The weeklong primitive weapons deer hunting season begins Saturday.
During primitive weapons season, hunters may use archery equipment, including crossbows, muzzle loading shotguns that are 20 gauge or larger and muzzle loading firearms that are .44 caliber or larger.
“Our primitive weapons deer season provides hunters the opportunity to hunt with traditional or inline black powder firearms or to continue hunting with archery gear,” said John Bowers, assistant chief of Game Management for the Wildlife Resources Division. “Hunters are allowed to hunt either-sex deer during this weeklong opportunity. Primitive weapons hunters have a wide variety of options depending on their personal choices and needs without being burdened by complex regulations.”
More than one million acres of public hunting land is available to hunters in Georgia, including more than 100 state-operated wildlife management areas where special hunts are offered throughout the season, including primitive weapons hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts are available in the 2009-2010 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide, and WMA maps are available at
www.gohuntgeorgia.com.
During the 2008 primitive weapons season, 58,264 hunters harvested 16,897 deer - a harvest rate that has remained relatively stable in recent years.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.
