Georgia Will Open Firearms Deer Season October 17
The upcoming season features expanded donation programs and new monitoring efforts for chronic wasting disease.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Hunting
Live Poll
Do you believe state-regulated hunting programs are important for supporting local families in your area?
Georgia is set to begin its firearms deer hunting season on October 17, 2026, with activities scheduled to run through January 2027. State officials are managing the season across nearly one million acres of public land.
Why it matters
Regulated hunting serves as a critical tool for maintaining balanced deer populations and reducing agricultural damage. The expansion of the Hunters for the Hungry program also aims to increase protein distribution to families in need across the state.
During the 2025-26 season, 200,000 hunters harvested 250,000 deer across Georgia. Public hunting access remains available across nearly one million acres of state-managed land.
The players
Hunters for the Hungry
This program facilitates the collection and processing of donated venison to provide protein to food banks and families in need.
The details
Hunters in Atkinson, Berrien, Lanier, and Lowndes counties are specifically requested to assist in monitoring for chronic wasting disease by submitting deer heads to designated processors or freezer sites. Participants are also encouraged to donate harvested deer to the Hunters for the Hungry program to support regional food security.
Timeline
The 2025-26 season saw 200,000 hunters harvest 250,000 deer.
Firearms deer hunting season opens on October 17, 2026.
The firearms deer hunting season will conclude in January 2027.
Culture Shift
This season follows the precedent set by the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which prioritizes science-based management for public benefit. Modern hunting programs now emphasize the balance between recreational activity and communal food security through organized donation initiatives.
Residents in Atkinson, Berrien, Lanier, and Lowndes counties should prepare to participate in chronic wasting disease monitoring by utilizing local freezer sites. Hunters statewide are encouraged to use the donation program to support food supplies in their local communities.
The takeaway
Hunters play an essential role in ecological management and local food distribution during the state's upcoming winter season. Participants should review updated CWD testing requirements in their specific county before heading into the field.
Further reading
For additional information on state regulations, visit the Hunting section.
More information
To find a drop-off site for donations, visit the Hunters for the Hungry processor locator.
Live Poll
Do you believe state-regulated hunting programs are important for supporting local families in your area?
