2023 Islands Deer Hunt (by permit only)

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 10-13, November 24-27, and December 8-11.  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, 2023 on recreation.gov.  Applications for the Buford Dam Hunt have not changed and will be accepted until October 10, 2023. 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

Table 1: Island Hunt Harvest Statistics by Year

Year

Acres Hunted

# of Hunters

Does Harvested

Bucks Harvested

Success Rate

2007

862

98

9

1

10%

2008

862

106

3

1

4%

2009

862

84

11

4

18%

2010

862

68

8

1

13%

2011

862

80

8

5

16%

2012

862

66

11

11

33%

2013

862

82

21

8

35%

2014

976

84

25

11

43%

2015

976

90

28

11

43%

2016

1,100

103

24

17

40%

2017 1,100 110 34 9 39%
2018 1,100 108 14 14 26%
2019 1,100 104 15 15 29%
2020 1,100 114 21 10 27%

 

2023 Buford Dam Deer Hunt (by permit only)

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 14-16 with a mandatory pre-hunt safety meeting for all hunters on November 13.  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 8th, 4:30 p.m. 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

 

Month/Year Acres Hunted # of Hunters Does Harvested Bucks Harvested Success Rate
January 2010 611 21 7 0 33%
January 2011 611 25 3 1 16%
December 2011 611 20 3 1 20%
December 2012 611 27 9 3 44%
November 2013 643 27 9 3 44%
November 2014 643 27 6 8 52%
November 2015 643 24 9 8 71%
November 2016 1,037 44 15 13 64%
January 2017 611 24 5 2 29%
November 2017 1,054 49 12 19 63%
November 2018 736 29 3 4 24%
November 2019 611 29 15 10 86%
November 2020 755 34 12 9 62%

2023 Early Season Teal/Goose Hunting Rules

1.  All state and federal waterfowl regulations apply on Lake Lanier (see Late Season Migratory Bird Regulations).  The 2023 early Canada goose season for Lake Lanier is September 2 - 24 and October 7 – 22, 2023.  The 2023 early Teal season is September 9 – 24, 2023. 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: 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.

2023-2024 Late Season Waterfowl Rules

2023-2024 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 2023 - 2024 Late Season for Waterfowl (Canada Goose and Duck) is November 18-26, 2023 and December 9, 2023 - January 28, 2024.   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 11-12, 2022.  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, 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. 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.