Big Lazer Creek WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Big Lazer Creek WMA is 7,200 acres of public hunting land in Talbot and Upson counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 5). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 4, Oct. 25 to Nov. 8; firearms, Youth Oct. 10 to 11; Oct. 22 to 24; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14; Specialty Nov. 20 to 22. Hunters reported 51 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (32 bucks, 19 does). WRD drew 2 quota hunts here in its 2025 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 2025 lottery reports.
Big Lazer Creek WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 7,200 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 34) |
|---|---|
| County | Talbot County, Upson County |
| WRD region | Region 5, office 229-430-4254 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 4, Oct. 25 to Nov. 8. Firearms: Youth Oct. 10 to 11; Oct. 22 to 24; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14; Specialty Nov. 20 to 22 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 51 (32 bucks, 19 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2025 lottery | 2, with 1,145 applications |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Woodland (6 mi), Thomaston (7 mi) and Talbotton (8 mi) |
What is Big Lazer Creek WMA like?
Big Lazer Creek Wildlife Management Area is located in Talbot and Upson counties. This 7,200-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game and waterfowl.
WRD lists these facilities: Big Lazer Creek Shooting Range, big lazer creek public fishing area, boat ramp, canoe access, dock, lake, picnic tables, primitive campsites and restrooms.
From WRD's page for Big Lazer Creek WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Big Lazer Creek 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, Oct. 25 to Nov. 8 |
| Deer, firearms | Antler Restricted Area Youth Oct. 10 to 11. Oct. 22 to 24 Bonus Nov. 12 to 14 Specialty Nov. 20 to 22 |
| Turkey | Apr. 17 to May 15 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Dove | Sept. 5, 12, Sept. 19 to Oct. 11, Nov. 22 to 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Waterfowl | BIG LAZER CREEK PFA: Wednesdays, Saturdays during State Seasons Legal hours end at noon. |
| 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 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.
Does Big Lazer Creek WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2025 lottery reports list 2 quota hunts on Big Lazer Creek WMA. The most applied for was 1st Hunt (turkey): 799 applicants for 51 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 799 | 51 | 479 | 6.4% | 4 |
| 2nd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 346 | 50 | 33 | 14.5% | 0 |
Source: WRD's 2025 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 Big Lazer Creek WMA?
Hunters reported 51 deer on Big Lazer Creek WMA in the 2025-26 season: 32 bucks and 19 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 23 deer a season, from 15 in 2022-23 to 51 in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 51 | 32 | 19 | 63 |
| 2024-25 | 25 | 13 | 12 | 52 |
| 2023-24 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 37 |
| 2022-23 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 27 |
| 2021-22 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 47 |
| 2020-21 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 52 |
| 2019-20 | 27 | 6 | 21 | 22 |
| 2018-19 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 56 |
| 2017-18 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 56 |
| 2016-17 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 29 |
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 Lazer Creek WMA in?
Big Lazer Creek 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talbot County | 5,696 | 1,914 | 4.9 | 32nd |
| Upson County | 1,359 | 1,662 | 5.1 | 44th |
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 Lazer Creek WMA?
WRD gives this address: 1541 Bunkham Road, Talbotton, GA 31827 (GPS 32.77419, -84.4045). Highways within 5 miles: GA 36, GA 22, US 80 and GA 3. Nearest towns: Woodland (6 miles), Thomaston (7 miles), Talbotton (8 miles) and Junction City (11 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists boating, camping, canoeing, lake fishing, river fishing, shooting range and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Sprewell Bluff WMA (3.4 miles), Chattahoochee Fall Line WMA (11.6 miles), Sandhills WMA (12.8 miles) and Joe Kurz WMA (20.5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Big Lazer Creek WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Big Lazer Creek WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 4, Oct. 25 to Nov. 8; firearms, Youth Oct. 10 to 11; Oct. 22 to 24; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14; Specialty Nov. 20 to 22. 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 Lazer Creek WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Big Lazer Creek WMA gives turkey: Apr. 17 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Big Lazer Creek WMA last season?
51 deer were reported on Big Lazer Creek WMA in the 2025-26 season, 32 bucks and 19 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Big Lazer Creek WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2025 lottery listed 2 quota hunts on Big Lazer Creek WMA, with 1,145 applications for 101 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Big Lazer Creek WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Big Lazer Creek WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Big Lazer Creek WMA in?
Talbot County (5,696 acres) and Upson County (1,359 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, Big Lazer Creek 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 Talbot County deer harvest Upson County deer harvest