32.29—Georgia.

The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.

Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. We only allow the use of pole and line or rod and reel, which the angler must attend at all times.

2. We allow sport fishing after legal sunset; but we prohibit all other activity after legal sunset.

3. We prohibit marking of paths or navigational routes.

4. We prohibit swimming, wading, jet skiing, water skiing, and the use of airboats.

Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. Hunters must possess and carry signed refuge permits on their persons at all times. You may obtain information on permits and the hunt at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

2. Hunters must check-in no more than 1 day in advance of the opening day of each hunt. We prohibit check-in after legal sunset of the second hunt day.

3. Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge no earlier than 1 month prior to the opening day of each hunt but must remove the stand (see § 27.93 of this chapter) by the end of each hunt.

4. Hunters must check-in at the refuge dock prior to setting up camp. We require personal identification at check-in.

5. Within the refuge, you may only travel by foot or bicycle, except in the wilderness area where we allow only foot travel. We limit entry and exit points to the designated check stations or other specified areas. We prohibit hunters to leave by boat to reach other parts of the island.

6. You may only camp at the designated camping area.

7. You must confine fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter) to the camping area.

8. We prohibit flagging, blazing, or trail-marking devices to locate stands or for any other purpose.

9. We only allow bows. We prohibit crossbows or firearms (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).

10. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take deer.

11. You may take five deer of either sex and State bonus tags will be issued for two of these. There is no bag limit on feral hog.

12. Refuge personnel must check deer harvested during the scheduled hunt before hunters may remove them from the refuge.

13. Hunters must be on their stands from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until 9 a.m. and from 2 hours before legal sunset until legal sunset.

14. We prohibit target practice except in designated areas (see § 27.42 of this chapter).

15. Hunters must be off the island by 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday.

16. We close the refuge to the nonhunting public 1 day prior to and 1 day after the hunt period, as well as on hunt days.

17. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.

18. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.

D. Sport Fishing. Fishing is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

1. Anglers may fish in freshwater year-round from sunrise to sunset, except during managed deer hunts.

2. Only nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors are permitted.

3. The use of live minnows as bait is not permitted.

4. Boats may not be left on the refuge overnight.

5. Anglers may bank fish into estuarine waters daily from sunrise to sunset only.

Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting for white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. We coordinate hunting seasons and limits with the State and annually list them in the refuge hunting brochure.

2. We require you to possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit while hunting. You may obtain this permit from the refuge office.

3. We require you to sign in once prior to each hunt at the refuge check station.

4. We allow access to the hunt area from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit overnight camping and/or parking.

5. We prohibit buckshot.

6. We prohibit flagging, blazing, painting, or any other trail-marking devices.

7. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of a road open to vehicle travel or within 200 yards (180 m) of a building.

8. We prohibit entry into the designated hunt area by nonhunters during the hunts.

9. We prohibit hunting or possession of weapons in public use or other areas posted “No Hunting Zone” or “Area Closed” or designated as no hunting areas on the hunt brochure map (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).

10. We require you to bring any deer or hog you harvest to the refuge check station the day you kill it and before you leave the refuge.

11. We prohibit possession of field-dressed deer or hogs unless you have checked them at the refuge check station.

12. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages while on the refuge.

13. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).

14. We require each firearms hunter to wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of hunter orange as an outer garment above the waist.

15. We prohibit walking or trespassing on the railroad tracks to access the refuge.

16. We prohibit removal of live hog from the refuge.

17. We prohibit the use of dogs.

18. We prohibit ATVs on the refuge except by disabled hunters with a refuge Special Use Permit.

19. We allow limited nonmotorized portable boat access at the Stone Creek parking area.

20. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.

21. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older possessing a valid hunting license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.

22. Firearm hunting for feral hogs follows State of Georgia deer firearms restrictions except we prohibit possession or use of buckshot.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. We allow fishing from March 15 to October 15, except on the Ocmulgee River, which is open to fishing year-round.

2. We only allow access to the refuge and fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.

3. We only allow fishing with pole and line or rod and reel.

4. We prohibit boats on all refuge waters, except the Ocmulgee River, where we allow boats.

5. We prohibit leaving boats or other personal equipment on the refuge overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

6. The minimum size limit for largemouth bass is 14 inches (490 cm).

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge

Refer to § 32.20 Alabama for regulations.

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. Hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge permit on their person at all times. We require payment of a fee for the quota gun hunt only. You may obtain information on permits, quota hunt applications, and quota hunt drawings at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

2. Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge during the week preceding each hunt, but you must remove stands by the end of each hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).

