Upland Bird Hunting Opportunities in Georgia
(Revised July 2013)
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) does not
have statewide population density estimates for bobwhites, grouse or woodcock but does monitor
population trends. Unfortunately, the trends have been down for these three species over the past
several decades. These declines have been due to large-scale changes in land use that have
greatly reduced the abundance and distribution of native grasses, legumes, forbs, briars, shrubs,
and woody vines (collectively referred to as early succession habitat) that these critters need.
Hunting has not and is not negatively impacting these populations and therefore seasons and bag
limits have remained relatively stable. General information is provided below on each of these
species.
Northern Bobwhites
(Georgia’s State Gamebird) – Bobwhites occur at very high
densities on the privately owned (non-commercial) plantations of SW Georgia and NW Florida.
These plantations are intensively managed for high quality quail habitat and are not open to
public hunting.
Moderate to low-density wild populations occur across much of the extensively row crop
farmed landscape in Georgia’s Upper Coastal Plain Physiographic Province. This zone of
Central and Southwest Georgia is comprised of portions of about 69 counties from
Waynesboro/Statesboro through Dublin/Fitzgerald and down to Camilla/Moultrie. WRD Private
Lands Program wildlife biologists work with landowners in this area through Georgia’s
Bobwhite Quail Initiative and The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (25-state bobwhite
recovery plan) to integrate bobwhite management into their farming and forestry operations.
This effort is funded primarily through the sale of Georgia’s “Support Wildlife” BQI license
plate. Many of these farms have stable or increasing quail populations. Hunters must obtain
written permission prior to accessing private lands in Georgia.
Bobwhite Hunting Opportunities on State Land
Some of Georgia’s best quail hunting on public land is in Game Management Region III on
DiLane Wildlife Management Area, in Burke County near Waynesboro. Quail hunting on
DiLane is by quota only. Please consult Georgia’s hunting Seasons & Regulations Guide for
instructions on how to apply for hunting on this and other WMAs with quota quail hunts. A
number of other WMAs have habitat conditions necessary to support low to moderate bobwhite
densities. These include but are not limited to:
Region I:
J.L. Lester WMA (quota)
Region III: Clarks Hill WMA
Region IV: Blanton Creek, Clybel, Oaky Woods and Ocmulgee WMAs
Region V: Albany Nursery (quota), Elmodel, Lake Seminole, River Creek and Silver
Lake (quota) WMAs
Bird Dog Training Areas
Bird dog training is allowed year-round or as specified for the following WMAs during
daylight hours only. Pen-raised quail and pigeons may be released and harvested using shotguns
with number six or smaller shot while training pointing, flushing and retrieving dogs in
designated areas only. Dog trainer must maintain proof of purchase if using pen-raised quail.
All participants must possess a valid hunting license and WMA license.
Region I:
Berry College, Coosawattee, Crockford-Pigeon Mountain, J.L. Lester,
Paulding Forest and Pine Log
Region II: Hart County
Region III: Alexander, Mead Farm and Walton Public Dove Field
Region IV: Fall Line – Sandhills, Flat Creek State Park, Joe Kurz, Ocmulgee – Gum
Swamp Creek Tract, West Point – Dixie Creek Tract
Region V: Elmodel
Region VI: Beaverdam and Horse Creek
Region VII: Penholoway Swamp and Richmond Hill
Ruffed Grouse
– The North Georgia Mountains are the southern most extension of the
ruffed grouse range. Populations are very low and the birds occur mainly at moderate to high
elevations and on sites where timber cutting has occurred during the last 15 years and/or in
association with mountain laurel and rhododendron thickets. Contact the Game Management
Offices in Region I and II for details on which WMAs have the best grouse populations in
Georgia.
American Woodcock – These are migratory birds that winter in the south and use creek
and river bottoms to probe for earthworms. They also utilize early succession habitats like young
forest regeneration areas. Some of the best public woodcock hunting in Georgia occurs along
creek and river bottoms of the Oconee National Forest. Contact the offices of the US Forest
Service Chattahoochee/Oconee National Forest or Regions III and IV Game Management
Offices for additional details on hunting opportunity for this bird.
State Land Opportunities
Administratively, WRD WMAs are grouped into 7 Regions with wildlife biologists and area
managers that are most familiar with the wildlife populations and habitat conditions of the
specific WMAs. For detailed information contact the Game Management Region Offices at the
numbers listed below.
Region I (Northwest):
Region II (Northeast):
Region III (East Central):
Region IV (West Central):
706-295-6041
770-535-5700
706-595-4222
478-825-7583
Region V (Southwest):
Region VI (South Central):
Region VII (Coastal):
229-430-4254
229-426-5267
912-262-3173
Federal Land Opportunities
Portions of the National Forest and refuge lands in central Georgia are managed for the
endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker through timber thinning and prescribed burning, which
can provide fair quail habitat. Also, woodcock hunting can be good along some of the major
creek and river bottom flood plains. For detailed information contact the appropriate office at the
numbers listed below.
Chattahoochee National Forest
Oconee National Forest
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
770-297-3000
706-485-1776
478-986-5441
Public Land Contact Information: These numbers are also listed in the Georgia’s
hunting Seasons & Regulations Guide. Always be sure to consult the hunting regulations for
details about open dates and regulations for any species or area that you intend to hunt.
Good Hunting!