What Records Must Georgia Taxidermists Keep for Deer?

By MountChief Editorial Team|Updated Mar 2026

Georgia DNR requires licensed taxidermists to maintain intake records for all deer received for mounting. The records must include hunter license information and deer harvest data. Georgia's 15-week deer season generates one of the highest annual record volumes in the South, making a consistent documentation system important.

TL;DR

Georgia Department of Natural Resources requires taxidermists to hold a permit and maintain records for all wildlife received.
Georgia deer records must include the hunter's license number, harvest county, and date received.
Georgia has an extended archery and firearms deer season running from September through January in some zones.
Records must be available for DNR inspection and retained per current regulations.
Georgia is one of the top deer harvest states in the Southeast with significant intake volume.

What Georgia DNR Requires

Georgia taxidermists must document the following for every deer received:

Hunter information:

Hunter's name and contact information
Hunter's Georgia hunting license number (or out-of-state license for nonresident hunters)

Harvest information:

Deer kill tag number or license number associated with the harvest
Date the deer was received at the shop
Description of the specimen (species, mount type)

Taxidermist information:

Your Georgia taxidermist license number should appear on your records

Georgia DNR can inspect taxidermist records during field operations and at the shop. Officers don't need an appointment.

Record Retention in Georgia

Georgia law requires taxidermists to retain deer intake records for a minimum of 2 years. Best practice is to retain records for 5 years, since disputes and compliance reviews can arise well after the 2-year minimum.

With digital records, retention cost is essentially zero. There's no reason to keep records only to the minimum when digital storage extends the record indefinitely.

Georgia's Long Deer Season

Georgia's deer season runs from approximately mid-September through mid-January, making it one of the longest in the Southeast, roughly 15 weeks of continuous intake. For Georgia shops:

Early September archery creates the first intake wave in warm weather
November and December gun seasons create peak intake volume
January late season extends the intake arc

Managing documentation across a 15-week season requires a system that stays organized over an extended period. Paper records accumulated over 15 weeks become difficult to manage and search. Digital records remain instantly accessible regardless of season length.

Out-of-State Hunter Documentation

Georgia's hunting quality attracts out-of-state hunters, particularly for deer. When you accept a deer from a nonresident hunter:

Record their home state and out-of-state license number
Record their Georgia nonresident license number
Capture the harvest tag associated with their Georgia deer

Georgia DNR compliance inspections don't distinguish between in-state and out-of-state deer. Every deer needs the same documentation.

Taxidermist License Requirement

Georgia requires taxidermists to be licensed by Georgia DNR. Your license must be current at all times during operation. Accepting taxidermy work without a valid license is a separate compliance issue from record-keeping failures.

Renew your Georgia taxidermist license before it expires. Don't let a paperwork lapse put you in a compliance gap during season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What records does Georgia DNR require for deer taxidermy?

Georgia DNR requires taxidermists to maintain records including the hunter's license number, deer kill tag or harvest documentation, date of receipt, and the taxidermist's license information. Records must document every deer received for mounting. DNR can inspect these records without advance notice at any time, including during field operations.

How long must Georgia taxidermists retain deer harvest records?

Georgia law requires a minimum of 2 years retention for deer taxidermy records. Professional practice is to retain for 5 years since compliance questions can arise well after the 2-year minimum. Digital records are indefinitely accessible without additional storage burden.

Does Georgia require a taxidermy license for deer work?

Yes. Georgia requires a state taxidermist license issued by Georgia DNR to legally practice taxidermy in the state. Your license must be current and should appear on your intake records. Operating without a valid Georgia taxidermist license is a separate violation from any record-keeping issues.

What does Georgia DNR require for deer taxidermy intake records?

Georgia requires taxidermists to record the customer's name, address, hunting license number, species, harvest county, and date received. Georgia taxidermists must hold a current Wildlife Taxidermist Permit issued by DNR. Records must be available for inspection during business hours.

Does Georgia have CWD in deer that taxidermists need to document?

Georgia has active CWD surveillance but has not documented established CWD populations as of recent seasons. Harvest county documentation is still important for surveillance purposes and may become a more formal requirement if CWD is detected. Stay current with Georgia DNR guidance each season.

How does Georgia's long deer season affect taxidermist intake management?

Georgia's archery season typically opens September 12, one of the earliest in the Southeast, giving taxidermists an extended intake period. Volume ramps up through the November-December firearms seasons. The long season means Georgia shops need to manage intake and customer communication over a 4-5 month window rather than the 6-8 week compressed season common in northern states.

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Sources

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
US Fish & Wildlife Service

Get Started with MountChief

Georgia's extended deer season gives taxidermists a long intake window to manage, and every job needs complete DNR records from the first archery deer to the last January harvest. MountChief captures all required fields at intake and keeps records organized for inspection. Try MountChief before Georgia's September opener.