The wait is almost over for hunters as firearms deer hunting season begins Saturday, Oct. 19 and lasts through Jan. 1 in the Northern Zone and in the Southern Zone, through Jan. 15. “Regulated hunting is the most cost-effective and efficient means of managing the deer herd,” John W. Bowers, chief of game management for the Wildlife Resources Division, said. “In addition, deer hunting provides an economic benefit in excess of $890 million to the state.”