Alapaha River WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Alapaha River WMA is 6,870 acres of public hunting land in Irwin County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 4). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 18; firearms, Oct. 24 to 25, Nov. 25 to 29, Dec. 15 to 20; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14. Hunters reported 96 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (45 bucks, 51 does).
Data updated October 2026. Seasons: WRD's 2026-27 WMA listings. Harvest: WRD Game Check reports to the 2025-26 season. Quota hunts: WRD's 2026 lottery reports.
Alapaha River WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 6,870 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 32) |
|---|---|
| County | Irwin County |
| WRD region | Region 4, office 229-426-5267 |
| WRD's listing | Natural Area |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 18. Firearms: Oct. 24 to 25, Nov. 25 to 29, Dec. 15 to 20; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 96 (45 bucks, 51 does) |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Enigma (6 mi), Ocilla (6 mi) and Tifton (8 mi) |
What is Alapaha River WMA like?
The Alapaha River Wildlife Management Area encompasses 6,870 acres of state-owned land. The WMA consists of approximately 4,726 acres of upland pine forest and 2,143 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, creek drains, and cypress/gum wetlands. Please do not block gates and keep all vehicles on open improved roads. Roads that are not open to motorized vehicles are posted with a sign stating “No Vehicle Access”. Please remember that all wildlife species, including snakes, are protected unless their take is specifically authorized in the WMA regulations.
WRD lists these facilities: ponds, primitive campsites and river access.
From WRD's page for Alapaha River WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Alapaha River WMA?
WRD sets each WMA's own dates. These are WRD's 2026-27 dates and notes for the area, as printed:
| Season | 2026-27 dates and WRD's notes |
|---|---|
| Deer, archery | Sept. 12 to Oct. 18 |
| Deer, firearms | Oct. 24 to 25, Nov. 25 to 29, Dec. 15 to 20 Bonus Nov. 12 to 14 |
| Turkey | Apr. 10 to May 15 |
| Dove | Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, Nov. 21 to Nov. 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Small Game | State Seasons |
| Waterfowl | State Seasons |
Source: WRD WMA hunting opportunities, 2026-27 season (FY27). The area's full listing in the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, page 32 adds its quota, youth and special hunts and its area notes, and is the final word. WRD can change a hunt during the year: check WRD's page for the area before you go.
How many deer are taken on Alapaha River WMA?
Hunters reported 96 deer on Alapaha River WMA in the 2025-26 season: 45 bucks and 51 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 55 deer a season, from 36 in 2021-22 to 96 in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 96 | 45 | 51 | 47 |
| 2024-25 | 60 | 32 | 28 | 53 |
| 2023-24 | 50 | 19 | 31 | 38 |
| 2022-23 | 52 | 27 | 25 | 52 |
| 2021-22 | 36 | 16 | 20 | 44 |
| 2020-21 | 47 | 21 | 26 | 45 |
| 2019-20 | 48 | 25 | 23 | 52 |
| 2018-19 | 59 | 18 | 41 | 31 |
| 2017-18 | 60 | 26 | 34 | 43 |
| 2016-17 | 40 | 27 | 13 | 68 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by WMA. Deer from bonus hunts are tagged at the check station and may not be in Game Check's count. WRD records the 2026-27 season as it goes; it is left out until it ends.
Which county is Alapaha River WMA in?
All of Alapaha River WMA lies in Irwin County. Each county's deer harvest for 2025-26, for the whole county, private land included:
| County | WMA acres in it | County deer reported, 2025-26 | Deer per square mile | Rank of 159 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irwin County | 6,886 | 1,123 | 3.2 | 84th |
County harvest: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check). WMA acres in each county measured by FilledTag on WRD's boundary map and the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries; the mapped boundary can take in water or tracts that WRD's stated acreage leaves out.
How do you get to Alapaha River WMA?
WRD gives this address: 1900 Tifton Highway, Ocilla, GA 31774 (GPS 31.5392, -83.3888). Highways within 5 miles: GA 35, US 319, GA 520 and US 82. Nearest towns: Enigma (6 miles), Ocilla (6 miles), Tifton (8 miles) and Alapaha (10 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists fishing, wildlife viewing and river fishing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Flat Tub WMA (31.1 miles), Doerun Pitcher Plant Bog WMA (31.4 miles), Horse Creek WMA (32.1 miles) and Grand Bay WMA (34.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Alapaha River WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Alapaha River WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 18; firearms, Oct. 24 to 25, Nov. 25 to 29, Dec. 15 to 20; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14. WMA dates can differ from the statewide dates, and sign-in is required for deer hunts unless WRD's listing says otherwise.
When is turkey season on Alapaha River WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Alapaha River WMA gives turkey: Apr. 10 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Alapaha River WMA last season?
96 deer were reported on Alapaha River WMA in the 2025-26 season, 45 bucks and 51 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Alapaha River WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Alapaha River WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Alapaha River WMA in?
All of it is in Irwin County, by WRD's boundary.
Get a Georgia hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Georgia are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Georgia included.
Where these numbers come from
- Seasons and notes: WRD WMA hunting opportunities, 2026-27 season (FY27); general WMA rules: 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, pages 19 to 21.
- Deer harvest by WMA and county: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check).
- Quota hunts: WRD quota hunt lottery reports, 2026.
- Area description, facilities and address: WRD, Alapaha River WMA. Boundary and acres: WRD WMA boundaries.
- Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer. National forest and refuges: U.S. Forest Service national forest ownership; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries.
FilledTag is not part of Georgia DNR. Numbers are copied from WRD or measured from public maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.