Wilson Shoals WMA: 2026-27 seasons, quota hunts and deer harvest
Wilson Shoals WMA is 2,800 acres of public hunting land in Banks County, managed by Georgia DNR's WRD (Region 2). For 2026-27, WRD lists these deer dates: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 30; primitive, Dec. 19 to 27; firearms, Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 14 to 29. Hunters reported 50 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (34 bucks, 16 does). WRD drew 3 quota hunts 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.
Wilson Shoals WMAOther WRD WMAsNational forestLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 2,800 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 49) |
|---|---|
| County | Banks County |
| WRD region | Region 2, office 770-535-5700 |
| WRD's listing | Traditional WMA |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Oct. 30. Primitive: Dec. 19 to 27. Firearms: Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 14 to 29 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 50 (34 bucks, 16 does) |
| Quota hunts, 2025 lottery | 3, with 677 applications |
| Camping | Allowed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | Alto (next to it), Baldwin (3 mi) and Lula (3 mi) |
What is Wilson Shoals WMA like?
Wilson Shoals Wildlife Management Area is located in Banks County. This 2,800-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey, small game and dove.
WRD lists these facilities: Wilson Shoals Shooting Range and primitive campsites.
From WRD's page for Wilson Shoals WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Wilson Shoals 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 Oct. 30 |
| Deer and bear, primitive | Dec. 19 to 27 |
| Deer and bear, firearms | Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 14 to 29 |
| Dove | Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, Nov. 21 to 29, Dec. 19 to Jan. 31 |
| 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 49 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 Wilson Shoals WMA have quota hunts?
Yes. WRD's 2025 lottery reports list 3 quota hunts on Wilson Shoals WMA. The most applied for was 1st Hunt (turkey): 384 applicants for 15 spots.
| Hunt | Lottery | Applicants | Selected | First-choice applicants | Share selected | Priority points sure of a spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 384 | 15 | 162 | 3.9% | 4 |
| 2nd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 190 | 15 | 28 | 7.9% | 2 |
| 3rd Hunt | Turkey, 2025 | 103 | 15 | 9 | 14.6% | 0 |
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 Wilson Shoals WMA?
Hunters reported 50 deer on Wilson Shoals WMA in the 2025-26 season: 34 bucks and 16 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 31 deer a season, from 19 in 2017-18 to 50 in 2025-26.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 50 | 34 | 16 | 68 |
| 2024-25 | 34 | 26 | 8 | 76 |
| 2023-24 | 37 | 19 | 18 | 51 |
| 2022-23 | 34 | 20 | 14 | 59 |
| 2021-22 | 29 | 20 | 9 | 69 |
| 2020-21 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 50 |
| 2019-20 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 68 |
| 2018-19 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 50 |
| 2017-18 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 58 |
| 2016-17 | 26 | 22 | 4 | 85 |
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 Wilson Shoals WMA in?
All of Wilson Shoals WMA lies in Banks 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banks County | 2,902 | 1,731 | 7.4 | 41st |
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 Wilson Shoals WMA?
WRD gives this address: (GPS 34.40244, -83.5961). Highways within 5 miles: GA 365, US 23, US 441 and GA 15. Nearest towns: Alto (next to it), Baldwin (3 miles), Lula (3 miles) and Cornelia (5 miles).
Besides hunting, WRD lists primitive camping, shooting and wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Lake Russell WMA (4.4 miles), Chattahoochee WMA (19.2 miles) and Tallulah Gorge WMA (20.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Wilson Shoals WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Wilson Shoals WMA: archery, Sept. 12 to Oct. 30; primitive, Dec. 19 to 27; firearms, Either-Sex Last Day: Nov. 14 to 29. WMA dates can differ from the statewide dates, and sign-in is required for deer hunts unless WRD's listing says otherwise.
How many deer were killed on Wilson Shoals WMA last season?
50 deer were reported on Wilson Shoals WMA in the 2025-26 season, 34 bucks and 16 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Is Wilson Shoals WMA a quota hunt?
Some of its hunts are. WRD's 2025 lottery listed 3 quota hunts on Wilson Shoals WMA, with 677 applications for 45 spots. Its other seasons need sign-in, not a draw.
Can you camp on Wilson Shoals WMA?
Yes. WRD's listing for Wilson Shoals WMA allows camping, with primitive campsites. Follow the area's posted rules.
What county is Wilson Shoals WMA in?
All of it is in Banks 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, Wilson Shoals 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.