Muzzleloading enthusiasts get a head start during Georgia’s week-long primitive weapons deer hunting season opening Sat., Oct. 14.

In 2022, Almost 10,000 deer were harvested by over 26,000 hunters said the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).

“The primitive weapons season is a chance to hit the woods before the modern firearms season opens,” said Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist with the WRD Game Management Section. “Mid-October is an excellent time to be afield when bucks are starting to cover more ground as they gear up for the rut.”

Georgia is one of several states without a “Muzzleloading Only” season, instead muzzleloading enthusiasts hit the trail alongside archery, air bows, and air rifles. Georgia also allows modern inline muzzleloaders during this season.

Scopes and other optical sighting devices are legal for muzzleloading firearms and archery equipment.

Dates/Harvest Limit: State law allows hunters to harvest up to 10 antlerless deer, and no more than two antlered deer (one of the two antlered deer must have a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers or a minimum 15-inch outside antler spread).

For most hunters in the state, the deer season ends on Jan. 14. For counties with extended firearms or archery season, review the Georgia Hunting Regulations 2023-24 guidebook at eregulations.com/georgia/hunting/.

Deer of either sex may be taken with archery equipment on private land during the primitive weapons and firearms deer season.

Licenses: Georgia deer hunters must have a hunting license, a big game license and a current deer harvest record.

All are available online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661, or at a license agent (list of agents available online).

All harvested deer must be reported through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours. Deer can be reported on the Outdoors GA app (which works regardless of cell service), at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com, or by calling 1-800-366-2661.

All deer hunters, including archers, are required to wear a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange above the waist during primitive weapons season.

More information in the 2023-2024 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide (eregulations.com/georgia/hunting/).

For more on deer hunting, including finding a meat processor, reviewing regulations, and maps (either sex day or the rut map), visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/deer-info.