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The Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) of the Georgia Department ofNatural Resources, formerly known as the Game and Fish Commission,regulates hunting, fishing, and the operation of watercraft in Georgia,protects non-game and endangered wildlife, and maintains publiceducation and law enforcement programs to ensure that Georgia's naturalresources will be conserved for our present and future generations.

The Law Enforcement Section is responsible for protecting Georgia'swildlife populations by enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertainingto game and nongame animals, threatened and endangered plants andanimals, exotic animals, boating safety, litter and waste control andother natural resource issues.

The law enforcement section also administers the state's huntereducation and boating safety programs.Conservation Rangers investigateviolations of wildlife laws, as well as hunting and boating incidents. They also conduct classes and programs to educate citizens aboutwildlife laws and safety practices.

How to Get a Hunting License

You can buy a hunting license in one of three ways:

• From a License Dealer: Resident Georgia hunting licenses are available throughout  the state from license agents in many sporting goods stores, marinas, bait and tackle stores, hardware stores, etc. Most license agents  also sell non-resident licenses. icenses also may be purchased in person at Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement offices statewide. The office serving Habersham County is the License and Boat Registration Unit at 2065 U.S. Hwy. 278 SE in Social Circle, GA.
• By Phone: Call 800-366-2661 (toll free) to purchase your hunting license by telephone. There is a $3.95 fee per transaction.
• Purchase Online: You can click here to buy hunting licenses online directly from the WRD. 

Georgia Hunting License Fees

For the most current hunting license fees, click here to visit the Hunting License Information section of the Wildlife Resources Division. Within this Web site you'll also find information about hunting seasons,fishing locations, wildlife viewing opportunities, boating safety,educational programs and more. You can even learn how to get involvedand support wildlife conservation efforts right here in Georgia.

Lifetime Licenses

Georgia lifetime licenses cover all sport hunting and fishing licenses, except for the Federal Duck Stamp and the free Federal Harvest Information Program Permit. Deer hunters also must pick up a Deer Harvest Record from a license dealer prior to hunting each year. Lifetime licenses are valid for the life of the person, even if they move out of Georgia. People who purchase a lifetime license will receive a colorful, plastic license card. Senior license holders (65 years and older) may purchase the plastic card for a $10 processing fee. You must be a Georgia resident for at least 12 months immediately preceding the application for the lifetime license and provide proof of residency in order to be eligible for this license.

Download Georgia DNR Lifetime License Application (111Kb)

Fishing Licenses and Where to Buy Them

You can buy a fishing license in one of three ways:

• From a License Dealer: Resident Georgiafishing  licenses are available throughout  the state from licenseagents in many sporting goods stores, marinas, bait and tacklestores, hardware stores, etc. Most license agents  also sellnon-resident licenses. icenses also may be purchased inperson at Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement officesstatewide. The office serving Habersham County is the License and BoatRegistration Unit at 2065 U.S. Hwy. 278 SE in Social Circle, GA.
• By Phone: Call 800-366-2661 (toll free) to purchase your fishing license by telephone. There is a $3.95 fee per transaction.
• Purchase Online: You can click here to buy fishing licenses online directly from the WRD. 

How long are licenses valid?

All recreational seasonal hunting and fishing licenses are good forone full year (12 months) from the day that they are purchased. Two yearlicenses are also available that are valid for two full years (24months) from the day they are purchased.  Prior to February 2004,hunting and fishing licenses expired at the end of the traditional"license year" (March 31) no matter when they were purchased. Commerciallicenses (commercial fishing, Wild Animal dealer, wholesale or retailfish dealer, etc) will continue to expire on March 31 of each year. Since there is no longer a "license year" for recreationallicenses, license buyers now get more value - not to mention moreopportunities to hunt and fish - for their annual  or two year licensepurchase price.

Save money on Georgia Fishing Licenses & Fees

If you renew your annual or two-year license before expiration, you will receive a discount on the license fee. Purchase a 2-year license and save money on the license fee compared to purchasing two one-year licenses. With a two-year license, you also save even more by not paying a second transaction fee. Fill in your email address (optional), and receive a renewal reminder from DNR before your current license expires (renew before expiration and save!).

Note: Click here for full information on residency requirements for license purchases and information on who is required to have a license.

