Union County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 1,755 deer in Union County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 1,091 bucks and 664 does (WRD). That is 5.4 deer per square mile of land, and 37th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 12% above 2024-25 (1,567).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Union CountyWRD WMAsNational forestNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 1,755 (1,091 bucks, 664 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 5.4, 27th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 1,156 deer a season |
| Highest season | 1,755 in 2025-26 |
| Private-land deer zone | Cyan (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 2 |
| Land area | 322.1 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 4 WMAs, 26,606 acres; 97,851 acres of national forest |
| Bear zone | Northern (WRD) |
| Towns | Blairsville |
How many deer are killed in Union County each season?
WRD has reported Union County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 1,156 a season; the most was 1,755 in 2025-26 and the fewest 769 in 2016-17. 2025-26 was 128% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1,755 | 1,091 | 664 | 5.4 | 2,133 |
| 2024-25 | 1,567 | 1,011 | 556 | 4.9 | 2,217 |
| 2023-24 | 1,253 | 796 | 457 | 3.9 | 1,901 |
| 2022-23 | 1,439 | 840 | 599 | 4.5 | 1,853 |
| 2021-22 | 1,013 | 672 | 341 | 3.1 | 1,436 |
| 2020-21 | 961 | 614 | 347 | 3 | 1,290 |
| 2019-20 | 920 | 627 | 293 | 2.9 | 1,366 |
| 2018-19 | 960 | 563 | 397 | 3 | 1,359 |
| 2017-18 | 924 | 586 | 338 | 2.9 | 1,417 |
| 2016-17 | 769 | 471 | 298 | 2.4 | 1,030 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 322.1 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 Union County for 2025-26 are 79% of bucks and 88% of does.
When is deer season in Union County in 2026-27?
On private land Union County is in WRD's Cyan 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. 17 to Nov. 5, 2026 | Antlered bucks only |
| Firearms | Nov. 6 to 12, 2026 | Either sex |
| Firearms | Nov. 13 to Dec. 31, 2026 | Antlered bucks only |
| Firearms | Jan. 1, 2027 | Either sex |
| Firearms | Jan. 2 to 10, 2027 | Antlered bucks only |
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 Union County?
WRD's boundaries put 4 WMAs in Union County:
| WMA | Acres in Union County | WMA deer reported, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Coopers Creek WMA | 21,798 | 9 |
| Blue Ridge WMA | 2,523 | 38 |
| Chattahoochee WMA | 2,257 | 17 |
| Chestatee WMA | 28 | 6 |
97,851 acres of national forest lie in the county, measured on the federal maps. National forest land outside a WMA follows the national forest rules in the regulations (pages 56 to 57).
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 Union County compare with its neighbors?
Union 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | 1,755 | 5.4 | 128% |
| Fannin County | 1,740 | 4.5 | 168% |
| Lumpkin County | 1,172 | 4.1 | 38% |
| Towns County | 505 | 3 | 142% |
| White County | 1,092 | 4.5 | 53% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Union County, Georgia last season?
1,755 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Union County in the 2025-26 season: 1,091 bucks and 664 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Union County in?
Union County is in WRD's Cyan zone for private land in 2026-27. Firearms either-sex days in the zone: Nov. 6 to 12, 2026 and Jan. 1, 2027. Source: WRD regulations, pages 12 to 13.
Is there public hunting land in Union County?
Yes. WRD's map puts Coopers Creek WMA (21,798 acres in the county), Blue Ridge WMA (2,523 acres in the county), Chattahoochee WMA (2,257 acres in the county) and Chestatee WMA (28 acres in the county) in Union County. The county also holds 97,851 acres of national forest.
Has the deer harvest in Union County gone up or down?
From 769 in 2016-17 to 1,755 in 2025-26, 128% higher. The high in that span was 1,755 (2025-26) and the low 769 (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 Fannin County Lumpkin County Towns County White County