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 8^th-11^th, November 15^th-18^th, November 22^nd-25^th, December 6^th-9^th, December 13^th-16^th, and December 20^th-23^rd.  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 may select one of the above hunting dates and a specific hunting zone.   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

We have changed the process for the island deer hunts and will be migrating the applications for this event to recreation.gov.  Permits for the island hunt will be available on a first come first served basis with sales beginning October 10, 2024 on recreation.gov.  Applications for the Buford Dam Hunt have not changed and will be accepted until October 10, 2024. The link for our island hunts page can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/permits/5212121 . Please be sure to have an account before permit sales go live, and failure to do so may delay the purchasing process.

Download the Islands Deer Hunt Map Book

Deer Hunt Application

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 12^th-14^th with a mandatory pre-hunt safety meeting for all hunters on November 11.  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

Permits are issued by a lottery drawing.  To be entered in the lottery drawing, hunters must apply by mailing in the application below.  All fields on the application must be completed. The fields contain your full name, address, phone number, email address (if available), and indicate which specific hunt(s) you would like to apply for.  Applications should be sent to: Operations Project Manager’s Office, Attn: Quota Hunts, 1050 Buford Dam Road, Buford, GA 30518-5528.  Letters must be received by October 10^th, 4:30. Please, only one application per hunter. You may select multiple hunts on one application. 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 the Disabled Veteran’s Preference section of the application. 

Download the Buford Dam Hunt Map Book

Deer Hunt Application

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 2024 early Canada goose season for Lake Lanier is September 7 - 29 and October 12 – 27, 2024.  The 2024 early Teal season is September 14 – 29, 2024. 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 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

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

6.  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.

2024-2025 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 2024 - 2025 Late Season for Waterfowl (Canada Goose and Duck) is November 23 - December 1, 2024 and December 7, 2024 - January 26, 2025.   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 16-17, 2024.  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:  Bald Ridge and Sawnee

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. Thompson Bridge, 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.