Media release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources:
Georgia hunters, get ready! Squirrel season begins Aug. 15, and you can head to the woods in pursuit of this early season favorite.
As one of Georgia’s longest-running small game seasons, squirrel hunting offers the perfect opportunity to introduce new hunters to the field, scout public lands, and enjoy the beauty of Georgia’s woods, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).
“There’s no better entry point into the world of hunting than squirrel season. It’s often a more accessible option and is filled with tradition, woodsmanship, and the art of patience,” said Diana McGrath, Wildlife Biologist with the WRD Game Management Section. “Harvesting small game also plays a big role in helping nature find its balance.”
Squirrel season is Aug. 15, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026, and hunters can pursue both gray and fox squirrels. The maximum daily bag limit is 12 per hunter. Please review hunting regulations for any Georgia Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Voluntary Public Access areas or department managed lands you may be planning to hunt, as not all allow fox squirrel hunting or have a fox squirrel bag limit of one per person per day.
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 one pound to nearly three and are more closely associated with mature pine and mixed pine/hardwood habitats, especially in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions.
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.).
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/.
For more information on the 2025-2026 squirrel hunting season, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources. To renew or purchase a hunting license, visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.
