2018 Georgia Code Annotated

TITLE 27 GAME AND FISH

Chap.

• 1. General Provisions, 27-1-1 through 27-1-39.
• 2. Licenses, Permits, and Stamps Generally, 27-2-1 through 27-2-42.
• 3. Wildlife Generally, 27-3-1 through 27-3-185.
• 4. Fish, 27-4-1 through 27-4-283.
• 5. Wild Animals, 27-5-1 through 27-5-12.

Chapter 1. General Provisions, 27-1-1 through 27-1-39.

• 27-1-1. Short title.
• 27-1-2. (For effective date, see note.) Definitions.
• 27-1-3. Legislative declarations; ownership and custody of wildlife; preservation of hunting and fishing opportunities; promotion and right to hunt, trap, or fish; local regulation; general offenses.
• 27-1-4. Powers and duties of board generally.
• 27-1-5. Applicability of "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act" to rules and regulations promulgated by board; affirmation of decision by operation of law; appellate review.
• 27-1-6. Powers and duties of department generally.
• 27-1-7. Technical assistance for control or elimination of wild or abandoned dogs.
• 27-1-8. Construction of fish ladders; requiring construction by private persons; assessment of cost upon refusal; issuance of execution.
• 27-1-9. Consent to federal rules and regulations pursuant to federal law authorizing purchase of land by United States government for river navigability purposes.
• 27-1-10. Assent to federal law respecting wildlife conservation and restoration projects, fish restoration projects, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife associated recreation projects.
• 27-1-11. Consent to acquisition of land by United States government for conservation purposes; notice of intended use.
• 27-1-12. Federal-state cooperation in protection and management of wildlife in national forest; powers of board.
• 27-1-13. Disposition of funds received by department; appropriations; grants and donations for natural resources conservation camps.
• 27-1-14. Disposition of fines and bond forfeitures.
• 27-1-15. Wildlife technicians [Repealed].
• 27-1-16. Establishment of unit of conservation rangers; qualifications, appointment, and supervisory personnel; retention of badge and weapon upon disability retirement.
• 27-1-17. Deputy conservation rangers.
• 27-1-18. Powers of conservation rangers generally.
• 27-1-19. Power of conservation rangers and deputy conservation rangers to arrest persons; procedure upon failure of person arrested to appear to answer charges.
• 27-1-20. Additional powers of conservation rangers; functions of other agencies assigned to department.
• 27-1-21. Seizure and disposal of wildlife illegally taken or possessed; civil action by possessor; disposal of wildlife unable to be stored; disposition of unmarketable items.
• 27-1-22. Taking, possessing, and releasing of wildlife generally.
• 27-1-23. Inspection of business premises and records of commercial license holders.
• 27-1-24. Inspection of vessels and boats.
• 27-1-25. Interference with arrest or performance of ranger's duties.
• 27-1-25.1. Failure or refusal to bring motor vehicle or boat to a stop when ordered to do so.
• 27-1-26. Impersonation of conservation officer [Repealed].
• 27-1-27. Damaging or destroying department property.
• 27-1-28. Taking of nongame species.
• 27-1-29. Sale or purchase of game.
• 27-1-30. Disturbing or destroying wildlife habitats.
• 27-1-31. Unlawful possession or use of wildlife; unlawful concealment.
• 27-1-32. Hiring of another to take wildlife contrary to law.
• 27-1-33. Noncompliance with laws while on fishing area, fish hatchery, natural area, or wildlife management area; hunting without wildlife management area license; acts constituting criminal trespass.
• 27-1-34. Defenses not available in prosecutions for violations.
• 27-1-35. Jurisdiction of probate courts; summons.
• 27-1-36. Civil enforcement by department; disposition of penalties.
• 27-1-37. Administrative orders; emergency administrative orders; administrative review.
• 27-1-38. Penalty for violations of title.
• 27-1-39. Rules and regulations used to establish criminal violations.

Chapter 2. Licenses, Permits, and Stamps Generally, 27-2-1 through 27-2-42.

Article 1 Hunting, Trapping, or Fishing.

