Moody Forest WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Moody Forest WMA is 4,675 acres of public hunting land in Appling County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 4). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: firearms, Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. Hunters reported 63 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (14 bucks, 49 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.
Moody Forest WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 4,675 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 42) |
|---|---|
| County | Appling County |
| WRD region | Region 4, office 229-426-5267 |
| WRD's listing | Natural Area |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Firearms: Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 63 (14 bucks, 49 does) |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Baxley (10 mi), Graham (11 mi) and Uvalda (13 mi) |
What is Moody Forest WMA like?
Moody Forest Wildlife Management Area encompasses 4,675 acres of state-owned property and 1,732 acres owned by The Nature Conservancy. Moody Forest is an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind treasure. One of the nation's last remaining old-growth forest featuring longleaf pines 200–300 years old and mammoth tupelo cypress more than 600 years old. The forest is also home to rare plants, birds, and animals, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the gopher tortoise and the eastern indigo snake. This WMA offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey and small game. Two interpretive trails curl through the area, offering more than five miles of year-round hiking-and the chance to spot rare and imperiled species like gopher tortoises and Eastern indigo snakes. No ATVs allowed on the property. There are several access points located along East River Road and Morris Landing Road. Do not block gates and keep all vehicles on open improved roads.
WRD lists these facilities: boat ramp, canoe access and nature trails.
From WRD's page for Moody Forest WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Moody Forest 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, firearms | Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 |
| Turkey | Youth Apr. 3 to 4 Apr. 10 to 26 |
| Small Game | Squirrel Only: State Season No fox squirrel hunting. |
| Waterfowl | State Season |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 coyote & hog season. |
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.
How many deer are taken on Moody Forest WMA?
Hunters reported 63 deer on Moody Forest WMA in the 2025-26 season: 14 bucks and 49 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 54 deer a season, from 31 in 2017-18 to 86 in 2023-24.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 63 | 14 | 49 | 22 |
| 2024-25 | 60 | 26 | 34 | 43 |
| 2023-24 | 86 | 34 | 52 | 40 |
| 2022-23 | 76 | 19 | 57 | 25 |
| 2021-22 | 34 | 12 | 22 | 35 |
| 2020-21 | 73 | 24 | 49 | 33 |
| 2019-20 | 47 | 18 | 29 | 38 |
| 2018-19 | 36 | 12 | 24 | 33 |
| 2017-18 | 31 | 8 | 23 | 26 |
| 2016-17 | 34 | 13 | 21 | 38 |
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 Moody Forest WMA in?
All of Moody Forest WMA lies in Appling 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appling County | 4,673 | 1,345 | 2.6 | 67th |
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 Moody Forest WMA?
WRD gives this address: 3533 East River Road, Baxley, GA 31513 (GPS 31.90656, -82.31169). Highways within 5 miles: GA 15, US 1, GA 147 and GA 4. Nearest towns: Baxley (10 miles), Graham (11 miles), Uvalda (13 miles) and Surrency (13 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists canoeing, hiking, river fishing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Bullard Creek WMA (2.8 miles), Big Hammock WMA (8.4 miles), Alligator Creek WMA (18.4 miles) and Griffin Ridge WMA (26.2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Moody Forest WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Moody Forest WMA: firearms, Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. 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 Moody Forest WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Moody Forest WMA gives turkey: Youth Apr. 3 to 4; Apr. 10 to 26. On a WMA the limit is one gobbler a season per area.
How many deer were killed on Moody Forest WMA last season?
63 deer were reported on Moody Forest WMA in the 2025-26 season, 14 bucks and 49 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Moody Forest WMA?
WRD's listing for Moody Forest WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is Moody Forest WMA in?
All of it is in Appling 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, Moody Forest 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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