Bussey Point 2023 Deer Hunt Dates

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, J. Strom Thurmond Project, Forest, Fish, and Wildlife section have set the dates for primitive weapons deer hunts in Bussey Point Corps Management Unit, located in Lincoln County.

The first 100 hunters to arrive each day will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Archery hunters are invited to participate in all scheduled hunts, too.

The hunts help to maintain the deer population within the carrying capacity for the area, improve herd quality, and to provide quality trophy opportunities. The 2,545-acre peninsula will open for scheduled hunts on the following dates in 2023:

Dates & Hunt Types
Oct.  20-21: Archery / Muzzleloader
Nov. 17-18: Archery / Muzzleloader
Dec. 15-16: Archery / Muzzleloader

Hunters will be checked in at the entrance gate and out at the check station located at the entrance gate. Hours of the hunts will be from one hour before sunrise through one hour after sundown. Hunters must be licensed in accordance with existing Georgia Department of Natural Resources Regulations. A Wildlife Management Area permit is not required for these hunts. The appropriate license(s) will be inspected and collected along with the vehicle tag number. The license(s) will be returned at check out. Upon checking out hunters must check their harvest in and provide survey answers before leaving the property.

The bag limit is two does and one quality buck each day of each hunt. Quality bucks are those with racks having 15-inch or more main beam length on at least one side, or a 14-inch or greater outside spread. These bag limits will be strictly enforced.  All state regulations, including harvest reporting, will be enforced. This is a non-quota hunt, meaning the harvest counts toward state bag limits.

Park visitors’ safety: If not hunting, park visitors should find other recreation areas to visit during the scheduled hunts. The management area will also be closed two days prior to each hunt, except to hunters scouting or placing deer stands. No weapons are allowed in Bussey Point on scouting days.

To reserve or obtain a campsite at Bussey Point Recreation Area, call 877.444.6777 or visit webpage at www.recreation.gov. For information regarding campgrounds and site availability near Bussey Point, please visit the J. Strom Thurmond Lake webpage at https://go.usa.gov/xfJUf.