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Compound Bow Hunting in Georgia — Southern Whitetail & Wild Turkey Heaven

Whitetail DeerWild TurkeyBlack BearFeral Hog

📅 2026 Season & License Info

Archery Season Open

September 13

Archery Season Close

January 13

Min Draw Weight

35 lbs

Resident License

$15/yr

Non-Resident License

$111/yr

Top Species

Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Black Bear, Feral Hog

📍 Top Public Hunting Spots

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

867,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Bear

North Georgia mountains. Underutilized ridges produce quality bucks away from pressure.

Altamaha WMA

25,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Hog

South Georgia lowlands. River swamps and creek bottoms hold big deer.

Oconee WMA

113,000 acres

Whitetail Deer, Turkey

Central Georgia. Mix of pine and hardwood with managed food plots.

⚖️ Georgia Archery Regulations

  • •Minimum draw weight: 35 lbs
  • •Antler restrictions in some WMAs — check area-specific rules
  • •Sunday hunting allowed
  • •Electronic calls legal for coyotes, not for deer

💡 Expert Tips for Georgia

  • →Georgia's rut varies dramatically — south GA peaks in late October, north GA in mid-November
  • →National forest ridges in northeast GA see far less pressure than WMAs
  • →Creek bottoms and swamp edges are deer highways in south Georgia
  • →Turkey season in spring gives bowhunters a second season every year
⚠️ Regulation Disclaimer: Hunting regulations change annually. Always verify current season dates, bag limits, and equipment requirements with the Georgia state wildlife agency before hunting. This information is for planning purposes only.

Georgia Bowhunting FAQ

Georgia's top WMAs for bowhunters include Altamaha (south Georgia swamp hunting), Ocmulgee (central Georgia river bottoms), and Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (managed hunts with quality bucks). The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest offers walk-in access across nearly 900,000 acres with less pressure than named WMAs.