Deer hunters in Chattooga County will have an additional opportunity to take an antlerless deer this weekend during Georgia’s early antlerless-only firearms deer season.

The special season will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4, on private lands in Chattooga County and most other Georgia counties.

During the two-day hunt, firearms may be used for antlerless deer only. Antlered deer may not be taken with firearms during the special weekend.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources established the early October hunt to provide additional antlerless harvest opportunities, particularly in areas where deer populations can contribute to agricultural and crop damage.

The special season also means an important change for bow hunters who plan to be in the woods this weekend. Archery hunters hunting deer in participating counties must wear the required fluorescent safety clothing while the firearms season is underway.

Hunters should also remember that this special hunt applies to private land. Regulations and season dates on Wildlife Management Areas and other public lands may be different and should be checked before hunting.

Georgia deer hunters are required to have the appropriate hunting licenses and a current deer harvest record. Harvested deer must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.

Georgia’s regular archery deer season is already underway. The early antlerless firearms weekend provides an additional opportunity ahead of the state’s later primitive-weapons and regular firearms seasons.

Chattooga County is included among the counties open for the October 3-4 early antlerless firearms hunt.

Hunters heading into the woods this weekend are encouraged to review the current Georgia hunting regulations before going afield and to remember that firearms hunters are limited to antlerless deer during this special two-day season.