Hart County WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Hart County WMA is 1,000 acres of public hunting land in Hart County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 2). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9; primitive, Oct. 10 to 16; firearms, Buck Only: Oct. 17 to Nov. 12; Nov. 13 to 15. Hunters reported 40 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (32 bucks, 8 does). WRD drew 2 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.
Hart County WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 1,000 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 40) |
|---|---|
| County | Hart County |
| WRD region | Region 2, office 770-535-5700 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 9. Primitive: Oct. 10 to 16. Firearms: Buck Only: Oct. 17 to Nov. 12; Nov. 13 to 15 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 40 (32 bucks, 8 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2025 lottery | 2, with 478 applications |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Hartwell (4 mi), Bowman (11 mi) and Elberton (13 mi) |
What is Hart County WMA like?
Hart County Wildlife Management Area is located just outside of Hartwell. This 1,000-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey, small game and dove.
From WRD's page for Hart County WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Hart County 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 Oct. 9 |
| Deer and bear, primitive | Oct. 10 to 16 |
| Deer and bear, firearms | Buck Only: Oct. 17 to Nov. 12 Nov. 13 to 15 |
| Dove | Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31. Feral hogs may also be taken. |
| 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 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.
Does Hart County WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2025 lottery reports list 2 quota hunts on Hart County WMA. The most applied for was 1st Hunt (turkey): 347 applicants for 5 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 347 | 5 | 213 | 1.4% | 6 |
| 2nd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 131 | 6 | 12 | 4.6% | 2 |
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 Hart County WMA?
Hunters reported 40 deer on Hart County WMA in the 2025-26 season: 32 bucks and 8 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 37 deer a season, from 26 in 2016-17 to 47 in 2020-21.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 40 | 32 | 8 | 80 |
| 2024-25 | 42 | 30 | 12 | 71 |
| 2023-24 | 28 | 21 | 7 | 75 |
| 2022-23 | 42 | 25 | 17 | 60 |
| 2021-22 | 35 | 21 | 14 | 60 |
| 2020-21 | 47 | 33 | 14 | 70 |
| 2019-20 | 34 | 22 | 12 | 65 |
| 2018-19 | 35 | 22 | 13 | 63 |
| 2017-18 | 40 | 32 | 8 | 80 |
| 2016-17 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 65 |
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 Hart County WMA in?
All of Hart County WMA lies in Hart 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hart County | 986 | 1,970 | 8.5 | 30th |
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 Hart County WMA?
WRD gives this address: (GPS 34.31269, -82.8541). Highways within 5 miles: GA 77, GA 8, US 29 and GA 172. Nearest towns: Hartwell (4 miles), Bowman (11 miles), Elberton (13 miles) and Bowersville (13 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Elbert County WMA (6.4 miles), Broad River WMA (16.3 miles), Lower Broad River WMA (22.7 miles) and Fishing Creek WMA (31.8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Hart County WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Hart County WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9; primitive, Oct. 10 to 16; firearms, Buck Only: Oct. 17 to Nov. 12; Nov. 13 to 15. 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 Hart County WMA last season?
40 deer were reported on Hart County WMA in the 2025-26 season, 32 bucks and 8 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Hart County WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2025 lottery listed 2 quota hunts on Hart County WMA, with 478 applications for 11 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Hart County WMA?
WRD's listing for Hart County WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is Hart County WMA in?
All of it is in Hart 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, Hart County 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.