In Georgia, there are many white-tailed deer, and humans are their only natural predators. Hunting is used to controlling the number of deer and keeps them below what the area can support, as well as to keep them from competing with other animals for food. With the revenue from hunting licenses and equipment sales, programs have been funded that focus on habitat restoration, population research, and hunter education. This helps keep the deer population healthy and protects the environment. The deer population and the health of the environment as a whole are both important to these plans.
Georgia Deer Hunting Season
White-tailed deer quota hunts are conducted in particular regions of Georgia on specified weekends; these hunts may be available to all hunters or limited to those less than 16 years old. These hunts have quotas and require applicants to submit their information in advance. The hunting experience during a quota hunt may be superior since it is often conducted in remote locations.
Deer Hunting Bag Limits in Georgia
| Type of Deer | Limit | Minimum Antler Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | 10 | N/A |
| Antlered | 2 | 4 points, 15" outside spread |
- Deer with no antlers above the hairline are considered antlerless.
- Any deer taken during a “Buck-only” hunt or season must have antlers protruding over the head hair.
Deer Season Schedule by counties:
Find the complete list of deer season in Georgia by specific counties:
Deer Season Dates for GA (Counties List-1):
| Hunting Methods | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Friday, October 13, 2023 |
| Primitive Weapons | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Friday, October 20, 2023 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Saturday, October 21, 2023 | Friday, November 24, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Saturday, November 25, 2023 | Sunday, November 26, 2023 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Monday, November 27, 2023 | Sunday, December 31, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Monday, January 01, 2024 | Monday, January 01, 2024 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Tuesday, January 02, 2024 | Sunday, January 14, 2024 |
Below is the list of counties for the above seasons’ dates.
| Towns | Rabun |
| Fannin | Union |
Deer Season Dates for GA (Counties List-2):
| Hunting Methods | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (Antlered Bucks Only) | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Sunday, September 24, 2023 |
| Archery (Either-Sex) | Monday, September 25, 2023 | Friday, October 13, 2023 |
| Primitive Weapons (Either-Sex) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Friday, October 20, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Saturday, October 21, 2023 | Monday, January 15, 2024 |
Note:
• The minimum permissible antler size in the Georgia counties of Hancock, Harris, Meriwether, Montgomery, Randolph, Talbot, and Troup is 15 inches outside the pointers.
• Antlered bucks in Dooly and Macon Counties must have a spread of at least 15 inches.
Below is the list of counties for the above seasons’ dates.
| Forsyth | Talbot | Crisp |
| Hall | Muscogedr Taylor Peach | Telfair |
| Gwinnett | Marion | Randolphy |
| Clarks | Macon | Terrell Lee |
| Douglas | Twiggs | Ben Hill |
| Rockdal | Johnson, | Turner |
| Fayette | Emanuel | Clay |
| Henry | Houston Bleckley | Irwin |
| Hancock | Laurens | Calhoun Dougherty Worth |
| Glas cock | Treutlen | Tift |
| Columbia | Candien | Early |
| Richmond | (Schley | Baker |
| Troup Meriwethe | Pulask | Mitchell |
| Jeffersonj Burke | Quitma | Miller |
| Washington | Stewart | Colquitt |
| Bibb | Webster | Seminole |
| Wilkinson | Dooly | Decatur Grady Thomas Brooks |
| Harris | Dodge Wheeler | MAGENTA |
| Jenkins | Sumter | Chatham |
| ttahoochee | Wilcox |
Deer Season Dates for GA (Counties List-3):
| Hunting Methods | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (Either-Sex) | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Friday, October 13, 2023 |
| Primitive Weapons (Either-Sex) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Friday, October 20, 2023 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Saturday, October 21, 2023 | Thursday, November 02, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Friday, November 03, 2023 | Thursday, November 09, 2023 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Friday, November 10, 2023 | Thursday, November 16, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Friday, November 17, 2023 | Thursday, November 23, 2023 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Friday, November 24, 2023 | Sunday, December 31, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Monday, January 01, 2024 | Sunday, January 14, 2024 |
Below is the list of counties for the above seasons’ dates.
| Murray | Pickens |
| Whitfield | Dawson |
| Gilmer | Habersham |
| White | Stephens |
| Lumpkin |
Deer Season Dates for (GA Counties List-4):
| Hunting Methods | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (Either-Sex) | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Friday, October 13, 2023 |
| Primitive Weapons (Either-Sex) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Friday, October 20, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Saturday, October 21, 2023 | Sunday, January 14, 2024 |
Below is the list of counties for the above seasons’ dates.
| Dade | Haralsor | Jasper |
| Walker | Berrow | Putnam |
| Chattooge | Oglethorps | Heard |
| Gordon | conce | Spalding |
| Floyd | Walton | Butts |
| Bartow | Wilkes | Pike |
| Cherokee | Lincoln | Lama |
| Banks | Morgan | Baldwin |
| Franklin | Greene | Monroe |
| Hart | Taliaferr | Jones |
| Jackson | Carroll | Upson |
| Madison | Newton | Crawford |
| Elbert | Warren | Catoosa |
| Polk | McDuffie | |
| Paulding | Coweta |
Deer Season Dates for GA (Counties List-5):
| Hunting Methods | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (Either-Sex) | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Friday, October 13, 2023 |
| Primitive Weapons (Either-Sex) | Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Friday, October 20, 2023 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Saturday, October 21, 2023 | Thursday, November 02, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Friday, November 03, 2023 | Thursday, November 09, 2023 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Friday, November 10, 2023 | Sunday, December 31, 2023 |
| Firearms (Either-Sex) | Monday, January 01, 2024 | Monday, January 01, 2024 |
| Firearms (Antlered Bucks Only) | Tuesday, January 02, 2024 | Sunday, January 14, 2024 |
Below is the list of counties for the above seasons’ dates.
| Screven | Long | Cook |
| Bulloch Effingham | Coffee | Ware |
| Toombs | Bacon | Lanier |
| Evans | Wayne | Clinch |
| Bryan | McIntosh | Camden |
| Tottnall | Pierce | Charlton |
| Jeff Davis | Berrien Atkinson | Lowndes |
| Liberty | Brantley | Echols |
| Appling | Glynn |
Deer Season Dates for GA (Counties List-6):
| Hunting Methods | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Archery (Either-Sex) | Saturday, September 09, 2023 | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 |
Below is the list of counties for the above seasons’ dates.
| Cobb | DeKalb |
| Fulton | Clayton |
Extended Archery Season
| Hunting Methods | Hunting Start Date | Hunting End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Archery Season (Either-Sex) | Monday, January 15, 2024 | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 |
Below is the list of counties for the above seasons’ dates:
Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Muscogee, Paulding, Rockdale, and Seminole
Chattahoochee and Oconee Deer Season
| Chattahoochee & Oconee Deer Season | Method | Hunting Dates | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee WMA | Archery | Sept. 9-15, 23-29, Oct. 9-25 | Buck Only |
| Chattahoochee WMA | Firearms | Nov. 18-26, Oct. 26-29, Dec. 12-15 | Buck Only |
| Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA—Almo | Archery | Sept. 9-Oct. 12, Nov. 18-26 | Only bucks with 4 points or 15-inch spread |
| Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA—Almo | Firearms | Oct. 19-21, Nov. 9-11 | Q150, Q35 b |
| Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA—Blackjack Crossing Area | Deer | State seasons | Only bucks with 4 points or 15-inch spread |
| Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA—Fort Perry Area | Archery | Sept. 9-17, Oct. 2-8, Nov. 19-26 | Only bucks with 4 points or 15-inch spread (except Youth Hunt & Hunt & Learn) |
| Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA—Fort Perry Area | Firearms | Sept. 24-25, Oct. 26-28, Nov. 9-11, Nov. 3-5 | Q35 C, Q35 b, l, C Q50, Antlerless Only: Sept. 29-Oct. 1 |
| Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA—Hilliard | Archery | Sept. 9-28, Nov. 19-Dec. 8 | Only bucks with 4 points or 15-inch spread (except Youth Hunt & Hunt & Learn) |
| Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA—Hilliard | Firearms | Oct. 26-28, Nov. 16-18, Nov. 3-6, Nov. 11-12 | Q50 b, l, C Q50, Antlerless Only: Sept. 29-Oct. 1 |
| Oconee WMA | Archery | State season & Dec. 1-Jan. 14 | |
| Oconee WMA | Primitive | State season | |
| Oconee WMA | Firearms | Oct. 21-Nov. 30 | |
| Oconee WMA—Dan Denton Waterfowl Area | Archery | Sept. 9-Oct. 20 | Archery only |
