Jackson County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 2,133 deer in Jackson County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 1,175 bucks and 958 does (WRD). That is 6.3 deer per square mile of land, and 18th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 19% below 2024-25 (2,649).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Jackson CountyWRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 2,133 (1,175 bucks, 958 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 6.3, 10th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 2,168 deer a season |
| Highest season | 2,660 in 2023-24 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 2 |
| Land area | 339.7 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | No WRD WMA |
| Bear zone | Northern (WRD) |
| Towns | Jefferson, Commerce, Arcade, Hoschton and Nicholson |
How many deer are killed in Jackson County each season?
WRD has reported Jackson County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 2,168 a season; the most was 2,660 in 2023-24 and the fewest 1,783 in 2021-22. 2025-26 was 7% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 2,133 | 1,175 | 958 | 6.3 | 2,845 |
| 2024-25 | 2,649 | 1,436 | 1,213 | 7.8 | 3,616 |
| 2023-24 | 2,660 | 1,462 | 1,198 | 7.8 | 3,175 |
| 2022-23 | 2,111 | 1,205 | 906 | 6.2 | 2,823 |
| 2021-22 | 1,783 | 1,045 | 738 | 5.2 | 2,336 |
| 2020-21 | 2,190 | 1,201 | 989 | 6.4 | 2,839 |
| 2019-20 | 2,031 | 1,146 | 885 | 6 | 2,870 |
| 2018-19 | 2,056 | 1,153 | 903 | 6.1 | 2,946 |
| 2017-18 | 2,080 | 1,217 | 863 | 6.1 | 2,914 |
| 2016-17 | 1,985 | 1,111 | 874 | 5.8 | 2,694 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 339.7 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 Jackson County for 2025-26 are 80% of bucks and 70% of does.
When is deer season in Jackson County in 2026-27?
On private land Jackson 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 Jackson County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Jackson County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Wilson Shoals WMA (about 20 miles), Broad River WMA (about 25 miles) and Lake Russell WMA (about 27 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 Jackson County compare with its neighbors?
Jackson County touches 7 Georgia counties. Their 2025-26 harvest, and the change since 2016-17:
| County | Deer reported, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 2,133 | 6.3 | 7% |
| Banks County | 1,731 | 7.4 | 80% |
| Barrow County | 755 | 4.7 | 35% |
| Clarke County | 483 | 4 | -30% |
| Gwinnett County | 810 | 1.9 | 1% |
| Hall County | 2,874 | 7.3 | 41% |
| Madison County | 2,078 | 7.4 | 14% |
| Oconee County | 670 | 3.6 | -2% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Jackson County, Georgia last season?
2,133 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Jackson County in the 2025-26 season: 1,175 bucks and 958 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Jackson County in?
Jackson 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 Jackson County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Jackson County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Wilson Shoals WMA (about 20 miles), Broad River WMA (about 25 miles) and Lake Russell WMA (about 27 miles).
Has the deer harvest in Jackson County gone up or down?
From 1,985 in 2016-17 to 2,133 in 2025-26, 7% higher. The high in that span was 2,660 (2023-24) and the low 1,783 (2021-22).
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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 Barrow County Clarke County Gwinnett County