Deer Hunting Around Lake Lanier

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages Lake Lanier and all the land along its borders.  The USACE also regulates deer hunting around Lake Lanier.

Two regions where deer hunting is allowable, under restrictions, are the Islands Deer Hunt and the Buford Dam Deer Hunt.  In order to ensure accurate information, we directly quote the USACE:

The Islands Deer Hunt

The Islands Deer Hunt at Lake Lanier is an archery-only hunt held on 18 specified islands and 3 peninsulas.  The 21 hunting areas range in size from 10 acres to 149 acres for a total of 1,100 acres.

This year’s hunts are scheduled for Nov. 8-11; Nov. 22-25; and Dec. 6-9.

Hunting areas are typically accessible by boat only.  The limit is one deer per day, per hunter.  Hunters must record all deer harvested through the Georgia Game Check.  State bag limits and harvest restrictions apply.  The Lake Lanier Islands Resort area is not included in this hunt.

For this hunt, the lake is divided into four zones.  Hunters are assigned one of the above hunting dates and a specific hunting zone.  Hunters are allowed to bring one hunting partner with them during their designated hunt.  A total of 60 hunters are selected; 5 hunters for each zone for each four-day hunt.  If each hunter takes a partner there is a total of 120 potential hunters.  Selected hunters are required to pay a $20 fee to obtain the permit.  Some statistics from the previous years are listed in the table below.

The Buford Dam Hunt

The Buford Dam Hunt is an archery-only hunt held on 600 acres of land around the Lake Lanier Project Management Office and Buford Dam and one 32 acre out-parcel at Burton Mill Park.

This year’s hunt is scheduled for Nov. 13-15 with a mandatory pre-hunt safety meeting for all hunters on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.  The limit is two deer, only one may be antlered.  Hunters must bring all deer harvested to a check station where the deer will be weighed and aged.  The GA DNR will also tag each deer harvested so hunters are not required to record them on their GA DNR deer harvest record.

For this hunt, the land is divided into 14 compartments.  Hunters are assigned a specific hunting compartment.  Hunters are allowed to bring one hunting partner with them during their hunt.  A total of 14 hunters are selected (1 hunter per compartment).  If each hunter takes a partner there is a total of 28 potential hunters.  Selected hunters are required to pay a $20 fee to obtain the permit.  Statistics from previous years are available in the table below.

How to Apply for Deer Hunting Around Lake Lanier

Permits are issued by a lottery drawing.  To be entered in the lottery drawing, hunters must apply by letter.  Letters must contain full name, address, phone number, email address (if available), and indicate the specific hunt(s) applied for.

Letters should be sent to: Operations Project Manager’s Office, Attn: Quota Hunts, P.O. Box 567, Buford, GA 30515-0567.  Letters must be received by October 10, 4:30 p.m.  Please, only one hunter per letter.

The Buford Dam Deer Hunt offers a preference for disabled veterans, but anyone can apply.  If you qualify for the disabled veteran’s preference, please indicate this in your letter.

Details on Deer Hunting Around Lake Lanier