Early Teal Season Opens Sept. 8 In Georgia

  • Monday, August 13, 2018

Early teal season is the first opportunity of the year for waterfowl hunters to get out in the field, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. This year, early teal season is Sept.

8-23, with a daily limit of six teal. 

 

“Scouting is very important during early teal season,” said State Waterfowl Biologist Greg Balkcom.  “Teal migrate through Georgia pretty quickly, and hunters need to spend some time in the field prior to the season to locate good spots to hunt on opening day.”

 

During early teal season, there are many places open to hunt. People can hunt many of Georgia’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) that are open for small game hunting, and they can hunt beaver ponds and other natural wetlands. Lakes, such as Juliette, and many reservoirs like Clarks Hill, West Point and Seminole offer great hunting opportunities. 

 

For those planning to hunt the coast, reminders of this past hurricane season will still be visible. For example, the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area continues to experience challenges brought by the strong winds, storm surge and salt water intrusion delivered by Hurricane Irma, so hunters should take that into consideration when making plans. 

 

“While the dikes and road system have been stabilized on the Altamaha area, repair work to restore the impoundments to pre-storm conditions will take some time,” said coastal Wildlife Biologist Robert Horan. 

 

Hunters wanting access to the Champney Island impoundments at the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area will find that the 112-acre Old Snipe Pool will be available. On Rhett’s Island, hunters will find that habitats within the impoundment are still not back to desired conditions, and water levels are being managed to prioritize repairs to the dikes. Rhett’s Pools I and II will have low water levels throughout the fall season, making access to portions of the pools difficult.  Pool III will be dry throughout the early teal season.  Food resources within all of the Altamaha WMA impoundments continue to experience decreased production due to salt water intrusion.  This may decrease the quality of duck hunting at Altamaha for the upcoming season.  Additionally, while the area will be open for hunting, there may be disturbance from equipment and workers who are repairing damage to the dikes and water control structures across the area.

 

Waterfowl hunters need a hunting license, the Georgia migratory bird stamp and the federal duck stamp. Licenses may be purchased at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.

 

More information about waterfowl hunting at https://georgiawildlife.com/migratory-bird-info.

Latest Headlines
Outdoors
20,000 Volunteers Set To Plant 100,000 Native Trees This Weekend Across Tennessee
  • 3/14/2024

America’s largest annual tree-planting event takes place this weekend across Tennessee. Organized by the non-profit Tennessee Environmental Council, the 10th Annual Tennessee Tree Day features ... more

MGHC 3rd Saturday Free Gardening Class March 16 Is "Basic Landscape & Garden Design"
MGHC 3rd Saturday Free Gardening Class March 16 Is "Basic Landscape & Garden Design"
  • 3/12/2024

The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, in association with the University of Tennessee Extension, continues their Third Saturday Free Gardening Classes on Saturday, March 16 at 10 a.m. with ... more

Tennessee State Parks Provide 7 New All-Terrain Wheelchairs
Tennessee State Parks Provide 7 New All-Terrain Wheelchairs
  • 3/11/2024

Tennessee State Parks today announced the availability of new all-terrain wheelchairs at seven state parks, enhancing accessibility for visitors and bringing the total of parks with the wheelchairs ... more