Georgia firearms deer season opens Oct. 17

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (WTOC) - Georgia’s deer hunting firearms season opens Saturday, Oct. 17, and continues into January 2027, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).

“Firearms deer season is almost here,” said Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division. “Georgia continues to produce outstanding bucks every year, a testament of how well hunters and landowners have managed deer. We can also be stewards of our community by taking an extra doe for Georgia Hunter’s for the Hungry, each deer provides protein for over 100 meals.”

During the 2025-26 firearms deer season, 200,000 hunters harvested around 250,000 deer in the state, according to WRD. Officials say regulated deer hunting helps keep Georgia’s deer population healthy and provides a sustainable source of local meat.

Hunters for the Hungry expansion

To reduce agricultural damage and help Georgia families in need of protein, WRD and the Georgia Wildlife Federation are expanding the Hunters for the Hungry Program. Hunters can locate a processor or become a Hunters for the Hungry deer processor here.

Public hunting opportunities

Georgia Wildlife Management Areas offer public access to nearly one million acres of hunting opportunity, according to WRD. Hunters should check current regulations for specific WMA dates and information here.

Hunting need-to-know

Legal firearms: During firearms season, hunters may use centerfire rifles .22-caliber or larger with expanding bullets, as well as all weapons lawful for archery and primitive weapons seasons.

Harvest limits: State law allows hunters to harvest up to 10 antlerless deer and no more than two antlered deer, with one of the two antlered deer required to have a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers, or a minimum 15-inch outside antler spread. For most hunters, deer season ends Jan. 10. Counties with extended firearms or archery seasons should check the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations 2026-27 guidebook. Deer of either sex may be taken with archery equipment at any time on private land during the primitive weapons and firearms deer season.

Licenses: Georgia deer hunters must have a hunting license, a big game license and a current deer harvest record. Licenses can be purchased online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661, or through a license agent.

Report harvest: All harvested deer must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. Hunters can report on the Outdoors GA app, at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, or by calling 1-800-366-2661.

Chronic wasting disease testing: Hunters in Atkinson, Berrien, Lanier or Lowndes counties are asked to help monitor chronic wasting disease by having their deer tested. Hunters can ask a participating deer processor or taxidermist to test the deer, or bring the deer head to a freezer site. Testing is not required in other counties but is available statewide. More information is available here.

For more information on deer hunting, including meat processors, regulations and maps, click here.

Review four simple firearm safety rules

With thousands of participating Georgia hunters, statistics show only a small percentage are ever involved in an incident, according to WRD. For example, with 200,000 participating hunters during the last deer season, Georgia reported only six firearms hunting incidents.

One way hunters stay safe is by reviewing and following safety precautions, including the “Four Primary Rules of Firearms Safety.” The checklist is covered in all hunter education courses and can be remembered using the acronym ACTT:

• A – Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
• C – Control the muzzle of the firearm at all times.
• T – Be certain of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it.
• T – Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

For more information on firearms safety, visit GeorgiaWildlife’s website or contact the Wildlife Resources Division Hunter Education office at 706-557-3355.