Big Dukes Pond WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Big Dukes Pond WMA is 1,692 acres of public hunting land in Jenkins County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 4). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, Dec. 1 to Jan. 10; primitive weapons, Oct. 10 to 16; firearms, Oct. 17 to Nov. 30. Hunters reported 32 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (18 bucks, 14 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.
Big Dukes Pond WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 1,692 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 34) |
|---|---|
| County | Jenkins County |
| WRD region | Region 4, office 706-595-4222 |
| WRD's listing | Natural Area |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, Dec. 1 to Jan. 10. Primitive weapons: Oct. 10 to 16. Firearms: Oct. 17 to Nov. 30 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 32 (18 bucks, 14 does) |
| Camping | Not allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Millen (7 mi), Midville (10 mi) and Garfield (14 mi) |
What is Big Dukes Pond WMA like?
Big Dukes Pond WMA is a conservation area situated on 1,692 acres of coastal plain with a Carolina bay near Millen. This WMA offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game and waterfowl. No camping is allowed on the property. Horses and ATVs are also prohibited.
From WRD's page for Big Dukes Pond WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Big Dukes Pond 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. 9, Dec. 1 to Jan. 10 |
| Deer, primitive weapons | Oct. 10 to 16 |
| Deer, firearms | Oct. 17 to Nov. 30 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Waterfowl | Wednesdays, Saturdays during statewide season. Shooting hours end at noon. |
Source: WRD WMA hunting opportunities, 2026-27 season (FY27). The area's full listing in the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, page 34 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 Big Dukes Pond WMA?
Hunters reported 32 deer on Big Dukes Pond WMA in the 2025-26 season: 18 bucks and 14 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 38 deer a season, from 18 in 2024-25 to 55 in 2017-18.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 32 | 18 | 14 | 56 |
| 2024-25 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 56 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | 13 | 15 | 46 |
| 2022-23 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 61 |
| 2021-22 | 47 | 21 | 26 | 45 |
| 2020-21 | 35 | 19 | 16 | 54 |
| 2019-20 | 43 | 22 | 21 | 51 |
| 2018-19 | 40 | 24 | 16 | 60 |
| 2017-18 | 55 | 29 | 26 | 53 |
| 2016-17 | 41 | 20 | 21 | 49 |
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 Big Dukes Pond WMA in?
All of Big Dukes Pond WMA lies in Jenkins 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenkins County | 1,689 | 865 | 2.5 | 107th |
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 Big Dukes Pond WMA?
WRD gives this address: 2016 Old Louisville Road, Millen, GA 30442 (GPS 32.8863, -82.035051). Highways within 5 miles: GA 17, US 25 and GA 121. Nearest towns: Millen (7 miles), Midville (10 miles), Garfield (14 miles) and Waynesboro (14 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Big Dukes Pond WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Di-Lane WMA (4.3 miles), Alexander WMA (10.5 miles), Hiltonia WMA (17.7 miles) and Mead Farm WMA (18.4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Big Dukes Pond WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Big Dukes Pond WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, Dec. 1 to Jan. 10; primitive weapons, Oct. 10 to 16; firearms, Oct. 17 to Nov. 30. 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 Big Dukes Pond WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Big Dukes Pond WMA gives turkey: Apr. 3 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Big Dukes Pond WMA last season?
32 deer were reported on Big Dukes Pond WMA in the 2025-26 season, 18 bucks and 14 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Big Dukes Pond WMA?
No. WRD's page for Big Dukes Pond WMA says camping is not allowed on the area.
What county is Big Dukes Pond WMA in?
All of it is in Jenkins County, by 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, Big Dukes Pond 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.
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