Georgia Department of Natural Resources releases 2016-2017 deer hunting dates

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has released the deer hunting dates for the 2016-2017 season.

For Middle Georgians who hunt in Bibb, Peach, Houston, and Wilkinson counties, bow hunting begins September 10, 2016. Muzzleloader hunting begins October 15, 2016. Firearms days begin October 22, 2016. Either sex deer may be hunted on all days of the season, and deer season, for all weapons, end January 8, 2017.

A family of deer enjoying an evening snack in a Macon neighborhood. Photo by Jim Beall.
A family of deer enjoying an evening snack in a Macon neighborhood. Photo by Jim Beall.

For Middle Georgians who hunt in Crawford, Monroe, and Jones counties, bow hunting begins September 10, 2016, and from the beginning of the season through its end, on January 8, 2017, hunters using bows and crossbows can hunt either sex deer. However, in these counties, muzzleloader and modern firearms hunters will have antlered buck only days and either-sex days.

Muzzleloader days begin October 15, 2016, and until October 21st, either sex deer may be shot. October 22, 2016, modern firearms days begin, and until November 4th, both muzzleloader and firearms hunters can only shoot antlered bucks. Once modern firearms days begin, they share the same schedule as muzzleloader hunters.

From November 5, 2016, through November 13, 2016, either sex can be hunted. Only antlered bucks can be hunted from November 14th until November 20th, and then either sex deer can be hunted from November 21st through January 1st. The last few days of the season, from January 2, 2017, until January 8th,  are for antlered bucks only.

All hunting regulations for the 2016-2017 deer season, as well as state-wide maps of hunting zones and hunting permit information, are available at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website, at http://www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations.

 

 

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Published by Lauren Deal

Lauren Deal is an attorney-at-law with the Deal Law Firm, LLC. She is also a wife, mother of two, a former teacher and assignment editor for Macon Community News.