Franklin County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 2,035 deer in Franklin County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 1,140 bucks and 895 does (WRD). That is 7.8 deer per square mile of land, and 24th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 8% below 2024-25 (2,214).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Franklin CountyWRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 2,035 (1,140 bucks, 895 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 7.8, 3rd of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 1,522 deer a season |
| Highest season | 2,214 in 2024-25 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 2 |
| Land area | 261.3 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | No WRD WMA |
| Bear zone | Northern (WRD) |
| Towns | Lavonia, Carnesville, Royston, Canon and Franklin Springs |
How many deer are killed in Franklin County each season?
WRD has reported Franklin County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 1,522 a season; the most was 2,214 in 2024-25 and the fewest 1,058 in 2016-17. 2025-26 was 92% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 2,035 | 1,140 | 895 | 7.8 | 2,711 |
| 2024-25 | 2,214 | 1,176 | 1,038 | 8.5 | 3,026 |
| 2023-24 | 1,930 | 1,020 | 910 | 7.4 | 2,313 |
| 2022-23 | 1,650 | 960 | 690 | 6.3 | 2,202 |
| 2021-22 | 1,335 | 789 | 546 | 5.1 | 1,745 |
| 2020-21 | 1,374 | 803 | 571 | 5.3 | 1,772 |
| 2019-20 | 1,403 | 758 | 645 | 5.4 | 1,985 |
| 2018-19 | 1,140 | 749 | 391 | 4.4 | 1,595 |
| 2017-18 | 1,080 | 733 | 347 | 4.1 | 1,490 |
| 2016-17 | 1,058 | 685 | 373 | 4 | 1,402 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 261.3 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 Franklin County for 2025-26 are 80% of bucks and 70% of does.
When is deer season in Franklin County in 2026-27?
On private land Franklin 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 Franklin County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Franklin County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Lake Russell WMA (about 14 miles), Broad River WMA (about 15 miles) and Wilson Shoals WMA (about 19 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 Franklin County compare with its neighbors?
Franklin County touches 4 Georgia counties. Their 2025-26 harvest, and the change since 2016-17:
| County | Deer reported, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 2,035 | 7.8 | 92% |
| Banks County | 1,731 | 7.4 | 80% |
| Hart County | 1,970 | 8.5 | 103% |
| Madison County | 2,078 | 7.4 | 14% |
| Stephens County | 646 | 3.6 | 57% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Franklin County, Georgia last season?
2,035 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Franklin County in the 2025-26 season: 1,140 bucks and 895 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Franklin County in?
Franklin 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 Franklin County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Franklin County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Lake Russell WMA (about 14 miles), Broad River WMA (about 15 miles) and Wilson Shoals WMA (about 19 miles).
Has the deer harvest in Franklin County gone up or down?
From 1,058 in 2016-17 to 2,035 in 2025-26, 92% higher. The high in that span was 2,214 (2024-25) and the low 1,058 (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 Banks County Hart County Madison County Stephens County