Paintball Policy for the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests

Paintball use does not need to be authorized under a Special Use Permit nor do you need permission from the Forest Service to engage in paintballing activities. The exception to this is when 75 or more people participate or there is a fee being charged for an event.

However, there are some regulations and restricted you need to know about paintballing in the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests.  The majority of the restrictions are similar to those that apply to Geocaching policy or those concerning the use of firearms near roads, buildings, and campsites, which are in the Georgia Hunting Regulations and Code of Federal Regulations.

These include:

• Paintball use will not be conducted within Cultural/Heritage sites, Wilderness areas, Scenic Areas, Research Natural Areas, Wild and Scenic River Corridors, Rare Communities, Developed Recreation Sites, or along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor.
   
• In the Oconee National Forest, paintball is not allowed below I-20 because of concerns for the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.
   
• Paintball use will not be conducted within 50 yards of a public road (i.e. open road).
   
• Paintball use will not be conducted within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area.
   
• Biodegradable and non-toxic paintballs will be required.