Last year, 87,000 archery hunters harvested 42,000 deer. Statewide, hunters can use archery equipment throughout the entire 2026-2027 deer season.  

“I’m calling on all archery hunters to take an extra doe for Georgia Hunters for the Hungry®,” said state deer biologist Charlie Killmaster. “Georgia farmers need your help controlling crop damage from deer and hunters are the best solution. A well-placed arrow can provide dozens of meals to fellow Georgians and help your neighboring farmer all in one shot.”

Georgia Hunters for the Hungry 

To reduce agricultural damage and help Georgia families in need of quality protein, Georgia DNR and Georgia Wildlife Federation expanded the Hunters for the Hungry Program®. To locate a processor in your area or to become a Hunters for the Hungry® deer processor please visit GWF.org/ghfth/.

Public Hunting Opportunities

Georgia Wildlife Management Areas offer public access to nearly one million acres of hunting opportunity. Hunters should check the current hunting regulations for specific WMA dates and info (GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources).

Hunting Need-to-Know: 

• Dates/Harvest Limit: 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. 10. For counties with extended firearms or archery season, review the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations 2026-27 guidebook at GeorgiaWildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources. 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 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 GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, or by calling 1-800-366-2661.

“If you hunt in Atkinson, Berrien, Lanier, or Lowndes counties please help us monitor chronic wasting disease (CWD) and get your deer tested,” said Killmaster. “Just ask a participating deer processor or taxidermist to test it or bring your deer head to a freezer site. Testing deer from all other counties isn’t necessary but is available to all hunters statewide. CWD information, testing locations, test results, and more can be found at visit georgiawildlife.com/cwd.”

New Deer Carcass Disposal Rule:

Transporting and discarding deer carcass parts on the landscape presents risk for spreading CWD to new areas of Georgia. Proper deer carcass disposal is now required across Georgia for anyone transporting or disposing of carcasses or parts, including hunters and taxidermists.

Proper disposal methods for carcasses or unused parts include:

• Leave them on the property where the deer was killed
• Use a commercial deer processor, they are required to properly dispose of unused carcass parts
• Permitted solid waste landfill (as you would for household garbage)
• Deep burial, incineration, or any other approved method in the Dead Animal Disposal Act (O.C.G.A. § 4-5-1 to 4-5-11)

For more on deer hunting, including finding a game processor, viewing regulations, maps (either sex day or the rut map), visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/deer-info.