Primitive Deer Hunts Begin this Fall at Bussey Point

String the bow! Cleanup your muzzleloader, and gear up!

It’s time for the very popular primitive weapons deer hunts at Bussey Point located along Thurmond Lake in Lincoln County.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold the primitive weapons deer hunts in October, November and December.

These annual hunts maintain the deer population within the carrying capacity for the area, improve herd quality, and provide quality trophy opportunities.

The 2,545-acre peninsula will open for scheduled hunts on

Oct. 8 Archery ONLY
Oct. 9 Archery & Muzzleloader
Nov. 5-6 Archery & Muzzleloader
Dec. 3-4 Archery/Muzzleloader

Hunting hours begin one hour before sunrise and end one hour after sundown on each hunting day.

Hunters will be checked in and out, in their vehicles through the station located at the entrance gate, and should remain in their vehicles during check-in and check-out.

Hunters must present appropriate state hunting licenses and a state driver’s license.

All hunts are limited to 100 hunters per day, and Hunters will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Archery hunters are invited to participate in all scheduled hunts.

The bag limit is two does and one quality buck each day of each hunt.

Quality bucks are those with racks having 15- inch main beam length or better on at least one side, or a 14-inch or greater outside spread.

Upon check-out hunters must check harvest in and/or provide survey answers before leaving the property.

All hunters must abide by the CDC, Georgia Department of Public Health, and Lincoln County COVID-19 guidelines and mandates.

All state regulations, bag limits and harvest reporting will be strictly enforced. This is a non-quota hunt. All harvests count towards the state bag limit.

Park visitors who are not hunting are encouraged to find other recreation areas during the scheduled hunts.

The management area will also be closed two days before each hunt except to hunters scouting or placing deer stands. No weapons are allowed in Bussey Point on scouting days.

To reserve or obtain a campsite at Bussey Point Recreation Area, call 877-444-6777 or visit webpage: www.recreation.gov. For information regarding campgrounds and site availability near the Bussey Point CMU please visit the J. Strom Thurmond Lake webpage at: https://go.usa.gov/xfJUf.