Firearms Season for Deer Opens Saturday
The Georgia deer firearms season opens this Saturday, Oct. 20 and continues through Jan. 13, 2019 statewide, and in Jasper County the whitetail deer is celebrated.
Jasper County is the Deer Capital of Georgia, and we celebrate with an annual Deer Festival, set for Saturday, Nov. 3, on the Square. Prior to that, hunters submit their trail camera photos to Deer Capital, and they are posted on Facebook. The one each week with the most likes and shares is submitted to The News for publication. At the Deer Festival, whichever photo has received the most notoriety will win a trail cam as well as a Monticello News t-shirt and Deer Festival t-shirt.
“Hunting is a grand tradition in Georgia, with all types of people participating,” said Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division. “It is an exciting activity enjoyed by many, and Georgia has one of the longest deer seasons, with a deer harvest that is sustainably among the highest, and with quality bucks.”
During firearms deer season last year, more than 321,000 hunters harvested almost 310,000 deer in the state. The use of regulated deer hunting ensures that Georgia’s deer population continues to be healthy and strong.
Hunters are allowed a harvest of up to 10 antlerless deer, and no more than two antlered deer (with one of the two antlered deer having a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers).
To pursue deer in Georgia, hunters must have a valid hunting license, a big game license and a current deer harvest record. Licenses can be purchased online at https://gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661 or at a license agent (list of agents available online).
The Deer Festival will feature a venison cook-off, sponsored by the Monticello Civic Club, and an arts and crafts festival with plenty of entertainment throughout the day. It all begins with a fun run at 7:30 a.m., followed by a 5K at 8 a.m.
Vendors have their wares ready to sale by 9 a.m,. and the festivities begin. Runners get their awards, then the entertainment begins.
The Monticello News will publish a special section outlining all things Deer Festival on Thursday, Nov. 1. Extra copies of the section will be printed, so it’s a good opportunity for advertisers to have their ad seen, and read by locals and all the out-of-town visitors.
Call Jenny Murphy at The Monticello News, 706-468-6511 to be included.
The section will also include photos of successful deer hunters with their kill. Please submit photos in person at The News office 247 West Washington St., Monticello, or e-mai l to info@themonticellonews.com.
For more information on the special newspaper section, call us. For more information on the Deer Festival, call the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce at 706-468-8994.’
