Wilkes County deer harvest: Georgia Game Check, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 2,775 deer in Wilkes County in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check: 1,297 bucks and 1,478 does (WRD). That is 5.9 deer per square mile of land, and 9th of Georgia's 159 counties by total. The count was 14% below 2024-25 (3,232).
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 regulations.
Wilkes CountyWRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 2,775 (1,297 bucks, 1,478 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 5.9, 17th of 159 |
| Average, 10 seasons | 3,007 deer a season |
| Highest season | 3,477 in 2023-24 |
| Private-land deer zone | Green (WRD) |
| WRD region | Region 3 |
| Land area | 469.5 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 3 WMAs, 7,729 acres |
| Towns | Washington, Tignall and Rayle |
How many deer are killed in Wilkes County each season?
WRD has reported Wilkes County's deer for 10 seasons. The average was 3,007 a season; the most was 3,477 in 2023-24 and the fewest 2,638 in 2017-18. 2025-26 was 1% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Per square mile | WRD's adjusted total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 2,775 | 1,297 | 1,478 | 5.9 | 3,746 |
| 2024-25 | 3,232 | 1,546 | 1,686 | 6.9 | 4,444 |
| 2023-24 | 3,477 | 1,672 | 1,805 | 7.4 | 4,205 |
| 2022-23 | 3,239 | 1,556 | 1,683 | 6.9 | 4,410 |
| 2021-22 | 3,061 | 1,562 | 1,499 | 6.5 | 4,156 |
| 2020-21 | 3,139 | 1,504 | 1,635 | 6.7 | 4,121 |
| 2019-20 | 2,900 | 1,364 | 1,536 | 6.2 | 4,115 |
| 2018-19 | 2,879 | 1,444 | 1,435 | 6.1 | 4,151 |
| 2017-18 | 2,638 | 1,428 | 1,210 | 5.6 | 3,722 |
| 2016-17 | 2,734 | 1,344 | 1,390 | 5.8 | 3,778 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by county. Per square mile uses the county's 469.5 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 Wilkes County for 2025-26 are 80% of bucks and 70% of does.
When is deer season in Wilkes County in 2026-27?
On private land Wilkes 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 Wilkes County?
WRD's boundaries put 3 WMAs in Wilkes County:
| WMA | Acres in Wilkes County | WMA deer reported, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Clarks Hill WMA | 5,875 | 159 |
| Fishing Creek WMA | 1,201 | 18 |
| Lower Broad River WMA | 653 | 23 |
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 Wilkes County compare with its neighbors?
Wilkes County touches 6 Georgia counties. Their 2025-26 harvest, and the change since 2016-17:
| County | Deer reported, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes County | 2,775 | 5.9 | 1% |
| Elbert County | 2,075 | 5.9 | 7% |
| Lincoln County | 1,316 | 6.3 | 11% |
| McDuffie County | 1,508 | 5.9 | 43% |
| Oglethorpe County | 2,394 | 5.5 | -4% |
| Taliaferro County | 987 | 5.1 | 5% |
| Warren County | 2,034 | 7.2 | 28% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Wilkes County, Georgia last season?
2,775 deer were reported through Georgia Game Check in Wilkes County in the 2025-26 season: 1,297 bucks and 1,478 does, by WRD's harvest reports.
What deer zone is Wilkes County in?
Wilkes 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 Wilkes County?
Yes. WRD's map puts Clarks Hill WMA (5,875 acres in the county), Fishing Creek WMA (1,201 acres in the county) and Lower Broad River WMA (653 acres in the county) in Wilkes County.
Has the deer harvest in Wilkes County gone up or down?
From 2,734 in 2016-17 to 2,775 in 2025-26, 1% higher. The high in that span was 3,477 (2023-24) and the low 2,638 (2017-18).
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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 Elbert County Lincoln County McDuffie County Oglethorpe County