New to Georgia, where to hunt turkeys this year?

[MissouriBoy]

Hello everyone. As the name states, I am originally from Missouri, and hunting turkeys is a big deal for me. Long story short, my wife is active duty Air Force so we are stationed here at Warner Robins, arrived in October from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I've already done some bow hunting out on the base, and hunted Oaky Woods back in December. (actually saw my first black bear in the woods, I was pretty excited!) My question is this, for anyone familiar with this area, are there any turkeys either around the base, or Oaky Woods? I've done some scouting, drove down and explored Andersonville and scouted around Oaky Woods probably a half dozen times, yet I have not seen any turkey sign anywhere.
I'm ready to put the Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag in the shoulder on a Georgia long-beard this Spring!

 

[antharper]

I’d say you are in a great area , Ocmulgee Wma would be a great choice also , most any piece of public land in Ga has turkey

 

[MissouriBoy]

Awesome thanks for the reply. I haven’t yet checked out Ocmulgee WMA, but after reading this I might head that way soon for some scouting.

 

[Arrow3]

You are definitely in a good area as I feel that part of the state has more turkeys then we do here in NE Georgia. If you ever find yourself around the Athens area I will tell you a place or two you can get on a bird . Good luck .

 

[Arrow3]

Oh yeah another thing. I've hunted Missouri , don't expect to hear anything like you're used to. I'm just happy to hear a bird a lot of mornings these days...

 

[Gaswamp]

yeah you got some good WMA's around you...if you need some help give me a holler

 

[LEGHORN]

That whole middle GA area has lots of birds. Was on a lease in Wilkinson County, it was turkey heaven. Like has been mentioned, many times these rascals here in GA are pretty tight-lipped.

 

[MissouriBoy]

That whole middle GA area has lots of birds. Was on a lease in Wilkinson County, it was turkey heaven. Like has been mentioned, many times these rascals here in GA are pretty tight-lipped.

Okay sounds like I will have a challenge this coming season! Is the reason they don’t gobble due to predators or just that it is warmer down here year round? In Missouri they typically start gobbling like crazy after the last cold snap.

 

[Arrow3]

Whole lot less birds is the main thing.

 

[Unicoidawg]

Whole lot less birds is the main thing.

That and the hunting pressure is 20x's more than Missouri.

 

[MissouriBoy]

That and the hunting pressure is 20x's more than Missouri.

Yikes! Well that makes it much more challenging. I like it!

 

[GLS]

Out of respect and consideration of those who have for years taken the time and effort to learn a specific WMA, if one is inclined to help the op, location information should be provided by PM, as has been offered, and not by disclosure on a public forum. Cyber scouting is prohibited in the Duck Forum and should be here. Gil

 

[MissouriBoy]

Out of respect and consideration of those who have for years taken the time and effort to learn a specific WMA, if one is inclined to help the op, location information should be provided by PM, as has been offered, and not by disclosure on a public forum. Cyber scouting is prohibited in the Duck Forum and should be here. Gil

Thanks for that info about cyber scouting. This is my first time being on a forum like this, and I have no social media so I’m not up on all the do’s and dont’s.

 

[GLS]

Here's a start: https://georgiawildlife.com/allwmas
There's an interactive map on each WMA that will show locations of all wma's in your area. The DNR also publishes reported kills on WMAs and county by county, public and private land. It's on the same page where turkey kills are reported by hunters. WMA kills are most likely underreported. Gil

 

[Throwback]

Within an hours drive of there are several good sized WMA’s with good turkey populations. Also look into piedmont NWR hunts in jones county for a little change of scenery

 

[MissouriBoy]

Within an hours drive of there are several good sized WMA’s with good turkey populations. Also look into piedmont NWR hunts in jones county for a little change of scenery

Thank you I will!

 

[QuackAttack101]

Here's an interactive map of the WMA's in GA. This will allow you to see what's close by.

https://georgiawildlife.com/locations/hunting



The game check results give you some kind of idea about turkey population density. Check out these two links too

https://gamecheckresults.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/?reportId=348

https://gadnrwrd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/6b454d3ca57044848222998c06412b9b

 

[MissouriBoy]

Here's an interactive map of the WMA's in GA. This will allow you to see what's close by.

https://georgiawildlife.com/locations/hunting



The game check results give you some kind of idea about turkey population density. Check out these two links too

https://gamecheckresults.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/?reportId=348

https://gadnrwrd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/6b454d3ca57044848222998c06412b9b

Outstanding! Thank you for this information!

 

[BASS1FUN]

In the late 90’s I was in the Guard and later worked as a contractor and I knew some guys that would kill them on the huntable land on the base, I had permits to hunt but never did. You also have Beaverdam, Bond Swamp,Ocmulgee

 

[MissouriBoy]

In the late 90’s I was in the Guard and later worked as a contractor and I knew some guys that would kill them on the huntable land on the base, I had permits to hunt but never did. You also have Beaverdam, Bond Swamp,Ocmulgee

That’s encouraging news! I hike and run a lot out there, so I’m always keeping an eye out.