Burke County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 3,322 deer in Burke County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 1,445 bucks and 1,877 does (WRD). That is 4 deer per square mile of land, and 1st of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 25% above 2024-25 (2,657).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Burke CountyWRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 3,322 (1,445 bucks, 1,877 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 4, 69th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 3,597 deer a season |
| Highest season | 4,515 in 2017-18 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 3 |
| Land area | 827 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 4 WMAs, 17,364 acres; 138 acres of national wildlife refuge |
| Towns | Waynesboro, Girard, Midville, Sardis and Keysville |
How many deer are killed in Burke County each season?
WRD has reported Burke County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 3,597 a season; the most was 4,515 in 2017-18 and the fewest 2,657 in 2024-25. 2025-26 was 10% below 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 3,322 | 1,445 | 1,877 | 4 | 5,033 |
| 2024-25 | 2,657 | 1,138 | 1,519 | 3.2 | 3,952 |
| 2023-24 | 3,510 | 1,557 | 1,953 | 4.2 | 4,953 |
| 2022-23 | 3,265 | 1,454 | 1,811 | 3.9 | 4,922 |
| 2021-22 | 3,376 | 1,541 | 1,835 | 4.1 | 5,047 |
| 2020-21 | 3,880 | 1,738 | 2,142 | 4.7 | 5,417 |
| 2019-20 | 3,762 | 1,692 | 2,070 | 4.5 | 5,558 |
| 2018-19 | 4,015 | 1,826 | 2,189 | 4.9 | 6,580 |
| 2017-18 | 4,515 | 2,018 | 2,497 | 5.5 | 7,186 |
| 2016-17 | 3,672 | 1,540 | 2,132 | 4.4 | 4,952 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 827 square miles of land (Census). "Adjusted total" is WRD's own figure in the same layer, which allows for deer not reported through Game Check; the reporting rates WRD applies to Burke County for 2025-26 are 77% of bucks and 60% of does.
When is deer season in Burke County in 2026-27?
On private land Burke County is in WRD's Green zone. These are the zone's 2026-27 dates. WMAs in the county set their own dates, on their pages.
| Weapon | Dates | What may be taken |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, 2026 | Either sex |
| Primitive weapons | Oct. 10 to 16, 2026 | Either sex |
| Firearms | Oct. 3 to 4, 2026 | Antlerless only |
| Firearms | Oct. 17, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 | Either sex |
Source: 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, pages 12 to 13; county zones: WRD county deer, bear and alligator zones.
Where is the public hunting land in Burke County?
WRD's boundaries put 4 WMAs in Burke County:
| WMA | Acres in Burke County | WMA deer reported, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Di-Lane WMA | 8,186 | 22 |
| Yuchi WMA | 7,632 | 75 |
| Alexander WMA | 1,347 | 37 |
| Mead Farm WMA | 199 | 2 |
138 acres of national wildlife refuge lie in the county, measured on the federal maps.
Acres measured by FilledTag on WRD WMA boundaries, U.S. Forest Service national forest ownership and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries.
How does Burke County compare with its neighbors?
Burke County touches 5 Georgia counties. Their 2025-26 harvest, and the change since 2016-17:
| County | Deer reported, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke County | 3,322 | 4 | -10% |
| Emanuel County | 2,036 | 3 | -16% |
| Jefferson County | 2,185 | 4.1 | 8% |
| Jenkins County | 865 | 2.5 | -23% |
| Richmond County | 651 | 2 | -13% |
| Screven County | 1,788 | 2.8 | 16% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Burke County, Georgia last season?
3,322 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Burke County in the 2025-26 season: 1,445 bucks and 1,877 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Burke County in?
Burke County is in WRD's Green zone for private land in 2026-27. Firearms either-sex days in the zone: Oct. 17, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027. Source: WRD regulations, pages 12 to 13.
Is there public hunting land in Burke County?
Yes. WRD's map puts Di-Lane WMA (8,186 acres in the county), Yuchi WMA (7,632 acres in the county), Alexander WMA (1,347 acres in the county) and Mead Farm WMA (199 acres in the county) in Burke County.
Has the deer harvest in Burke County gone up or down?
From 3,672 in 2016-17 to 3,322 in 2025-26, 10% lower. The high in that span was 4,515 (2017-18) and the low 2,657 (2024-25).
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Where these numbers come from
- Deer harvest, adjusted totals and reporting rates: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check); Georgia Game Check results.
- Deer zones and dates: 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, pages 12 to 13; WRD county deer, bear and alligator zones.
- Public land: WRD WMA boundaries; U.S. Forest Service national forest ownership; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries. County land area: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries. Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer.
FilledTag is not part of Georgia DNR. Numbers are copied from WRD and the Census Bureau or measured from public maps; nothing here is estimated by FilledTag.
Georgia hunting Georgia deer harvest by county Emanuel County Jefferson County Jenkins County Richmond County