Emanuel County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 2,036 deer in Emanuel County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 979 bucks and 1,057 does (WRD). That is 3 deer per square mile of land, and 23rd of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 41% above 2024-25 (1,449).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Emanuel CountyWRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 2,036 (979 bucks, 1,057 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 3, 103rd of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 2,023 deer a season |
| Highest season | 2,506 in 2017-18 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 4 |
| Land area | 680.6 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 1 WMA, 9,304 acres; 236 acres of national wildlife refuge |
| Towns | Swainsboro, Oak Park, Twin City, Stillmore and Adrian |
How many deer are killed in Emanuel County each season?
WRD has reported Emanuel County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 2,023 a season; the most was 2,506 in 2017-18 and the fewest 1,449 in 2024-25. 2025-26 was 16% below 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 2,036 | 979 | 1,057 | 3 | 3,050 |
| 2024-25 | 1,449 | 668 | 781 | 2.1 | 2,139 |
| 2023-24 | 2,055 | 982 | 1,073 | 3 | 2,885 |
| 2022-23 | 2,152 | 1,055 | 1,097 | 3.2 | 3,230 |
| 2021-22 | 1,906 | 972 | 934 | 2.8 | 2,795 |
| 2020-21 | 1,939 | 921 | 1,018 | 2.8 | 2,695 |
| 2019-20 | 1,782 | 831 | 951 | 2.6 | 2,629 |
| 2018-19 | 1,982 | 955 | 1,027 | 2.9 | 3,229 |
| 2017-18 | 2,506 | 1,197 | 1,309 | 3.7 | 3,973 |
| 2016-17 | 2,418 | 1,088 | 1,330 | 3.6 | 3,245 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 680.6 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 Emanuel County for 2025-26 are 77% of bucks and 60% of does.
When is deer season in Emanuel County in 2026-27?
On private land Emanuel 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 Emanuel County?
WRD's boundaries put 1 WMA in Emanuel County:
| WMA | Acres in Emanuel County | WMA deer reported, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Ohoopee Dunes WMA | 9,304 | 28 |
236 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 Emanuel County compare with its neighbors?
Emanuel County touches 11 Georgia counties. Their 2025-26 harvest, and the change since 2016-17:
| County | Deer reported, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emanuel County | 2,036 | 3 | -16% |
| Bulloch County | 1,484 | 2.2 | 4% |
| Burke County | 3,322 | 4 | -10% |
| Candler County | 901 | 3.7 | -3% |
| Jefferson County | 2,185 | 4.1 | 8% |
| Jenkins County | 865 | 2.5 | -23% |
| Johnson County | 1,117 | 3.7 | 17% |
| Laurens County | 3,101 | 3.8 | 22% |
| Montgomery County | 748 | 3.1 | 4% |
| Tattnall County | 1,151 | 2.4 | 23% |
| Toombs County | 1,280 | 3.5 | 7% |
| Treutlen County | 721 | 3.6 | 12% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Emanuel County, Georgia last season?
2,036 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Emanuel County in the 2025-26 season: 979 bucks and 1,057 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Emanuel County in?
Emanuel 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 Emanuel County?
Yes. WRD's map puts Ohoopee Dunes WMA (9,304 acres in the county) in Emanuel County.
Has the deer harvest in Emanuel County gone up or down?
From 2,418 in 2016-17 to 2,036 in 2025-26, 16% lower. The high in that span was 2,506 (2017-18) and the low 1,449 (2024-25).
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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.
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