Special Permit Unit

The Special Permit Unit issues permits related to Native Wildlife and Non-Native Wild Animals that are not covered by usual recreational or commercial licenses.

Staff

Lieutenant Bubba Stanford - Program Manager

Jamie Hawkins - SPU Coordinator & State Falconry Administrator

DNR Law Enforcement Division - Special Permit Unit

2070 US Hwy 278 SE

Social Circle, GA 30025

770-918-6408

Permit Applications & Permit Renewal Applications

Please note that Applications are for first time applicants only.

Renewal Applications are for existing applicants, or expired permit holders. There are certain questions and forms required for existing applicants that must be completed before permit is processed.

All permits expire on March 31^st. All permit renewals must be submitted by March 1^st for the upcoming 12-month period from April to March. Renewals submitted after March 1^st may take 4-6 weeks to process, which may cause you or your business to be non-compliant for several weeks.

Wildlife Rehabilitation - This is a no-cost permit.

What if I find sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife? Visit the following link:

https://georgiawildlife.com/sick-injured-or-orphaned-wildlife

Find a wildlife rehabilitator in your area using our interactive map at the following link:

Wildlife Rehabilitators Interactive Map

For information on becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, visit the following link:

Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Wild Animal / Wildlife Exhibition Information

Please call the office at 770-918-6408 for applications and more information.

Click here for information on exotic species that may not be held as pets in Georgia.
Most native wildlife and many exotic animals may not legally be kept as pets in Georgia. Click here for a guide to legal pets in Georgia.
The use of animals in the classroom, either alive or preserved, gives the Georgia educator exciting opportunities to teach. However, many laws and regulations must be observed. Learn more here: https://georgiawildlife.com/wildlife-and-the-classroom
For information on Invasive Species (Black & White Tegus, Burmese Pythons, etc.) in Georgia please visit Georgia's Invasive Species
Wild Animal License - to breed or exhibit non-native species.
Wildlife Exhibition License - to exhibit wildlife for education purposes.
Wildlife Film Production Permit - to exhibit wildlife in films or TV production.

Regulated Non-native Species

For information on non-native species that are regulated as “wild animals” by Georgia DNR, please visit https://georgiawildlife.com/wild-animal-rules

Aquaculture

When raising aquatic species for commercial sales, you are required to obtain an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration on a 2-year basis. The certificate authorizes production and sale of aquaculture species including bait. It identifies your aquaculture products as cultured products and identifies you as an aquaculturist.

Aquaculture Registration Application | Aquaculture Registration RENEWAL Application
Aquaculture Regulations and the Georgia Fish Grower
Fish Supplier List

A Wild Animal Regulated Fish License is required to legally sell Grass Carp and Tilapia unless exempt under the Aquaria exclusion. Please call the Special Unit for questions at 770-918-6408. All properly licensed dealers are included on a separate “Authorized Grass Carp Suppliers List."
Wild Animal Regulated Fish Application | Wild Animal Regulated Fish RENEWAL Application
Grass Carp Dealers List
Tilapia Information

Coastal Long-Term & Short-Term Anchoring

Georgia is home to more than 105 miles of coastal shoreline with outstanding opportunities for boating. In order to keep our coast healthy and vibrant, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has established regulations for overnight and long-term anchoring.

Click here for information on the Georgia Estuarine (Marine) Anchoring Law

Commercial Licenses

Dog Deer Hunting Permit | Season is October 19, 2025 – January 12, 2026

This is a no-cost permit required for using dogs to take, attempt to take, trail, or pursue deer on private property. It's free and must be renewed annually. Hunting deer with dogs is allowed in select counties by permit only. Hunting deer with dogs is allowed on leased properties of at least 1,000 contiguous acres or privately-owned properties of at least 250 acres that are permitted by DNR. Permits are specific to only one piece of property and only one permit application per property should be submitted. Applications and renewal applications for a permit must be received at least 30 days prior to hunting deer with dogs. https://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/23GAHD.pdf

**ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED EACH YEAR**

NEW Dog Hunting Permit Application - New Applicants only - Applications must be sent to Region GM Office for approval. Click this link to find your GM Region Office - https://georgiawildlife.com/about/contact
RENEWAL Dog Hunting Permit RENEWAL Application Click this link to find your GM Region Office: https://georgiawildlife.com/about/contact
Landowner Signature Form

Falconry

Falconry refers to the practice of caring for, training, and transporting raptors for the pursuit of game and the hunting of game with raptors. A permit is required to possess any raptor for falconry purposes. Click here for more information on falconry

Nuisance Wildlife: Prevention & Management – Individual / Pest Control Operators

The NWCO is authorized to live-trap, possess, transport, and release in suitable habitat certain nuisance wildlife. In addition, the permittee is authorized, at his discretion, to euthanize certain nuisance animals and to transport non-endangered injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. With this authority comes the responsibility of handling this activity in a professional, humane manner beyond the view of the public.

Nuisance Wildlife Control Application with exam study materials
Purchase online RENEWAL Nuisance Wildlife Control and Commercial Trapping permits at https://www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/
iPhone and Android make it easy to ensure you are not without your fishing and hunting licenses and permits. It can be used to renew, store, and purchase your licenses and permits. There are also a variety of other offerings on the app like Harvest Reporting, fishing and hunting regulations, sunrise/sunset times, feeding times, WMA brochures, etc. Download the app today on your mobile device through the Apple or Google Play Store. https://georgiawildlife.com/outdoors-ga-app
Georgia Trapping Rules and Regulations
Acceptable Management Practices for Bat Control Activities in Structures
Find Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators in Your County

Government Agencies - (federal, state, or local level)

Scientific Collecting Permit (SCP)

A permit used for research projects by an Individual, educational institution or environmental consulting firm. Scientific Collecting Permit (SCP) - are required for scientific research, education, and propagation activities with any amphibian, reptile, bird, gopher tortoise, mammals including bats, Freshwater fishes, Freshwater mussels and/or snails, Non-Mussel Freshwater Invertebrates and Coastal fishes, invertebrates and marine mammal species.

Scientific Collecting Application (New customers)
Scientific Collecting Renewal Application (Current customers or former Customer)
Scientific Collection Report Template
Scientific Collection Report Template (for Bat Data)

Plants & Terrestrial Invertebrates

The following state permits may also be needed depending on the wildlife species, activities and location of the proposed activities.

To submit a Plant Collection Permit, use the following link: https://arcg.is/em09y0
With additional questions please email Conservation Botanist, Carlee Steppe (carlee.steppe@dnr.ga.gov)For Terrestrial Invertebrates please contact the Wildlife Conservation Section at 706-557-3213 or email Anna Yellin (anna.yellin@dnr.ga.gov)

Taylors Law

Taylor's Law in Georgia: This refers to a law in Georgia that allows special hunting privileges for young people with a terminal illness, named after a young person who inspired the legislation. Specifically, it allows state officials to grant special authorization to hunt big game or alligators to anyone under 21 with a terminal illness, potentially waiving certain requirements like weapon restrictions, antler restrictions, or hunter education.