The 2001-2002 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide is now available at all license agent outlets, announces the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. This guide provides information on hunting licenses, wildlife management area information, season dates and more.

“This guide is designed to help sportsmen and women understand seasons and regulations for hunting in Georgia,” says WRD Chief o f Game Management Todd Holbrook. “It contains a lot of information and should answer all basic questions for new and experienced hunters.”

Hunting regulations are set by the Board of Natural Resources. The Board acts on recommendations made by WRD’s wildlife biologists and field personnel. Laws are set by the General Assembly.

Major changes for the upcoming season include:

·Non-resident you hunters (under 16 years old) are still required to purchase a non-resident hunting license to hung big game, but do not need to purchase a big game license.

·Either sex days have been added in most counties in Georgia, notably in the southern and piedmont zones of Georgia.

·Muzzleloader hunters may now take deer of either sex during the entire week of primitive weapons season.

·Bow hunters may take deer of either sex during the archery, primitive weapons and firearms season.

The new hunting regulations are available at over 1,200 locations statewide including WRD Regional Offices and all license agent locations. License agents include Bass Pro Shop, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, bait shops and outdoor sporting goods shops. In addition, regulations also are available on the WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com

Those needing to take a hunter education course prior to the upcoming hunting season are now required to pre-register for a course, either by phone or on-line. Hunters can call the Central Reservations System (CRS) at (770) 389-7275 inside the metro-Atlanta area or (800) 864 7275 outside the metro-Atlanta area to register by phone. A service charge applies to registration through CRS. Alternately, hunters can go the WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com to search and register for a hunter education course at no charge. Web users also can purchase hunting licenses and obtain free hunter education certificate replacement cards.

For more information on the 2001-2002 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide, contact the local WRD Office or the WRD Hunter Services Office at (770) 761-3044. For more information on hunter education courses, contact the WRD Hunter Education Office at (770) 784-3068.