Firearms Deer Season Starts Saturday

Firearms deer season starts on Saturday in Georgia.

Last year, over 302,000 hunters harvested nearly 300,000 deer in the state.

For hunters going out this year, there is something new they need to keep in mind.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist Kevin Lowery said that new program hunters in the state are using is called the “Georgia Game Check.”

“It is basically a mandatory harvest reporting system,” said Lowery. “They will mark the date on the harvest field. Before they move the animal from the field, they have 72 hours to call into the Georgia Game Check system, use the app, or go online and report their harvest. It will ask them several questions.”

According to Lowery, deer taken to processors or coolers must be reported before the deer can be left at the place of business.

To pursue deer in Georgia, all hunters must have a valid hunting license, a big game license, and a current deer harvest record and, if hunting on a Wildlife Management Area, a valid WMA license.

Lowery said that the most important thing to remember if heading out hunting this weekend or anytime through the season is safety first.

“They need to have their hunter orange on,” said Lowery. “They need to be mindful that this is the time of year when most hunters are going to be out there, firearms deer season, so they need to be cautious. Know your target and be able to identify that as a deer. Wear your safety harness if you are using a tree stand.”

State officials also remind hunters to also always treat every firearm as if it were loaded, control the muzzle of the firearm at all times, and keep fingers outside of the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

During the most recent hunting season in Georgia, there were 42 hunting incidents and 20 of them involved firearms.

Lowery said he is looking forward to a good season and good weather this weekend.

Firearms deer season runs through January 8, 2017.

For more information, go online to www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting.