Mark your calendars. Duck hunting season returns in Georgia Saturday. View new bag limits.

Chelsea Madden

Get ready, Georgians. Duck hunting season is back this weekend.

The opener of the season is Nov. 19 and will continue until Nov. 27; then the season will open again on Dec. 10 until Jan. 29.

Duck hunting season begins Nov. 19; however, there are some new bag limit changes to know before you go.
Duck hunting season begins Nov. 19; however, there are some new bag limit changes to know before you go.

However, before you shoot, there are some new things to know.

New Bag Limits

“Waterfowl hunters should note a few bag limit changes this year — the hooded merganser restriction has been removed, so ‘hoodies’ can account for any or all of the merganser bag limit of five per day,” said Kara Nitschke, migratory gamebird biologist. “Additionally, the sea duck limit has been reduced to four per day, only three of which may be scoters, long-tailed ducks, or eiders and only one may be a female eider.”

Here’s a breakdown of all bag limits per bird during duck hunting season:

  • Canada Goose: 5 per day/15 in possession

  • Coots: 15 per day/45 in possession

  • Ducks: 6 per day/18 in possession

  • Falconry: 3 per day/ 9 in possession

  • Gallinules: 15 per day/ 45 in possession

  • Mergansers: 5 per day/15 in possession

  • Mourning Dove: 15 per day/45 in possession

  • Sea Ducks: 4 per day

  • Snow & White-fronted Geese: 5 per day/ 15 in possession

  • Sora & Virginia Rails: 25 per day/ 75 in possession

What are some other federal regulations?

Other than bag limitations, there are several other restrictions when it comes to hunting migratory birds.

This includes restrictions on how hunters can catch and kill game birds.

No person shall take migratory game birds:

  • With a trap, snare, net, crossbow, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10-gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, explosive or stupefying substance.

  • With a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.

  • By driving, rallying or chasing with any motorized conveyance or any sail boat to put them in the range of the hunters.

  • By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as corn, wheat, salt or other feed to constitute a lure or enticement), or on or over any baited area.

Other rules are available to read online on the Georgia Wildlife Resources website.

Hunters should note that any violation of these state regulations is a dual violation, meaning it is also a federal violation.

What license do you need for duck hunting?

On July 1, 2017, the licenses for hunting changed; the two licenses are now combined into one.

Hunters must be 16 years old or older and must have two stamps to hunt in Georgia: a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (duck stamp) and the Georgia Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Stamp.

The Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp is valid only for a single season (March to February); the stamp is $5 on its own.

Federal Duck Stamps are $25 each and though you can have an electronic version saved, hunters must have it with them at all times.

A combo license can be purchased online for $68; it includes 1 Year Hunting / Fishing License, 1 Year GA Waterfowl Conservation License, Migratory Bird Stamp and Federal Duck Stamp (hard card).

Happy hunting!

Advertisement