Clarke County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 483 deer in Clarke County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 231 bucks and 252 does (WRD). That is 4 deer per square mile of land, and 148th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 15% below 2024-25 (566).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Clarke CountyLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 483 (231 bucks, 252 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 4, 71st of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 561 deer a season |
| Highest season | 687 in 2016-17 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 2 |
| Land area | 119.3 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | No WRD WMA |
| Towns | Athens and Winterville |
How many deer are killed in Clarke County each season?
WRD has reported Clarke County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 561 a season; the most was 687 in 2016-17 and the fewest 483 in 2025-26. 2025-26 was 30% below 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 483 | 231 | 252 | 4 | 651 |
| 2024-25 | 566 | 293 | 273 | 4.7 | 775 |
| 2023-24 | 555 | 279 | 276 | 4.7 | 668 |
| 2022-23 | 560 | 282 | 278 | 4.7 | 759 |
| 2021-22 | 488 | 242 | 246 | 4.1 | 667 |
| 2020-21 | 573 | 291 | 282 | 4.8 | 749 |
| 2019-20 | 537 | 262 | 275 | 4.5 | 761 |
| 2018-19 | 569 | 282 | 287 | 4.8 | 823 |
| 2017-18 | 593 | 278 | 315 | 5 | 847 |
| 2016-17 | 687 | 278 | 409 | 5.8 | 971 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 119.3 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 Clarke County for 2025-26 are 80% of bucks and 70% of does.
When is deer season in Clarke County in 2026-27?
On private land Clarke County is in WRD's Green zone. These are the zone's 2026-27 dates.
| 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 |
Clarke 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 Clarke County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Clarke County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Broad River WMA (about 22 miles), Redlands WMA (about 25 miles) and Walton WMA (about 27 miles).
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 Clarke County compare with its neighbors?
Clarke 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke County | 483 | 4 | -30% |
| Barrow County | 755 | 4.7 | 35% |
| Jackson County | 2,133 | 6.3 | 7% |
| Madison County | 2,078 | 7.4 | 14% |
| Oconee County | 670 | 3.6 | -2% |
| Oglethorpe County | 2,394 | 5.5 | -4% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Clarke County, Georgia last season?
483 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Clarke County in the 2025-26 season: 231 bucks and 252 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Clarke County in?
Clarke 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 Clarke County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Clarke County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Broad River WMA (about 22 miles), Redlands WMA (about 25 miles) and Walton WMA (about 27 miles).
Has the deer harvest in Clarke County gone up or down?
From 687 in 2016-17 to 483 in 2025-26, 30% lower. The high in that span was 687 (2016-17) and the low 483 (2025-26).
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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 Barrow County Jackson County Madison County Oconee County