Deer Season Starts Saturday

Deer hunting season is one of the most highly anticipated times of the year for many in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. 

Archers get the first opportunity at bringing home a deer beginning Saturday.    Last year, 113,566 archery hunters harvested more than 60,190 deer.

Statewide archery season runs through Oct. 11, although hunters may hunt deer with archery equipment through the entire deer season (Jan. 1 in Northern Zone and Jan. 15 in the Southern Zone).   

Beginning this season, the number of firearms either-sex days is reduced in most counties.

A few factors went into this decision, including the decline in the number of fawns that survive into fall and an increase in doe harvest rates. 

At the same time, doe’s have comprised over 60% of the annual deer harvest and that has increased by 13% over the past several years.

That means there are fewer deer left to replenish and stabilize the deer population and that has prompted the DNR to act.

Many public lands offer specialty hunts, including primitive weapons hunts, adult/child hunts and ladies-only hunts.

Dates and locations for these hunts are listed in the 2013-2014 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide.

Georgia offers more than 90 state-operated wildlife management areas (WMAs) for the public’s use. 

This season, Hunters are allowed a season bag limit of 10 antlerless deer and two antlered deer.

To pursue deer in Georgia, hunters must have a valid hunting license, big game license and a current deer harvest record. If hunting on a WMA, a WMA license is required. 

Licenses can be purchased online at www.gohuntgeorgia.com/licenses-permits-passes , by phone at 1-800-366-2661 or at a license agent (list of agents available online).

For more information on deer hunting seasons, regulations, licenses and WMA maps, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting .