Q: What does USACE mean?
A: It is an acronym for US Army Corps of Engineers
Q: Do I need a permit to hunt deer, turkey, or small game at Allatoona Lake?
A: Yes. Everyone, regardless of age, must have an Allatoona USACE Hunting Permit to hunt deer, turkey, or small game on any USACE managed hunting areas at Allatoona Lake.
Q: Do I need a Georgia Hunting License to hunt at Allatoona Lake?
A: Yes. All State hunting regulations apply on USACE lands in addition to Federal requirements.
Q: Does my son/daughter need a permit even if they sit with me?
A: Yes. Even a small child hunting with an adult is considered a hunter. Everyone who enters the woods intending to hunt must have a permit. However, other recreationists using the areas are not required to have any sort of permit.
Q: Is there a fee for an Allatoona Hunting Permit?
A: No. All current hunting permits from Allatoona Lake were free. However, there will be a Special Activity fee charged for hunting these areas starting next year for the 2013-2014 hunting season.
Q: When can I request a hunting permit?
A: Permit applications will be accepted starting May 1, 2013 and will be issued on a first-come, first served basis until all 400 permits have been issued. Please keep checking this website for updates on fees and procedures for getting a 2013-2014 Hunting Permit.
Q: Do I need to complete and return a Hunter Survey after I finish hunting during the 2012-2013 season?
A: Yes. Completing the survey is voluntary and will assist us in continuing and improving the hunting program for you as well as all hunters. However, completing this survey is not a requirement and we can no longer give preferential selection to hunters applying for future permits who have completed the survey.
Q: Do I need a permit to hunt Canada geese or ducks on Allatoona Lake?
A: No. Waterfowl hunting is allowed for all hunters. Waterfowl hunting may be done on the water in a boat or on the dry lakebed everywhere on Allatoona Lake except within 500 feet of developed areas (structures, houses, open parks, marinas, bridges, etc.).
Q: Do I have to record my deer on my Harvest Record?
A: Yes. According to Georgia regulations, all deer harvested must be recorded on a hunter’s Harvest Record.
Q: Do I have to check in any game that I harvest?
A: No. The Corps does not require hunters to check in harvested game. We do, however, appreciate the voluntary information provided in the survey issued with each Allatoona Hunting Permit.
Q: Am I required to wear hunter orange while hunting?
A: Yes. You must wear at least 500 square inches of hunter orange above the waist while small game or archery deer hunting in USACE areas whenever there is a hunter orange State requirement for hunters on adjacent or surrounding lands. Generally this will be during the State primitive weapons and gun deer seasons. However, other non-hunter recreationists in the areas at the same time are not required to wear orange, so please BE CAREFUL!!
Q: Can I hunt deer with a shotgun or rifle under the Allatoona Hunting Permit?
A: No. Hunting deer with any sort of firearm is prohibited at Allatoona Lake except during scheduled deer hunts in the Allatoona Wildlife Management Area as managed by GADNR.
Q: Can I hunt small game or turkeys with a gun under the Allatoona Hunting Permit?
A: Yes, but only in Bartow Beach road, Macedonia and Webster's Overlook Hunting Areas during State seasons. Hunters may only use shotguns using number 4 shot or smaller for small game and turkeys.
Q: Can I carry a “sidearm” to shoot snakes, varmints, etc while bow hunting deer in a USACE Hunting Area?
A: No. Firearms are prohibited except those specifically permitted for small game and turkey and only in certain areas.
Q: I have a State permit to carry concealed weapons so can I "carry" while hiking, bird watching, sightseeing, hunting or boating anywhere on Allatoona Lake USACE lands?
A: No. Any sort of projectile firing device, including firearms, `are prohibited everywhere on USACE lands by Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations except when in the act of legal permitted hunting and then only with the specific hunting weapons allowed.
Q: When can I hunt on Allatoona Lake?
A: Hunters may hunt deer with legal archery equipment (according to State law) for the duration of the State set season. USACE hunters can hunt deer only with archery equipment even when surrounding or adjacent lands are open for gun deer hunting. Hunters may hunt small game and turkey with shotguns in designated USACE areas during each species’ respective season according to State seasons & bag limits.
Q: Which area is better to hunt?
A: That depends on what you want to hunt, how you like to hunt, and how hard you’re willing to work. Some places are hilly, some are flat, some are hardwood, and some are pine. The only person who can answer this question is the hunter. Most of the land around Allatoona has a variety of game and fairly healthy populations. Each hunter needs to find the area that suits him/her best by scouting them all.
Q: Can I access the hunting property by boat?
A: Yes. Hunters may access the Allatoona Lake hunting properties by boat if they choose to do so. Launch fees apply at public ramps unless posted otherwise.
Q: Can I use a 4-wheeler (all-terrain vehicle-ATV) to hang stands or retrieve game?
A: No. In accordance with Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations, The US Army Corps of Engineers does not allow ATV use on land around Allatoona Lake for any purpose. ATV’s damage the forest floor and lead to erosion problems around the lake, silting in small creeks and streams and destroying valuable habitat. Hunters caught using ATVs may lose all hunting privileges at Allatoona Lake and will be cited for the offense.
Q: Where can I find a map of the hunting areas at the Allatoona Lake Project?
A: All USACE hunting permit area maps are on this website and can be viewed or printed by anyone. It is up to individual hunters to acquire more detailed maps or topographic maps as desired. Hunters should study maps closely and are responsible to know that they are hunting within a legal and designated area.
Q: Where can I obtain more information on hunting laws and regulations?
A: Georgia Department of Natural Resources – www.gohuntgeorgia.com – or contact the Allatoona Lake Project Management Office at 678-721-6700.
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