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GeorgiaHB 4912025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Game and fish; remove an exception for use of air guns to hunt wildlife

Sponsored By: Johnny Chastain (Republican), John Corbett (Republican), Justin Howard (Republican), Danny Mathis (Republican), Trey Rhodes (Republican), Jason Ridley (Republican)

Became Law

Game, Fish & ParksNatural Resources and the EnvironmentGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Limits on air guns for big game

The law limits when you can hunt big game with an air gun. An air gun is a pistol, handgun, or shoulder‑held device of at least .30 caliber, or an air bow that shoots a slug, shot, or an arrow with a broadhead using unignited compressed air or gas. You may use it only during primitive weapon hunts, primitive weapon seasons, or firearm seasons. This paragraph repeals on July 1, 2030 unless the General Assembly continues it after review in 2030.

Bowfishing rules for Savannah River catfish

You may take channel and flathead catfish by bow and arrow in the Savannah River Basin only under set rules. You must carry a valid Georgia fishing license. Arrows must have barbs or a harpoon device and be tied to you or the bow with a line strong enough to recover the arrow and fish. Poisonous or exploding arrow heads are illegal. Do not shoot within 150 feet of anyone doing other recreation. You may bowfish day or night when using a light.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Johnny Chastain

    Republican • House

  • John Corbett

    Republican • House

  • Justin Howard

    Republican • House

  • Danny Mathis

    Republican • House

  • Trey Rhodes

    Republican • House

  • Jason Ridley

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Drew Echols

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 445 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE AMENDMENT

Yes: 52 • No: 1

House vote • 4/4/2025

Agree to Senate Am as Amended by House

Yes: 170 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 52 • No: 3

House vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 171 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025House

  3. Act 268

    5/14/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended

    4/4/2025House

  6. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025Senate

  7. Senate Taken from Table

    4/2/2025Senate

  8. Senate Third Read

    4/2/2025Senate

  9. Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended

    4/2/2025Senate

  10. Senate Tabled

    3/31/2025Senate

  11. Senate Read Second Time

    3/21/2025Senate

  12. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/20/2025Senate

  13. Senate Read and Referred

    3/10/2025Senate

  14. House Third Readers

    3/6/2025House

  15. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  16. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/27/2025House

  17. House Second Readers

    2/20/2025House

  18. House First Readers

    2/19/2025House

  19. House Hopper

    2/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 491/AP* (v10)

    PDF

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