Cook County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 655 deer in Cook County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 304 bucks and 351 does (WRD). That is 2.9 deer per square mile of land, and 133rd of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 20% above 2024-25 (544).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Cook CountyWRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 655 (304 bucks, 351 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 2.9, 106th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 537 deer a season |
| Highest season | 655 in 2025-26 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 6 |
| Land area | 228.5 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | No WRD WMA |
| Towns | Adel, Sparks, Lenox and Cecil |
How many deer are killed in Cook County each season?
WRD has reported Cook County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 537 a season; the most was 655 in 2025-26 and the fewest 420 in 2018-19. 2025-26 was 12% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 655 | 304 | 351 | 2.9 | 1,152 |
| 2024-25 | 544 | 283 | 261 | 2.4 | 987 |
| 2023-24 | 628 | 294 | 334 | 2.7 | 1,066 |
| 2022-23 | 547 | 280 | 267 | 2.4 | 930 |
| 2021-22 | 425 | 204 | 221 | 1.9 | 735 |
| 2020-21 | 466 | 209 | 257 | 2 | 837 |
| 2019-20 | 528 | 255 | 273 | 2.3 | 906 |
| 2018-19 | 420 | 214 | 206 | 1.8 | 885 |
| 2017-18 | 574 | 287 | 287 | 2.5 | 1,293 |
| 2016-17 | 583 | 269 | 314 | 2.6 | 1,020 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 228.5 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 Cook County for 2025-26 are 68% of bucks and 50% of does.
When is deer season in Cook County in 2026-27?
On private land Cook 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 |
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 Cook County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Cook County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Grand Bay WMA (about 22 miles), Alapaha River WMA (about 23 miles) and Doerun Pitcher Plant Bog WMA (about 28 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 Cook County compare with its neighbors?
Cook 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 655 | 2.9 | 12% |
| Berrien County | 1,286 | 2.8 | 4% |
| Brooks County | 1,111 | 2.3 | 10% |
| Colquitt County | 1,861 | 3.4 | 49% |
| Lowndes County | 1,220 | 2.5 | 9% |
| Tift County | 744 | 2.9 | 28% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Cook County, Georgia last season?
655 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Cook County in the 2025-26 season: 304 bucks and 351 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Cook County in?
Cook 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 Cook County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Cook County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Grand Bay WMA (about 22 miles), Alapaha River WMA (about 23 miles) and Doerun Pitcher Plant Bog WMA (about 28 miles).
Has the deer harvest in Cook County gone up or down?
From 583 in 2016-17 to 655 in 2025-26, 12% higher. The high in that span was 655 (2025-26) and the low 420 (2018-19).
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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 Berrien County Brooks County Colquitt County Lowndes County