• 27-2-1. Hunting, trapping, or fishing without license or permit generally; nonresidents.
• 27-2-2. Issuance and sale of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses; identification required of purchasers; withdrawal of agents' authority to sell licenses.
• 27-2-3. Effective periods of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses generally; multiyear licenses.
• 27-2-3.1. Hunting licenses; sportsman's license; license card carrier requirement; creation of lifetime sportsman's licenses.
• 27-2-4. Honorary and discounted hunting and fishing licenses.
• 27-2-4.1. Fishing license reciprocity for Florida residents over 65 years of age.
• 27-2-4.2. Courtesy nonresident fishing licenses to certain paralyzed or disabled veterans.
• 27-2-4.3. Special hunting privileges for young people with a terminal illness.
• 27-2-4.4. Special turkey hunting season for young and mobility impaired hunters.
• 27-2-4.5. Outdoor mentoring program.
• 27-2-5. Required hunter education courses.
• 27-2-6. Trout license, Georgia waterfowl and migratory bird stamp, big game license, and alligator harvest permit.
• 27-2-7. Powers of department as to making and entering into agreements relating to hunting license reciprocity.
• 27-2-8. Commercial fishing boat licenses.
• 27-2-9. Taxidermist licenses; unlawful acts and omissions by taxidermists.
• 27-2-10. Commercial alligator farming licenses.
• 27-2-11. Game-holding permits.
• 27-2-12. Scientific collecting permits.
• 27-2-13. Wildlife exhibition permits.
• 27-2-13.1. Film production wildlife permits; release.
• 27-2-14. (For effective date, see note.) Liberation-of-wildlife and liberation-of-domestic fish permits.
• 27-2-15. Wildlife storage permits.
• 27-2-16. Commercial quail breeder permits; maintenance of records by holders; selling and transporting of pen raised quail generally.
• 27-2-17. Falconry permits; duties, permitted acts, and prohibitions pertaining to permit holders.
• 27-2-18. Permits to kill deer causing damage to crops.
• 27-2-19. Wildlife importation permits.
• 27-2-20. Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp; participation in federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.
• 27-2-20.1. Required participation in Saltwater Information Program.
• 27-2-21. Field and retriever trials; permits; hunting licenses.
• 27-2-22. Wildlife rehabilitation permits.
• 27-2-22.1. Fox trapping and selling.
• 27-2-23. License, permit, tag, and stamp fees.
• 27-2-23.1. Raccoon fur seller's license.
• 27-2-23.2. Salt water fishing guide licenses; fees; reporting requirements.
• 27-2-24. Service of process for licensees, permittees, and applicants.
• 27-2-25. Revocation, suspension, denial, or nonrenewal of license or permits; administrative and judicial review.
• 27-2-25.1. Suspension of hunting privileges for negligent hunting; procedures following hunting accidents.
• 27-2-25.2. Power to suspend licenses.
• 27-2-26. Rules and regulations regarding revocation or cancellation procedures; surrender of license, stamp, or permit after revocation or cancellation.
• 27-2-27. Administrative penalties in lieu of revocation, suspension, denial, or nonrenewal.
• 27-2-28. Refusing inspection of identification or license; making false statements in obtaining license or permit; counterfeiting or alteration; unlawful collection of funds.
• 27-2-29. Free fishing days.
• 27-2-30. Establishment of the Wildlife Endowment Fund; limitations on expenditures from the fund.
• 27-2-31. Wildlife control permits.

Article 2 Wildlife Violator Compact.

• 27-2-40. Wildlife Violator Policy Compact.
• 27-2-41. Rules and regulations authorized.
• 27-2-42. Penalty for violating.

Chapter 3. Wildlife Generally, 27-3-1 through 27-3-185.

Ga. Department of Natural Resources Comm. Quail Permit

No._____________ Name of Breeder)

Permit expires (date) , d)It shall be unlawful to sell pen raised quail which have been killed with a firearm.

"WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT ARTICLE I

FINDINGS, DECLARATION OF POLICY, AND PURPOSE a)The party states find that:

ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE III PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING STATE

ARTICLE IV PROCEDURES FOR HOME STATE

ARTICLE V RECIPROCAL RECOGNITION OF SUSPENSION

ARTICLE VI APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS

ARTICLE VII COMPACT ADMINISTRATOR PROCEDURES

ARTICLE VIII ENTRY INTO COMPACT AND WITHDRAWAL

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPACT

ARTICLE X CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

ARTICLE XI TITLE

Article 1 Hunting.

Part 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

• 27-3-1. Requirement of permission to hunt on lands of another; written permission; enforcement; immunity of landowner from civil liability.
• 27-3-1.1. Acts prohibited on wildlife management areas.
• 27-3-2. Hunting at night.
• 27-3-3. Hours for hunting migratory game birds.
• 27-3-4. Legal weapons for hunting wildlife generally; use of silencers and suppressors prohibited; penalty for violations.
• 27-3-5. Legal weapons for hunting certain animals [Repealed].
• 27-3-6. Possession of firearm while hunting with bow and arrow.
• 27-3-7. Hunting under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• 27-3-8. Unlawful devices.
• 27-3-9. Unlawful enticement of game.
• 27-3-10. Hunting upon or discharging weapons across a public road.
• 27-3-11. Confiscation of vehicles and firearms used in hunting big game on public roads; state not required to negate exemptions in prosecutions [Repealed].
• 27-3-12. Unlawful substances and equipment; computer assisted remote hunting prohibited.
• 27-3-13. Hunting of wildlife or feral hog from boats, aircraft, or motor vehicles.
• 27-3-14. Killing or crippling of game bird or game animal without reasonable effort to retrieve.
• 27-3-15. Seasons and bag limits; promulgation of rules and regulations by board; possession of more than bag limit; reporting number of deer killed.
• 27-3-16. Hunting with dogs generally; training of hunting dogs.
• 27-3-17. Hunting deer with dogs; seasons; permit required.
• 27-3-18. Hunting foxes with dogs.
• 27-3-19. Hunting alligators; possessing alligator products; gathering alligator eggs.
• 27-3-19.1. Regulation of the exporting, farming, and selling of fresh-water turtles.
• 27-3-20. Taking rabbits and hares out of season.
• 27-3-21. Killing of bears by property owners.
• 27-3-22. Hunting, possessing, or transporting birds generally.
• 27-3-23. Sale of tails of squirrels.
• 27-3-24. Restrictions on hunting feral hogs.
• 27-3-25. Hunting bears; required outer garments.
• 27-3-26. Hunting bears; restrictions; penalties.
• 27-3-27. Unlawful use of bear bait.
• 27-3-28. Person may take possession of native wildlife which has been killed by a motor vehicle.
• 27-3-29. Recording and reporting requirements for game animals and birds; penalty for violations.

Part 2 DEER.

• 27-3-40. Required clothing.
• 27-3-41. Unsupervised hunting by persons under 12 years of age.
• 27-3-42. Taking of deer in lake, stream, or pond.
• 27-3-43. Removal of head of deer.
• 27-3-44. Killing of deer which have no antlers visible.
• 27-3-45. Information required before removal of carcass from place of killing; exception for certain managed hunts; using multiple sets of licenses or license card carriers [Repealed].
• 27-3-46. Failure to affix deer tag to carcass before storage or processing [Repealed].
• 27-3-47. Collision with deer by motor vehicle [Repealed].
• 27-3-48. Hunting deer at night.
• 27-3-49. Killing of dogs running deer.
• 27-3-50. Sale of antlers, hides, and tails of deer.

Article 2 Trapping, Trappers, and Fur Dealers.

