Firearms deer hunting season underway

Firearms deer hunting season is underway and the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division wants to make sure you are familiar with firearms safety before heading to the woods during deer hunting season.

The season for firearms deer hunting began last Saturday, Oct. 21 and continues through Jan. 14, 2018 statewide. Safety is always an important factor when hunting deer.

Of the more than 600,000 hunters afield last year, Georgia reported 33 hunting incidents, 1 of which involved firearms.

The following checklist, comprised of only four items, is covered in all hunter education courses and easily can be remembered with the acronym ACTT:

A – Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

C – Control the muzzle of the firearm at all times.

T – Be certain of the Target and what is in front of it and beyond it.

T – Keep your finger outside of the Trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

Never climb a tree or fence, or jump a ditch or log, with a loaded firearm. Never pull a firearm towards you by the muzzle.

And if hunting from a tree-mounted deer stand, make sure the stand is secured properly.

Finally, avoid all alcoholic beverages and drugs before and during shooting.

Georgia hunters have access to more than one million acres of public hunting land across the state, including over 100 state-operated wildlife management areas.

But if you hunt on private land, DNR Law Enforcement Officer Craig Fulghum says always get permission first.

Hunters can check out the interactive map to see the opportunities available for the counties they hunt.

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

Licenses can be purchased online at www.gohuntgeorgia.com/licenses-permits-passes , by phone at 1-800-366-2661 or at a license agent (list of agents available online).

For more information on deer hunting seasons, regulations, licenses and WMA maps, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting.