The 2024 Georgia deer hunt season is truly tantalizing. It’s for lucky hunters who will encounter thriving deer against the state’s different landscapes. Of course, hunters must know about the new rules, the dates, the bag limits, and specific county rules. This knowledge means not just a good hunt but also respecting wildlife management. With good planning, even beginners can take pleasure in a good day in Georgia’s fields and forests.
It starts in September with archery. This is followed by seasons for firearms and primitive weapons. It’s important whether hunting in public areas like Chattahoochee National Forest or on private lands, to know each area’s distinctive rules. For instance, longer archery seasons exist in some places while specific limits on antlers are in place in counties like Dooly and Macon.
The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division urges wildlife enthusiasts to join in on harvest reporting and abide by chronic wasting disease (CWD) prevention techniques. Doing so not only monitors the overall health of the deer but also supports continued outdoor activities within the state. As the 2024 season approaches, stay informed about the latest news and top strategies for an ethical and fruitful game experience.
GA Deer Schedule for 2024-2025
1. Archery Only, Either Sex (Statewide)
- Dates: Sept. 14–Oct. 11
- Limit: 12 per season (statewide).
- No more than 10 may be antlerless.
- No more than 2 may be antlered.
- One of the antlered deer must have at least 4 points (one inch or longer) on one side or a 15-inch outside spread.
- Additional Regulations:
- Firearms are not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Highway 92), and Jekyll Island in Glynn County.
- In Forsyth County (south of GA Highway 20), only shotguns and muzzleloaders are allowed.
- Special Rule:
- Buck only from Sept. 14–27 in Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole Counties.
2. Extended Archery, Either Sex (Select Counties Only)
- Dates: Sept. 14–Jan. 31
- Applicable Counties: Baker, Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Douglas, Early, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Grady, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee, Paulding, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole, and Thomas.
3. Primitive Weapons & Youth Only, Either Sex (Statewide)
- Dates: Oct. 12–Oct. 18
4. Firearms, Either Sex (Statewide)
- Dates: Oct. 19–Jan. 12
- Note: Either sex dates may vary by county.
5. Extended Firearms, Either Sex (Select Counties Only)
- Dates: Oct. 19–Jan. 15
- Applicable Counties: Baker, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, and Seminole.
Georgia Deer Hunting Regulations – Comprehensive Summary
1. Firearms and Weapons
- Archery Season: Hunters may not carry any firearms during archery season unless they are lawful weapons carriers as defined by O.C.G.A. Section 16-11-125.1.
- Primitive Weapons Season: Hunters using primitive weapons are restricted from carrying centerfire or rimfire firearms unless they meet the same lawful weapons carrier criteria.
2. Archery Regulations
- Archery-Only Counties:
- Includes Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton (north of GA Hwy 92).
- Extended Archery Season:
- Available in several counties like Baker, Barrow, Bibb, Chatham, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Decatur, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, and others, following statewide bag limits.
- National Forest Rules:
- In Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests, archers must adhere to firearms either-sex dates.
- Chattahoochee NF east of I-75 is closed to antlerless hunting.
3. Primitive Weapons Regulations
- Statewide Scope:
- Hunters using primitive weapons (excluding archery-only counties) can use scopes, air rifles (.30 cal or larger), and air bows.
- Youth Hunting:
- Children under 16 can hunt with any legal firearm during primitive weapons season.
4. Season Limits
- Total Allowance:
- Hunters are allowed a total of 12 deer per season.
- Antlerless:
- Limit is 10 antlerless.
- Antlered:
- Two antlered allowed, but one must have 4 points (1 inch or longer) on one side or a 15-inch minimum antler spread.
5. County-Specific Antler Restrictions
- Dooly & Macon Counties:
- Bucks must have an outside antler spread of at least 15 inches.
- Other Counties (Hancock, Harris, Meriwether, Montgomery, Randolph, Talbot & Troup):
- Bucks must have at least 4 points (1 inch or longer) on one side or a 15-inch outside spread.
6. Harvest Reporting
- Hunters must have a Harvest Record and report any harvested deer within 24 hours via the Georgia Game Check system.
7. Antlers and Antlerless Deer
- Antlerless deer are defined as those without visible antlers above the hairline, including “button bucks.”
- In buck-only seasons, it must have visible antlers above the hairline to be legally harvested.
