Archery season begins this weekend for Georgia deer hunters. Deer hunting is the most popular form of hunting in the State of Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division and the first season of the various types begins this weekend.

Season dates for the various types of deer hunting are as follows:

Archery (either sex): September 9-October 13, 2006 (statewide)

Extended Archery (either sex): January 231, 2006 (only in Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett & Rockdale counties).

Primitive weapons (either sex): October 1420, 2006 (statewide)

Firearms (Northern Zone): October 21, 2006Jan. 1, 2007

Firearms (Southern Zone): October 21, 2006January 15, 2007

Over one million acres of public land on more than 90 state-operated wildlife management areas (WMA) and other state land is open for hunting. Information about these WMAs and other public lands is available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com.

Various WMAs offer special hunts throughout the season, including primitive weapons hunts, ladies only hunts and adult/child hunts. For dates and locations of special hunts, check the 2006-2007 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide available on the WRD website and at all WRD Offices and license agents. In addition to state-operated land, there is public National Forest land and private land available for hunting in Georgia. Hunters wishing to hunt on private property should get written landowner permission prior to hunting and have it with them while hunting.

Georgia sportsmen must possess a primitive weapons license and a big game license to hunt during the archery season and primitive weapons seasons, unless they possess a lifetime, honorary, or sportsman's license. A WMA license is required to hunt on a WMA. Hunters may take season total of 12 deer. No more than 10 may be antlerless deer and no more than two may be antlered bucks (one of which must have at least four points - one inch or longer - on one side of the antlers).

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