Big Hammock WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Big Hammock WMA is 7,315 acres of public hunting land in Tattnall County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 4). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 7, Oct. 11 to 23, Nov. 9 to Jan. 10; primitive, Oct. 8 to 10; firearms, Oct. 24 to Nov. 8. Hunters reported 29 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (17 bucks, 12 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 Hammock WMAOther WRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 7,315 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 34) |
|---|---|
| County | Tattnall County |
| WRD region | Region 4, office 229-426-5267 |
| WRD's listing | Natural Area |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 7, Oct. 11 to 23, Nov. 9 to Jan. 10. Primitive: Oct. 8 to 10. Firearms: Oct. 24 to Nov. 8 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 29 (17 bucks, 12 does) |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Glennville (8 mi), Odum (10 mi) and Surrency (11 mi) |
What is Big Hammock WMA like?
The Big Hammock Wildlife Management Area encompasses 7,221 acres of state-owned property. Hunting opportunities include deer, turkey and small game. This WMA consists of approximately 100 acres of wildlife openings, 1,121 acres of upland hardwood hammock, and 6,000 acres of bottomland hardwood and cypress forest. The main entrance is located off GA Highway 121 and the natural area walk-in entrance is to the north off Mack Phillips Road. Please do not block gates and keep all vehicles on open improved roads. Please note that the main gate will be closed if the Altamaha River is 9 feet or higher. Gates will remain closed after river gauge drops below 9' to allow for drying period before traffic is allowed on WMA roads; expect 7-10 days prior to gates opening.
WRD lists these facilities: boat ramp, canoe access and parking.
From WRD's page for Big Hammock WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Big Hammock 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. 7, Oct. 11 to 23, Nov. 9 to Jan. 10 |
| Deer, primitive | Oct. 8 to 10 |
| Deer, firearms | Oct. 24 to Nov. 8 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31. Feral hogs may be hunted and taken with dogs. |
| 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 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 Hammock WMA?
Hunters reported 29 deer on Big Hammock WMA in the 2025-26 season: 17 bucks and 12 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 25 deer a season, from 14 in 2024-25 to 34 in 2023-24.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 59 |
| 2024-25 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 43 |
| 2023-24 | 34 | 13 | 21 | 38 |
| 2022-23 | 34 | 18 | 16 | 53 |
| 2021-22 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 18 |
| 2020-21 | 27 | 19 | 8 | 70 |
| 2019-20 | 29 | 14 | 15 | 48 |
| 2018-19 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 47 |
| 2017-18 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 60 |
| 2016-17 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 58 |
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 Hammock WMA in?
All of Big Hammock WMA lies in Tattnall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tattnall County | 7,348 | 1,151 | 2.4 | 83rd |
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 Hammock WMA?
WRD gives this address: Big Hammock WMA Road, Odum, GA 31555 (GPS 31.865407, -82.086694). Highways through the area: GA 121, GA 144 and GA 169. Nearest towns: Glennville (8 miles), Odum (10 miles), Surrency (11 miles) and Reidsville (12 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists canoeing, lake fishing, river fishing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Moody Forest WMA (8.4 miles), Griffin Ridge WMA (11.3 miles), Morgan Lake WMA (15 miles) and Bullard Creek WMA (15.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Big Hammock WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Big Hammock WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 7, Oct. 11 to 23, Nov. 9 to Jan. 10; primitive, Oct. 8 to 10; firearms, Oct. 24 to Nov. 8. 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 Hammock WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Big Hammock 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 Hammock WMA last season?
29 deer were reported on Big Hammock WMA in the 2025-26 season, 17 bucks and 12 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Big Hammock WMA?
WRD's listing for Big Hammock WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is Big Hammock WMA in?
All of it is in Tattnall 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 Hammock 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 Tattnall County deer harvest