Deer hunting season is one of the most highly anticipated times of the year for many in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Archers get the first opportunity at bringing home a deer beginning Saturday, Sept. 14.

Last year, 113,566 archery hunters harvested more than 60,190 deer. Statewide archery season runs through Oct. 11, although hunters may hunt deer with archery equipment through the entire deer season (Jan. 1 in Northern Zone and Jan. 15 in the Southern Zone).

Beginning this season, the number of firearms either-sex days is reduced in most counties. A few factors went into this decision, including the decline in the number of fawns that survive into fall and an increase in doe harvest rates.

Many public lands offer specialty hunts, including primitive weapons hunts, adult/child hunts and ladies-only hunts.

Dates and locations for these hunts are listed in the 2013-2014 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide.

Georgia offers more than 90 state-operated wildlife management areas (WMAs) for the public’s use.

Hunters are allowed a season bag limit of 10 antlerless deer and 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.

Special regulations apply to archery-only counties and extended archery season areas. Counties in the Metro Atlanta area (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties) offer either-sex archery deer hunting Sept. 14-Jan. 31.

To pursue deer in Georgia, hunters must have a valid hunting license, big game license and a current deer harvest record. If hunting on a WMA, a WMA license is required.

For more information on deer hunting seasons, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com.