3. Hunters must be on their stands from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until 9 a.m. and from 2 hours before legal sunset until legal sunset.

4. We prohibit use of flagging, blazing, or trail-marking devices to locate stands or for any other purpose.

5. We prohibit hunting closer than 100 yards (90 m) to State Highway 131, the refuge entrance drive, refuge headquarters, Barbour River Landing, Barbour River Road, or Gould's Cemetery.

6. We require personal identification at check-in.

7. To hunt during the morning stand hours, bow hunters must enter the refuge through the refuge entrance gate only, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. We will allow hunters to exit and re-enter through the entrance gate only, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. After 4 p.m. we prohibit entry to the refuge.

8. During the archery hunt, we will restrict vehicles to the auto tour route (see § 27.31 of this chapter) and allow two-way traffic.

9. During the archery hunt, we only allow bows. We prohibit crossbows (see §27.43 of this chapter).

10. We require gun hunters to check-in at the refuge headquarters between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and park in designated areas prior to hunting. We prohibit entry by boat.

11. You may take three deer of either sex (State bonus deer tags will be issued for two of these). There is no bag limit on feral hog.

12. During the gun hunt, we only allow shotguns with slugs 20 gauge or larger and bows. We prohibit crossbows (see §27.43 of this chapter).

13. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).

14. Gun hunters must wear an outer garment with a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of hunter-orange material above the waistline.

15. Refuge personnel must check deer harvested during refuge hunts before leaving the refuge.

16. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.

17. We will close the refuge to the nonhunting public on all hunt days.

18. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.

19. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.

D. Sport Fishing. Fishing is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

1. Anglers may fish in estuarine waters year round from sunrise to sunset daily.

2. Bank fishing into estuarine waters is permitted only from sunrise to sunset.

3. We close the Barbour River Landing (boat ramp and parking areas) to the public from 12 a.m. (midnight) to 4 a.m.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow the hunting of rabbit, squirrel, bobwhite quail, and turkey on the Cowhouse Unit of the refuge. The season will be consistent with the adjacent Dixon Memorial Wildlife Management Area and in accordance with State hunting regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. We only allow foot and bicycle traffic on the refuge portion of Cowhouse Island.

2. We only allow dogs to locate, point, and retrieve during quail hunts.

3. For more information, contact the refuge at 912-496-7836.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of turkey only on the Cowhouse Island Unit of the refuge. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog at the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, the Pocket Unit, and Cowhouse Island Unit in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. In the Pocket Unit:

i. We only allow archery hunting and foot traffic.

ii. You must sign-in and out.

iii. You must remove tree stands daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

iv. We prohibit dogs.

2. In the Suwannee Canal Unit:

i. We only allow two 1/2-day hunts (dates will be announced) and shotguns with slugs or muzzleloaders.

ii. We require a refuge permit through refuge lottery, which interested parties should enter before August 31 (fee will be announced).

iii. Hunters must remain on stands from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 9 a.m.

iv. You must sign-in and sign out.

v. You must tag your deer with special refuge tags. There is a limit of two deer of either sex per day.

vi. We only zone Chesser Island Hunt area to accommodate wheelchair hunters.

vii. Conditions B3, C1iii, and C1iv apply.

viii. We prohibit dogs.

3. In the Cowhouse Island Unit:

i. Dixon Memorial Wildlife Management Area rules, regulations, dates, and times apply.

ii. Conditions B1, B3, C1iii, and C1iv apply.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. We allow motorized boats with motors 10 hp or less.

2. We prohibit possession of live bait fish.

3. We only allow the use of pole and line or rod and reel.

4. In the Suwannee Canal unit:

i. We prohibit fishing in the boat basin.

ii. We prohibit fishing in ponds and canals along the Swamp Island Drive.

iii. We reserve the porch and canal area behind the visitor center for youth age 15 and under and physically disabled.

5. Condition B3 applies.

Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. We prohibit upland game hunting during refuge deer or turkey hunts.

2. We coordinate hunting seasons for raccoon and opossum with the State and annually list them in the refuge hunt brochure.

3. You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit while hunting. You may obtain the permit from the refuge office.

4. We require a refuge hunt permit to hunt on the Hitchiti Experimental Forest in accordance with refuge hunting seasons and regulations.

5. We prohibit hunting or possessing weapons in areas posted “No Hunting Zone” or “Area Closed” or designated as no hunting areas on the hunt brochure map (see §§ 27.42 and 27.43 of this chapter).

