Alerts & Closures

Last updated: 3/15/24 at 8:31 a.m.


WMA, PFA, & Hatchery Closures

Map of Regions by Number


Region 2

For road closures on U.S. Forest Service properties (Blue Ridge, Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Cooper's Creek, Lake Russell, Redlands, Swallow Creek, and Warwoman), please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/ for the most current information.

Chestatee WMA

Updated 1/11/24 at 3:13 p.m.
Forest Service has temporarily closed Boggs Creek Road (FS Road #443) due to road damage.

Dawson Forest WMA

Posted 3/4/24 a 11:11 a.m.

All gates on Dawson Forest WMA closed until April 5, 2024.

Updated 1/13/23 at 11:32 a.m.
The Shoal Creek Road is closed until further notice.

Updated 4/25/22 at 8:51 a.m.
The road to the Wildcat Creek Campground from Steve Tate Highway is a rough road and is suitable only for vehicles with high suspensions or four-wheel drive.

Elbert County WMA

Updated 12/02/22 at 11:42 a.m.
Vaughter Tract Ponds are closed to fishing for restocking purposes and will reopen July 1, 2024.

Wilson Shoals WMA

Updated 2/07/24 at 9:30 a.m.
All roads in Wilson Shoals except for the road to the shooting range and Grant Mills Rd. are closed until further notice.


Region 3

Clybel WMA/Marben PFA

Posted 3/5/24 at 1:08 p.m.
Due to construction, a portion of the “Red Trail” (part of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center Trail System) is blocked near the Brooke Ager Discovery Area/Clubhouse Lake and cannot be used as a loop at this time. Please avoid this area until further notice.

Updated 4/17/23 at 11:03 a.m.
The Clybel/Charlie Elliott public campground is closed due to renovations. Tentative reopening will happen in March 2024.

Updated 10/16/23 at 4:15 p.m.
Lake Margery at Marben PFA is currently closed to all access (fishing/boating). The lake has been drained for maintenance. When complete, the lake will be allowed to refill. Once water is at appropriate levels, fish stockings can occur. Potential re-opening date for this lake is Fall 2024.

Di-Lane WMA

Posted 3/4/24 at 3:00 p.m.
Di-Lane WMA will be closed to the public March 1-24, 2024 to conduct intensive management and research activities. The area will re-open on March 25, 2024.


Region 5

Blanton Creek WMA

Posted 2/23/24 at 1:29 p.m.
Lower Blanton Ferry Road on Blanton Creek WMA will be closed Feb. 26 – April 5 for road renovation work. The area remains open to visitors, but this road will be inaccessible to vehicles.


Region 6

Altamaha WMA

Updated 9/16/21 at 12:25 a.m.
The job of repairing Hurricane Irma damages to the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area (located on the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area) continues. Waterfowl hunters planning to hunt this area should take note of repairs and conditions to help prevent unwanted surprises and frustrations.

Updated 10/2/23 at 9:07 a.m.
No waterfowl hunting will be permitted on Butler Island for the 2023 season. Critical repairs to Butler’s impoundment dikes began early in 2023 and have continued as planned all summer. However, frequent storms and wet weather have prevented the dry conditions needed to complete these efforts and make the dike roads ready to support vehicle traffic. The repair and enhancement activities on the Butler Island will be ongoing into the waterfowl season. Not only will this make it difficult or impossible to access our blinds, but the activity on site will also impact how birds use the Butler impoundments. To make the best of the situation, the Butler impoundments will be maintained as dry this waterfowl season, to allow field bed improvements within the impoundments that will enhance habitat for the future. Note - The Champney Island waterfowl quota hunts will be held as scheduled for 2023. If you’ve applied already for Butler Island quota hunts for 2023, you can log into your account at www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com to make changes to your Waterfowl application hunt choices. Customers that do not update their first hunt choice application from Butler Island will be listed as “unsuccessful” and receive one (1) quota priority point for the year.  Applications can be updated until October 16, 2023.

Updated 1/17/24 at 10:11 a.m.
The Road to McGowan Lake tract is closed due to rising river level. It will remain closed until the river recedes.

Grand Bay WMA

Updated 7/9/21 at 8:33 a.m.
Due to military training needs on the federally owned portion (Highway 221 tract) of Grand Bay WMA, that section will be closed to public access periodically.

The automatic gate to the Grand Bay WMA boardwalk and lookout tower is open from 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily and during classes at the Education Center. Anyone in that area after 8 p.m. may be locked in and is subject to being ticketed by the GADNR Law Enforcement Division.

Townsend WMA

Updated 1/17/24 at 10:11 a.m.
Roads accessing portions of Townsend WMA may be flooded by the Altamaha River during times of high water. WMA users should use caution and make appropriate plans anytime the Altamaha River level at the Doctortown gauge is above 7ft. Check the National Weather Service for up to date levels.


      Education Centers

      Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center

      Posted 3/5/24 at 1:08 p.m.
      Due to construction, a portion of the “Red Trail” (part of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center Trail System) is blocked near the Brooke Ager Discovery Area/Clubhouse Lake and cannot be used as a loop at this time. Please avoid this area until further notice.

      Updated 4/17/23 at 11:03 a.m.
      The Clybel/Charlie Elliott public campground is closed due to renovations. Tentative reopening will happen in March 2024.

      Updated 10/16/23 at 4:15 p.m.
      Lake Margery at Marben PFA is currently closed to all access (fishing/boating). The lake has been drained for maintenance. When complete, the lake will be allowed to refill. Once water is at appropriate levels, fish stockings can occur. Potential re-opening date for this lake is Fall 2024.


      Shooting & Archery Ranges

      Big Hammock Shooting Range

      Updated 2/28/2024
      Effective immediately, the Big Hammock Shooting Range is permanently closed. Frequent flooding necessitated long closures of this shooting range much of the year and inhibited maintenance of the facility. After consultations with shooting range specialists, the decision was made to close the facility, recycle the lead in the range berm, and return the soil to its original condition. The two nearest open DNR public ranges are Richmond Hill (to the east of Big Hammock) and Bullard Creek (to the west of Big Hammock). Other opportunities to shoot can be found at https://www.wheretoshoot.org/.

      Richmond Hill Shooting Range

      Updated 3/15/2024
      Effective immediately, the 100-yard rifle range at the Richmond Hill Shooting Range is closed due to severe damage from a fire on property. The pistol range and archery range will remain open.


      Boat Ramps

      If designated parking areas on boat ramps, shooting ranges, trail heads or similar areas are full, the area has reached capacity. Do not park outside designated spaces. Do not park in any area not designated for legal parking. Normal rules for parking on WMAs apply—see hunting regulations on page 41.

      **Boat Ramp Interactive Map

      **Contact region offices should you want to check ramp conditions ahead of time.

      Closures

      Ogeechee River Boat Ramp SR4/US1 (Jefferson County)

      Updated 8/10/2023
      The Ogeechee River Boat Ramp located in Jefferson County at Georgia State Route 4/US Highway 1 is closed due to bridge replacement construction operations. A heavy crane will be placed at the ramp site to facilitate the movement of materials for the bridge project. A re-opening date for the ramp is yet to be determined. Alternative boat ramp locations on the Ogeechee River are as follows: upstream at State Hwy 88 (Jefferson County), and downstream at State Hwy 78 (Jefferson County).

      Cautions

      No cautions at this time.