Conasauga River WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Conasauga River WMA is 509 acres of public hunting land in Murray County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 1). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Nov. 13, Nov. 15 to 20, 22 to 27; Nov. 29–Dec. 11, Dec. 13 to 18, 20 to 25; Dec. 27 to Jan. 1. Hunters reported 18 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (7 bucks, 11 does). WRD drew 3 quota hunts 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.
Conasauga River WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 509 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 37) |
|---|---|
| County | Murray County, Whitfield County |
| WRD region | Region 1, office 706-295-6041 |
| WRD's listing | Natural Area |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Nov. 13, Nov. 15 to 20, 22 to 27; Nov. 29–Dec. 11, Dec. 13 to 18, 20 to 25; Dec. 27 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 18 (7 bucks, 11 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2026 lottery | 3, with 657 applications |
| Camping | Not allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Eton (4 mi), Chatsworth (4 mi) and Dalton (7 mi) |
What is Conasauga River WMA like?
Conasauga River WMA is located in Murray County. Although a relatively small WMA (338 acres), this area plays a large ecological conservation role by helping protect one of the most biologically diverse river systems in the Southeast U.S. With it's abundant wetlands, waterfowl hunting is the most popular use of the area but additional hunting including deer, small game and turkey can be enjoyed. No camping is allowed on the property. Please note that the area is closed to all other hunting during quota waterfowl hunts. No ATVs.
From WRD's page for Conasauga River WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Conasauga River 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. 13, Nov. 15 to 20, 22 to 27, Nov. 29–Dec. 11, Dec. 13 to 18, 20 to 25, Dec. 27 to Jan. 1 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to Apr. 25 |
| Small Game | Aug. 15 to Sept. 11, Feb. 1 to 28 |
| Waterfowl | Youth Nov. 14, 21, 28 January: Saturdays only during statewide season. |
| Early Teal | Sept. 12 to Sept. 20 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
Source: WRD WMA hunting opportunities, 2026-27 season (FY27). The area's full listing in the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, page 37 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 Conasauga River WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2026 lottery reports list 3 quota hunts on Conasauga River WMA. The most applied for was 1st Hunt (waterfowl): 284 applicants for 3 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Hunt | Waterfowl, 2026 | 284 | 3 | 198 | 1.1% | 8 |
| 2nd Hunt | Waterfowl, 2026 | 193 | 3 | 25 | 1.6% | 5 |
| 3rd Hunt | Waterfowl, 2026 | 180 | 3 | 20 | 1.7% | 5 |
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 Conasauga River WMA?
Hunters reported 18 deer on Conasauga River WMA in the 2025-26 season: 7 bucks and 11 does. Over the 8 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 10 deer a season, from 1 in 2018-19 to 18 in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 39 |
| 2024-25 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 29 |
| 2023-24 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 73 |
| 2022-23 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 70 |
| 2021-22 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 67 |
| 2020-21 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 20 |
| 2019-20 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 44 |
| 2018-19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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 Conasauga River WMA in?
Conasauga River 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray County | 398 | 1,558 | 4.5 | 45th |
| Whitfield County | 110 | 1,425 | 4.9 | 59th |
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 Conasauga River WMA?
WRD gives this address: 1409-1129 Bryant Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 (GPS 34.851, -84.837). Highways within 5 miles: US 76, GA 52, GA 225 and GA 2. Nearest towns: Eton (4 miles), Chatsworth (4 miles), Dalton (7 miles) and Varnell (8 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Conasauga River WMA map (PDF).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Cohutta WMA (6 miles), Coosawattee WMA (11 miles), Johns Mountain WMA (13.9 miles) and Carters Lake WMA (15.1 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Conasauga River WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Conasauga River WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Nov. 13, Nov. 15 to 20, 22 to 27; Nov. 29–Dec. 11, Dec. 13 to 18, 20 to 25; Dec. 27 to Jan. 1. 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 Conasauga River WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Conasauga River WMA gives turkey: Apr. 3 to Apr. 25. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Conasauga River WMA last season?
18 deer were reported on Conasauga River WMA in the 2025-26 season, 7 bucks and 11 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Conasauga River WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2026 lottery listed 3 quota hunts on Conasauga River WMA, with 657 applications for 9 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Conasauga River WMA?
No. WRD's page for Conasauga River WMA says camping is not allowed on the area.
What county is Conasauga River WMA in?
Murray County (398 acres) and Whitfield County (110 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, Conasauga River 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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