6. The refuge is a day-use-only area, with the exception of legal hunting activities.

7. We allow access to the hunt area for quail, squirrel, and rabbit hunting from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit overnight camping and/or parking.

8. We allow hunting for raccoon and opossum from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the days listed as open in the refuge hunt brochure.

9. We only allow .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms for raccoon and opossum hunting.

10. You may use dogs on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations.

11. You must keep your dogs confined or on a leash except when hunting, and you must remove your dogs upon your departure from the refuge (see § 26.21(b) of this chapter).

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting for white-tailed deer, turkey, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. Conditions B4, B5, and B6 apply.

2. We coordinate hunting seasons and limits with the State and annually list them in the refuge hunting brochure.

3. We require you to possess and carry a signed refuge permit while archery hunting. You may obtain this permit from the refuge office.

4. We require a refuge hunt permit and payment of a fee for the quota firearms hunts. You may obtain applications and information about the hunt drawing from the refuge office.

5. We have a special deer hunt for disabled hunters confined to wheelchairs. You may obtain information about this hunt from the refuge office.

6. We prohibit entry into designated hunt area by nonhunters during the hunts.

7. We allow access to the hunting area from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset. We prohibit overnight camping and/or parking except in the designated campground at Pippins Lake. You must have a refuge hunting permit to enter and use the campground.

8. We prohibit buckshot.

9. We only allow alcoholic beverages in the designated campground.

10. We prohibit flagging, blazing, painting, or any other trail-marking devices.

11. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of a road open to vehicle travel or within 200 yards (180 m) of a building.

12. You must bring any deer, turkey, or hog you harvest to the refuge check station intact, except entrails, the day you kill them and before you leave the refuge. We prohibit possession of dressed deer, turkey, or hog unless you have checked them at the refuge check station.

13. We prohibit ATVs on the refuge except by disabled hunters with a refuge Special Use Permit.

14. We prohibit target practice on the refuge, including the shooting of firearms or bows in the designated campground, or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).

15. We prohibit audio equipment such as radios or other noise-making devices such as generators after 10 p.m. or before 6 a.m. in the campground (see § 27.72 of this chapter).

16. We prohibit dogs for hunting big game.

17. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.

18. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older possessing a valid hunting license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. We allow fishing from April 1 to September 30.

2. We only allow access to the refuge and fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.

3. You may keep the following numbers of fish each day: bass—5; channel catfish—5; sunfish or bream—15; all other species—State limit.

4. We allow nonmotorized boats on all ponds designated as open to fishing. We allow boats with electric motors only in Pond 2A and Allison Lake.

5. We limit fishing in Pond 21A to youths age 15 and under.

6. We only allow fishing with pole and line or rod and reel.

7. We prohibit leaving boats or other personal equipment on the refuge overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

8. We prohibit the use of fish for bait.

9. We prohibit placing or throwing in the water feeds, grains, or other materials to chum or attract fish.

10. You must immediately release any grass carp you catch. We are using these fish to help combat an exotic weed invasion in some ponds.

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck and coot on designated areas north of Georgia Highway 25 of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit at all times while hunting on the refuge. We require a fee only for the quota youth waterfowl hunt on the Solomon Tract.

2. We only allow temporary blinds. You must remove decoys and other personal property from the refuge daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

3. We prohibit hunting within 100 yards (90 m) of Georgia Highway 25; or in or on Middle and Steamboat Rivers and Houstown Cut, or closer than 50 yards (45 m) of the shoreline of these waterways.

4. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.

5. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel November 1 through November 30 on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit at all times while hunting on the refuge. Permits and hunt information are available at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

2. We only allow .22 caliber rimfire rifles or shotguns with #2 shot or smaller for squirrel hunting.

3. We prohibit handguns.

4. We prohibit the use of dogs.

5. You may take feral hog with weapons legal for this hunt (no bag limit).

6. We require a refuge big game license.

7. We require hunters to wear an outer garment that contains a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of hunter-orange material above the waistline (except during the archery-only deer hunt, the turkey hunt, and the waterfowl hunt).

8. Conditions A4 and A5 apply.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit at all times while hunting on the refuge. We require a fee for the wheelchair-dependent hunters' quota gun hunt for deer. Permits, quota hunt applications, and information about the quota hunt drawing are available at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

2. We allow archery hunting for deer and hog from October 1 through 31 on designated areas (consult the refuge brochure for the areas).

3. We only allow bows for deer and hog hunting during the archery hunt. We prohibit crossbows (see §27.43 of this chapter).

