Gaither WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Gaither WMA is 2,129 acres of public hunting land in Newton County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 3). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Oct. 17 to 25, Nov. 14 to 22, Dec. 19 to 27. Hunters reported 25 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (12 bucks, 13 does). WRD drew 6 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.
Gaither WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 2,129 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 39) |
|---|---|
| County | Newton County |
| WRD region | Region 3, office 706-595-4222 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Oct. 17 to 25, Nov. 14 to 22, Dec. 19 to 27 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 25 (12 bucks, 13 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2026 lottery | 6, with 1,364 applications |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Mansfield (3 mi), Newborn (5 mi) and Porterdale (8 mi) |
What is Gaither WMA like?
Gaither WMA is a leased property, made available to the public through the cooperation of the Newton County Board of Commissioners for small game, turkey, and deer hunting. This 2,129-acre tract is located in Newton County has 2 regular deer quota hunts, and 1 youth deer quota hunt. The quota hunt application deadline has already passed for the season. Directions From Mansfield: Go south on GA Highway 11 for 7 miles and turn right onto Henderson Mill Road. Proceed 3.7 miles on Henderson Mill Road and turn right onto Davis Ford Road. From there travel 0.4 miles to the kiosk on the left.
From WRD's page for Gaither WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Gaither 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 | Oct. 17 to 25, Nov. 14 to 22, Dec. 19 to 27 |
| 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 39 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 Gaither WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2026 lottery reports list 6 quota hunts on Gaither WMA. The most applied for was 1st Hunt, Either Sex, Firearms (deer): 462 applicants for 25 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Hunt, Either Sex, Firearms | Deer, 2026 | 462 | 25 | 142 | 5.4% | 3 |
| 2nd Hunt, Either Sex, Firearms | Deer, 2026 | 266 | 25 | 27 | 9.4% | 1 |
| Only Hunt, Youth, Either Sex, Firearms | Youth deer, 2026 | 94 | 25 | 66 | 26.6% | 2 |
| 1st Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 359 | 10 | 192 | 2.8% | 6 |
| 2nd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 121 | 10 | 6 | 8.3% | 0 |
| 3rd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 62 | 10 | 7 | 16.1% | 0 |
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 Gaither WMA?
Hunters reported 25 deer on Gaither WMA in the 2025-26 season: 12 bucks and 13 does. Over the 8 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 23 deer a season, from 15 in 2021-22 to 31 in 2019-20.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 25 | 12 | 13 | 48 |
| 2024-25 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 61 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 50 |
| 2022-23 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 58 |
| 2021-22 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 67 |
| 2020-21 | 25 | 13 | 12 | 52 |
| 2019-20 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 52 |
| 2018-19 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 63 |
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 Gaither WMA in?
All of Gaither WMA lies in Newton County. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton County | 2,114 | 1,159 | 4.2 | 82nd |
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 Gaither WMA?
WRD gives this address: 354 Davis Ford Road, Avalon, GA 30014, 33.462644, -83.797558. Highways within 5 miles: GA 11, GA 36, GA 212 and GA 142. Nearest towns: Mansfield (3 miles), Newborn (5 miles), Porterdale (8 miles) and Covington (8 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Gaither WMA map (PDF).
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Clybel WMA (1.3 miles), Walton WMA (10.3 miles), B.F. Grant WMA (14.2 miles) and Cedar Creek WMA (16.9 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Gaither WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Gaither WMA: archery, Oct. 17 to 25, Nov. 14 to 22, Dec. 19 to 27. 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 Gaither WMA last season?
25 deer were reported on Gaither WMA in the 2025-26 season, 12 bucks and 13 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Gaither WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2026 lottery listed 6 quota hunts on Gaither WMA, with 1,364 applications for 105 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Gaither WMA?
WRD's listing for Gaither WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is Gaither WMA in?
All of it is in Newton County, by 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, Gaither 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.