Rich Mountain WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Rich Mountain WMA is 20,674 acres of public hunting land in Gilmer and Fannin counties, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 1). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates on Rich Mountain WMA: archery, Buck Only: Sept. 12 to Nov. 23, Nov. 30 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 24 to 29. Hunters reported 39 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (26 bucks, 13 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.
Rich Mountain WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 20,674 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 45) |
|---|---|
| County | Gilmer County, Fannin County |
| WRD region | Region 1, office 706-295-6041 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Buck Only: Sept. 12 to Nov. 23, Nov. 30 to Jan. 1. Firearms: Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 24 to 29 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 39 (26 bucks, 13 does) |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | East Ellijay (next to it), Ellijay (2 mi) and Blue Ridge (6 mi) |
What is Rich Mountain WMA like?
Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area is located in Gilmer and Fannin counties. This 19,955-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey and small game as well as many other forms of recreation. The vast majority of this property is owned by the U.S. Forest Service who manages all non-hunting aspects of the their property such as recreation and land management. 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/ .
WRD lists these facilities: Archery Range, bike trails, equestrian trails, hiking trails and nature trails.
From WRD's page for Rich Mountain WMA.
About 76% 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 Rich Mountain WMA?
WRD sets each WMA's own dates. It lists 2 parts of Rich Mountain WMA separately: Rich Mountain WMA - Cartecay Tract and Rich Mountain WMA. These are WRD's 2026-27 dates and notes for the area, as printed:
Rich Mountain WMA - Cartecay Tract
| Season | 2026-27 dates and WRD's notes |
|---|---|
| Deer and bear, archery | Sept. 12 to Jan. 1 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| Small Game | State Seasons |
| Waterfowl | State Seasons |
Rich Mountain WMA
| Season | 2026-27 dates and WRD's notes |
|---|---|
| Deer and bear, archery | Buck Only: Sept. 12 to Nov. 23, Nov. 30 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer and bear, firearms | Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 24 to 29 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3 to May 15 |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31 |
| 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 45 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 Rich Mountain WMA?
Hunters reported 39 deer on Rich Mountain WMA in the 2025-26 season: 26 bucks and 13 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 27 deer a season, from 17 in 2018-19 to 39 in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 39 | 26 | 13 | 67 |
| 2024-25 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 58 |
| 2023-24 | 34 | 22 | 12 | 65 |
| 2022-23 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 63 |
| 2021-22 | 26 | 16 | 10 | 62 |
| 2020-21 | 24 | 15 | 9 | 63 |
| 2019-20 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 53 |
| 2018-19 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 59 |
| 2017-18 | 33 | 13 | 20 | 39 |
| 2016-17 | 36 | 19 | 17 | 53 |
Source: WRD deer harvest reports (Georgia Game Check), deer reported by WMA, adding WRD's lines for Rich Mountain WMA and Rich Mountain WMA - Cartecay Tract. 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 Rich Mountain WMA in?
Rich Mountain WMA spreads over 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilmer County | 22,463 | 1,417 | 3.3 | 60th |
| Fannin County | 367 | 1,740 | 4.5 | 39th |
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 Rich Mountain WMA?
WRD gives this address: 4910 Rock Creek Road, Cherrylog, GA 30522 (GPS 34.622, -84.434). Highways within 5 miles: GA 515, GA 5, US 76 and GA 2. Nearest towns: East Ellijay (next to it), Ellijay (2 miles), Blue Ridge (6 miles) and Talking Rock (7 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists archery, biking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, river fishing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Blue Ridge WMA (3.6 miles), Carters Lake WMA (5.5 miles), Cohutta WMA (6 miles) and Coopers Creek WMA (6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Rich Mountain WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Rich Mountain WMA: archery, Buck Only: Sept. 12 to Nov. 23, Nov. 30 to Jan. 1; firearms, Bonus Buck Only: Nov. 24 to 29. 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 Rich Mountain WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Rich 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 Rich Mountain WMA last season?
39 deer were reported on Rich Mountain WMA in the 2025-26 season, 26 bucks and 13 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Rich Mountain WMA?
WRD's listing for Rich Mountain WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is Rich Mountain WMA in?
Gilmer County (22,463 acres) and Fannin County (367 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, Rich 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.
Georgia hunting All Georgia WMAs Gilmer County deer harvest Fannin County deer harvest