Corps Sets Thurmond Lake 2019 Primitive Deer Hunt Dates

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, J. Strom Thurmond Project, Forest, Fish, and Wildlife section announced the dates for the autumn primitive weapon deer hunts in Bussey Point Management Area, located in Lincoln County, Georgia.

The Corps hosts these hunts annually to maintain the deer population within the carrying capacity for the area and to improve the quality of the herd. The 2,545-acre peninsula will be open for scheduled hunts on the following dates:

Hunt Dates:

Sept. 20-21 Archery (ONLY)

Oct. 11 Archery (ONLY)

Oct. 12 Muzzleloader

Nov. 8-9 Muzzleloader

Hunters must check in through the check station located at the entrance gate. Hunting hours run from one hour before sunrise through one hour after sundown.

Hunters must be licensed in accordance with existing Georgia Game and Fish Regulations. A Wildlife Management Area (WMA) license is not required for these hunts.

Licenses will be inspected and collected along with vehicle tag number. Licenses will be returned at check out. Officials will strictly enforce all state regulations and bag limits.

The bag limit is two does and one quality buck each day of each hunt. Quality bucks must have racks with four points or more on at least one side, or a 15-inch or greater outside spread.

All hunts are limited to 100 hunters per day. Hunters will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Archery hunters may participate in all scheduled hunts.

Park visitors who are not hunting should find other recreation areas during the scheduled hunts. The management area will also be closed two days before each hunt except to hunters scouting or placing deer stands. No weapons are allowed in Bussey Point on scouting days.

For information regarding campgrounds and site availability near the Bussey Point facility please visit the J. Strom Thurmond Lake webpage at: https://go.usa.gov/xyXpn.

For more information, contact Conservation Biologist, Evan Brashier at the J. Strom Thurmond Office toll free at 800‑533-3478, ext. 1159, or at (864) 333-1159.