Lake Sidney Lanier Project Hunting Permits
The Islands Hunt is an archery-only hunt held on 18 islands and 3 peninsulas at Lake Lanier. The 21 hunting areas range from 10 to 149 acres and total approximately 1,100 acres. The 2025 hunt dates are:
November 6-9
November 13-16
November 20-23
December 4-7
December 11-14
December 18-21
Most hunting areas are accessible only by boat. The harvest limit is one deer per hunter per day. All harvested deer must be recorded through Georgia Game Check, and state bag limits and harvest restrictions apply. The Lake Lanier Islands Resort area is not included in this hunt.
Hunt Structure and Permits
For this hunt, the lake is divided into nine zones. Hunters select one hunt date and one specific zone. Each hunter must have an individual permit. A non-permitted person may accompany a permitted hunter only to assist with safe boat operation.
A total of 228 hunters are selected for the season, with 38 hunters assigned to each four-day hunt. Additional hunt statistics are available on our website at Lake Sidney Lanier Hunting
Permit & Season Information
This permit authorizes the holder to participate in the Lake Lanier 2026 Island Hunts. The hunt is archery-only, boat-access-only, and quota-managed. Hunters are assigned to one of nine zones they select at the time of permit purchase.
The hunt dates run Friday through Monday for the following four-day periods:
November 6-9
November 13-16
November 20-23
December 4-7
December 11-14
December 18-21
Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Each hunter may acquire only one permit per year. Permits go on sale beginning October 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM and remain available through December 18, 2026, or until all permits are filled.
Need to Know
Archery only, including crossbow. Firearms are prohibited.
Zone selected: Zone 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Download the PDF Islands Deer Hunt Map Book.
Dates selected:
Hunt 1: Nov 6-9
Hunt 2: Nov 13-16
Hunt 3: Nov 20-23
Hunt 4: Dec 4-7
Hunt 5: Dec 11-14
Hunt 6: Dec 18-21
$20.00 permit fee, payable on Recreation.gov.
Hunt only within the yellow-outlined lands of your selected zone.
Temporary hunting stands may be used. They cannot be placed before hunt dates, must be removed when not in use, and cannot remain overnight.
Hunter orange must be worn at all times.
Overnight camping on the islands is prohibited.
Placement of any feed or bait is prohibited.
Peninsulas in Zone 1, 2, and 8: observe the "No Hunting" buffer from houses. Do not hunt past "No Hunting" signs or sit in or shoot into the no-hunting safety buffer.
Access is by boat only.
Scouting may be done anytime before your hunt except during other designated hunts.
Game cameras may be used for scouting.
Harvest limit: 1 deer per day per hunter, either sex. All deer must be recorded on the hunter's state hunting record through Georgia Game Check.
All permit holders must submit a completed Harvest Record after their permitted hunt dates, even if they did not use their permit or did not harvest any game.
Harvest Records must be submitted within one week of the permitted hunt period.
Hunt 1: Nov 16
Hunt 2: Nov 23
Hunt 3: Nov 30
Hunt 4: Dec 14
Hunt 5: Dec 21
Hunt 6: Dec 28
A link to the Harvest Record will be provided in your confirmation email.
Failure to submit the USACE Take Record will result in ineligibility for future USACE hunting permits on Lake Lanier.
Contact
Robert E. Kilpatrick II
Natural Resources Department
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Robert.E.Kilpatrick@usace.army.mil
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee: $20
Recreation Fee: Boat launch fees where applicable
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy: Fees are non-refundable. However, we encourage hunters to cancel their permit as soon as they know they will be unable to use it. Canceling releases the permit for another hunter and helps maximize hunting opportunity on Lake Lanier. Notifying us of your cancellation also allows you to retain eligibility for future hunts without submitting a USACE Take Record.
Change Policy: Modifications are permitted without penalty.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
1050 Buford Dam Road Buford GA 30518
Email: Robert.E.Kilpatrick@USACE.Army.mil
Phone Number
770-945-9531, Select option 7.
