Columbus residents can buy an annual Georgia fishing license or basic hunting license for $15, a hunting-and-fishing combination for $30, or a Sportsman's License that covers most state hunting and fishing privileges for $65. Which one is the best deal depends on whether you only fish, hunt small game, go after deer and turkey, or do a little of everything.

With fall hunting seasons underway, here's what each license costs, what it covers and when the bigger license actually saves money, using the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' published prices.

How much do Georgia hunting and fishing licenses cost in 2026?

Annual prices from Georgia DNR's license price chart, before transaction fees:

Annual licenses cover the 365 days after the date you buy them, not the calendar year, according to DNR.

Who needs a fishing license, and is $15 the best deal?

Georgia residents ages 16 through 64 need a fishing license, according to DNR's price chart. For anyone who fishes more than a couple of times a year, the $15 annual license is the simple choice.

For a single trip, DNR also sells a one-day hunting-and-fishing combination license for $5, plus $1 for each additional consecutive day.

Trout fishing requires an added $10 trout license unless your license already includes trout. Saltwater anglers need the free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit.

What does the $15 hunting license cover?

Basic hunting privileges cover small game, deer-dog hunting and access to certain state properties, according to DNR. They do not cover deer, turkey or bear on their own.

To hunt deer, turkey or bear, you also need the $25 Big Game License, which brings a basic hunting setup to $40 before fees. Deer and turkey hunters also need the free Harvest Record.

You must meet Georgia's hunter education requirements to buy a license with hunting privileges, except for certain short-term licenses, DNR says.

Does the $30 combination license save money?

Not on price. The annual combo covers basic hunting and basic fishing for $30, the same as buying the two $15 licenses separately. Its advantage is convenience: one license instead of two.

The combo still leaves out big game and trout privileges, which cost extra.

When does the $65 Sportsman's License pay off?

The Sportsman's License covers hunting, big game, freshwater and saltwater fishing and trout. Here's what those privileges would cost one at a time:

DNR says residents save $5 a year with the Sportsman's License. If you hunt deer or turkey and also fish, it's the better buy. If you only fish, the $15 license is cheaper.

The Sportsman's License does not include the alligator license or the federal duck stamp, and you still need the free deer harvest record and free Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp each season, according to DNR.

What discounts can seniors and kids get?

• Seniors born before July 1, 1952, who are Georgia residents can get a free Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License, with no transaction fee and no renewals, DNR says.
• Residents 65 and older born on or after July 1, 1952, can buy a $7 annual Senior Sportsman's License or a $70 Senior Lifetime Sportsman's License.
• Kids 15 and younger can get an optional Youth Sportsman's License for $15 or Youth Fishing License for $10. Both last until the child's 17th birthday.

Where do you buy a license, and what are the fees?

You can buy online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, from a license agent or by calling DNR at 1-800-366-2661. Online purchases carry a $3 transaction fee, and DNR offers a $3 discount for renewing certain licenses before they expire. You can print your license or carry it in the Go Outdoors Georgia app.

DNR also lets you "stack" several annual licenses in one purchase to cover multiple years, which it says saves $3 and avoids repeat service charges.

The bottom line

• Fish only: $15 fishing license
• Hunt small game only: $15 hunting license
• Hunt deer or turkey and fish: $65 Sportsman's License (saves $5)
• 65+ and born before July 1, 1952: free lifetime license

How we did this

Columbus Times used Georgia DNR's license price chart (updated May 2025), its "What License Do I Need?" and "Ways to Save Money" pages and its license FAQ. Savings are DNR's figures; totals are our math using DNR's prices.