DeKalb County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 201 deer in DeKalb County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 130 bucks and 71 does (WRD). That is 0.8 deer per square mile of land, and 158th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 17% below 2024-25 (243).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
DeKalb CountyWRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 201 (130 bucks, 71 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 0.8, 157th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 199 deer a season |
| Highest season | 243 in 2024-25 |
| Private-land deer zone | Gray (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 2 |
| Land area | 267.7 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | No WRD WMA |
| Bear zone | Northern (WRD) |
| Towns | Stonecrest, Tucker, Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Chamblee |
How many deer are killed in DeKalb County each season?
WRD has reported DeKalb County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 199 a season; the most was 243 in 2024-25 and the fewest 120 in 2017-18. 2025-26 was 42% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 201 | 130 | 71 | 0.8 | 264 |
| 2024-25 | 243 | 143 | 100 | 0.9 | 330 |
| 2023-24 | 207 | 119 | 88 | 0.8 | 246 |
| 2022-23 | 220 | 137 | 83 | 0.8 | 291 |
| 2021-22 | 211 | 129 | 82 | 0.8 | 273 |
| 2020-21 | 222 | 128 | 94 | 0.8 | 287 |
| 2019-20 | 207 | 117 | 90 | 0.8 | 292 |
| 2018-19 | 218 | 117 | 101 | 0.8 | 311 |
| 2017-18 | 120 | 76 | 44 | 0.4 | 167 |
| 2016-17 | 142 | 75 | 67 | 0.5 | 194 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 267.7 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 DeKalb County for 2025-26 are 80% of bucks and 70% of does.
When is deer season in DeKalb County in 2026-27?
On private land DeKalb County is in WRD's Gray zone. These are the zone's 2026-27 dates.
| Weapon | Dates | What may be taken |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept. 12, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 | Either sex |
Firearms deer hunting is not allowed in DeKalb County: it is archery only (page 16). DeKalb 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 DeKalb County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in DeKalb County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Gaither WMA (about 32 miles), Walton WMA (about 33 miles) and Clybel WMA (about 36 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 DeKalb County compare with its neighbors?
DeKalb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb County | 201 | 0.8 | 42% |
| Clayton County | 125 | 0.9 | -20% |
| Fulton County | 1,405 | 2.7 | 18% |
| Gwinnett County | 810 | 1.9 | 1% |
| Henry County | 686 | 2.2 | -40% |
| Rockdale County | 364 | 2.8 | -19% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in DeKalb County, Georgia last season?
201 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in DeKalb County in the 2025-26 season: 130 bucks and 71 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is DeKalb County in?
DeKalb County is in WRD's Gray zone for private land in 2026-27. The zone is archery only, September 12, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Source: WRD regulations, pages 12 to 13.
Is there public hunting land in DeKalb County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in DeKalb County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Gaither WMA (about 32 miles), Walton WMA (about 33 miles) and Clybel WMA (about 36 miles).
Has the deer harvest in DeKalb County gone up or down?
From 142 in 2016-17 to 201 in 2025-26, 42% higher. The high in that span was 243 (2024-25) and the low 120 (2017-18).
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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 Clayton County Fulton County Gwinnett County Henry County