McGraw Ford WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
McGraw Ford WMA is 2,067 acres of public hunting land in Cherokee County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 1). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Jan. 1. Hunters reported 38 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (16 bucks, 22 does). WRD drew 1 quota hunt 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.
McGraw Ford WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 2,067 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 42) |
|---|---|
| County | Cherokee County |
| WRD region | Region 1, office 706-295-6041 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 38 (16 bucks, 22 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2025 lottery | 1, with 413 applications |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Ball Ground (next to it), Nelson (3 mi) and Canton (8 mi) |
What is McGraw Ford WMA like?
McGraw Ford Wildlife Management Area is located in Cherokee County on the Etowah River. The 2,070-acre property has hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove and waterfowl. The wildlife management focus is to provide archery deer and bear hunting during the fall, season long dove hunting on the 22 acres of managed dove fields, and spring turkey hunting. With access to about 5 miles of river frontage, the area provides unique fishing and paddling opportunities. No ATVs are allowed on the property.
WRD lists these facilities: managed dove field and river access (canoe launch).
From WRD's page for McGraw Ford WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on McGraw Ford 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 Jan. 1 |
| Turkey | Apr. 10 to May 15 |
| Dove | Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10 to 11, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Waterfowl | Wednesday, Saturdays during State Season. Legal hours end at noon. |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Small Game | Aug. 15 to Sept. 4, Sept. 6 to 11, Sept. 13 to Feb. 28 |
Source: WRD WMA hunting opportunities, 2026-27 season (FY27). The area's full listing in the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, page 42 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 McGraw Ford WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2025 lottery reports list 1 quota hunt on McGraw Ford WMA. The most applied for was Only Hunt (turkey): 413 applicants for 10 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 413 | 10 | 176 | 2.4% | 5 |
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 McGraw Ford WMA?
Hunters reported 38 deer on McGraw Ford WMA in the 2025-26 season: 16 bucks and 22 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 35 deer a season, from 27 in 2017-18 to 42 in 2024-25.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 38 | 16 | 22 | 42 |
| 2024-25 | 42 | 23 | 19 | 55 |
| 2023-24 | 41 | 22 | 19 | 54 |
| 2022-23 | 32 | 14 | 18 | 44 |
| 2021-22 | 28 | 19 | 9 | 68 |
| 2020-21 | 39 | 16 | 23 | 41 |
| 2019-20 | 41 | 18 | 23 | 44 |
| 2018-19 | 29 | 16 | 13 | 55 |
| 2017-18 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 48 |
| 2016-17 | 32 | 14 | 18 | 44 |
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 McGraw Ford WMA in?
All of McGraw Ford WMA lies in Cherokee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | 2,067 | 2,506 | 6 | 10th |
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 McGraw Ford WMA?
WRD gives this address: 1600 Ball Ground Road, Ball Ground, GA 30107 (GPS 34.31777, -84.3367). Highways within 5 miles: GA 372, I-575, GA 5 and GA 53. Nearest towns: Ball Ground (next to it), Nelson (3 miles), Canton (8 miles) and Jasper (10 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: McGraw Ford WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists fishing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Dawson Forest WMA (4.9 miles), Allatoona WMA (9.2 miles), Cochrans Creek WMA (13 miles) and Rich Mountain WMA (19.5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on McGraw Ford WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for McGraw Ford WMA: archery, Sept. 12 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 McGraw Ford WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for McGraw Ford WMA gives turkey: Apr. 10 to May 15. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on McGraw Ford WMA last season?
38 deer were reported on McGraw Ford WMA in the 2025-26 season, 16 bucks and 22 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is McGraw Ford WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2025 lottery listed 1 quota hunt on McGraw Ford WMA, with 413 applications for 10 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on McGraw Ford WMA?
WRD's listing for McGraw Ford WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is McGraw Ford WMA in?
All of it is in Cherokee 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, McGraw Ford 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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