Archery deer season: what you need to know

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (WSAV)—Georgia’s archery deer hunting season begins next Saturday, and here’s what you need to know.

Saturday, Sept. 14 will be the first day of bow season for deer according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).

The WRD said that last year, 85,000 archery hunters harvested 55,000 deer. Archery equipment can be used the entire 2024-2025 deer season statewide.

“Hunters heading out for archery season can begin filling their own freezers and then sharing any further abundance with the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program,” said state deer biologist Charlie Killmaster.

To reduce agricultural damage and help Georgia families in need of quality protein, Georgia DNR and Georgia Wildlife Federation (GWF) are expanding the Hunters for the Hungry Program this season. The GWF pays processors to process and package ground venison for food banks to donate Georgians in need.

“We want to especially encourage those that hunt near crop fields to harvest extra antlerless deer to donate,” Killmaster said. “Not only will this help reduce potential agriculture damage but will also provide a healthy meat source to those in need. Archery season is also an ideal time to donate as deer processors can more easily handle the increased volume.”

Don’t have anywhere to hunt? Georgia WRD offers public access to nearly one million acres of hunting opportunity Hunters should check the current hunting regulations for specific WMA dates and information.

Hunting Need-to-Know:

Dates and 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 having 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 in the state, the deer season ends on Jan. 12. Check your county’s regulations.
• For counties with extended firearms or archery season, review the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations 2024-25 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 at a license agent (list of agents available online).

Report your harvest

• All harvested deer must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.
• Deer can be reported on the Outdoors GA app which works regardless of cell service, at the Go Outdoors Georgia website, or by calling 1-800-366-2661.

“We continue to ask hunters to help protect the Georgia deer herd from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD),” Killmaster said, “a fatal disease affecting deer. This disease has not been detected in our state and you can be instrumental in keeping it out. Do not bring live deer, whole carcasses or heads into Georgia, know what parts you can bring back from an out-of-state hunt, and report deer with any disease symptoms.”

For more on deer hunting, including finding a game processor, viewing regulations and maps, check out the Georgia Wildlife website.