Elbert County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 2,075 deer in Elbert County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 1,046 bucks and 1,029 does (WRD). That is 5.9 deer per square mile of land, and 21st of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 12% below 2024-25 (2,365).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Elbert CountyWRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 2,075 (1,046 bucks, 1,029 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 5.9, 14th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 2,165 deer a season |
| Highest season | 2,412 in 2018-19 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 2 |
| Land area | 351.1 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 2 WMAs, 3,111 acres; 107 acres of national wildlife refuge |
| Towns | Elberton and Bowman |
How many deer are killed in Elbert County each season?
WRD has reported Elbert County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 2,165 a season; the most was 2,412 in 2018-19 and the fewest 1,942 in 2016-17. 2025-26 was 7% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 2,075 | 1,046 | 1,029 | 5.9 | 2,786 |
| 2024-25 | 2,365 | 1,236 | 1,129 | 6.7 | 3,236 |
| 2023-24 | 2,191 | 1,097 | 1,094 | 6.2 | 2,640 |
| 2022-23 | 1,982 | 1,041 | 941 | 5.6 | 2,675 |
| 2021-22 | 2,162 | 1,182 | 980 | 6.2 | 2,886 |
| 2020-21 | 2,182 | 1,103 | 1,079 | 6.2 | 2,852 |
| 2019-20 | 2,194 | 1,047 | 1,147 | 6.2 | 3,112 |
| 2018-19 | 2,412 | 1,171 | 1,241 | 6.9 | 3,493 |
| 2017-18 | 2,148 | 1,123 | 1,025 | 6.1 | 3,040 |
| 2016-17 | 1,942 | 997 | 945 | 5.5 | 2,668 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 351.1 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 Elbert County for 2025-26 are 80% of bucks and 70% of does.
When is deer season in Elbert County in 2026-27?
On private land Elbert 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 |
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 Elbert County?
WRD's boundaries put 2 WMAs in Elbert County:
| WMA | Acres in Elbert County | WMA deer reported, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Elbert County WMA | 2,498 | 32 |
| Lower Broad River WMA | 613 | 23 |
107 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 Elbert County compare with its neighbors?
Elbert 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elbert County | 2,075 | 5.9 | 7% |
| Hart County | 1,970 | 8.5 | 103% |
| Lincoln County | 1,316 | 6.3 | 11% |
| Madison County | 2,078 | 7.4 | 14% |
| Oglethorpe County | 2,394 | 5.5 | -4% |
| Wilkes County | 2,775 | 5.9 | 1% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Elbert County, Georgia last season?
2,075 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Elbert County in the 2025-26 season: 1,046 bucks and 1,029 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Elbert County in?
Elbert 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 Elbert County?
Yes. WRD's map puts Elbert County WMA (2,498 acres in the county) and Lower Broad River WMA (613 acres in the county) in Elbert County.
Has the deer harvest in Elbert County gone up or down?
From 1,942 in 2016-17 to 2,075 in 2025-26, 7% higher. The high in that span was 2,412 (2018-19) and the low 1,942 (2016-17).
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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 Hart County Lincoln County Madison County Oglethorpe County