Grand Bay WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Grand Bay WMA is 8,700 acres of public hunting land in Lanier and Lowndes counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 6). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to 13, 19 to 20; primitive, Oct. 10 to 11; firearms, Youth Sept. 26 to 27; Bonus Oct. 3 to 4; Oct. 17 to 18, 24 to 25, Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 7 to 8, 14 to 15, 21 to 22, 28 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13, 19 to 20, 26 to 27, Jan. 2 to 3, Jan. 9 to 10. Hunters reported 35 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (27 bucks, 8 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.
Grand Bay WMAOther WRD WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 8,700 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 40) |
|---|---|
| County | Lanier County, Lowndes County |
| WRD region | Region 6 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to 13, 19 to 20. Primitive: Oct. 10 to 11. Firearms: Youth Sept. 26 to 27; Bonus Oct. 3 to 4; Oct. 17 to 18, 24 to 25, Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 7 to 8, 14 to 15, 21 to 22, 28 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13, 19 to 20, 26 to 27, Jan. 2 to 3, Jan. 9 to 10 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 35 (27 bucks, 8 does) |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Lakeland (4 mi), Ray City (4 mi) and Valdosta (6 mi) |
What is Grand Bay WMA like?
Posted 10/8/26 Grand Bay WMA The Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) encompasses 2,623 acres of state-owned property and 5,874 acres of land under license from the U.S. Air Force. The WMA consists of approximately 3,059 acres of upland pine and hardwood forest and 5,438 acres of cypress/gum wetlands. There are two main access points: the check station/education center entrance on Knight’s Academy Road. and the federal land entrance off U.S. Highway 221. This WMA offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game and waterfowl. No ATVs or motorcycles allowed on the property. Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area gives visitors an opportunity to learn more about a wetland habitat from the Grand Bay Wetland Education Center . Alerts The automatic gate to the Grand Bay WMA boardwalk and lookout tower is open from 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily and during classes at the Education Center. Anyone in that area after 8 p.m. may be locked in and is subject to being ticketed by the GADNR Law Enforcement Division. Due to military training needs on the federally owned portion (U.S. Highway 221 tract) of Grand Bay WMA, that section will be closed to public access periodically.
WRD lists these facilities: canoe access, Education Center, hiking trails, nature trails and picnic shelters.
From WRD's page for Grand Bay WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Grand Bay 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 13, 19 to 20 |
| Deer, primitive | Oct. 10 to 11 |
| Deer, firearms | Youth Sept. 26 to 27 Bonus Oct. 3 to 4 Oct. 17 to 18, 24 to 25, Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 7 to 8, 14 to 15, 21 to 22, 28 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13, 19 to 20, 26 to 27, Jan. 2 to 3, Jan. 9 to 10 |
| Turkey | Youth Apr. 3 to 4, 17 to 18 Apr. 24 to 25, May 8 to 9, |
| Small Game | Saturdays, Sundays State Seasons No furbearer hunting or fox squirrel. |
| Waterfowl | Saturday/Sunday State Seasons; Legal hours end at noon. |
Source: WRD WMA hunting opportunities, 2026-27 season (FY27). The area's full listing in the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, page 40 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 Grand Bay WMA?
Hunters reported 35 deer on Grand Bay WMA in the 2025-26 season: 27 bucks and 8 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 31 deer a season, from 16 in 2021-22 to 51 in 2017-18.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 35 | 27 | 8 | 77 |
| 2024-25 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 65 |
| 2023-24 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 56 |
| 2022-23 | 31 | 20 | 11 | 65 |
| 2021-22 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 50 |
| 2020-21 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 83 |
| 2019-20 | 34 | 19 | 15 | 56 |
| 2018-19 | 47 | 24 | 23 | 51 |
| 2017-18 | 51 | 24 | 27 | 47 |
| 2016-17 | 36 | 14 | 22 | 39 |
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 Grand Bay WMA in?
Grand Bay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanier County | 5,271 | 288 | 1.5 | 156th |
| Lowndes County | 3,357 | 1,220 | 2.5 | 78th |
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 Grand Bay WMA?
WRD gives this address: 4641-4649 Knight Academy Road, Valdosta, GA 31605 (GPS 30.93334, -83.1879). Highways through the area: GA 31 and US 221. Nearest towns: Lakeland (4 miles), Ray City (4 miles), Valdosta (6 miles) and Remerton (8 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists canoeing, hiking, lake fishing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Alapaha River WMA (34.3 miles), Doerun Pitcher Plant Bog WMA (44.4 miles), Dixon Memorial WMA (46.5 miles) and River Creek the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka WMA (48.4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Grand Bay WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Grand Bay WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to 13, 19 to 20; primitive, Oct. 10 to 11; firearms, Youth Sept. 26 to 27; Bonus Oct. 3 to 4; Oct. 17 to 18, 24 to 25, Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 7 to 8, 14 to 15, 21 to 22, 28 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13, 19 to 20, 26 to 27, Jan. 2 to 3, Jan. 9 to 10. 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 Grand Bay WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Grand Bay WMA gives turkey: Youth Apr. 3 to 4, 17 to 18; Apr. 24 to 25, May 8 to 9,. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Grand Bay WMA last season?
35 deer were reported on Grand Bay WMA in the 2025-26 season, 27 bucks and 8 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Grand Bay WMA?
WRD's listing for Grand Bay WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is Grand Bay WMA in?
Lanier County (5,271 acres) and Lowndes County (3,357 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, Grand Bay 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 Lanier County deer harvest Lowndes County deer harvest