Located in the southern Appalachian foothills of north Georgia, Carter's Lake WMA is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. The 3,300-acre WMA consists of the land owned by the U.S.

The Sumac Shooting Range is located on Cohutta Wildlife Management Area in Murray County.

The US Forest Service has switched to a cashless payment system. You will have to download the recreation.gov app, set up an account and pay online to use the facilities. Visit the USFS site for definitive information on using the ranges.

Bring One for the Chipper – January 3, 2026

Smithgall Woods Regional Education Center (SWREC) was established at the Smithgall Woods—Dukes Creek Conservation Area in 1997 in response to the growing demand for hands-on environmental education. Smithgall Woods is situated on 5,600 acres, most of which was acquired by the state of GA through a gift-purchase from Charles Smithgall, Jr., a noted conservationist and entrepreneur.

McGraw Ford Wildlife Management Area is located in Cherokee County on the Etowah River. The 2,070-acre property has hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove and waterfowl. The wildlife management focus is to provide archery deer and bear hunting during the fall, season long dove hunting on the 22 acres of managed dove fields, and spring turkey hunting. With access to about 5 miles of river frontage, the area provides unique fishing and paddling opportunities. No ATVs are allowed on the property.

J.L. Lester Wildlife Management Area is located in Polk County. This 477-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove and waterfowl. No ATVs allowed on the property. No night hunting.

This 338-acre Wildlife Management Area is in Northwest Georgia (Floyd County). Mostly mature forest (primarily mixed pine hardwood), Arrowhead is known for its lakes and managed waterfowl impoundments. Former fish hatchery ponds are used to provide wetland habitat while the lake provides youth fishing opportunities.

John's Mountain Wildlife Management Area is located in Walker, Whitfield, Gordon and Floyd counties on property owned by the U.S. Forest Service. This 23,356-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey and small game. No ATVs are allowed on the property.