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Archery deer hunting season opens Sept. 12
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SOCIAL CIRCLE — Deer season is considered the most popular time of year for Georgia hunters, and this year archers get a peek at the herd beginning Saturday, Sept. 12.

Statewide archery season runs through Oct. 9, but special regulations apply for archery-only counties and extended archery season areas, and hunters should refer to the 2009-10 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com, at retail license agents or any Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division office.

More than one million acres of public hunting land is available to hunters, including more than 100 state-operated wildlife management areas where special hunts are offered throughout the season, including primitive weapons hunts, ladies-only hunts and adult/child hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts are available in the regulations guide, and WMA maps are available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com.

During the 2008-09 archery season, 91,234 hunters harvested more than 42,880 deer — a harvest rate that has remained relatively stable in recent years.

Hunters are allowed a season total 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). Under the new hunting and fishing license sales system, the primitive weapons license is no longer required to hunt during archery and primitive weapons seasons. However, a valid hunting license is required, as is a deer harvest record. In most cases, a separate WMA license is required to hunt on a WMA.

Georgia is considered the top destination in the country for non-resident hunters and continues to draw tens of thousands of deer hunters from across the country each year. The state’s quality deer herd and the more than one million available acres of public hunting land serve as the main appeal.

For more information on deer hunting seasons and regulations, go to www.gohuntgeorgia.com.

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