4. We allow gun hunting for deer and hog from November 1 through 30 on designated areas of the refuge. We also allow hog (only) hunting during a special 9-day hunt in March.

5. We only allow shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and bows for deer and hog hunting throughout the designated hunt area during the November gun hunt and the March hog hunt.

6. You may place one stand on the refuge for 2 consecutive days during the October archery hunt, the November gun hunt, and the March hog hunt. You must remove your stand by legal sunset of the second day of each 2-day period. Your name, address, and phone number must be marked on your stand.

7. You may take five deer, no more than three anterless and two antlered. There is no bag limit on feral hog.

8. Doe days for refuge lands in Georgia will only coincide with doe days set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for Effingham County.

9. Conditions B7, A4, and A5 apply.

10. We allow turkey hunting during a special 16-day turkey hunt in April. We only allow shotguns with #2 shot or smaller and bows for turkey hunting in accordance with State regulations. We prohibit possession or use of slugs or buckshot during turkey hunts. We prohibit crossbows (see § 27.43 of this chapter).

11. You must remove hunt stands daily (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

1. Anglers may fish in refuge impoundments and canals from March 1 through November 30 annually.

2. Anglers may fish in Kingfisher Pond year round.

3. We allow fishing from sunrise to sunset.

4. Anglers may bank fish year round in the canals adjacent to the wildlife drive.

5. Boats may not be left on the refuge overnight.

6. Anglers may only use non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors within impounded waters.

Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

1. Hunters must carry a signed refuge permit on their person at all times. We only require payment of a fee for the quota gun hunt for deer. You may obtain information on permits, quota hunt applications, and quota hunt drawings at the refuge headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

2. We prohibit flagging, blazing, or trail-marking devices to locate stands or for any other purpose.

3. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.

4. Refuge personnel must check deer harvested during scheduled hunts before hunters leave the refuge.

5. You may take five deer of either sex (State bonus tags issued for two of these). There is no bag limit on feral hog.

6. Hunters must be on their stands from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise until 9 a.m. and from 2 hours before legal sunset until legal sunset.

7. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter).

8. We only allow bows and muzzleloading rifles during the primitive weapons hunt. We prohibit crossbows (see §27.43 of this chapter).

9. We only allow shotguns of 20-gauge or larger (slugs only), centerfire rifles of .22 caliber or larger, bows, and primitive weapons during the gun hunt. We prohibit crossbows (see §27.43 of this chapter).

10. We prohibit mooring boats to the government dock except for loading or unloading purposes.

11. Hunters must check-in at the refuge dock prior to setting up camp. We require personal identification at check-in.

12. We only allow camping at the designated camping area. You must confine fires (see § 27.95 of this chapter) to the camping area.

13. Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge no earlier than 1 month prior to the opening day of each hunt, but you must remove all stands by the end of each hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).

14. We require hunters to wear an outer garment that contains a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm2) of hunter-orange material above the waistline.

15. Hunters may check-in at the refuge dock no more than 1 day in advance of the opening day of the hunt. We will confine hunters to the camping area until 12 p.m. (noon) of the first day of check-in; we will allow scouting from 12 p.m. (noon) until 5 p.m.

16. Hunters must be off the island the day following the last day of the hunt.

17. Within the refuge, you may only walk or use a bicycle. We prohibit hunters to leave by boat to reach other parts of the island.

18. We will close the refuge to the nonhunting public 1 day prior to, and 1 day after, the hunt period as well as on the hunt days.

19. Youth hunters age 15 and under must possess and carry a valid hunter education card in order to hunt.

20. Youth hunters age 15 and under must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.

D. Sport Fishing. Fishing is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

1. Fishing is permitted year-round except during refuge hunts.

2. Bank fishing into estuarine waters is permitted only from sunrise to sunset.

Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge

A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]

D. Sport Fishing. Anglers may fish in designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition:

1. Anglers may fish year round.

2. Fishing from boats is only permitted on Beacon and Wolf Creeks.

[58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 6691, Feb. 11, 1994; 59 FR 55185, Nov. 3, 1994; 62 FR 47377, Sept. 9, 1997; 63 FR 46915, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30781, May 12, 2000; 66 FR 46355, Sept. 4, 2001; 67 FR 58944, Sept. 18, 2002; 69 FR 54362, 54382, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54166, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 33171, June 11, 2008; 74 FR 45683, Sept. 3, 2009; 74 FR 50736, Oct. 1, 2009]

CFR

32.29—Georgia.