Authored By Staff report

The 2018 hunting season has officially kicked off in Georgia with the opening of squirrel season on August 15. In addition, early teal season begins September 8. Squirrel Squirrel hunting provides the perfect opportunity to introduce someone to the sport of hunting, and the first opportunity of the year to start replenishing that meat in the freezer, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Unlike some big game hunts, the pursuit of bushytails often involves more action for energetic youth, providing a greater level of interaction with the outdoors. Having begun August 15, 2018, and lasting through February 28, 2019, hunters can pursue both gray and fox squirrels. The maximum daily bag limit is 12 per hunter. “Squirrel hunting in the fall has always been a significant cultural hunting tradition in Georgia,” said John Bowers, chief of the Game Management Section. “It also provides a great opportunity to take a young person or someone new to hunting with you on a fun, inexpensive and active outdoor adventure.” Georgia’s wildlife management areas (WMA) offer access to nearly one million acres of hunting opportunity, and squirrel hunting is allowed on WMAs at specified times during the statewide squirrel season. View an interactive map of hunting locations here. The two species Both the gray and fox squirrels can be found throughout Georgia. The gray squirrel, abundant in both rural and urban areas is the most common species. Though mostly associated with hardwood forests, grays also can be found in mixed pine/hardwood forests. Predominantly gray, with white underparts, gray squirrels appear more slender-bodied than fox squirrels, weighing anywhere from 12 ounces to 1.5 pounds. Fox squirrels have several color phases, varying from silver-gray with a predominantly black head, to solid black, to a light buff or brown color tinged with reddish-yellow. Generally larger than grays, fox squirrels range in weight from one pound to nearly three, and are more closely associated with mature pine and mixed pine/hardwood habitats and especially in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. Click here for more information on the 2018—2019 squirrel hunting season, as well as other hunting seasons. Renew or purchase a hunting license here. Teal Early teal season is the first opportunity of the year for waterfowl hunters to get out in the field, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. This year, early teal season is Sept. 8–23, 2018, with a daily limit of 6 teal. “Scouting is very important during early teal season,” said State Waterfowl Biologist Greg Balkcom. “Teal migrate through Georgia pretty quickly, and hunters need to spend some time in the field prior to the season to locate good spots to hunt on opening day.” During early teal season, there are many places open to hunt. People can hunt many of Georgia’s Wildlife Management Areas that are open for small game hunting, and they can hunt beaver ponds and other natural wetlands. Lakes, such as Juliette, and many reservoirs like Clarks Hill, West Point and Seminole offer great hunting opportunities. For those planning to hunt the coast, reminders of this past hurricane season will still be visible. For example, the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area continues to experience challenges brought by the strong winds, storm surge and saltwater intrusion delivered by Hurricane Irma, so hunters should take that into consideration when making plans. Waterfowl hunters need a hunting license, the Georgia migratory bird stamp and the federal duck stamp. Licenses may be purchased at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com. Find more information about waterfowl hunting here.