Decatur County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 1,494 deer in Decatur County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 716 bucks and 778 does (WRD). That is 2.5 deer per square mile of land, and 52nd of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 1% above 2024-25 (1,473).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Decatur CountyWRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 1,494 (716 bucks, 778 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 2.5, 122nd of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 1,416 deer a season |
| Highest season | 1,655 in 2017-18 |
| Private-land deer zone | Magenta (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 5 |
| Land area | 597.2 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 2 WMAs, 13,957 acres; 145 acres of national wildlife refuge |
| Towns | Bainbridge, Brinson, Climax and Attapulgus |
How many deer are killed in Decatur County each season?
WRD has reported Decatur County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 1,416 a season; the most was 1,655 in 2017-18 and the fewest 1,146 in 2018-19. 2025-26 was 9% below 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1,494 | 716 | 778 | 2.5 | 2,239 |
| 2024-25 | 1,473 | 756 | 717 | 2.5 | 2,148 |
| 2023-24 | 1,477 | 741 | 736 | 2.5 | 2,066 |
| 2022-23 | 1,287 | 650 | 637 | 2.2 | 1,929 |
| 2021-22 | 1,167 | 585 | 582 | 2 | 1,717 |
| 2020-21 | 1,396 | 701 | 695 | 2.3 | 1,927 |
| 2019-20 | 1,419 | 722 | 697 | 2.4 | 2,084 |
| 2018-19 | 1,146 | 557 | 589 | 1.9 | 1,869 |
| 2017-18 | 1,655 | 765 | 890 | 2.8 | 2,629 |
| 2016-17 | 1,645 | 770 | 875 | 2.8 | 2,201 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 597.2 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 Decatur County for 2025-26 are 77% of bucks and 60% of does.
When is deer season in Decatur County in 2026-27?
On private land Decatur County is in WRD's Magenta 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 27, 2026 | Antlered bucks only |
| Archery | Sept. 28 to Oct. 9, 2026 | Either sex |
| Archery | Jan. 16 to 31, 2027 | 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. 15, 2027 | Either sex |
Decatur 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 Decatur County?
WRD's boundaries put 2 WMAs in Decatur County:
| WMA | Acres in Decatur County | WMA deer reported, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Lake WMA | 9,743 | 84 |
| Lake Seminole WMA | 4,214 | 67 |
145 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 Decatur County compare with its neighbors?
Decatur 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur County | 1,494 | 2.5 | -9% |
| Baker County | 1,041 | 3 | -11% |
| Grady County | 1,044 | 2.3 | 16% |
| Miller County | 788 | 2.8 | 51% |
| Mitchell County | 1,257 | 2.5 | 42% |
| Seminole County | 307 | 1.3 | 10% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Decatur County, Georgia last season?
1,494 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Decatur County in the 2025-26 season: 716 bucks and 778 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Decatur County in?
Decatur County is in WRD's Magenta zone for private land in 2026-27. Firearms either-sex days in the zone: Oct. 17, 2026 to Jan. 15, 2027. Source: WRD regulations, pages 12 to 13.
Is there public hunting land in Decatur County?
Yes. WRD's map puts Silver Lake WMA (9,743 acres in the county) and Lake Seminole WMA (4,214 acres in the county) in Decatur County.
Has the deer harvest in Decatur County gone up or down?
From 1,645 in 2016-17 to 1,494 in 2025-26, 9% lower. The high in that span was 1,655 (2017-18) and the low 1,146 (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 Baker County Grady County Miller County Mitchell County