---
title: O.C.G.A. § 27-4-8. Unlawful devices or substances.
collection: code
id: 27-4-8
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 27-4-8 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-8
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-8.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4-8/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t27-t30-(v22)-2018-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=f493d811_0#page=189
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/27-4.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: GAME AND FISH / FISH / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 27-4-8. Unlawful devices or substances.

It shall be unlawful for any person to use any firearm, battery, generator or other similar device or any dynamite, explosives, or destructive substances, including poisons, walnut hulls, and lime, for the purpose of catching, killing, taking, or harming fish. The possession of any of the foregoing devices or substances, except firearms, in any boat on the fresh waters of this state shall be deemed prima-facie evidence of guilt under this Code section; provided, however, this provision shall not apply to batteries used to operate motors or lights.

## History

Ga. L. 1862-63, p. 46, § 1; Code 1868, § 4533; Code 1873, § 4624; Code 1882, § 4624; Penal Code 1895, § 723; Ga. L. 1899, p. 68, § 1; Ga. L. 1903, p. 100, §§ 5, 8; Penal Code 1910, §§ 611, 774; Ga. L. 1925, p. 306, §§ 16, 17; Code 1933, §§ 45-507, 45-508, 45-509; Ga. L. 1952, p. 236, § 1; Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 181, § 1; Ga. L. 1955, p. 483, §§ 83, 84; Code 1933, § 45-711, enacted by Ga. L. 1977, p. 396, § 1.

## Law Reviews

For article, ‘‘Public Rights in Georgia’s Tidelands,’’ see 9 Ga. L. Rev. 79 (1974).