Georgia’s forests and farmland are home to an estimated 600,000 feral hogs, an invasive population that continues to expand across the state. Found in nearly every county, these hogs uproot crops, damage food plots, erode waterways, and compete directly with deer and other native wildlife for acorns and mast. For hunters, Georgia hog hunting has become both a necessity and a challenge, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and landowners alike have identified feral swine as one of the biggest threats to agriculture and hunting success.

Unlike deer, hogs are classified as invasive and may be hunted year-round. But Georgia hunters must still follow specific license rules, land-use regulations, and equipment restrictions. And with the 2025 deer season dates set, hunters face growing pressure as hog sounders move into the same food plots and hunting grounds whitetails depend on.

Learn more about the Boar Blanket Hog Trap in Georgia — the portable, one-person trap that works in remote, wooded terrain.

Do You Need a License for Georgia Hog Hunting?

Yes. All hunters in Georgia must carry a valid state hunting license to pursue feral hogs, even though hogs are non-native and unprotected.

• Private Land: With landowner permission, hogs may be hunted year-round, day or night.
  
• Public Land: A hunting license is required, and hog hunting is allowed during open seasons for other game species. Firearms and methods must match what’s legal for the ongoing season.
  

Key difference vs. deer: Deer hunting requires a big game license, tags, and harvest record. Hogs do not require tags or harvest records, though licenses are still mandatory.

Is Georgia Hog Hunting Open Year-Round?

Yes. Feral hogs may be hunted 12 months a year with no bag limits. However, on public lands (WMAs), hog hunting is generally only permitted during open seasons for deer, turkey, or small game, and with weapons legal for that season.

Species	Season Dates (2025)	Notes
Feral Hogs	Year-round	Private land, no bag limit
Deer – Archery	Sept 13 – Oct 17, 2025	Bow only
Deer – Firearms	Oct 18 – Jan 11, 2026	Includes modern firearms
Deer – Muzzleloader	Oct 11 – Oct 17, 2025	Statewide week
Youth-Only Deer	Sept 27 – Sept 28, 2025	Ages 16 & under

Hunters often report that heavy hog pressure during acorn drop (October–November) reduces deer sightings and alters whitetail travel routes.

What Types of Hogs Are Found in Georgia?

Like other southern states, Georgia’s feral hog population is a mix of:

• Domestic feral hogs – Escaped farm pigs gone wild, highly prolific.
  
• Eurasian wild boars – Introduced for sport, longer tusks, more aggressive.
  
• Hybrids – Most common in Georgia, combining traits of both.
  

These hogs thrive in hardwood bottoms and pine forests, where they consume mast crops critical to deer survival. Large boars (150–250 lbs) often dominate feeders and drive deer away from food plots.

How Do Feral Hogs Affect Deer Hunting in Georgia?

• Food Plot Destruction: Hogs uproot newly planted fields and clover plots intended for deer.
  
• Feeder Competition: Sounders quickly take over corn feeders, leaving little for deer.
  
• Fawn Predation: Hogs have been documented preying on fawns and ground-nesting birds.
  
• Habitat Loss: Rooting and wallowing destroys cover and increases erosion.
  

As a result, Georgia deer hunters often find their season success directly tied to hog pressure on their land.

Legal Methods for Georgia Hog Hunting & Control

• Trapping: Legal statewide. Systems like the Boar Blanket allow entire sounders to be caught in one setup, silently and efficiently.
  
• Night Hunting: Permitted on private land with landowner consent. Night vision and thermal scopes are legal.
  
• Public Land Rules: On WMAs, hog hunting is tied to open game seasons and method-of-take restrictions.
  
• Transport Restrictions: Transporting live feral hogs is regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture; special permits are required.
  

FAQs

Can I use night vision to hunt hogs in Georgia?
Yes, on private land with landowner consent. Night vision and thermal optics are legal.

Do I need tags for feral hogs like I do for deer?
No. A hunting license is required, but hogs do not require tags or harvest records.

Can non-residents hunt hogs in Georgia?
Yes. Non-residents must purchase the appropriate hunting license.

Do hogs and deer compete for the same food?
Yes. Both consume acorns and corn. Hogs often outcompete deer during fall mast seasons.

Are there bag limits on feral hogs?
No. There are no seasonal or numerical limits on hogs.

Related Resources

• Visit the FAQ Hub
  
• Explore the upcoming Georgia Deer Season Blog 2025
  
• Read the Case Study
  
• Learn How Whole Sounder Trapping Works
  

Final Thoughts

Feral hogs are a year-round problem in Georgia, but their pressure is felt most during the fall deer season. With populations continuing to expand, deer hunters must plan not just for whitetails, but also for hog control.

The Boar Blanket offers landowners and hunters a proven, field-tested solution — one-person setup, adaptable to uneven terrain, and capable of capturing whole sounders at once. For Georgia hunters preparing for deer season, it’s the best way to protect your land and maximize your time in the field.