Alerts & Closures

Last updated: 9/18/23 at 11:48 a.m.


WMA, PFA, & Hatchery Closures

Map of Regions by Number

Region 1

Cohutta WMA

Updated 4/1/21 at 3:52 p.m.
Mooneyham Road is closed starting at the second gate due to landslides.

Pine Log WMA

Updated 5/2/23 at 8:18 a.m.
Pine Log WMA is closed indefinitely beginning June 2nd.


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.

Dawson Forest WMA

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.


Region 3

Clybel WMA/Marben PFA/Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

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 8/15/23 at 4:08 p.m.
Lake Margery at Marben PFA is currently being drained for important maintenance. The boat ramp is now closed. Bank access for fishing will remain open until heavy equipment arrives for maintenance work (potentially early October).

Oaky Woods WMA

Posted 9/18/23 at 11:46 a.m.
An adjacent landowner will be logging for the next 6 months and road use and conditions will be variable. Logging traffic will be high during the week. Please see the PDF road map on the WMA page showing the roads in RED that will be impacted.


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.

Clayhole Swamp

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.

Cardinal Tract VPA

Updated 8/16/23
Cardinal Tract VPA is no longer available for public access.


      Education Centers

      Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center

      Updated 1/13/23 at 10:00 a.m
      Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, parts of Clybel WMA and Marben PFA sustained damage during last night’s storms. The properties remain open, but visitors are encouraged to proceed with caution as crews work to remove trees and debris from the storm. In particular, there are trees down along Murder Creek Rd.


      Shooting & Archery Ranges

      Big Hammock Shooting Range

      Updated 8/9/2023
      The shooting range is closed for repairs and renovations.

      Richmond Hill

      Updated 8/10/2023
      The shooting range will temporarily close Sept. 15 for renovations. The estimated re-opening date is mid-to-late November. The archery range will remain open during the renovation period.


      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).

      Boat Ramp SR 158 (Ware County)

      Posted 8/10/2023
      The public Boat Ramp on the Satilla River (Ware County) at SR 158 will temporarily close on August 15, 2023. The ramp is due to be replaced. Construction will take approximately six weeks. Anglers and boaters wishing to access the Satilla River during this time may do so by using the public boat ramp located at Axson Landing (Atkinson County).

      Middleton Boat Ramp (Elbert County) at Lake Richard B. Russell

      Posted: 9/18/23
      The Middleton Boat Ramp located in Elbert County (coordinates: 34.106920, -82.758420) on Lake Richard B. Russell will temporarily close on October 9, 2023 for parking lot renovation and boat ramp improvements. Construction will take approximately three weeks, with an expected re-opening date of Oct. 30. Anglers and boaters wishing to access Lake Russell during this time may do so by using the nearby Pearl Mill boat ramp (Elbert County).

      Cautions

      No cautions at this time.