Johns Mountain WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Johns Mountain WMA is 23,710 acres of public hunting land in Walker, Whitfield, Gordon and Floyd counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 1). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 23, Oct. 26 to Nov. 11, Nov. 15 to Dec. 25; firearms, Bonus Oct. 24 to 25; Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 12 to 14; Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Hunters reported 19 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (13 bucks, 6 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.
Johns Mountain WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 23,710 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 41) |
|---|---|
| County | Gordon County, Walker County, Floyd County, Whitfield County |
| WRD region | Region 1, office 706-295-6041 |
| WRD's listing | WMA on leased or partner land |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 23, Oct. 26 to Nov. 11, Nov. 15 to Dec. 25. Firearms: Bonus Oct. 24 to 25; Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 12 to 14; Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 19 (13 bucks, 6 does) |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Plainville (4 mi), Resaca (4 mi) and Calhoun (6 mi) |
What is Johns Mountain WMA like?
Road Closures Roads 995E and 955B are temporarily closed. Updated: April 10, 2026 John's Mountain Wildlife Management Area is located in Walker, Whitfield, Gordon and Floyd counties on property owned by the U.S. Forest Service. This 23,356-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey and small game. No ATVs are allowed on the property. Vehicle Usage: ATVs and UTVs are not allowed on U.S. Forest Service roads. They may only be used on roads/trails designated specifically for their use. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/conf/home/?cid=fseprd1154774 . Check Road Closures: Road closures due to damage or weather-related conditions for this property will be listed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/ . Campgrounds & Shooting Range The US Forest Service has switched to a cashless payment system. You will have to download the recreation.gov app, set up an account and pay online to use the facilities . Please note that proof of payment has to be shown at arrival. Cell service can be poor at the campsites so take a screenshot or print off with you. Visit the USFS site listed below to see definitive information on using the grounds.
WRD lists these facilities: bike trails, Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range, equestrian trails, hiking trails, nature trails, picnic shelters, picnic sites and primitive campsites.
From WRD's page for Johns Mountain WMA.
About 88% of the area lies on national forest land, measured on the U.S. Forest Service map. On national forest land the Forest Service runs the roads and campgrounds; WRD runs the hunting.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Johns Mountain 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. 23, Oct. 26 to Nov. 11, Nov. 15 to Dec. 25 |
| Deer and bear, firearms | Bonus Oct. 24 to 25 Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 12 to 14 Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Small Game | State Seasons |
| Quail | Jan. 2 to 31 |
| 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 41 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 Johns Mountain WMA?
Hunters reported 19 deer on Johns Mountain WMA in the 2025-26 season: 13 bucks and 6 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 14 deer a season, from 6 in 2018-19 to 22 in 2023-24.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 68 |
| 2024-25 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 89 |
| 2023-24 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 77 |
| 2022-23 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 92 |
| 2021-22 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 71 |
| 2020-21 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 100 |
| 2019-20 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 79 |
| 2018-19 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83 |
| 2017-18 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 40 |
| 2016-17 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 92 |
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 Johns Mountain WMA in?
Johns Mountain WMA spreads over 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon County | 8,503 | 2,894 | 8.1 | 7th |
| Walker County | 7,097 | 2,098 | 4.7 | 19th |
| Floyd County | 4,862 | 2,953 | 5.8 | 5th |
| Whitfield County | 3,227 | 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 Johns Mountain WMA?
WRD gives this address: 9 Lake Marvin Road NE, Armuchee, GA 30105 (GPS 34.61407, -85.0649). Highways through the area: GA 136. Nearest towns: Plainville (4 miles), Resaca (4 miles), Calhoun (6 miles) and Dalton (8 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Johns Mountain WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists biking, hiking trails, horseback riding, primitive camping, river fishing, shooting and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Arrowhead WMA (3.7 miles), Berry College WMA (8.3 miles), Coosawattee WMA (10.9 miles) and Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA (13.5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Johns Mountain WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Johns Mountain WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 23, Oct. 26 to Nov. 11, Nov. 15 to Dec. 25; firearms, Bonus Oct. 24 to 25; Bonus Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 12 to 14; Bonus Buck Only: Dec. 26 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 Johns Mountain WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Johns Mountain WMA gives turkey: Apr. 3 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Johns Mountain WMA last season?
19 deer were reported on Johns Mountain WMA in the 2025-26 season, 13 bucks and 6 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Johns Mountain WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Johns Mountain WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Johns Mountain WMA in?
Gordon County (8,503 acres), Walker County (7,097 acres), Floyd County (4,862 acres) and Whitfield County (3,227 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, Johns Mountain 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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