With Georgia’s archery deer season underway, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters about new statewide requirements for disposing of deer carcasses and unused deer parts.

The Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division says the rules are designed to reduce the risk of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, into new areas of the state. The requirements apply statewide, including to hunters in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia. (georgiawildlife.com)

Under the new rules, hunters may leave deer remains on the property where the animal was harvested. They may also take the deer to a commercial processor, which is responsible for properly disposing of unused carcass parts.

Other approved options include taking remains to a permitted solid-waste landfill, placing smaller parts in household garbage destined for an approved landfill, or using deep burial, incineration or another disposal method allowed under Georgia law. (georgiawildlife.com)

DNR says hunters should not transport deer remains to another location and simply dump them on the landscape.

That is a concern because CWD can be spread through infected carcass material. The abnormal proteins associated with the disease, known as prions, can remain in the environment for long periods of time and potentially infect other deer. (georgiawildlife.com)

Georgia has confirmed CWD in the state, with the current CWD Management Area located in Atkinson, Lanier, Berrien and Lowndes counties in South Georgia. Although Chattooga County is not currently part of that management area, the carcass-disposal requirements apply to hunters statewide. (georgiawildlife.com)

Hunters traveling outside Georgia should also be aware that state law limits what deer parts may be brought back into the state. Generally allowed items include boned-out meat, hides without the head attached, cleaned antlers and skulls with no soft tissue attached, certain cleaned jawbones and finished taxidermy mounts. (georgiawildlife.com)

DNR says CWD is a fatal neurological disease affecting deer and other members of the deer family. There has never been a documented human case, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people not eat meat from an animal that tests positive for CWD. (georgiawildlife.com)

Georgia’s statewide archery deer season opened September 12, making the new disposal requirements important for hunters to keep in mind throughout the 2026-27 deer season. (georgiawildlife.com)