The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is holding several open meetings for the public to provide input regarding the proposed changes to the Georgia hunting seasons and regulations. Unfortunately for hunters in southwest Georgia that have advocated for an extended season, only a few counties in metro Atlanta are currently on the list. The press release below includes a link to the proposed regulation changes. While the proposed changes do not address the concern of many southwest Georgia hunters, specifically the concern that the season ends too soon, it’s important to note that the DNR is somewhat limited in their ability to extend the season, except within the parameters that are currently set by the state legislature.
PRESS RELEASE
Hunters and other interested citizens are encouraged to review proposed hunting regulation changes relative to the 2019–2020 and the 2020–2021 hunting seasons, and then make plans to offer comment at one of three scheduled public hearings, or through other available methods.
Proposed changes include amendments to reflect statutory changes, shift the Central Georgia bear season, adjust either sex firearms days for deer, extend archery season for urban counties that meet criteria, regulate hunting and other activities on wildlife management areas and other public lands, and some housekeeping changes.
The complete public notice and synopsis of all proposed rule changes are available on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division webpage at http://georgiawildlife.com/regulations/proposed.
Three public hearings are scheduled to provide the public an opportunity to share comments on the proposed changes. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.
April 15, 2019
Gainesville Civic Center, Chattahoochee Room
830 Green Street, NE, Gainesville, GA 30501
April 15, 2018
Monroe County Convention Center
475 Holiday Circle, Forsyth, GA 31029
April 18, 2019
Evans County Wildlife Club
501 Cedar Avenue, Hagan, GA 30429
Any participant at the hearing may present data, make a statement or comment, or offer a viewpoint or argument, either orally or in writing. Statements should be concise to permit everyone an opportunity to speak. Participants must register upon arrival and notify the registering official of their intent to give a statement. Those unable to attend may submit input either electronically or in written statement form. Input must be received by close of business (4:30 p.m.) on April 26, 2019.
- Written statements should be mailed to:
GA DNR/Wildlife Resources Division/Game Management Section
ATTN: Tina Johannsen
2067 U.S. Highway 278, S.E.
Social Circle, GA 30025 - Statements may be electronically submitted at: https://georgiawildlife.com/regulations/meetings
These meeting sites are accessible to people with physical disabilities. To request sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids, contact Tina Johannsen at (706) 557-3350 no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 7, 2019.
For more information or to view the proposed regulation changes, visit http://georgiawildlife.com/regulations/proposed.
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