Jefferson County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 2,185 deer in Jefferson County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 1,043 bucks and 1,142 does (WRD). That is 4.1 deer per square mile of land, and 16th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 24% above 2024-25 (1,759).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Jefferson CountyNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 2,185 (1,043 bucks, 1,142 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 4.1, 67th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 2,140 deer a season |
| Highest season | 2,450 in 2020-21 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 3 |
| Land area | 526.6 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | No WRD WMA |
| Towns | Wadley, Louisville, Wrens, Stapleton and Bartow |
How many deer are killed in Jefferson County each season?
WRD has reported Jefferson County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 2,140 a season; the most was 2,450 in 2020-21 and the fewest 1,759 in 2024-25. 2025-26 was 8% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 2,185 | 1,043 | 1,142 | 4.1 | 3,276 |
| 2024-25 | 1,759 | 853 | 906 | 3.3 | 2,582 |
| 2023-24 | 2,262 | 1,092 | 1,170 | 4.3 | 3,173 |
| 2022-23 | 1,947 | 951 | 996 | 3.7 | 2,923 |
| 2021-22 | 2,211 | 1,036 | 1,175 | 4.2 | 3,291 |
| 2020-21 | 2,450 | 1,108 | 1,342 | 4.7 | 3,417 |
| 2019-20 | 2,059 | 1,016 | 1,043 | 3.9 | 3,006 |
| 2018-19 | 2,278 | 1,153 | 1,125 | 4.3 | 3,660 |
| 2017-18 | 2,230 | 1,086 | 1,144 | 4.2 | 3,532 |
| 2016-17 | 2,014 | 940 | 1,074 | 3.8 | 2,695 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 526.6 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 Jefferson County for 2025-26 are 77% of bucks and 60% of does.
When is deer season in Jefferson County in 2026-27?
On private land Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Jefferson County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Di-Lane WMA (about 22 miles), Big Dukes Pond WMA (about 26 miles) and Ohoopee Dunes WMA (about 30 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 Jefferson County compare with its neighbors?
Jefferson County touches 8 Georgia counties. Their 2025-26 harvest, and the change since 2016-17:
| County | Deer reported, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 2,185 | 4.1 | 8% |
| Burke County | 3,322 | 4 | -10% |
| Emanuel County | 2,036 | 3 | -16% |
| Glascock County | 759 | 5.3 | 30% |
| Johnson County | 1,117 | 3.7 | 17% |
| McDuffie County | 1,508 | 5.9 | 43% |
| Richmond County | 651 | 2 | -13% |
| Warren County | 2,034 | 7.2 | 28% |
| Washington County | 3,230 | 4.8 | 17% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Jefferson County, Georgia last season?
2,185 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Jefferson County in the 2025-26 season: 1,043 bucks and 1,142 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Jefferson County in?
Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?
No WRD WMA boundary falls in Jefferson County. The closest WMAs with a page here: Di-Lane WMA (about 22 miles), Big Dukes Pond WMA (about 26 miles) and Ohoopee Dunes WMA (about 30 miles).
Has the deer harvest in Jefferson County gone up or down?
From 2,014 in 2016-17 to 2,185 in 2025-26, 8% higher. The high in that span was 2,450 (2020-21) and the low 1,759 (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.
Georgia hunting Georgia deer harvest by county Burke County Emanuel County Glascock County Johnson County