B.F. Grant WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
B.F. Grant WMA is 11,400 acres of public hunting land in Putnam and Morgan counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 3). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 4, Nov. 22 to Dec. 6; primitive, Dec. 17 to 20. Hunters reported 47 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (20 bucks, 27 does). WRD drew 5 quota hunts here in its 2026 lottery.
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.
B.F. Grant WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 11,400 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 33) |
|---|---|
| County | Putnam County, Morgan County |
| WRD region | Region 3, office 706-595-4222 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 4, Nov. 22 to Dec. 6. Primitive: Dec. 17 to 20 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 47 (20 bucks, 27 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2026 lottery | 5, with 6,245 applications |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Shady Dale (3 mi), Eatonton (6 mi) and Madison (8 mi) |
What is B.F. Grant WMA like?
B.F. Grant Wildlife Management Area is located near Eatonton with the majority of the property lying in Putnam County, and a small portion in Morgan County. This 11,400-acre property is owned by the University of Georgia, and has hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, dove, and waterfowl. It is managed as a quality deer area and thus antlered deer that are harvested must have at least 4 points (1-inch or longer) on either antler or a minimum 15-inch outside antler spread are legal. The property was originally the Central Georgia Experiment Station, and started as a WMA under that name in 1965. The WMA was changed to B.F. Grant in 1973, named after Bishop Franklin Grant. Grant was a Professor of Forestry at the University of Georgia from 1929 to 1965. He was inducted into the Georgia Foresters Hall of Fame in 1969. B.F. Grant is synonymous with quality deer and in November of 1974 Thomas Cooper harvested the largest buck ever on Georgia public land, a 215 7/8" non-typical Boone & Crockett. This deer was also the largest killed in North America that year. The property is home to a 45-acre waterfowl M.A.R.S.H. (Matching Aid to Restore State’s Habitats) project that was constructed in 1991. The project is a cooperative effort between DNR, Ducks Unlimited, and University of Georgia. The project consists of an open water pond, a green tree reservoir, and a moist soil impoundment. The B.F. Grant M.A.R.S.H. pond acts as a wintering refuge for waterfowl, and thus is not open for duck hunting.
WRD lists these facilities: campsites, dove field, lake (access controlled by UGA) and MARSH project.
From WRD's page for B.F. Grant WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on B.F. Grant 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 | Antler Restricted Area Sept. 12 to Oct. 4, Nov. 22 to Dec. 6 |
| Deer, primitive | Antler Restricted Area Dec. 17 to 20 |
| Turkey | Youth Apr. 3 to 9 Apr. 17 to May 15 |
| Dove | Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3 to 11, Nov. 22 to 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Waterfowl | Outside of MARSH Pond: Waterfowl allowed during state season dates that overlap with small game dates. No waterfowl hunting on MARSH Ponds outside of quota hunts. Shooting hours end at noon. |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Small Game | 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 33 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.
Does B.F. Grant WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2026 lottery reports list 5 quota hunts on B.F. Grant WMA. The most applied for was 1st Hunt, Bonus Quality Buck and Antlerless, Firearms (deer): 2,819 applicants for 300 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Hunt, Bonus Quality Buck and Antlerless, Firearms | Deer, 2026 | 2,819 | 300 | 1,610 | 10.6% | 3 |
| 2nd Hunt, Bonus Quality Buck and Antlerless, Firearms | Deer, 2026 | 1,739 | 301 | 400 | 17.3% | 1 |
| 1st Hunt | Waterfowl, 2026 | 513 | 3 | 302 | 0.6% | 10 |
| 2nd Hunt | Waterfowl, 2026 | 290 | 3 | 60 | 1% | 9 |
| Only Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 884 | 80 | 305 | 9% | 3 |
Source: WRD's 2026 quota lottery reports. "Share selected" is WRD's selected count divided by its applicant count for that year's lottery, not a forecast. "Priority points sure of a spot" is WRD's own column: applicants with at least that many priority points were selected; the rest went to a random draw.
How many deer are taken on B.F. Grant WMA?
Hunters reported 47 deer on B.F. Grant WMA in the 2025-26 season: 20 bucks and 27 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 36 deer a season, from 23 in 2021-22 to 51 in 2023-24.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 47 | 20 | 27 | 43 |
| 2024-25 | 31 | 7 | 24 | 23 |
| 2023-24 | 51 | 19 | 32 | 37 |
| 2022-23 | 39 | 19 | 20 | 49 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | 5 | 18 | 22 |
| 2020-21 | 41 | 17 | 24 | 41 |
| 2019-20 | 34 | 7 | 27 | 21 |
| 2018-19 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 46 |
| 2017-18 | 42 | 16 | 26 | 38 |
| 2016-17 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 38 |
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 B.F. Grant WMA in?
B.F. Grant WMA spreads over 2 counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | 13,650 | 1,740 | 5 | 40th |
| Morgan County | 463 | 1,743 | 5 | 38th |
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 B.F. Grant WMA?
WRD gives this address: 1462 Godfrey Road, Eatonton, GA 31024 (GPS 33.39221, -83.4915). Highways within 5 miles: GA 24, US 129, US 441 and GA 142. Nearest towns: Shady Dale (3 miles), Eatonton (6 miles), Madison (8 miles) and Buckhead (9 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists camping, lake fishing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Little River WMA (2.6 miles), Cedar Creek WMA (4.3 miles), Redlands WMA (9.1 miles) and Clybel WMA (10.1 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on B.F. Grant WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for B.F. Grant WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 4, Nov. 22 to Dec. 6; primitive, Dec. 17 to 20. 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 B.F. Grant WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for B.F. Grant WMA gives turkey: Youth Apr. 3 to 9; Apr. 17 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on B.F. Grant WMA last season?
47 deer were reported on B.F. Grant WMA in the 2025-26 season, 20 bucks and 27 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is B.F. Grant WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2026 lottery listed 5 quota hunts on B.F. Grant WMA, with 6,245 applications for 687 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on B.F. Grant WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for B.F. Grant WMA allows camping, with campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is B.F. Grant WMA in?
Putnam County (13,650 acres) and Morgan County (463 acres), measured on WRD's boundary.
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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, B.F. Grant 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.
Georgia hunting All Georgia WMAs Putnam County deer harvest Morgan County deer harvest