Carters Lake WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Carters Lake WMA is 3,300 acres of public hunting land in Gilmer, Murray and Gordon counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 1). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Nov. 5, Nov. 9 to 13, Nov. 16 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Mobility-Impaired Nov. 6 to 8. Hunters reported 44 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (16 bucks, 28 does). WRD drew 1 quota hunt 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.
Carters Lake WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 3,300 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 35) |
|---|---|
| County | Gilmer County, Murray County, Gordon County |
| WRD region | Region 1, office 706-295-6041 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Nov. 5, Nov. 9 to 13, Nov. 16 to Jan. 1. Firearms: Bonus Mobility-Impaired Nov. 6 to 8 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 44 (16 bucks, 28 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2026 lottery | 1, with 161 applications |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | East Ellijay (4 mi), Ellijay (5 mi) and Talking Rock (8 mi) |
What is Carters Lake WMA like?
Located in the southern Appalachian foothills of north Georgia, Carter's Lake WMA is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. The 3,300-acre WMA consists of the land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surrounding the actual lake. Between the WMA and the Carter's Lake proper, this area provides over 6,000 acres of hunting and fishing opportunities as well as outdoor activities for visitors like hiking, mountain biking, camping and more. The DNR, Wildlife Resources Division manages the hunting component of the property while all other aspects are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. No ATVs are allowed on the property except by use of wheelchair-bound hunters during the wheelchair deer hunt. Wheelchair hunters must apply by letter to the U.S.
WRD lists these facilities: coosawattee-carter's lake archery range, beach, bike trails, boat ramp, canoe access, dock, hiking trails, lake, marina, museum, nature trails, picnic shelters, picnic sites and primitive campsites.
From WRD's page for Carters Lake WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Carters Lake 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 | Sept. 12 to Nov. 5, Nov. 9 to 13, Nov. 16 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer, firearms | Bonus Mobility-Impaired Nov. 6 to 8 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Rabbit Dog Training | Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays Nov. 4, 11, 13, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28, Dec. 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 23, 25, 26, 30, Jan. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30, Feb. 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27 |
| Coyote, small game weapons | May 16 to 31 |
| 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 35 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 Carters Lake WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2026 lottery reports list 1 quota hunt on Carters Lake WMA. The most applied for was Only Hunt, Bonus Either Sex, Youth, Firearms (youth deer): 161 applicants for 20 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only Hunt, Bonus Either Sex, Youth, Firearms | Youth deer, 2026 | 161 | 20 | 83 | 12.4% | 2 |
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 Carters Lake WMA?
Hunters reported 44 deer on Carters Lake WMA in the 2025-26 season: 16 bucks and 28 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 29 deer a season, from 14 in 2019-20 to 44 in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 44 | 16 | 28 | 36 |
| 2024-25 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 43 |
| 2023-24 | 38 | 12 | 26 | 32 |
| 2022-23 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 46 |
| 2021-22 | 35 | 17 | 18 | 49 |
| 2020-21 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 52 |
| 2019-20 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 43 |
| 2018-19 | 25 | 10 | 15 | 40 |
| 2017-18 | 27 | 14 | 13 | 52 |
| 2016-17 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 41 |
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 Carters Lake WMA in?
Carters Lake WMA spreads over 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilmer County | 5,890 | 1,417 | 3.3 | 60th |
| Murray County | 2,815 | 1,558 | 4.5 | 45th |
| Gordon County | 119 | 2,894 | 8.1 | 7th |
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 Carters Lake WMA?
WRD gives this address: 750 Powerhouse Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 (GPS 34.60564, -84.6671). Highways through the area: GA 136. Nearest towns: East Ellijay (4 miles), Ellijay (5 miles), Talking Rock (8 miles) and Fairmount (9 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Carters Lake WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists biking, canoeing, hiking, lake fishing, primitive camping, private boating, river fishing, water skiing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Coosawattee WMA (3.8 miles), Rich Mountain WMA (5.5 miles), Cohutta WMA (8.8 miles) and Dawson Forest WMA (14.2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Carters Lake WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Carters Lake WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Nov. 5, Nov. 9 to 13, Nov. 16 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Mobility-Impaired Nov. 6 to 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 Carters Lake WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Carters Lake 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 Carters Lake WMA last season?
44 deer were reported on Carters Lake WMA in the 2025-26 season, 16 bucks and 28 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Carters Lake WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2026 lottery listed 1 quota hunt on Carters Lake WMA, with 161 applications for 20 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Carters Lake WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Carters Lake WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Carters Lake WMA in?
Gilmer County (5,890 acres), Murray County (2,815 acres) and Gordon County (119 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, Carters Lake 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 Gilmer County deer harvest Murray County deer harvest Gordon County deer harvest