8. Head Removal and Processing
- Hunters are not allowed to remove a deer’s head until it has been processed or placed in a storage facility.
9. Transporting Deer Harvested by Another Hunter
- If you’re moving a deer for another hunter, you need a note. It should have the hunter’s details – name, home address, phone number. Plus, their hunting license and Game Check numbers.
10. Cold-Storage Requirements
- Deer left at cold-storage or meat-processing facilities must be labeled with:
- Hunter’s name, date, county of harvest, and sex of the deer.
- The hunter must provide the Game Check confirmation number when delivering the deer.
11. Illegal Hunting Areas
- One should never hunt deer when they’re in places like lakes, streams, or ponds; it’s strictly not allowed.
- Plus, it’s taboo to hunt from transmission towers; it’s trespassing. You need written approval from the owner of the land for that.
12. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Prevention
- Suppose you managed to catch a deer or a related creature outside of Georgia. There’s a short list of parts you’re allowed to bring back.
- This includes boned-out meat. You can bring hides but not with heads. Antlers are fine, but without any soft tissue on them. Lastly, you can bring any finished taxidermy items you have.
- Hunters may test their harvest for CWD by contacting a Game Management office. The fee for testing is $40 per kill.
13. Carcass Disposal
- Hunters, here’s a way to make sure we don’t spread diseases.
- First, when you’ve hunted it, do the field dressing right there on the property.
- Second, deal with the carcass pieces responsibly. This means either taking them back to where you hunted, or bag them up for the landfill.
- Never ever leave parts of the carcass in bodies of water or by the roadside.
14. Deer Urine and CWD
- Hunters should use synthetic urine or natural urine products certified by the Responsible Hunting Scent Association’s Deer Protection Program to reduce the risk of spreading diseases like CWD.
Georgia Deer Hunting Licenses
| License Type | Term | Resident Price | Non-Resident Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combo Hunting & Fishing | Annual | $30.00 | $150.00 |
| One-Day | $5.00 | $30.00 | |
| Additional Day | $1.00 | $10.00 | |
| Hunting | Annual | $15.00 | $100.00 |
| One-Day | See Combo | $20.00 | |
| Additional Day | See Combo | $6.00 | |
| Big Game | Annual | $25.00 | $225.00 |
| One-Day | $10.00 | $130.00 | |
| Additional Day | $2.00 | $8.00 | |
| Sportsman’s | Annual | $65.00 | $400.00 |
| One-Day | $25.00 | $170.00 | |
| Additional Day | $3.00 | $20.00 | |
| Senior Sportsman’s (65+) | Annual | $7.00 | Not Offered |
| Disability | Annual | $3.00 | Not Offered |
| Three-Year | $9.00 | Not Offered | |
| Lifetime Sportsman’s | Under 2 | Lifetime | $500.00 |
| 2-15 | Lifetime | $600.00 | |
| 16-49 | Lifetime | $750.00 | |
| 50-59 | Lifetime | $375.00 | |
| 60-64 | Lifetime | $315.00 | |
| 65+ | Lifetime | $70.00 | |
| Free Senior Lifetime Sportsman’s | Born on/before June 30, 1952 | Lifetime | FREE |
Top Georgia Deer Hunting Locations by Place Names
The Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are your go-to spot. You’ll find looming mountains and thick forests in abundance here. If you’re lucky, you might come across big-size bucks too! The most interesting spots? Dawson and Rabun Counties, famed for their deer numbers and thrilling hunts.
The Coastal Plain
The Coastal Plain is not just a flat land with lots of wetlands. It’s also a great place for deer hunting. Places like Wilkinson County and Attapulgus stand out. Why? Because they have big forests and lots of different kinds of wildlife. The weather is mild in this area, and there’s plenty of food.
The Piedmont Plateau
The Piedmont Plateau is a unique spot, nestled between mountains and the coastal plain. What does it offer? A little of both worlds. Picture this: Oglethorpe County and Greene County, known for deer hunting. Here you can see varied landscapes – hills that roll, forests rich with hardwood, and endless agricultural fields.
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
In Georgia, WMAs are a great place to hunt, especially for deer. Chestatee WMA and Cooper’s Creek WMA are hunters’ favorites. These places are known for their well-kept hunting grounds teeming with diverse habitats and wildlife.
