Georgia law is clear: due to state regulations, everyone born after January 1, 1961, must have completed a Hunter Education Course before buying a hunting license.
Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Georgia hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Buy your Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.
GA Hunter Education Certification
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Georgia. The first 2 options are presented by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division. The last option through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest & can be used to hunt across the US.
- Complete an in-person course through the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division. Typically, you will need to register for these months in advance, so plan accordingly if you want to pursue the in-person option.
- An online course through a Georgia Wildlife Resources Division partner.
- Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.
The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division Website states that "Hunter education courses certified or mandated by any state wildlife agency or Canadian province are accepted."
What makes our course the best?
First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.
After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Georgia), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
Select Your Georgia Hunting License
Georgia offers a comprehensive range of hunting licenses tailored to residents, non-residents, youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Below is an overview of the primary license types available:
Resident Licenses
A resident is a person who has lived in Georgia for at least 3 months. Out-of-state college students living in Georgia and active-duty military members and their dependents are considered residents.
All Georgia residents ages 16 to 64 must have a resident hunting license. Additional state permits may be required.
Residents can quality for lifetime licenses which cover all state-paid hunting and fishing privileges for life.
Resident Hunting License: Required for residents aged 16–64 to hunt small game.
Resident Sportsman's License: Provides all state-paid hunting and fishing privileges, including big game, migratory birds, and trout (excludes alligator harvest permit and federal duck stamp).
Senior Licenses:
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Annual Senior Hunting License: For residents aged 65+
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Senior Lifetime Hunting License: For residents aged 65+
- Free Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License: Available to residents born on or before June 30, 1952.
- Youth Licenses:
- Optional Youth Sportsman's License: For residents under 16; valid until 17th birthday.
- Disability Licenses:
- Annual Disability Hunting License: For residents with permanent disabilities.
- Three-Year Disability Hunting License
Non-Resident Licenses
All non-resident hunters and landowners must have a non-resident hunting license to ensure the conservation of our local wildlife. An exception is made for a person under 16 years of age hunting small game. Additional licenses may be required.
Non-Resident Hunting License: Required for non-residents aged 16+ to hunt small game.
Non-Resident Sportsman's License: Includes hunting, big game, fishing, and trout privileges.
Non-Resident Youth Sportsman's License: For non-residents under 16; includes hunting and fishing privileges.
Youth & Apprentice Licenses
Youth Exemptions: Residents under 16 can hunt small game without a license but must be under adult supervision.
Apprentice Hunting License: Allows individuals to hunt and fish without completing a hunter education course; valid for up to 11 consecutive days.
Required Add-ons & Permits
Big Game License: Required for hunting deer, turkey, and bear.
Harvest Record: Free and required for hunting deer, turkey, or bear.
Georgia Migratory Bird License: Free and required for hunting migratory birds (e.g., doves, ducks, geese).
Federal Duck Stamp: Required for waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older.
Alligator Harvest Permit: Required if selected for an alligator quota hunt.
Hunting licenses are good for 12 months from the date of purchase, supporting wildlife conservation efforts in Georgia. Georgia residents are able to purchase a lifetime hunting license.
Where to buy your Georgia Hunting License
To hunt in Georgia, you must comply with hunting regulations, including meeting the license requirements, and you can buy your license and access your customer account either online through their licensing platform here or in person through a licensing agent, all listed here.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Georgia:
- Bass Pro Shops – Macon, GA Address: 5000 Bass Pro Blvd, Macon, GA 31210 Phone: (478) 757-7600
- Academy Sports + Outdoors – Augusta, GA Address: 4210 Washington Rd, Evans, GA 30809 Phone: (706) 210-6100
- Walmart Supercenter – Valdosta, GA Address: 340 Norman Dr, Valdosta, GA 31601 Phone: (229) 242-4441
- Dunham’s Sports – Rome, GA Address: 2770 Martha Berry Hwy, Rome, GA 30165 Phone: (706) 232-1000
- Dick's Sporting Goods – Alpharetta, GA Address: 13075 North Point Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30022 Phone: (770) 410-1360
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I sign up for the hunter education course before hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.
How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?
$29 with HunterSafetyUSA. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Georgia?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Georgia and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division Website states that "Hunter education courses certified or mandated by any state wildlife agency or Canadian province are accepted."