WMAs, NFs And Other Public Land That Is Not "Quota"

[Big7]

I'm new to trying to hunt "public land" and the reg book is pretty confusing.

Looking for WMAs and National Forest land to hunt in Georgia, preferably with a primitive campground that's not quota. In other words, just show up with a valid license and hunt.

I'm not looking for anyone's spot just the names of some WMAs and NFs to hunt.

Thanks In Advance.

 

[sb1010]

What part of the state?

 

[chiefbaron]

What part of the state?

Somewhere in the Eastern Time Zone, maybe..... Don't you know the first rule of GON huntin/fishin is to never talk about locations.

 

[ChidJ]

Interactive Hunting Map | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Use this interactive map to find hunting locations near you. View lists of properties instead:Wildlife Management Areas | Public Fishing Areas | Firearm/Archery Ranges | Hatcheries | Education Centers

georgiawildlife.com

WMA Regulations: A-C - Georgia Hunting

Legend Sign-in required for all bear, deer, and turkey hunts unless otherwise noted for a specific area. s Sign-in b Bonus Deer hunt (see Public Hunting Opportunities ) C Youth Hunt (see Youth Hunts ) Q Quota Hunt (see Quota Hunts ) a Archery Only Area H C Specialty Hunt (see Dove & Specialty Hunts…

www.eregulations.com

Use these two things to figure it out (click the link to open the map in a new tab. its much more user friendly than in the window). When you go to a WMA, you need to check in. You can do it online, in the app, or with a pen at the kiosk which you can find on the linked map for wherever you are intending to go.

Find your prospective hunt area in the regulations and it will have the dates there that you can hunt.

I'll use the Alapaha WMA as its the first on alphabetically for an example. If you want to hunt deer by archery, you can do so between Sep 9 and Oct 22 and all you need to do is check in once.

Hope this helps.

 

[RamblinWreck88]

1. Look up your WMA
2. Look for this "Q" which is for "Quota Hunt"
3. If there ain't no "Q," then there ain't no quota hunt.
4. If there is a "Q," then the quota hunt dates will be listed.

 

[Big7]

What part of the state?

Prefer south of Athens and north of Macon but I will go south if there is camping on the property or nearby.

Don't care much for the mountains, not for hunting anyway.
Thanks

 

[Big7]

1. Look up your WMA
2. Look for this "Q" which is for "Quota Hunt"
3. If there ain't no "Q," then there ain't no quota hunt.
4. If there is a "Q," then the quota hunt dates will be listed.View attachment 1255841View attachment 1255842

So if it has ANY date(s) with a "Q" then it's closed for everyone else for the rest of the season?

 

[RamblinWreck88]

So if it has ANY date(s) with a "Q" then it's closed for everyone else for the rest of the season?

If all it has is a "Q", then yes. But in some cases, as shown below, there is a quota hunt as well as a regular hunt (see blue arrow)

 

[Milkman]

Contact or drive to the Oconee National Forest office on 441/129 just south of the Rock Eagle main entrance. They can point you to many thousands of acres of hunting and camping.

Be mindful that not all public land has the same season as private land.

 

[ChidJ]

Oconee WMA for Archery is same as the state season. Makes it easy and its in the area you are looking at

 

[RamblinWreck88]

Contact or drive to the Oconee National Forest office on 441/129 just south of the Rock Eagle main entrance. They can point you to many thousands of acres of hunting and camping.

Be mindful that not all public land has the same season as private land.

Heck, I wish I was closer to Oconee NF

 

[Big7]

If all it has is a "Q", then yes. But in some cases, as shown below, there is a quota hunt as well as a regular hunt (see blue arrow)View attachment 1255878

So, in the example you have above, McGraw Ford the Deer & Bear, turkey on the Apr 13, 14 and 15, Dove, Waterfowl and Coyote would be open to everyone, but just on the dates listed? I think I got it now. Thank You Very Much.

 

[Milkman]

Heck, I wish I was closer to Oconee NF

Motels in Madison

 

[RamblinWreck88]

So, in the example you have above, McGraw Ford the Deer & Bear, turkey on the Apr 13, 14 and 15, Dove, Waterfowl and Coyote would be open to everyone, but just on the dates listed? I think I got it now. Thank You Very Much.

Thats correct, except that the Turkey season runs April 13th - May 15th.

 

[Big7]

Thats correct, except that the Turkey season runs April 13th - May 15th.

Got it now!! Thank You Very Much !!!

 

[bfriendly]

Got it now!! Thank You Very Much !!!

Hey big7, the other date to watch out for is the specialty hunts. I’m pretty sure those are for the kids.
If you see a B, that’s a Bonus hunt and you can go hunt Those dates and NOT record on your harvest tally! I’d look for Bonus hunts and see if you can make any of those. Most I’m finding are when I will be in Kentucky.

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

@Big7 South of Athens gets you Redlands WMA which is large, has multiple campsites, and is open for the majority of the season without a quota, or drive a bit farther south to Oconee WMA which is open for the entire state season for archery with about 4 or 5 weeks of open rifle dates.
You can also look at Cedar Creek, it has a lot more closed dates so check the regs.

 

[Big7]

@Big7 South of Athens gets you Redlands WMA which is large, has multiple campsites, and is open for the majority of the season without a quota, or drive a bit farther south to Oconee WMA which is open for the entire state season for archery with about 4 or 5 weeks of open rifle dates.
You can also look at Cedar Creek, it has a lot more closed dates so check the regs.

Killed 2 Turkey there about 10 years ago.
It's less than an hour for me so I'm definitely going to scope it out.

Thanks very much.

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

Between ONF and all the WMAs there's well over 100,000 acres of public land over in that part of the state so i think you'll be able to find a few. Good luck.

 

[35 Whelen]

I'm new to trying to hunt "public land" and the reg book is pretty confusing.

Looking for WMAs and National Forest land to hunt in Georgia, preferably with a primitive campground that's not quota. In other words, just show up with a valid license and hunt.

I'm not looking for anyone's spot just the names of some WMAs and NFs to hunt.

Thanks In Advance.

If you are going to hunt public land, read below.

This was written by Georgia DNR Deer biologist Charlie Killmaster. It was written in 2012 so some things have changed, such as there are no longer "check in" hunts, they are now "bonus" hunts, however if you carefully read the public land section in the regulations booklet along with this post you will be well on your way to understanding public land hunting in Georgia. When I lived in Gwinnett County I hunted public land almost exclusively for many years and if you are willing to do what is necessary, public land hunting can be very good. Also, if you decide to hunt in the North Georgia mountains, read the bear hunting section on this forum, there is a tremendous amount of information available there for bear, deer, and hog hunting in the mountains, whether WMA ot National Forest.

Beginner’s Guide to Hunting Public Land

Step 1- Pick up a copy of the current Guide to Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations (hereinafter “Guide”) or look at the guide on the web at www.georgiawildlife.com Step 2- In the Guide, find the General WMA Regulations. Read this whole section 3 times. There are several things you may...

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