Harvest Summaries & Population Surveys

Deer
Turkey
Alligator
Bear
Quail

Deer

Interactive Deer Harvest Map

Survey Methods

As part of The Wildlife Resources Division's (WRD) goal to maintain a quality deer herd in Georgia, estimates of the state's deer harvest, deer hunter effort, and deer hunter success are taken each year.

The question often comes up, "How does WRD get these estimates?" Since at least 1962, WRD has used scientifically valid, survey methodology to get estimates of not only deer harvest, but also harvest estimates of other game species. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. The 2,500 hunter sample size is more than adequate, statistically, to produce precise estimates of statewide harvest, effort, and success. Another question commonly asked is, "Who conducts Georgia’s annual hunter harvest survey?" WRD contracts with public opinion research firms that specialize in natural resource issues.

Since 2004, WRD has contracted with Responsive Management, a professionally recognized research firm and neutral third party, to conduct the survey each year. WRD and Responsive Management work together to develop a scientific survey questionnaire and to generate a random a sample of hunting license holders from the license sales database. Each hunter has approximately a 1 in a 100 chance of being a part of the survey each year. Like all other scientific surveys, only a relatively small sample is needed to generate statistically valid estimates within accepted standard deviations.

Surveys and sample sizes are designed to produce statistically reliable and economically affordable results at the statewide and physiographic region level. This level of management effort allows WRD to produce scientifically sound and defendable estimates of deer harvest and hunter success at the most practical management level.

Technical assistance is available from any WRD wildlife biologist for interested groups and individuals desiring to better manage the deer herd on their property. Biologists with Georgia’s Deer Management Assistance Program may be reached at https://georgiawildlife.com/dmap.

Georgia Game Check

Starting in the 2016–2017 season, hunters are required to check their deer harvests through Georgia Game Check. View Georgia Game Check deer harvest reporting data.

Annual Deer Harvest Summaries by Season

Turkey

Interactive Turkey Harvest Map (Mobile-Friendly Version)

Hunter Harvest Surveys

As part of the Wildlife Resources Division's (WRD) goal to maintain a sustainable wild turkey population in Georgia, estimates of the state's turkey harvest, turkey hunter effort, and turkey hunter success are acquired each year and then used to adjust hunting regulations in subsequent years to achieve desired results.

Harvest estimates are obtained by asking a random sample of licensed resident turkey hunters through a telephone interview about their turkey hunting effort and success during the most recent turkey hunting season. In addition to questions about harvest effort, hunters are asked to rate their hunting experience during the most recent hunting season. As assessed by this annual scientific survey, most licensed resident hunters in Georgia continue to be satisfied with their hunting experiences in Georgia. WRD has long-term objectives of maintaining 80% hunter satisfaction on public land, and 90% hunter satisfaction on private lands.

Georgia Game Check

Georgia Game Check provides fine scale harvest data. It allows interested parties to view harvest at the county or WMA level, and allows for viewing of daily harvest.

Georgia Game Check Harvest Reporting Data

Turkey Production & Population Index Study

The production and population index surveys are means by which WRD evaluates statewide and regional wild turkey production during the breeding season and population levels during the hunting season.

The turkey production index survey (“brood survey”) began in 1978 and the turkey hunting population index survey started in 1979. The production survey provides data on juvenile turkeys seen during the nesting and rearing season, and the population survey provides a measure of the population existing during the hunting season. Data have shown a strong correlation between observed production and hunting season populations. The correlation between the production indices and population indices are used in evaluating annual production and populations and in making comparisons for trends.

Citizens are welcome to participate in our survey efforts, either by providing data on their hunting efforts and results, or by counting turkeys and broods seen during the summer months. Instructions for participating are below.

Turkey Production Survey (Brood Survey)

The turkey production survey is conducted during the months of June, July and August. Cooperators record data related to all turkey broods and hens, with or without broods, that are observed. No special efforts are made to locate turkeys for this survey. The average number of poults seen per observer is used as an index to production. Data are compiled on a statewide and physiographic region basis.

Brood Survey Dashboard

If you are interested in viewing results of the Brood Survey, this dashboard contains several years of poults-per-hen estimates statewide and by physiographic region. Select the “Map” tab at the bottom of the page and select regions and years to view data throughout the state over time.”

New! Online Survey Option

There are two options for taking the survey online. Participants can download the Survey123 App or can complete the survey through their web browser.

Turkey Hunting Population Survey (Harvest Card Survey)

The turkey hunting population survey is conducted during the spring turkey hunting season. This data is provided by hunter cooperators. Specific information is recorded about each hunting trip including the date, hours hunted, county or physiographic region hunted, number of turkeys seen, number of gobblers heard, and numbers of gobblers killed. The number of turkeys observed per hour hunted provides an index of the hunting season population. Data are compiled on a statewide and physiographic region basis. If you prefer a paper option, cooperators can fill out this form.

New! Online Survey Option

There are two options for taking the survey online. Participants can download the Survey123 App or can complete the survey through their web browser.

The survey will ask for your DNR Customer # which can be found on the back of your hunting license.

You can view past survey reports below:

2019

Turkey Population Monitoring Report (previously known as the long range report)

2018

2017

2016

2015

Wild Turkey Production and Population Survey Results: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001.

Long Range Report: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995.

Alligator

Survey Methods

As part of The Wildlife Resources Division's (WRD) goal to maintain a sustainable alligator population in Georgia, records of the State's alligator harvest, alligator hunter effort, and alligator hunter success are taken each year. How does the WRD get this information? Harvest records are obtained by surveying Georgia alligator hunters about their alligator hunting effort during the past season.

Current

Previous Years

Bear

Quail

Population Harvest & Hunter Effort Survey

If you have been hunting for quail this season on a WMA, please take a few moments to take the population harvest and hunter effort survey, even if you did not harvest any quail.