Georgia Fishing License Fees

For the most current hunting license fees, click here tovisit the Fishing License Information section of the Wildlife ResourcesDivision. Within this Web site you'll also find information abouthunting seasons,fishing locations, wildlife viewing opportunities,boating safety,educational programs and more. You can even learn howto get involvedand support wildlife conservation efforts right here inGeorgia.

Lifetime Sportsman License

A lifetime license allows the purchaser to enjoy a lifetime worth ofhunting and fishing privileges in the State of Georgia. License is validif you move out of state. Does not include the Federal Duck Stamp. Download a Lifetime Sportsman's License application and mail or hand-deliver itto a Wildlife Resources Division office. The Lifetime Sportsman'sLicense is not available online because of strict residency and agedocumentation requirement.  Credit card transactions may not be available at every WRD office, please call local office to verify.

Download Georgia DNR Lifetime License Application (111Kb)

One Time Honorary Veterans Hunting and Fishing Liceense

A free hunting and fishing license issued once formilitary veterans discharged on or after July, 1 2005. Requires AdobeAcrobat. Click here for a One-time Honorary Veterans Hunting and Fishing License application.

Disability Hunting and Fishing License

Application for Disability Hunting and Fishing license.Only with approval that you are totally disabled,unable to hold gainfulemployment and that you are a resident of Georgia. Click here for the application for Disability Hunting and Fishing License.

Why DNR Needs Your Social Security Number

Under OCGA Title 19-11-9.1(a.1), anyone purchasing anycommercial, professional or recreational licenses or permits mustfurnish their Social Security number prior to the purchase of any suchlicense or permit.

Some good reasons to buy a fishing license

Your purchase of a fishing license helps support the following Fisheries Section programs. If you want to support fisheries management and conservation of Georgia's aquatic resources, buy a fishing license today!

• Management: Fish populations are monitored and managed in over 500,000 acres of reservoirs and small lakes, 12,000 miles of streams and rivers, and over 4,000 miles of trout streams. 
• Hatcheries: six warmwater hatcheries produce largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, striped bass, hybrid striped-white bass, and other species to stock into reservoirs, rivers, and ponds; three trout hatcheries stock over 1 million trout into trout streams. 
• Public Fishing Areas: over 2,000 acres of water on nine PFAs provide quality fishing for bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. PFAs are "perfect family areas" for family recreation. License sales help build new PFAs! 
• Pond Management: guidance is provided to pond owners through consultation and on site visits. 
• Boat Ramps: 150 boat ramps are maintained statewide. New ramps are built each year to provide better access for all boaters. 
• Aquatic Education: over 30,000 kids and their parents fish at over 500 Kids Fishing Events each year. Many are kids that have not experienced good fishing. Over 1,200 educators are trained and provided teaching materials each year to teach youth about Georgia's aquatic resources. 
• Publications: Reservoir and Rivers Fishing Prospects, Small Lakes Open to Public Fishing, Georgia Fish ID book, Pond Management books, Trout Streams of Georgia map, Fishing Regulations book, River maps, and many others are printed and mailed to thousands each year. 
• Fish Kills and Pollution: because of Fisheries staff investigations the culprit is often brought to justice and fined. 

How to Register a Vessel

PRINT a Mail-in Vessel Registration application.  Applications are not available at stores or marinas.

• NEW registration is for any vessel notregistered in Georgia.  Brand NEW vessels must include the ManufacturersStatement of Origin (MSO) and a bill of sale.  Out of State Vessels seebelow.
• TRANSFER registration is used totransfer the ownership of a current Georgia registration to a new ownerin Georgia.  Transfers must include a bill of sale from the previousregistered owner or the previous owners registration card must beincluded with the bill of sale.
• TRANSFER and RENEWAL registration, must include transfer documents listed above and payment to renew the registration for three more years.
• RENEWAL registrationis to renew the current vessel with the same owner.  May be done onlineor by phone.  A renewal coupon will be mailed out with 60 days ofexpiration for you to renew by mail.

Click here for fees and additional information, including procedures for registering a vessel coming from another state.

For more information call the Boat Registration Office at 800-366-2661 or send an Email to:  gaboats@infospherix.com

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