• 27-3-60. Required commercial trapping license.
• 27-3-61. Nonresident commercial trapping license.
• 27-3-62. Open seasons.
• 27-3-63. General offenses and penalties.
• 27-3-64. Killing or injuring mink or otter with firearm; possession or sale of mink or otter, or pelt thereof, killed by firearm.
• 27-3-65. Removal of trap or of wildlife from trap owned by another person; possession of wildlife removed from trap of another person.
• 27-3-66. Trapping of rabbits on one's own premises or on premises of family member or landlord.
• 27-3-67. Taking of rabbits or hares out of season; special permit to trap or sell rabbits or hares.
• 27-3-68. Confiscation and disposal of unlawful devices.
• 27-3-69. Required licenses for fur dealers and fur dealers' agents.
• 27-3-70. Posting of bond by applicants for fur dealer license; effect of breach of conditions of bond.
• 27-3-71. Reports and records of fur dealers; inspection of premises.
• 27-3-72. Information as to service of process in application; filing as an admission of doing business in Georgia.
• 27-3-73. Disposal of carcasses of fur-bearing animals or alligators.

Article 3 Transportation.

• 27-3-90. Requirements for lawful transportation.
• 27-3-91. Transportation by carrier within state.
• 27-3-92. Transportation out of state.
• 27-3-93. Transportation for propagation and scientific purposes.
• 27-3-94. Acceptance by carriers of wildlife for shipment; reports required.

Article 4 Shooting Preserves.

• 27-3-110. Shooting preserve license required; effective dates; contents of application; conditions for issuance.
• 27-3-111. Removal of pen raised game bird; release of mallards or black ducks; failure to maintain or furnish records; failure to notify department of diseases.
• 27-3-112. Legal hunting dates and hours; bag limits.
• 27-3-113. Propagation, possession, or release of wildlife or wild animals on shooting preserves; importation of wildlife or wild animals for propagation, possession, or release.
• 27-3-114. Laws and regulations applicable to shooting preserves; requirements as to hunting licenses.
• 27-3-115. Department authorized to contract with shooting preserves for issuance and sale of shooting preserve hunting licenses; requirements; nondisclosure of records.

Article 5 Protection of Endangered Wildlife.

• 27-3-130. Short title.
• 27-3-131. "Protected species" defined.
• 27-3-132. Powers and duties of department and board.
• 27-3-133. Penalty for violation of rules and regulations of board.

Article 6 Interference with Lawful Taking.

• 27-3-150. "Lawful taking" defined.
• 27-3-151. Activity prohibited.
• 27-3-152. Injunctions; damages for violations.

Article 7 Feeding of Wild Alligators.

• 27-3-170. Feeding of wild alligators prohibited; criminal penalty.

Article 8 Fertility Control on Wildlife.

• 27-3-180. Findings and declarations.
• 27-3-181. Use of fertility control of wildlife.
• 27-3-182. Permit application for applying fertility control to wildlife.
• 27-3-183. Rules and regulations.
• 27-3-184. Wildlife fertility control permits; cease and desist orders; possession of wildlife.
• 27-3-185. Penalties.

Chapter 4. Fish, 27-4-1 through 27-4-283.

Article 1 General Provisions.

• 27-4-1. Salt-water and fresh-water demarcation line.
• 27-4-2. Fishing in waters or from lands of another without permission; obstruction or interference with rights of others.
• 27-4-3. Right to take shellfish from stream or estuary [Repealed].
• 27-4-4. Unlawful dumping; recovery of damages.
• 27-4-5. Methods for taking fish generally.
• 27-4-6. Use of minnow seines.
• 27-4-7. Use of gill nets; seizure of illegal nets.
• 27-4-8. Unlawful devices or substances.
• 27-4-9. Possession of nets or other devices for taking shad during closed season deemed evidence of violation.
• 27-4-10. Creel and possession limits; size restrictions.
• 27-4-11. Fishing in department fish hatcheries.
• 27-4-11.1. Possession of firearms and intoxication on public fishing areas; fishing in closed fishing areas; other restrictions in public fishing areas.
• 27-4-12. Adoption of rules and regulations by board; reporting; legislative overruling of rules and regulations.
• 27-4-13. Size and construction requirements of cast nets [Repealed].

Article 2 Noncommercial Fishing.

Part 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

• 27-4-30. Fishing in private ponds.
• 27-4-31. Catch-out pond licenses.
• 27-4-32. Sport trotlines.
• 27-4-33. Spearing of fish.
• 27-4-34. Fishing with bow and arrow.
• 27-4-35. Sport shad fishing [Repealed].
• 27-4-36. Artificial-lure streams or lakes.
• 27-4-37. Taking of fish by grabbling, noodling, or hand grabbing.

