Georgia Hunting Leases: Timber Company and Private Land Guide

Georgia is one of the best-kept secrets in Southern hunting. Long seasons, generous bag limits, a strong deer herd and millions of acres of pine and hardwood timber make the state a favorite for hunters across the Southeast. With most of that land in private hands, Georgia hunting leases are the most dependable way to secure quality ground for you and your hunting club.

This guide covers what Georgia offers, how timber company and private hunting leases work, what to look for, and how to find a lease in Georgia.

Why Hunt Georgia?

Georgia gives hunters a lot of time in the field. Deer season is one of the longest in the country, typically opening with archery in September and running into January, and bag limits allow hunters to take multiple deer each season. Add strong turkey numbers, waterfowl, feral hogs and even a limited alligator season, and there’s something to hunt nearly year-round.

Seasons, zones and bag limits change, so always confirm the current regulations with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division.

Why Lease Hunting Land in Georgia?

Public land in Georgia, including wildlife management areas, can see heavy pressure, especially during the rut and opening weekends. A private lease gives your group exclusive access, the freedom to manage the property for the deer you want, and the same ground to hunt season after season.

Leasing is especially common in Georgia because so much of the state’s land is privately owned farmland and timberland. Hunt clubs have a long tradition here, and many groups lease the same property for years.

Timber Company Hunting Leases in Georgia

Much of Georgia’s forest is managed for timber production, and many timber companies and timberland investors lease hunting rights on their land. These leases are often large tracts of planted pines mixed with hardwood drains and creek bottoms, which can make outstanding deer and turkey habitat, especially after a thinning or a recent cut.

Timber company leases are usually leased to hunt clubs on an annual basis, and they come with rules tied to timber operations, such as restrictions on where you can build stands, plant food plots or drive vehicles, and periods when logging crews are active. Read the lease terms carefully and understand how harvest schedules could affect your hunting. For a closer look, read Hunting Lease Programs on Timberland, and Where the Model Breaks Down.

What You Can Hunt on a Georgia Lease

White-Tailed Deer

Deer are the main draw. Georgia’s mix of agricultural fields, pine plantations and hardwood bottoms supports a healthy herd across the state, and the long season gives you plenty of chances to fill tags.

Wild Turkey

Georgia has a strong population of Eastern wild turkeys, and a private lease is the best way to work birds without competition from other hunters. Learn more in The 5 Best States to Hunt Turkeys.

Ducks

Beaver ponds, river swamps and flooded timber hold wood ducks and other waterfowl, and coastal Georgia offers marsh hunting along the Atlantic Flyway.

Feral Hogs

Feral hogs damage crops and habitat across much of Georgia, and on private land they can be hunted year-round with landowner permission. Many lessees welcome the chance to keep hunting after deer season ends.

Alligators

Georgia offers a limited alligator season through a quota permit system, for hunters looking for something truly different.

What to Look For in a Georgia Hunting Lease

• Habitat diversity. Look for a mix of pines, hardwood drains, creek bottoms and openings or fields.
• Recent timber activity. Thinned or recently cut areas create browse and cover, but ask about upcoming harvests.
• Access and roads. Good roads and gated access make a big difference on large tracts.
• Lease rules. Understand guest policies, food plot and stand rules, camping, and the number of members allowed.
• Neighboring land and pressure. Know who hunts around you and how heavily.

Strong relationships make leases last. Read more about the relationship between the landowner and hunter in a hunting lease, and see our tips for finding the best hunting lease.

Find a Georgia Hunting Lease

Quality Georgia leases, especially well-managed timber tracts and farms with good deer, don’t stay available long. Browse current Georgia hunting leases by county, or see the newest leases in every state.