In continuation of efforts to address an overpopulation of white-tailed deer in the south portion of Forsyth County, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has approved an
urban deer management program for this fall.
FORSYTH CO. NEWS RELEASE:
The fall archery hunt program, installed in 2024, was deemed necessary to minimize resulting damage
to the natural habitat and landscaping as well as impacts to deer herd health and an increase in
deer/vehicle collisions.
The program is a joint venture between Forsyth County and the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources Urban Deer Management Program. The program will include two archery hunts to be held
between dawn and dusk on Oct. 4-5 (Forsyth County youth residents only) and Nov. 1-2 (open to all
Forsyth County residents). The hunts will take place on approximately 287 acres of land, the site of the
County’s Shakerag Water Reclamation facility (545 Kemp Road).
“After receiving a number of complaints from residents in the south Forsyth area about deer destroying
their landscaping and deer-related vehicle accidents, we reached out the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) to discuss options that have been successful not only in Georgia but also across the
United States,” said Assistant County Manager Tony Tarnacki. “We were able to implement the urban deer management program with two weekends of archery hunts last fall with success. The program showed that it not only can have an impact on curbing over- population to the deer population in the area, but it also gives a unique opportunity to engage residents, especially the youth, in outdoor recreation and the positive experiences that come from it.”
The first hunt on Oct. 4-5 is intended to allow youth participation and will allow 16 Forsyth County
residents between 10 and 17 years old, to sign up for participation when accompanied by an adult.
The second hunt on Nov. 1-2 will allow an additional 16 Forsyth County residents ages 18 and up to
sign up for participation.