| Oconee WMA—Rock Hawk Trails & Effigy | Deer | State seasons | Archery only |
GA Deer Season Updates
| GA Deer Season Overview | Information |
|---|---|
| Season Updates | • State law allows hunters to harvest up to 10 antlerless deer. • No more than two antlered deer can be harvested. One of the two antlered deer must have a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers or a minimum 15-inch outside antler spread. • Deer season typically ends on Jan. 14 for most hunters. • Extended season details for specific counties are available in the Georgia Hunting Regulations 2023-24 guidebook at eregulations.com/georgia/hunting/. • Deer of either sex may be taken with archery equipment at any time on private land during the primitive weapons and firearms deer season. |
| Georgia Hunting Regulations 2023-24 guide | eregulations.com/georgia/hunting/ |
| Licenses | Licenses can be purchased online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661, or at a license agent (list of agents available online). Georgia deer hunters must have: • A hunting license • A big game license • A current deer harvest record. |
| Report Harvest | • All harvested deer must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. • Deer can be reported on the Outdoors GA app (works regardless of cell service), at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, or by calling 1-800-366-2661. |
| Additional Information Link | GeorgiaWildlife.com/deer-info |
Deer License & Permits
• A valid Georgia hunting license is needed to go on a deer hunt.
• State hunting permits are available online, over the phone, and at various retail locations around the state.
• Visitors to the state of Georgia interested in hunting must first get a Non-Resident Hunting License.
• Both a big game additional license and a harvest record license are required for deer hunting (currently free).
• It’s possible to substitute a combination license for a standard hunting license.
• Be sure to read the fine print and find out if any restrictions or prerequisites apply, such as age limits or whether discounts are available for youth or the elderly.
• A Georgia hunting license cannot be obtained without completing a hunter education course by any hunter born after January 1, 1961.
• Courses provided by wildlife organizations in other states that educate hunters are recognized.
• Youth under 16 years old are not permitted to hunt without the presence of a licensed adult.
• After completing a Hunter Education course, youth between 12 to 16 may go hunting alone.
• Hunter education courses are available online and in-person, and Georgians may sign up for them at GoHuntGeorgia.com.
• Hunter education courses taken in other states may be accepted by Georgia for non-residents.
Harvesting & Tagging a Deer
• Harvested deer should be field dressed (gutted and cleaned) where it was killed.
• After capturing a deer, the hunter must report it via the Go Outdoors GA app, online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, or by contacting the designated phone number.
• Those without smartphones may check in within 24 hours via phone or online and write down their confirmation number to include with their harvest report.
• Label the deer with your name, the date, the county of harvest, the sex of the deer, and the check-in confirmation number if you want to give it to someone else. Use this tag as evidence that you legally harvested a deer and sent in the necessary paperwork.
Penalties associated with GA Deer Season
In the event of a violation of Georgia’s hunting restrictions, out-of-state hunters from other WVC member states may face the same penalties as Georgians.
A wide range of punishments may be imposed, from fines to prison time and even the loss of the right to hunt in other WVC countries.
For hunting violations in Georgia, you might face the following fines and penalties:
| Infraction | Fine | Imprisonment |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting deer outside of legal hours | $500 and above | Up to 12 months |
| Other hunting infractions (varies) | Varies | Varies |
Note: This is not meant to be an entire list but a basic guide. Additional violations and associated punishments may exist but are not specifically mentioned here. Hunters who get in trouble for breaking the law should know and abide by all applicable restrictions.
GA Deer Hunting Regulations
• Georgia allows bow and arrow and air gun deer hunting.
• Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton counties in Georgia allow archery deer hunting with statewide bag limits.
• Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Muscogee, Paulding, Rockdale, and Seminole have extended archery deer hunting seasons. Statewide bag limits and other laws apply.
• In the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests, bow hunters must follow the same either-sex dates as gun hunters during firearms deer hunting season. National forests allow only antlered deer hunting.
• Bowhunting is allowed throughout primitive and firearm deer seasons, except in archery-only counties and WMAs. Male and female deer may be taken during these seasons unless otherwise noted on WMAs. Bow-and-arrow hunters during primitive weapon and firearm deer seasons must wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange.
• Youth under 16 may use any legal deer rifle during the statewide primitive weapons deer season and in designated wildlife management areas (WMAs).
• Both antlerless and antlered deer are capped in a single shooting season, and one must have specified antler traits to be lawfully taken.
• In certain areas, antler-bearing bucks face tighter rules (Dooly, Macon, Hancock, Harris, Meriwether, Montgomery, Randolph, Talbot and Troup).
• A buck must have a 15-inch outside antler spread or four 1-inch points on each antler to comply.
• Any deer taken this season must be reported to Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.
• “Buttons” and other antlerless deer may only be shot during the season. “Buck-only” shooting seasons and hunts target male deer with long antlers.
• Deer can’t remove their heads until they’ve been processed or stored.
• Transporting a deer taken by another hunter requires the hunter’s name, address, phone number, hunting license number, and Game Check confirmation number.
• When a whole or field-dressed deer is dropped off at a cold storage or meat-processing plant, the hunter’s name, date, county of harvest, and animal’s sex must be conspicuously marked. Game Check confirmation numbers are necessary.
• Deer can’t be taken from lakes, streams, or ponds.
• It’s unlawful to hunt from a transmission tower platform. Before hunting on power lines, gas lines, railroads, or other rights-of-way, get the landowner’s permission.
• Georgia hunters may only bring back skinned and boned deer meat, skins, antlers, skulls, teeth, and taxidermy from out-of-state. The deer’s body, except the head, should be left where it falls.
• Since 2002, the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division has monitored for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), but no instances have been discovered. The CDC doesn’t recommend screening deer for CWD before eating them. Call your local Game Management office to schedule a $40 CWD test. Leave at least four inches of the deer’s neck intact before removing the head.
• Hunters should field dress their deer on the same property where they were killed, return any undesirable corpse pieces (bones, skin, trims, etc.), or dispose of them like household rubbish to avoid infection.
• Hunters should only use synthetic or natural urine bearing the RHSA Deer Protection Program Checkmark.
Also note that other than deer hunting Georgia offers a variety of hunting opportunities. Consider reading a related our post on latest GA hunting seasons.
FAQ related to Deer Season in Georgia
How long does Georgia's deer hunting season last?
In Georgia, the deer hunting season usually runs from the middle of September to the beginning of January. However, the exact dates may vary depending on the year, county, and hunting season (such as archery or firearms). The number of deer that can be taken in a season and the type of deer that can be hunted (does or bucks) also varies by county. It is important to review the hunting dates and regulations mentioned in the post above to ensure that you follow all relevant laws and regulations while hunting deer in Georgia.
What are the hunting seasons and equipment restrictions for white-tailed deer in Georgia?
Hunting season for white-tailed deer in Georgia is divided into three periods, each of which allows the use of specific hunting equipment.
- The archery season runs from the second Saturday in September until early January and allows the use of archery equipment such as bows and arrows.
- The primitive weapons season begins on the third Saturday in October and lasts for one week, during which hunters may use primitive weapons such as longbows, crossbows, and muzzleloading guns.
- The firearms season starts on the Saturday following the primitive weapons season and continues until early January, during which any legal hunting device may be used.
How do I apply for a "quota hunt" in Georgia?
To apply for a quota hunt in Georgia, you can visit the Go Outdoors Georgia website and follow the prompts to complete the application process. Alternatively, you can get step-by-step instructions on how to apply by visiting the Georgia Wildlife website. It is important to make sure your email address is correct to receive updates and other notices about quota hunts. For application, and processing queries, call 1-800-366-2661.
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