Georgia Hunting Season Kicks Off With Squirrel Opener

Squirrel hunting has long been a great introduction for kids that is fun and teaches woodsmanship. This 2004 photo from the GON archives features Garrett Houston, Zack Houston and Jake Allen after a good day of squirrel hunting at Rum Creek WMA.

“There’s a season for squirrels?”

That was the reaction of a young kid when told of the upcoming squirrel season opener on Thursday, Aug. 15. The 2024-2025 squirrel season in Georgia runs from Aug. 15 to Feb. 28 with a daily limit of 12 squirrels per hunter. The simplicity of squirrel hunting and potential for lots of action makes an outing a great excuse to watch daylight break in the woods, especially if you take a kid.

A .22 or shotgun, and a pocketful of bullets or shells and some Permanone tick repellent on the boots and camo pants is about all you need. And Georgia’s vast Wildlife Management Area system and National Forest lands offer an endless expanse of hunting woods to explore. And you might just find a honeyhole for deer season.

“If you have kids that are itching to go on their first hunt, squirrel season is a great idea because you don’t have to be absolutely still or quiet, making it an ideal first hunt opportunity,” said Diana McGrath, Wildlife Biologist with the WRD Game Management Section. “Finding squirrels is typically easy as they occur on nearly every wildlife management area and hunting lease in the state, but they still provide enough challenge to make the hunt exciting.”

Georgia WMAs 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 (GeorgiaWildlife.com/allwmas). Hunters are advised to check the current hunting regulations for specific WMA dates and info (GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources).

Both gray and fox squirrels are found throughout Georgia. The gray squirrel, abundant in both rural and urban areas, is most common. Though mostly associated with hardwood forests, grays also can be found in mixed pine/hardwood forests. Predominantly gray, with white under parts, 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 1 pound to nearly 3, and are more closely associated with mature pine and mixed pine/hardwood habitats, especially in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions.

Squirrel for dinner? Yes, please. Whether fried with gravy, barbeque style, slow cooker, in a casserole, or any other delicious way, squirrel is a healthy, sustainable source of protein high in iron and B Vitamins, and best of all—it tastes good! Find some tasty recipes for harvested squirrels at GeorgiaWildlife.blog/2018/08/26/5-squirrel-recipes-youll-ever-taste/.

5 Best Squirrel Recipes You’ll Ever Taste

For more information on the 2024-2025 squirrel hunting season, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources. To renew or purchase a hunting license, visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.

Jack Freeland, of Dahlonega, with his dog Dottie and his 36th squirrel of the 2023 season. They were enjoying the plentiful squirrel numbers in Lumpkin County.