The Islands Hunt is an archery only hunt held on 18 specified islands and 3 peninsulas on Lake Lanier.  The areas range in size from 10 acres to 149 acres.  Together, the 21 areas total 1,100 acres.  This year’s hunts are scheduled for November 12-15, November 26-29, and December 10-13.  Hunting areas are typically accessible by boat only.  The limit is one deer per day per hunter.  Hunters must record all deer harvested through Georgia Game Check.  State bag limits and harvest restrictions apply.  The Lake Lanier Islands Resort area is not included in this hunt. 

For this hunt, the lake is divided into nine zones.  Hunters are assigned one of the above hunting dates and a specific hunting zone.  Hunters are allowed to bring one hunting partner with them during their designated hunt.  A total of 57 hunters are selected; 19 hunters for each four-day hunt.  If each hunter takes a partner there is a total of 114 potential hunters.  Selected hunters are required to pay a $20 fee to obtain the permit.  Some statistics from the previous years are listed in the table below.

How to apply

How to apply: Permits are issued by a lottery drawing.  To be entered in the lottery drawing, hunters must apply by letter.  Letters must contain full name, address, phone number, email address (if available), and indicate the specific hunt(s) applied for.  Letters should be sent to: Operations Project Manager’s Office, Attn: Quota Hunts, P.O. Box 567, Buford, GA 30515-0567.  Letters must be received by October 10, 4:30 p.m.   Please, only one hunter per letter.

Download the Islands Deer Hunt Map Book

The Buford Dam Hunt is an archery only hunt held on 611 acres of land around the Lake Lanier Project Management Office and Buford Dam and various other out-parcels as access allows.  This year’s hunt is scheduled for November 17-19 with a mandatory pre-hunt safety meeting for all hunters on November 16 at 7 p.m.  The limit is two deer, only one may be antlered.  Hunters must bring all deer harvested to a check station where the deer will be weighed and aged.  The GA DNR will also tag each deer harvested so hunters are not required to record them on their GA DNR deer harvest record.

For this hunt, the land is divided into 14 compartments.  Hunters are assigned a specific hunting compartment.  Hunters are allowed to bring one hunting partner with them during their hunt.  A total of 14 hunters are selected (1 hunter per compartment).  If each hunter takes a partner there is a total of 28 potential hunters.  Selected hunters are required to pay a $20 fee to obtain the permit.  Statistics from previous years are available in the table below.

How to apply

How to apply: Permits are issued by a lottery drawing.  To be entered in the lottery drawing, hunters must apply by letter.  Letters must contain full name, address, phone number, email address (if available), and indicate the specific hunt(s) applied for.  Letters should be sent to: Operations Project Manager’s Office, Attn: Quota Hunts, P.O. Box 567, Buford, GA 30515-0567.  Letters must be received by October 10, 4:30 p.m.  Please, only one hunter per letter.  This hunt has a preference for disabled veterans, but anyone can apply.  If you qualify for the disabled veteran’s preference, please indicate this in your letter.

Download the Buford Dam Hunt Map Book

Buford Dam Interactive Hunting Map

Buford Dam Deer Hunt Statistics by Year

1.  All state and federal waterfowl regulations apply on Lake Lanier (see Late Season Migratory Bird Regulations).  The 2020 early Canada goose season for Lake Lanier is September 8 – 27 and October 10 – 25, 2020.  The 2020 early Teal season is September 12 – 27, 2020. Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 10:00 AM daily during September.  Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset each day after September.  The bag limit is 5 geese per day (15 in possession). The bag limit for teal is 6 per day (18 in possession) during the early teal season.

2.  License requirements for hunters found at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com. 

3.  Goose and teal hunting is allowed on Lake Lanier with the following exceptions:  No hunting allowed within 600 feet of any dock, house, structure, bridge, road, boat ramp, marina, or open recreation area.

4.  Goose and teal hunting is allowed during the early seasons listed above in the following closed campgrounds: starting September 14: Sawnee and Duckett Mill.  Also, goose hunting is allowed during the October season listed above in the following closed campgrounds starting October 19: Bald Ridge and Bolding Mill.

5.  Goose and teal hunting is allowed in the closed portion of the following Day Use Recreation Areas during the early seasons as listed above:  Mountain View, Belton Bridge, Robinson Park, and Lumpkin County Park. Also, goose hunting is allowed during the October season in the following parks: Lanier Park (located in Gwinnett County), Long Hollow, and Keith’s Bridge

6.  Firearms must be unloaded and cased when transported in a boat or through an open recreation area or open boat ramp.

7.  Temporary hunting blinds may be constructed, but must be removed completely at the end of each day.  No vegetation may be cut or removed on Corps of Engineers property for any reason.

No other hunting is allowed at any time on Lake Lanier except by special permit.  The procedures outlined above are necessary for safety and to reduce conflicts with other lake users.  Failure to comply with these regulations will constitute hunting without permission and will result in a citation by a state or federal ranger. Contact the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division at (770) 535-5700 or the US Army Corps of Engineers at (770) 945-9531 for more information.

2020-2021 Late Season Waterfowl Hunting Rules for Lake Lanier

1.  All state and federal waterfowl regulations apply on Lake Lanier (see Late Season Migratory Bird Regulations (LSMBR).  The 2020 - 2021 Late Season for Waterfowl (Canada Goose and Duck) is November 21-29, 2020 and December 12, 2020- January 31, 2021.   Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset each day.  The bag limit is 5 geese per day (15 in possession). The bag limit for ducks is 6 per day (18 in possession).  See the LSMBR for limits on specific species. 

2.  License requirements for hunters found at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.  

3.  Youth, Active Duty Military, and Veterans Waterfowl Hunting Days are November 14-15, 2020.  Only youths 16 years of age or less may hunt Canada geese and ducks on Lake Lanier on these days.  An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth into the field but may not hunt.  Additionally, active duty military and veterans may hunt waterfowl or geese on these days in accordance with all other license requirements and bag limits.

4.  Goose and duck hunting is allowed on Lake Lanier with the following exceptions:  No hunting is allowed within 600 feet of any dock, house, structure, bridge, road, boat ramp, marina, or open recreation area.

5.  Waterfowl hunting is allowed in the following closed campgrounds:  Duckett Mill, Bald Ridge, Sawnee, and Bolding Mill.

6.  Waterfowl hunting is allowed in the closed portion of the following Day Use Recreation Areas:  Lanier Park (located in Gwinnett County), Keith’s Bridge, Mountain View, Belton Bridge, Long Hollow, Robinson Park, and Lumpkin County Park.

7.  Firearms must be unloaded and cased when transported in a boat or through an open recreation area or open boat ramp.

8.  Temporary hunting blinds may be constructed, but must be removed completely at the end of each day.  No vegetation may be cut or removed on Corps of Engineers property for any reason.

9.  No other hunting is allowed at any time on Lake Lanier except by special permit.  The procedures outlined above are necessary for safety and to reduce conflicts with other lake users.  Failure to comply with these regulations will constitute hunting without permission and will result in a citation by a state or federal ranger.   Contact the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division at (770) 535-5700 or the US Army Corps of Engineers at (770) 945-9531 for more information.