River Bend WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
River Bend WMA is 3,670 acres of public hunting land in Laurens County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 4). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 1, Oct. 5 to 15, Dec. 13 to Jan. 10; firearms, Specialty Oct. 16 to 18; Mobility-Impaired Oct. 3 to 4; Bonus Nov. 5 to 7, Dec. 10 to 12. Hunters reported 17 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (11 bucks, 6 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.
River Bend WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 3,670 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 45) |
|---|---|
| County | Laurens County |
| WRD region | Region 4, office 229-426-5267 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 1, Oct. 5 to 15, Dec. 13 to Jan. 10. Firearms: Specialty Oct. 16 to 18; Mobility-Impaired Oct. 3 to 4; Bonus Nov. 5 to 7, Dec. 10 to 12 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 17 (11 bucks, 6 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2025 lottery | 1, with 470 applications |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | East Dublin (5 mi), Dublin (6 mi) and Soperton (8 mi) |
What is River Bend WMA like?
River Bend Wildlife Management Area is a 3,500-acre property located in Laurens County approximately 8 miles south of East Dublin. River Bend consists of two tracts. The North tract is located on GA Highway 199 at the intersection with Interstate 16 and the South tract is located 5 miles further south down GA Highway 199. This WMA offers excellent hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, dove, and waterfowl. Formed by a clear-water spring that flows up at the swamp's edge, Troup's Spring Lake provides ample stock of bass, bream, and other gamefish. A paved boat-ramp allows easy access to the pond, as well as hiking trail access to Pugh's Creek, which features pristine creek fishing conditions. The Waterfowl Impoundment features a boardwalk leading to an overlook platform with views of River Bend's cypress swamp landscape.
WRD lists these facilities: River Bend Archery Range and canoe access.
From WRD's page for River Bend WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on River Bend 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. 1, Oct. 5 to 15, Dec. 13 to Jan. 10 |
| Deer, firearms | Specialty Oct. 16 to 18 Mobility-Impaired Oct. 3 to 4 Bonus Nov. 5 to 7, Dec. 10 to 12 |
| Turkey | Apr. 10 to May 15 |
| Small Game | Aug. 15 to Oct. 1, Oct. 5 to Feb. 28 |
| Dove | Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 10, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| Waterfowl | Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday during statewide season. Waterfowl may be hunted on impoundment and its dikes/roads. Legal hours end at noon. |
| Coyote | May 16 to 31. Feral hogs may be hunted with dogs. |
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.
Does River Bend WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2025 lottery reports list 1 quota hunt on River Bend WMA. The most applied for was Only Hunt (turkey): 470 applicants for 15 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 470 | 15 | 193 | 3.2% | 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 River Bend WMA?
Hunters reported 17 deer on River Bend WMA in the 2025-26 season: 11 bucks and 6 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 16 deer a season, from 6 in 2024-25 to 27 in 2022-23.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 65 |
| 2024-25 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50 |
| 2023-24 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 53 |
| 2022-23 | 27 | 17 | 10 | 63 |
| 2021-22 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 63 |
| 2020-21 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 33 |
| 2019-20 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 50 |
| 2018-19 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| 2017-18 | 25 | 8 | 17 | 32 |
| 2016-17 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 42 |
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 River Bend WMA in?
All of River Bend WMA lies in Laurens 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens County | 3,671 | 3,101 | 3.8 | 3rd |
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 River Bend WMA?
WRD gives this address: 1945 Highway 199 South, East Dublin, GA 31027 (GPS 32.46679, -82.8177). Highways within 5 miles: GA 19, GA 404, I-16 and GA 29. Nearest towns: East Dublin (5 miles), Dublin (6 miles), Soperton (8 miles) and Rentz (10 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists archery, canoeing, lake fishing, river fishing and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Beaverdam WMA (12.3 miles), Ohoopee Dunes WMA (18.1 miles), Ocmulgee WMA (23.1 miles) and Alligator Creek WMA (26.7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on River Bend WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for River Bend WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 1, Oct. 5 to 15, Dec. 13 to Jan. 10; firearms, Specialty Oct. 16 to 18; Mobility-Impaired Oct. 3 to 4; Bonus Nov. 5 to 7, Dec. 10 to 12. 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 River Bend WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for River Bend 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 River Bend WMA last season?
17 deer were reported on River Bend WMA in the 2025-26 season, 11 bucks and 6 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is River Bend WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2025 lottery listed 1 quota hunt on River Bend WMA, with 470 applications for 15 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on River Bend WMA?
WRD's listing for River Bend WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is River Bend WMA in?
All of it is in Laurens 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, River Bend 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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