HB 946: Game and fish; authorize hunting and trapping of feral hogs under certain circumstances

Georgia currently requires people to get a wildlife control permit before hunting or trapping feral hogs at night, from vehicles, or without a license on their own land. This bill removes that permit system entirely and replaces it with simpler rules written directly into the game and fish laws (O.C.G.A. Title 27). Under the bill, anyone may trap feral hogs without a hunting or trapping license, as long as any hog caught is killed upon capture. Hunting feral hogs from a motor vehicle is now allowed on private property, subject to other existing hunting-from-vehicles restrictions, without needing the old permit. The bill also allows unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to be used to locate feral hogs, as long as their use follows other drone laws. It updates the penalty section so that violators face confinement rather than the word imprisonment, keeping the same fine of at least $250 and up to 12 months.

• Lets people trap feral hogs without first getting a hunting or trapping license, as long as any hog caught is killed on the spot.
• Repeals the wildlife control permit system that previously governed night hunting, vehicle hunting, and unlicensed hunting of feral hogs on family land.
• Allows hunting of feral hogs from motor vehicles on private property, replacing the old permit requirement with a cross-reference to other hunting-from-vehicles rules.
• Authorizes the use of drones (unmanned aircraft systems) to locate feral hogs, subject to other laws governing drone use.
• Replaces the word imprisonment with confinement in the penalty for illegal hunting from boats, aircraft, or vehicles, while keeping the same fine and time limits.

Landowners and hunters dealing with feral hog damage, farmers and livestock owners who previously needed a wildlife control permit, people who trap hogs on their property, and anyone using drones to track feral hog locations on private land.

Feral hogs cause significant crop and property damage in Georgia, and this bill removes a permitting step that previously controlled when, where, and how people could hunt or trap them. Landowners could act more quickly against hogs, while also gaining a new option to use drones to find them.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 27-2-1 to let people trap feral hogs without a hunting or trapping license, provided captured hogs are killed.
• Section 2 repeals paragraphs (2) and (3) of O.C.G.A. § 27-2-31, eliminating the wildlife control permit requirements specific to feral hogs, including night hunting and lease-based permit expiration rules.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 27-3-13 to allow hunting feral hogs from motor vehicles on private property, subject to Code Section 27-3-24, instead of requiring a wildlife control permit.
• Section 3 also adds a new subsection (a.1) authorizing the use of unmanned aircraft systems to locate feral hogs, subject to other applicable drone laws.
• Section 3 changes the penalty language from 'imprisonment' to 'confinement' for up to 12 months, while keeping the minimum $250.00 fine and installment payment option for economic hardship.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 479
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-20Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2026-03-19Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2026-03-18Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)Primary sponsor
• Trey Rhodes (R, HD-124)
• Jason Ridley (R, HD-006)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 3, 2026

   161 yea, 1 nay (4 not voting, 9 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #473

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2026

   46 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 8 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #772

• feral hogs
• hunting laws
• wildlife management
• drone use
• agricultural pest control