Georgia

Last updated March 2023

Link to state website

Contact

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Special Permit Unit
2070 U.S. Highway 278, S.E.
Social Circle, Georgia 30025
770-918-6408
Jamie.Hawkins@dnr.ga.gov

Is a state permit required for banding?

The statutes, known as the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A. § 27-1-28) expressly provides that, “Except as otherwise provided by law, rule, or regulation, it shall be unlawful to hunt, trap, fish, take, possess, or transport any nongame species of wildlife…”

Take is defined as “killing, capturing, destroying, catching, or seizing.” O.C.G.A. § 27-1-28 (71). The terms “collecting” and “scientific collecting” are not defined.

As marking requires capture, and as banding/marking is not expressly exempted, it appears that a permit is required for banding.

Permit application forms

State lands

Use same form.

Prior notice

Region or District Law Enforcement office, along with Game Management, Fisheries Management, or the U.S. Forest Service, if applicable, in each area of collection must be notified at least three (3) days in advance of the date and place of specimens are to be collected, the species to be collected, methods of collection, and permit number.

Policies

Link to Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 27-2-12.  Scientific collecting permits
Link to Georgia Administrative Code 391-4-9-.01 Scientific Collecting Permits

Endangered Species

Georgia has a state endangered species law. The avian species protected under Georgia law are listed here. These lists change over time; be sure to always check with the state agency.

Bachman’s Sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis)  (rare)
Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) (rare)
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)  (rare)
Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)  (endangered)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)  (threatened)
Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) (threatened)
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  (rare)
Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea)  (rare)
Kirtland’s Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii)  (endangered)
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)  (rare)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)  (rare)
Southeastern Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus)  (rare)
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)  (rare)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  (threatened)
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)  (endangered)
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)  (endangered)
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)  (rare)
Least Tern (Sterna antillarum)  (rare)
Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica)  (threatened)
Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera)  (endangered)