Official Georgia Deer Season Dates
| Archery, Either Sex Statewide |
September 14, 2019 – January 12, 2020 |
| Extended Archery, Either Sex (only for Bibb, Chatham, Clark, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry & Rockdale) |
September 14, 2019 – January 31, 2020 |
| Primitive Weapons | October 12, 2019 – January 12, 2020 |
| Firearms* | October 19, 2019 – January 12, 2020 |
Twelve (12) per season, Statewide. No more than ten (10) may be antlerless and no more than two (2) may be antlered. One of the antlered deer must have at least 4 points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers.
Firearms deer hunting is not allowed in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton (north of GA Hwy. 92), and the portion of Glynn County lying within Jekyll Island. In the portion of Forsyth County south of Ga Hwy. 20, only archery, shotguns, and muzzleloaders may be used (no other firearms allowed). In Hancock, Harris, Meriwether, Montgomery, Randolf, Talbot and Troup Counties, only antlered bucks with at least 4 points on either side are legal. In Dooly and Macon Counties, antlered bucks must have a minimum 15-inch outside spread.
Folkston, GA Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
NWR is one of many refugees in the United States that offer hunting opportunities to the visiting public. The primary objective of a national wildlife refuge is to provide habitat for the conservation and protection of all species of wildlife. Public hunting opportunities are a way to provide recreational opportunities and permit the use of a valuable resource. Public hunting on the Okefenokee NWR is permitted in three areas: the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, the Pocket, and the Cowhouse Unit during certain seasons each year. All hunters must possess all applicable Georgia hunting licenses in accordance with state regulations. Hunters may view the refuge-specific hunt brochure (available online at www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee) for additional hunt regulations and information.
Suwannee Canal Recreation Area
Deer and Feral Hog Lottery Quota Hunt, located near Folkston. Dates of this hunt are Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26 (5:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). A total of 40 permits will be awarded for the hunt, 10 of which will be reserved for mobility-impaired hunters (i.e. confined to a wheelchair) and/or youth hunters (ages 16 and under). Each mobility-impaired/youth hunter drawn for Chesser Island can have one escort to assist with their hunt. The escorts of these individuals are authorized to hunt under the same permit. Hunters are required to use shotgun or muzzleloaders only. Deer taken do not count against the state limit and a special refuge tag will be provided upon check-out for each deer taken.
Lottery applications will be accepted from August 15 to September 15. Lottery applications can be found here (http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2354.pdf). Applications should be submitted as follows:
In-person: Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center (check refuge website for hours of operation)
Mail: Attn: Okefenokee Hunt Program, 2700 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA 31537
A drawing will be held for each day of the hunt. If you are interested in hunting on both days, you MUST indicate that on your submitted lottery form. Only one lottery form needs to be submitted per person. Each hunter drawn for the lottery hunt must purchase a SCRA hunt permit ($15) the morning of the hunt.
Pocket Unit Hunt
Deer and Feral Hog Archery Only, located near Fargo. Dates of this hunt are September 14 – November 10, 2019 in accordance with State regulations. All hunters must sign in and out each day of the hunt. All stands must be removed daily. Contact Stephen C. Foster State Park at (912) 637-5274 for an early exit to hunt area if you are staying in the park overnight.
Cowhouse Unit Hunt
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNA) is managing deer, feral hog, small game, and turkey hunts on Cowhouse Island in conjunction with their Dixon Memorial Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunts. Hunters on this portion of the refuge are limited to foot and bicycle traffic only. No dogs allowed except for hunting quail. Sign-in and check-in at Dixon Memorial WMA. Regulations and information may be obtained by calling (229) 426-5267 or at http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com and http://www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee. Hunt dates are as follows:
Deer and Feral Hog
Archery (Either Sex)
September 14 – October 1, October 6-9, October 13-18, Sign-in.
Primitive Weapons (Either sex)
October 2-5, Check-in. October 10-12, Sign-in.
Firearms (Buck only)
October 19-20, October 26-29, Sign-in.
Firearms (Either Sex)
November 7-9, Check-in. November 27-December 1, Sign-in.
Small Game (Quail, Rabbit, & Squirrel Only)
Firearms (See State Regulations)
August 15- October 1; October 21-25, October 30-November 6, November 10-22, November 24-26, December 2-6, December 8- February 29. Pointing dogs allowed for quail hunting only. No furbearer season. Feral hogs may be taken during small game dates after October 31. Sign-in at Dixon Memorial WMA and at refuge Cowhouse kiosk if on refuge property.
Turkey
Firearms (Shotgun)
March 21- May 15, 2020
In accordance with Dixon Memorial WMA regulations. Sign-in at Dixon Memorial WMA and at refuge Cowhouse kiosk if on refuge property.
More information is available in the hunt brochure found on the refuge website at www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee, or at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, located off Hwy. 121/23 near Folkston, GA by calling (912) 496-7836 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday or daily after September 1.