Zahnd WMA: 2026-27 seasons and deer harvest
Zahnd WMA is 1,642 acres of public hunting land in Walker 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 9 deer on the area in the 2025-26 season through Georgia Game Check (6 bucks, 3 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.
Zahnd WMAOther WRD WMAsLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 1,642 acres (WRD's 2026-27 regulations, page 50) |
|---|---|
| County | Walker County |
| WRD region | Region 1, office 706-295-6041 |
| WRD's listing | Natural Area |
| Deer, 2026-27 | Archery: Sept. 12 to Jan. 1 |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 9 (6 bucks, 3 does) |
| Camping | Not listed (WRD) |
| Nearest towns | LaFayette (10 mi), Trion (11 mi) and Menlo (11 mi) |
What is Zahnd WMA like?
This 1,642-acre Wildlife Management Area is located in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of Northwest Georgia in Walker County sharing a boundary with the adjacent Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA . Hunting interests primarily include turkey, archery deer and squirrel. Most of the area was originally acquired as a state natural area. Portions are leased annually to provide improved access and increase recreational opportunity. This property features many protected plants and animals as well as gorgeous overlooks and rock outcrops popular for climbing.
From WRD's page for Zahnd WMA.
When are the 2026-27 seasons on Zahnd 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. 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 50 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 Zahnd WMA?
Hunters reported 9 deer on Zahnd WMA in the 2025-26 season: 6 bucks and 3 does. Over the 10 seasons WRD reports, the area averaged 11 deer a season, from 7 in 2016-17 to 15 in 2017-18.
| Season | Deer reported | Bucks | Does | Bucks per 100 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 67 |
| 2024-25 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 38 |
| 2023-24 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 54 |
| 2022-23 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 50 |
| 2021-22 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 78 |
| 2020-21 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 33 |
| 2019-20 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 42 |
| 2018-19 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 54 |
| 2017-18 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 67 |
| 2016-17 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 43 |
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 Zahnd WMA in?
All of Zahnd WMA lies in Walker 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker County | 1,729 | 2,098 | 4.7 | 19th |
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 Zahnd WMA?
WRD gives this address: 1760 South Cedar Lane, Chickamauga, GA 30707 (GPS 34.66211, -85.4635). Highways through the area: GA 157. Nearest towns: LaFayette (10 miles), Trion (11 miles), Menlo (11 miles) and Trenton (13 miles).
WRD prints a map of the area: Zahnd WMA map (PDF).
Besides hunting, WRD lists wildlife viewing here.
The closest other WMAs with a page here: Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA (next to it), Otting Tract WMA (6.5 miles), Johns Mountain WMA (19.9 miles) and Berry College WMA (22.3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Zahnd WMA in 2026-27?
WRD lists these 2026-27 deer dates for Zahnd 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 Zahnd WMA?
WRD's 2026-27 listing for Zahnd 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 Zahnd WMA last season?
9 deer were reported on Zahnd WMA in the 2025-26 season, 6 bucks and 3 does, by WRD's Game Check reports by WMA.
Can you camp on Zahnd WMA?
WRD's listing for Zahnd WMA does not show camping. Ask the region office before planning to stay on the area.
What county is Zahnd WMA in?
All of it is in Walker 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, Zahnd 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.