Rule 391-4-2-.24. General Regulations for Hunting Deer
- (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Rule 391-4-2-.24, the season bag limit shall be 10 antlerless deer and 2 antlered bucks per hunter. One of the antlered bucks must have at least 4 points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers or a minimum outside antler spread of fifteen (15) inches.
- (2) Deer harvested on public land during bonus deer hunts do not count toward the statewide bag limit when such deer are tagged with department issued single-use tags.
- (3) Still hunting for deer is permitted in any area at any time during the legal season for hunting deer with dogs.
- (4) In Dooly and Macon Cos., antlered bucks may be taken on private land only if they have a minimum outside antler spread of fifteen (15) inches.
- (5) In Hancock, Harris, Meriwether, Montgomery, Randolph, Talbot, and Troup Cos., antlered bucks may be taken on private land only if they have a minimum of 4 antler points 1 inch or longer on one side of the antlers or a minimum outside antler spread of fifteen (15) inches.
- (6) In accordance with O.C.G.A. Sec 27-3-15(a) and (b), the department is authorized to prescribe property-specific harvest objectives, based solely on sound wildlife management principles, relating to bag limit and season on properties enrolled in a deer management assistance program as established by the department.
- (7) Deer that test positive for chronic wasting disease through a test approved by the Department do not count toward the daily or season bag limit. For test results received late in, or after deer season the Department may credit a deer to the hunter during the following season.
Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 1-4, 27-3-15.
History. Original Rule entitled "Fur, Hide, and Pelt Reports" was filed on October 19, 1973; effective November 8, 1973.
Amended: Rule repealed and a new Rule of same title adopted. Filed July 22, 1974; effective August 11, 1974.
Amended: Rule repealed and a new Rule entitled "Exportation of Furs, Hides, or Pelts" adopted. Filed December 9, 1975; effective December 29, 1975.
Amended: Rule repealed and a new Rule of same title adopted. Filed August 5, 1976; effective August 25, 1976.
Amended: Rule repealed. Filed September 14, 1977; effective October 4, 1977.
Adopted: New Rule entitled "General Regulations for Hunting Deer." F. June 13, 2013; eff. July 3, 2013.
Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. May 26, 2015; eff. June 15, 2015.
Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 1, 2017; eff. June 21, 2017.
Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 28, 2018; eff. July 18, 2018.
Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 4, 2019; eff. June 24, 2019.
Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Aug. 27, 2019; eff. Sept. 16, 2019.
Amended: F. June 7, 2021; eff. June 27, 2021.
Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 5, 2025; eff. June 25, 2025.