Part 2 TROUT FISHING.

• 27-4-50. Manner of fishing; moving of trout.
• 27-4-51. Designation of certain waters as trout waters; establishment of seasons and methods of fishing.
• 27-4-52. Trout waters without seasons [Repealed].
• 27-4-53. Trout waters with seasons [Repealed].

Article 3 Commercial Fishing and Fish Dealing Generally.

Part 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

• 27-4-70. Fishing in waters not opened for commercial fishing.
• 27-4-71. Commercial fishing for shad, American eels, catfish, and horseshoe crabs.
• 27-4-72. Commercial eel fishing [Repealed].
• 27-4-73. Confiscation and disposition of illegally used commercial fishing gear.
• 27-4-74. Sale, purchase, or transportation of game fish generally.
• 27-4-74.1. Food fish dealers [Repealed].
• 27-4-75. (For effective date, see note.) Sale of fish by commercial fish hatcheries; sale of game fish; bill of sale or lading for possession of certain game fish and domestic fish; sale of diseased fish.
• 27-4-76. (For effective date, see note.) Licensing of wholesale and retail fish dealers; sale, transportation into state, or possession of live fish and fish eggs.
• 27-4-77. Suspension of license for violation of article.
• 27-4-78. Governance of food fish processing plants.

Part 2 FRESH-WATER FISHING.

• 27-4-90. Commercial fishing license required; effective dates.
• 27-4-91. Lawful devices generally.
• 27-4-92. Lawful baskets.
• 27-4-93. Use of commercial fishing gear within one-half mile below lock or dam.

Part 3 SALT-WATER FISHING.

• 27-4-110. Commercial fishing license required.
• 27-4-111. Filing of bond or affidavit as condition for validity of commercial fishing boat license.
• 27-4-112 through 27-4-115 [Repealed].
• 27-4-116. Diamondback terrapins [Repealed].
• 27-4-117. Identification tags, numbers, and letters for boats or vessels.
• 27-4-118. Required records.
• 27-4-119. Lawful commercial shrimping devices [Repealed].

Article 4 Seafood.

Part 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

• 27-4-130. Authority to close salt waters; notice; regulations prohibiting sale of seafood.
• 27-4-130.1. Open seasons, creel and possession limits, and minimum size limits for certain finfish species [Repealed].
• 27-4-130.2. Taking or possession of Atlantic billfish prohibited; catch and release exception [Repealed].
• 27-4-131. Zoning of salt waters [Repealed].
• 27-4-132. Fishing for shrimp for noncommercial purposes generally.
• 27-4-132.1. Limit on amount of shrimp fished by cast net; penalty for violation.
• 27-4-133. Lawful nets; opening and closing waters; identification on boats fishing for shrimp.
• 27-4-134. Requirements for commercial fishing boat license; penalty for violation.
• 27-4-135. Maintenance of records by sellers; reports of oysters and clams harvested [Repealed].
• 27-4-136. Seafood dealer license; maintenance of records; purchase of seafood.
• 27-4-137. Civil forfeiture proceedings.
• 27-4-138. Penalties for offenses pertaining to operation of commercial fishing boats engaged in illegal fishing with power-drawn nets.
• 27-4-139. Taking of shrimp for recreational purposes; lawful nets and use of shrimp; penalty for violation [Repealed].
• 27-4-140. Penalties for using recreational food shrimp cast netting.

Part 2 CRABS.

• 27-4-150. Taking, possessing, and dealing in crabs and peelers; required records.
• 27-4-151. Use of crab traps; identification of boats or vessels; closure of salt waters authorized.

Part 3 TAKING SHRIMP FOR BAIT.

• 27-4-170. Sport bait shrimping [Repealed].
• 27-4-171. Bait shrimping.
• 27-4-172. Protections for horseshoe crabs; catch limits; exceptions [Repealed].

Part 4 SHELLFISH.

• 27-4-190. Master collecting and picker's permits; hours for taking shellfish; recreational harvesting.
• 27-4-191. Shellfish dredging permits; bond required of master collecting permittees applying for shellfish dredging permits [Repealed].
• 27-4-192. Methods of taking shellfish generally.
• 27-4-193. Taking shellfish from unapproved growing areas; operating facility for controlled purification of shellfish.
• 27-4-194. Minimum size of shellfish which may be taken for commercial or noncommercial purposes.
• 27-4-195. Times and places for taking shellfish.
• 27-4-196. Distribution and transplanting of oyster shells and culch material by permittee.
• 27-4-197. Shellfish sanitation program; requirements as to shipment of shellfish.
• 27-4-198. Lease of shellfish beds from department.
• 27-4-199. Evidence of intent to use as food; inspection of businesses.
• 27-4-200. Forged or false documents, records, or permits unlawful.
• 27-4-201. Penalty for violation of article.

Part 5 COMMERCIAL SHRIMP CAST NETTING LICENSES.

• 27-4-205. Commercial shrimping license required.
• 27-4-206. Issuance of licenses; limits; fees.

Article 5 Interstate Agreements.

Part 1 ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMPACT.

• 27-4-210. Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact.
• 27-4-211. Establishment of commission; members; terms of office; removal.
• 27-4-212. Powers and duties of commission and state officers.
• 27-4-213. Powers granted to commission regarded as supplemental.
• 27-4-214. Commission to keep accurate accounts; reports to Governor and General Assembly; recommendations for legislative action.
• 27-4-215. Examination of commission's accounts by state auditor; report to Governor.
• 27-4-216. Annual appropriation for commission.

Part 2 FISHING LICENSE RECIPROCITY.

• 27-4-230 through 27-4-233 [Repealed].
• 27-4-234. Agreements with adjoining states.

Article 6 Aquaculture Development.

• 27-4-251. Short title.
• 27-4-252. (For effective date, see note.) Definitions.
• 27-4-253. Aquaculture Development Commission created; membership; bylaws; quorum; reimbursement for expenses; meeting at call of chairman.
• 27-4-254. Duty of commission to develop aquaculture development plan; contents of plan; meetings of commission; staff support.
• 27-4-255. Registration required for sale of domestic fish; regulation of sale without registration.
• 27-4-256. Duty of department to register sellers of domestic fish; expiration of registration.
• 27-4-257. Contents of application for registration.
• 27-4-258. Filing of application as admission of doing business in state.
• 27-4-259. Denial of registration.
• 27-4-260. Revocation of registration.
• 27-4-261. Certificate as evidence of registration; list of persons registered.
• 27-4-262. Rules and regulations.
• 27-4-263. Inspections.

Article 7 Limited Liability of Owners and Operators of Sport Fishing Locations.

• 27-4-280. Legislative findings.
• 27-4-281. Definitions.
• 27-4-282. Immunity from liability for injury or death; exceptions.
• 27-4-283. Warning sign to be posted; contents of warning sign.

"ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMPACT. The contracting states solemnly agree:

WARNING Under Georgia law, an owner or operator of a fishing location is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant from the inherent risks of fishing, including but not limited to drowning, pursuant to Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

Chapter 5. Wild Animals, 27-5-1 through 27-5-12.

• 27-5-1. Legislative intent and findings.
• 27-5-2. Powers of board generally.
• 27-5-2.1. Definitions; importation restrictions; prohibition on possession of cervid carcasses.
• 27-5-3. Powers of department generally.
• 27-5-4. Wild animal licenses and permits generally.
• 27-5-5. Wild animals for which license or permit required.
• 27-5-6. Specifications for humane handling, care, confinement, and transportation of wild animals.
• 27-5-7. Release or escape from captivity.
• 27-5-8. Seizure of wild animals as contraband; civil action to recover animals.
• 27-5-9. Seizure of wild animals pursuant to administrative order; appeal.
• 27-5-10. Disposal of wild animals recaptured after escape or seized under this title.
• 27-5-11. Wild animal auction license; applications; filing requirements.
• 27-5-12. Shooting of any wild animal held under wild animal permit or farmed deer.