SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. - The statewide turkey hunting season opens on March 23. However, youth and mobility-impaired hunters utilizing private land have a chance to harvest a bird during a special early opportunity turkey season on March 16-17, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

This weekend hunt opportunity is available only for youth 16 years of age and younger, or hunters that are mobility impaired (i.e. confined to a wheelchair, hemiplegia, monoplegia, paraplegia, or single-leg amputation above the knee).  Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) who may call for turkey, but may not take or attempt to take a turkey.  

All turkey hunters, including those under 16 years of age, landowners, honorary, lifetime, and sportsman license holders, must obtain a free harvest record each season.  Before moving a harvested turkey, hunters are required to immediately enter the date and county on the harvest record, and within 72 hours, must complete the reporting process through Georgia Game Check.  More information at www.georgiawildlife.com/HarvestRecordGeorgiaGameCheck.

Resident youth hunters under age 16 will not need a license.  Hunters age 16 years or older (including those accompanying youth or others) will need a hunting license and a big game license unless hunting on their own private land.  Get your license at www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, at a retail license vendor or by phone at 1-800-366-2661.

The 2019 Georgia statewide turkey season opens Sat., March 23.  For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations.