Cedar Creek WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Cedar Creek WMA is 41,000 acres of public hunting land in Putnam, Jones and Jasper counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 3). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 21, Oct. 25 to Nov. 11, 15 to 22, Dec. 14 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Oct. 22 to 24; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14; Specialty Nov. 23 to 29; Buck Only: Nov. 30 to Dec. 13. Hunters reported 107 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (49 bucks, 58 does). WRD drew 1 quota hunt 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.
Cedar Creek WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 41,000 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 35) |
|---|---|
| County | Putnam County, Jones County, Jasper County |
| WRD region | Region 3, office 706-595-4222 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 21, Oct. 25 to Nov. 11, 15 to 22, Dec. 14 to Jan. 1. Firearms: Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Oct. 22 to 24; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14; Specialty Nov. 23 to 29; Buck Only: Nov. 30 to Dec. 13 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 107 (49 bucks, 58 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2025 lottery | 1, with 908 applications |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Eatonton (3 mi), Shady Dale (7 mi) and Gray (8 mi) |
What is Cedar Creek WMA like?
Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area is owned by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and is located on the Oconee National Forest in Putnam, Jones, and Jasper counties. It was established in 1949 and is one of the oldest wildlife management areas in the state. This 41,000-acre property has hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, and dove. Many visitors will recognize the historic white house next to the check station which is known as the Cox-Mathis House. The house was built in the early 1800s by Reverend Cary Cox Sr., who was a Revolutionary War veteran. It is thought that during the Civil War the home may have housed some of General Sherman’s forces as they made their way to Savannah. The house was later sold to the USFS around 1934. Cedar Creek has a 100-yard firearms range that was constructed in 2011. The project was a joint effort between US Forest Service, DNR, National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Quail Unlimited. The range is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. This is an unstaffed range. 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: Cedar Creek Shooting Range, campsites, dove fields, lake, picnic site and picnic shelter.
From WRD's page for Cedar Creek 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 Cedar 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 | Sept. 12 to Oct. 21, Oct. 25 to Nov. 11, 15 to 22, Dec. 14 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer, firearms | Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Oct. 22 to 24 Bonus Nov. 12 to 14 Specialty Nov. 23 to 29 Buck Only: Nov. 30 to Dec. 13 |
| Turkey | Apr. 10 to May 15 |
| Dove | Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3 to 11, Nov. 21 to 22, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Small Game | State Seasons |
| Waterfowl | Waterfowl allowed during state season dates that overlap with small game dates. |
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 Cedar Creek WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2025 lottery reports list 1 quota hunt on Cedar Creek WMA. The most applied for was Only Hunt, Firearms (turkey): 908 applicants for 100 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only Hunt, Firearms | Turkey, 2025 | 908 | 100 | 397 | 11% | 3 |
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 Cedar Creek WMA?
Hunters reported 107 deer on Cedar Creek WMA in the 2025-26 season: 49 bucks and 58 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 81 deer a season, from 55 in 2018-19 to 116 in 2023-24.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 107 | 49 | 58 | 46 |
| 2024-25 | 91 | 30 | 61 | 33 |
| 2023-24 | 116 | 49 | 67 | 42 |
| 2022-23 | 85 | 31 | 54 | 36 |
| 2021-22 | 69 | 35 | 34 | 51 |
| 2020-21 | 91 | 49 | 42 | 54 |
| 2019-20 | 66 | 34 | 32 | 52 |
| 2018-19 | 55 | 37 | 18 | 67 |
| 2017-18 | 61 | 35 | 26 | 57 |
| 2016-17 | 68 | 31 | 37 | 46 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by WMA, adding WRD's lines for Cedar Creek WMA and Cedar Creek WMA - Little River Area. 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 Cedar Creek WMA in?
Cedar Creek 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | 25,049 | 1,740 | 5 | 40th |
| Jones County | 13,652 | 1,471 | 3.7 | 54th |
| Jasper County | 2,662 | 1,871 | 5.1 | 33rd |
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 Cedar Creek WMA?
WRD gives this address: 162 Checking Station Road, Eatonton, GA 31024 (GPS 33.22944, -83.5238). Highways through the area: GA 212, GA 16, GA 44 and US 129. Nearest towns: Eatonton (3 miles), Shady Dale (7 miles), Gray (8 miles) and Monticello (8 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Cedar Creek WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists camping, shooting and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Little River WMA (next to it), B.F. Grant WMA (4.3 miles), Rum Creek WMA (9.6 miles) and Clybel WMA (12 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Cedar Creek WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Cedar Creek WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 21, Oct. 25 to Nov. 11, 15 to 22, Dec. 14 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Oct. 22 to 24; Bonus Nov. 12 to 14; Specialty Nov. 23 to 29; Buck Only: Nov. 30 to Dec. 13. 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 Cedar Creek WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Cedar Creek WMA gives turkey: Apr. 10 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Cedar Creek WMA last season?
107 deer were reported on Cedar Creek WMA in the 2025-26 season, 49 bucks and 58 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Cedar Creek WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2025 lottery listed 1 quota hunt on Cedar Creek WMA, with 908 applications for 100 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Cedar Creek WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Cedar Creek WMA allows camping, with campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Cedar Creek WMA in?
Putnam County (25,049 acres), Jones County (13,652 acres) and Jasper County (2,662 acres), measured on WRD's boundary.
Get a Georgia hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Georgia are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Georgia included.
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, Cedar 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 Putnam County deer harvest Jones County deer harvest Jasper County deer harvest