Blue Ridge WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Blue Ridge WMA is 20,900 acres of public hunting land in Fannin, Union and Lumpkin counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 2). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Buck Only: Sept. 12 to 25, Oct. 3 to 9; firearms, Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 2 to 5; Buck Only: Nov. 11 to 14, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1; Bear Only: Sept. 26 to Oct. 2. Hunters reported 38 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (32 bucks, 6 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.
Blue Ridge WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 20,900 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 34) |
|---|---|
| County | Fannin County, Union County, Lumpkin County, Gilmer County |
| WRD region | Region 2, office 770-535-5700 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Buck Only: Sept. 12 to 25, Oct. 3 to 9. Firearms: Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 2 to 5; Buck Only: Nov. 11 to 14, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1; Bear Only: Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 38 (32 bucks, 6 does) |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Morganton (10 mi), Dahlonega (12 mi) and Blue Ridge (12 mi) |
What is Blue Ridge WMA like?
Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area is located in Fannin, Union, and Lumpkin counties. This 20,900-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey and small game. Over 31 miles of hiking trails are open to the public. This property is owned by the U.S. Forest Service who manages all non-hunting aspects of their property such as roads, recreation, and land management. Vehicle Usage: ATVs and UTVs are not allowed on U.S. Forest Service roads. They may only be used on roads/trails designated specifically for their use. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd1154774 . Check Road Closures: Road closures due to damage or weather-related conditions for this property will be listed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/alerts .
WRD lists these facilities: hiking trails, lake and primitive campsites.
From WRD's page for Blue Ridge WMA.
Nearly all of the area lies on national forest land, measured on the U.S. Forest Service map. On national forest land the Forest Service runs the roads and campgrounds; WRD runs the hunting.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Blue Ridge 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 and bear, archery | Buck Only: Sept. 12 to 25, Oct. 3 to 9 |
| Deer and bear, firearms | Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 2 to 5 Buck Only: Nov. 11 to 14, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 Bear Only: Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Small Game | State Seasons |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31. Feral hogs may be hunted with dogs. |
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 Blue Ridge WMA?
Hunters reported 38 deer on Blue Ridge WMA in the 2025-26 season: 32 bucks and 6 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 35 deer a season, from 21 in 2019-20 to 49 in 2017-18.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 38 | 32 | 6 | 84 |
| 2024-25 | 33 | 31 | 2 | 94 |
| 2023-24 | 45 | 36 | 9 | 80 |
| 2022-23 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 80 |
| 2021-22 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 100 |
| 2020-21 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 100 |
| 2019-20 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 95 |
| 2018-19 | 28 | 19 | 9 | 68 |
| 2017-18 | 49 | 44 | 5 | 90 |
| 2016-17 | 45 | 33 | 12 | 73 |
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 Blue Ridge WMA in?
Blue Ridge WMA spreads over 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fannin County | 20,232 | 1,740 | 4.5 | 39th |
| Union County | 2,523 | 1,755 | 5.4 | 37th |
| Lumpkin County | 222 | 1,172 | 4.1 | 80th |
| Gilmer County | 69 | 1,417 | 3.3 | 60th |
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 Blue Ridge WMA?
WRD gives this address: 905 Rock Creek Road, Suches, GA 30572 (GPS 34.74211, -84.1537). Highways within 5 miles: GA 60 and GA 180. Nearest towns: Morganton (10 miles), Dahlonega (12 miles), Blue Ridge (12 miles) and Ellijay (13 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists hiking, lake & river fishing, camping and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Coopers Creek WMA (next to it), Rich Mountain WMA (3.6 miles), Cochrans Creek WMA (5.2 miles) and Chestatee WMA (6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Blue Ridge WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Blue Ridge WMA: archery, Buck Only: Sept. 12 to 25, Oct. 3 to 9; firearms, Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 2 to 5; Buck Only: Nov. 11 to 14, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1; Bear Only: Sept. 26 to Oct. 2. 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 Blue Ridge WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge WMA last season?
38 deer were reported on Blue Ridge WMA in the 2025-26 season, 32 bucks and 6 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Blue Ridge WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Blue Ridge WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Blue Ridge WMA in?
Fannin County (20,232 acres), Union County (2,523 acres), Lumpkin County (222 acres) and Gilmer County (69 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, Blue Ridge 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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