Georgia deer hunters are already in the woods for archery season, but the opening of the state’s regular firearms deer season is now just a few weeks away.

The 2026-27 Georgia firearms deer season opens Saturday, October 17, with the statewide season generally continuing through January 10, 2027, although regulations and opportunities can vary by county and on public lands. Georgia’s primitive weapons season runs October 10 through October 16. During that week, youth hunters under age 16 may use any legal deer firearm.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources sets the statewide season limit at 12 deer. Of those, no more than 10 may be antlerless and no more than two may be antlered. At least one of the two antlered deer must have four points measuring at least one inch long on one side of the antlers, or an outside antler spread of at least 15 inches.

The 10-antlerless limit does not mean hunters may take antlerless deer throughout the entire firearms season. Antlerless deer may only be taken during designated either-sex or antlerless opportunities, and those dates vary by area. Hunters should check the regulations for the county and property they plan to hunt before heading into the woods.

Hunters also need to remember Georgia’s harvest-reporting requirements. All deer hunters must have a current-season Harvest Record, and every harvested deer must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.

Special regulations may apply on Wildlife Management Areas, federal lands and other public hunting properties, where season dates, bag limits and either-sex opportunities can differ from the general statewide regulations.

With firearms season approaching, hunters are also encouraged to inspect tree stands and safety equipment, identify their target and what lies beyond it before firing, and wear the required fluorescent orange or blaze pink during applicable firearms seasons.

The complete 2026-27 Georgia hunting regulations became effective July 1 and remain in effect through June 30, 2027.