37 S.

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Altamaha WMA - Waterfowl Management Area

2026-27 season.

Check before you hunt. Confirm these dates in 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting Regulations. Seasons, closures and area rules can change.

Deer

Sep 12 – Nov 15

Archery.

In the guide: “Deer · Archery: Sept. 12-Nov. 15”

Dove

Sep 5–7, Sep 12–13, Sep 19–20, Sep 26–27

Any legal weapon.

In the guide: “Dove: Sept. 5-7, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27”

Small game

Aug 15 – Nov 15, Feb 1–28

Follows the statewide seasons.

  • Squirrel: Aug 15 – Nov 15, Feb 1–28
  • Rabbit and quail: Nov 14–15, Feb 1–28

In the guide: “Small game seasons: Aug. 15-Nov. 15, Feb. 1-28. No furbearers.”

Coyote and hogs

Mar 1 – May 31

Any legal weapon.

Small game weapons only.

In the guide: “Coyote · Small game weapons: Mar. 1-May 31. Feral hogs may be hunted and taken with dogs.”

Alligator

Aug 14 – Oct 5

Any legal weapon.

In the guide: “Alligator: Aug. 14-Oct. 5”

Area rules

Area includes Broughton, Butler, Champney, and Rhetts Islands. Butler Refuge (east of Hwy 17 on Butler Island) and Ansley Hodges MARSH Project (west of Hwy 17 on Champney Island) are always closed to firearms but archery equipment may be used during open dates to take deer, hog, and rabbits after the last Saturday of waterfowl season. Airboats are banned in managed waterfowl impoundments. Access to Rhetts Island is limited to designated crossover sites, with boats restricted to a 25hp motor or less. Drone use is prohibited.

Nearby areas

Altamaha WMA - Butler Island within this area

Altamaha WMA - Champney Island within this area

Altamaha WMA - Rhett's Island within this area

Altama Plantation WMA around 5 miles away

Altamaha WMA - Buffalo Swamp, Lewis Island, and McGowan Lake Tracts around 7 miles away

Clayhole Swamp WMA around 9 miles away

Sapelo Island WMA around 10 miles away

Paulks Pasture WMA around 15 miles away

All bear, deer, and turkey hunters must sign in unless the area listing says otherwise. All deer hunts are either sex unless otherwise noted. On antler restricted areas, only bucks with at least four points one inch or longer on either antler, or an outside spread of at least 15 inches, are legal. Unless otherwise stated, any small game with an open state season may be hunted during an area's small game dates. No small game or furbearer hunting during deer, quail, or quota hunts, except waterfowl during archery deer hunts in open state season. Legal hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset for doves and waterfowl. Youth, active duty military and veterans may hunt ducks and geese on Nov. 14-15.

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