Cohutta WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Cohutta WMA is 96,583 acres of public hunting land in Murray, Fannin and Gilmer counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 1). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Buck only: Sept. 12 to 30, Oct. 5 to Dec. 1, Dec. 7 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Buck Only: Oct. 1 to 4, Dec. 2 to 6. Hunters reported 4 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (4 bucks, 0 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.
Cohutta WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 96,583 acres (WRD's page for the area) |
|---|---|
| County | Murray County, Fannin County, Gilmer County |
| WRD region | Region 1, office 706-295-6041 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Buck only: Sept. 12 to 30, Oct. 5 to Dec. 1, Dec. 7 to Jan. 1. Firearms: Bonus Buck Only: Oct. 1 to 4, Dec. 2 to 6 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 4 (4 bucks, 0 does) |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Eton (2 mi), Chatsworth (5 mi) and McCaysville (6 mi) |
What is Cohutta WMA like?
Trail Closure Alert – Cohutta Wilderness: The Hickory Ridge and Rough Ridge Trails are temporarily closed due to unsafe conditions. These closures are in place to protect visitor safety following wildfire and storm damage. View trail closure map (PDF) Posted: July 23, 2025 Cohutta Wildlife Management Area is located in Murray, Fannin and Gilmer counties. This 96,583-acre property is owned primarily by the U.S. Forest Service with additional properties annually leased to provide hunting opportunities for deer, turkey and small game. Over 158 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails are open to the public. 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/main/conf/ . Campgrounds The US Forest Service has switched to a cashless payment system. You will have to download the recreation.gov app, set up an account and pay online to use the facilities . Please note that proof of payment has to be shown at arrival. Cell service can be poor at the campsites so take a screenshot or print off with you. Visit the USFS sites listed below to see definitive information on using the grounds. Cottonwood Patch Campground Hickey Gap Campground This campground is free and does not require reservations. Occupancy of sites are on a first come, first served basis. Jacks River Fields Campground Lake Conasauga Campground Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground Ball Field Camping Area This campground is free and does not require reservations. Occupancy of sites are on a first come, first served basis.
WRD lists these facilities: Sumac Shooting Range, beach, bike trails, boat ramp, canoe access, dock, equestrian trails, hiking trails, lake, nature trails, picnic shelters, picnic sites and primitive campsites.
From WRD's page for Cohutta 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 Cohutta 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 30, Oct. 5 to Dec. 1, Dec. 7 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer and bear, firearms | Bonus Buck Only: Oct. 1 to 4, Dec. 2 to 6 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| 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, pages 32 to 50 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 Cohutta WMA?
Hunters reported 4 deer on Cohutta WMA in the 2025-26 season: 4 bucks and 0 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 5 deer a season, from 1 in 2024-25 to 15 in 2019-20.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 100 |
| 2024-25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
| 2023-24 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 100 |
| 2022-23 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 100 |
| 2021-22 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| 2020-21 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 100 |
| 2019-20 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 80 |
| 2018-19 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 40 |
| 2017-18 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 60 |
| 2016-17 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 67 |
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 Cohutta WMA in?
Cohutta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray County | 42,758 | 1,558 | 4.5 | 45th |
| Fannin County | 38,094 | 1,740 | 4.5 | 39th |
| Gilmer County | 11,710 | 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 Cohutta WMA?
WRD gives this address: Cohutta East (Holly Creek), 2142 Old CCC Camp Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, Cohutta West (West Cowpen), 3195 Old Highway 2, East Cisco, GA 30708 (GPS 34.89606, -84.6172). Highways within 5 miles: GA 2, GA 52, GA 61 and US 411. Nearest towns: Eton (2 miles), Chatsworth (5 miles), McCaysville (6 miles) and Ellijay (7 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Cohutta WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists biking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, lake fishing, primitive camping, river fishing, shooting and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Rich Mountain WMA (6 miles), Conasauga River WMA (6 miles), Carters Lake WMA (8.8 miles) and Coosawattee WMA (12.2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Cohutta WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Cohutta WMA: archery, Buck only: Sept. 12 to 30, Oct. 5 to Dec. 1, Dec. 7 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Buck Only: Oct. 1 to 4, Dec. 2 to 6. 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 Cohutta WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Cohutta 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 Cohutta WMA last season?
4 deer were reported on Cohutta WMA in the 2025-26 season, 4 bucks and 0 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Cohutta WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Cohutta WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Cohutta WMA in?
Murray County (42,758 acres), Fannin County (38,094 acres) and Gilmer County (11,710 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, Cohutta 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 Murray County deer harvest Fannin County deer harvest Gilmer County deer harvest