Deer hunters must know the rules
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Whether hunting with a bow, primitive weapon or dogs, deer hunters preparing to take to the woods this month should be aware of the rules and regulations governing the sport and follow them so as to avoid safety risks and citations by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rangers.

Bow season is already in full swing and will continue until Oct. 12 with primitive weapon season set to run Oct. 13-19. Dog hunters will get their turn Oct. 20-Jan. 15, 2008.

Hunting laws of which all deer hunters should be aware include the following.

• 500 or more square inches of fluorescent orange, above the waist, must be worn at all times;

• Hunters must have written permission on their person if they are hunting on property that does not belong to them or a family member;

• Dog hunters must have an additional license other than the normal big game license;

• Dog hunters must have written permission from the property owner to retrieve game, look for lost dogs or run dogs;

• Hunters are not permitted to park or stop on public roads, dirt or paved;

• All deer hunters must observe the bag limit of 12 deer, only two of which can be antlered bucks with one of the two having at least four points on one side; and

• Hunters must wait 10 days before hunting areas where deer have been fed.

DNR officials also call attention to safety issues for hunters using deer stands. Hunters should always unload their weapons, climb their stands and then pull the weapon up to them using a string or rope. The weapon should be unloaded and lowered in a similar manner before the hunter climbs down the stand.

Violators of the rules and regulations may have their hunting equipment, and in some cases, vehicles confiscated by DNR rangers in addition to receiving hunting citations.

For more information, access the Internet website www.gohuntgeorgia. com.