Dawson Forest WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Dawson Forest WMA is 25,658 acres of public hunting land in Dawson County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 2). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9; Dec. 13 to 19; primitive, Bonus Either Sex Last Two Days: Dec. 30 to Jan. 2; firearms, Bonus Specialty Oct. 28 to 31; Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 18 to 21, Dec. 9 to 12. Hunters reported 33 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (17 bucks, 16 does). WRD drew 3 quota hunts 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.
Dawson Forest WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 25,658 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 37) |
|---|---|
| County | Dawson County, Gilmer County, Pickens County |
| WRD region | Region 2, office 770-535-5700 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 9; Dec. 13 to 19. Primitive: Bonus Either Sex Last Two Days: Dec. 30 to Jan. 2. Firearms: Bonus Specialty Oct. 28 to 31; Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 18 to 21, Dec. 9 to 12 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 33 (17 bucks, 16 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2025 lottery | 3, with 2,355 applications |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Dawsonville (2 mi), Jasper (6 mi) and Nelson (8 mi) |
What is Dawson Forest WMA like?
The Etowah River Bridge (Shoal Creek Rd.) on the COA Tract remains closed to all traffic. Updated: April 1, 2026 Dawson Forest WMA The Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area is located in Dawson County. This 25,500-acre property offers hunting for deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove, and waterfowl. There are five sections (tracts) of the WMA, including Wildcat Creek, Goethe, Burnt Mountain, Amicalola, and City of Atlanta. The DNR Wildlife Resources Division owns 15,000 acres of the forest, with the City of Atlanta owning the lower 10,000 acres. Access includes several miles of improved road, marked improved trails, unnamed backcountry trails and old single-track roadbeds available for public use. The forest also offers hunting, fishing and trail access opportunities for handicap users of the property year-round. All trails are closed all day during firearms deer hunts, except for use by hunters. Trails are closed prior to 10 am during archery deer season and turkey firearms season. Special rules apply to horse, bicycle, and camping use; rules are posted at trailhead, camping areas and WMA check station. Permits are required for horse, bicycle and camping use. On the City of Atlanta Tract, bicycles may only be used on approved horse trails. Permits must be completed and on person to be valid. Camping allowed in designated locations only. Roads on the City of Atlanta tract are closed to vehicles daily from 10 pm – 6 am, except for individuals legally camping, hunting or fishing on the area. Camping During Hunting Season Camping on Dawson Forest WMA is only allowed in designated camping areas during the dates below. No other camping is allowed on Dawson Forest WMA. Oct. 27 – Nov. 2; Nov. 17-23; Dec. 8-14; Dec. 29 – Jan. 4; Apr. 2-6; Apr. 16-25; Apr. 30- May 9. Horse Trails on the City of Atlanta Tract Users are restricted to the 28-mile trail system. Campers may only camp in the designated single campsites (marked on the Interactive Map). Hunters are exempt during the fall big game hunts. A $75 annual pass may also be obtained, please call the Region 2 Office for more information.
WRD lists these facilities: trails, lake, picnic sites and primitive campsites.
From WRD's page for Dawson Forest WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Dawson Forest 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 | Antler Restricted Area Sept. 12 to Oct. 9 Dec. 13 to 19 |
| Deer and bear, primitive | Antler Restricted Area Bonus Either Sex Last Two Days: Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 |
| Deer and bear, firearms | Antler Restricted Area Bonus Specialty Oct. 28 to 31 Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 18 to 21, Dec. 9 to 12 |
| Dove | Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31. Feral hogs may be hunted with dogs. |
| Small Game | 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 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 Dawson Forest WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2025 lottery reports list 3 quota hunts on Dawson Forest WMA. The most applied for was 1st Hunt (turkey): 1,350 applicants for 50 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 1,350 | 50 | 904 | 3.7% | 4 |
| 2nd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 619 | 75 | 97 | 12.1% | 1 |
| 3rd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 386 | 75 | 21 | 19.4% | 0 |
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 Dawson Forest WMA?
Hunters reported 33 deer on Dawson Forest WMA in the 2025-26 season: 17 bucks and 16 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 36 deer a season, from 24 in 2017-18 to 59 in 2023-24.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 33 | 17 | 16 | 52 |
| 2024-25 | 45 | 18 | 27 | 40 |
| 2023-24 | 59 | 27 | 32 | 46 |
| 2022-23 | 33 | 12 | 21 | 36 |
| 2021-22 | 30 | 7 | 23 | 23 |
| 2020-21 | 33 | 11 | 22 | 33 |
| 2019-20 | 35 | 16 | 19 | 46 |
| 2018-19 | 32 | 11 | 21 | 34 |
| 2017-18 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 58 |
| 2016-17 | 31 | 7 | 24 | 23 |
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 Dawson Forest WMA in?
Dawson Forest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson County | 25,832 | 874 | 4.1 | 105th |
| Gilmer County | 88 | 1,417 | 3.3 | 60th |
| Pickens County | 59 | 1,068 | 4.6 | 92nd |
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 Dawson Forest WMA?
WRD gives this address: 5872 Highway 53 W, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (GPS 34.42494, -84.2127). Highways through the area: GA 136, GA 52 and GA 53. Nearest towns: Dawsonville (2 miles), Jasper (6 miles), Nelson (8 miles) and Ball Ground (8 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, primitive camping and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Cochrans Creek WMA (1.4 miles), McGraw Ford WMA (4.9 miles), Rich Mountain WMA (6.2 miles) and Blue Ridge WMA (7.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Dawson Forest WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Dawson Forest WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9; Dec. 13 to 19; primitive, Bonus Either Sex Last Two Days: Dec. 30 to Jan. 2; firearms, Bonus Specialty Oct. 28 to 31; Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 18 to 21, Dec. 9 to 12. WMA dates can differ from the statewide dates, and sign-in is required for deer hunts unless WRD's listing says otherwise.
How many deer were killed on Dawson Forest WMA last season?
33 deer were reported on Dawson Forest WMA in the 2025-26 season, 17 bucks and 16 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Dawson Forest WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2025 lottery listed 3 quota hunts on Dawson Forest WMA, with 2,355 applications for 200 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Dawson Forest WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Dawson Forest WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Dawson Forest WMA in?
Dawson County (25,832 acres), Gilmer County (88 acres) and Pickens County (59 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, Dawson Forest 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 Dawson County deer harvest Gilmer County deer harvest Pickens County deer harvest