An official website of the State of Georgia.
Last updated: 11/01/23 at 9:24 a.m.
WMA, PFA, & Hatchery Closures
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Go Fish Education Center
Updated 10/19/23 at 4:20 p.m
Go Fish Education Center is closed to work on new exhibits as of October 20, 2023.
Shooting & Archery Ranges
Big Hammock Shooting Range
Updated 8/9/2023
The shooting range is closed for repairs and renovations.
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.
**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 8/19/2023
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 is ongoing and re-opening will be determined at a later date. 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).
Cautions
No cautions at this time.
