The wait is  over for eager hunters because the Georgia deer firearms season opens today, Saturday, Oct. 16, and continues through Jan. 9, 2022, statewide.

Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division, said, “With some awesome bucks already taken in archery season, I think we are in for an excellent firearms season.”

“The 2020 deer season had one of the highest ratings for hunter satisfaction on record and I expect 2021 to be no different,” Kilmaster said.

During firearms deer season last year, about 187,000 hunters harvested more than 190,000 deer in the state.

“Regulated deer hunting ensures that Georgia’s deer population continues to be healthy and strong,” a news release stated.