Chatham County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 241 deer in Chatham County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 123 bucks and 118 does (WRD). That is 0.6 deer per square mile of land, and 157th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 2% below 2024-25 (247).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Chatham CountyWRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 241 (123 bucks, 118 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 0.6, 159th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 281 deer a season |
| Highest season | 371 in 2017-18 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 6 |
| Land area | 432.7 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 1 WMA, 28,063 acres; 16,966 acres of national wildlife refuge |
| Towns | Savannah, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Garden City and Bloomingdale |
How many deer are killed in Chatham County each season?
WRD has reported Chatham County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 281 a season; the most was 371 in 2017-18 and the fewest 222 in 2019-20. 2025-26 was 18% below 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 241 | 123 | 118 | 0.6 | 418 |
| 2024-25 | 247 | 124 | 123 | 0.6 | 450 |
| 2023-24 | 317 | 148 | 169 | 0.7 | 538 |
| 2022-23 | 297 | 146 | 151 | 0.7 | 507 |
| 2021-22 | 308 | 147 | 161 | 0.7 | 533 |
| 2020-21 | 263 | 123 | 140 | 0.6 | 472 |
| 2019-20 | 222 | 101 | 121 | 0.5 | 380 |
| 2018-19 | 252 | 101 | 151 | 0.6 | 535 |
| 2017-18 | 371 | 143 | 228 | 0.9 | 813 |
| 2016-17 | 294 | 110 | 184 | 0.7 | 515 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 432.7 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 Chatham County for 2025-26 are 68% of bucks and 50% of does.
When is deer season in Chatham County in 2026-27?
On private land Chatham 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 |
Chatham County is one of the 29 extended archery counties, where archery season runs September 12, 2026 to January 31, 2027 (page 11).
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 Chatham County?
WRD's boundaries put 1 WMA in Chatham County:
| WMA | Acres in Chatham County | WMA deer reported, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Ossabaw Island WMA | 28,063 |
16,966 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 Chatham County compare with its neighbors?
Chatham County touches 2 Georgia counties. Their 2025-26 harvest, and the change since 2016-17:
| County | Deer reported, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham County | 241 | 0.6 | -18% |
| Bryan County | 711 | 1.6 | 21% |
| Effingham County | 1,095 | 2.3 | 12% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Chatham County, Georgia last season?
241 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Chatham County in the 2025-26 season: 123 bucks and 118 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Chatham County in?
Chatham 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 Chatham County?
Yes. WRD's map puts Ossabaw Island WMA (28,063 acres in the county) in Chatham County.
Has the deer harvest in Chatham County gone up or down?
From 294 in 2016-17 to 241 in 2025-26, 18% lower. The high in that span was 371 (2017-18) and the low 222 (2019-20).
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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 Bryan County Effingham County