 bear per season from Bibb,
				Brantley, Bleckley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Houston, Lanier, Lowndes,
				Twiggs or Ware counties.
O.C.G.A.
				  §§
											27-1-4,
				  27-3-15,
				  27-3-26.