Little River WMA: 2026-27 seasons and access
Little River WMA is 1,475 acres of public hunting land in Putnam County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 3). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, Oct. 19 to Nov. 20, Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, Dec. 28 to Jan. 10; firearms, Youth Oct. 10 to 18, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to 27.
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.
Little River WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 1,475 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 41) |
|---|---|
| County | Putnam County |
| WRD region | Region 3, office 706-595-4222 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, Oct. 19 to Nov. 20, Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, Dec. 28 to Jan. 10. Firearms: Youth Oct. 10 to 18, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to 27 |
| Camping | Not allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Eatonton (3 mi), Shady Dale (8 mi) and Monticello (11 mi) |
What is Little River WMA like?
Little River WMA encompasses 1,475 acres of state-owned property. This area was formerly owned by the Georgia Dept. of Transportation and early in 2024 changed to GA DNR ownership. The tract was formerly named “The Cedar Creek, Little River Area” but after the change in ownership the name was simplified to lessen confusion. Little River has been in the WMA system since the 2011-2012 hunting season. The major water body includes Little River. The major access roads are Lynchburg Road and Martin Mill Road. No Camping is allowed. Bird/Rabbit/Furbearer dog training allowed August 15-Sept. 8 & Jan. 15-Mar. 15 each year. Please keep all vehicles on open improved roads. Roads that are not open to motorized vehicles are posted with a sign stating “No Vehicle Access”.
WRD lists these facilities: Cedar Creek Shooting Range, campsites, dove fields, lake, picnic site and picnic shelter.
From WRD's page for Little River WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Little River 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 Oct. 9, Oct. 19 to Nov. 20, Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, Dec. 28 to Jan. 10 |
| Deer, firearms | Youth Oct. 10 to 18, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to 27 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Dog Training | Aug. 15 to Mar. 15 except during firearms deer hunts. |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Small Game | State Seasons |
| Waterfowl | 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 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.
Which county is Little River WMA in?
All of Little River WMA lies in Putnam 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam County | 1,504 | 1,740 | 5 | 40th |
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 Little River WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: GA 24, US 441, US 129 and GA 16. Nearest towns: Eatonton (3 miles), Shady Dale (8 miles), Monticello (11 miles) and Madison (17 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Little River WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists camping, shooting and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Cedar Creek WMA (next to it), B.F. Grant WMA (2.6 miles), Clybel WMA (14.5 miles) and Oconee WMA (14.7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Little River WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Little River WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, Oct. 19 to Nov. 20, Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, Dec. 28 to Jan. 10; firearms, Youth Oct. 10 to 18, Nov. 21 to 29, 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.
When is turkey season on Little River WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Little River WMA gives turkey: Apr. 3 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
Can you camp on Little River WMA?
No. WRD's page for Little River WMA says camping is not allowed on the area.
What county is Little River WMA in?
All of it is in Putnam 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, Little River 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.