Outdoor Recreational Opportunities

Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP): Any person, age 16–64, entering any designated fee area on state-owned WMAs and PFAs must possess a valid GORP. Persons who possess a valid three-day hunting & fishing, WMA, Lifetime, Sportsman’s, or Honorary license are exempt from this requirement. Designated fee areas are marked with the posting of a sign at the site or area entrance.

A three-day GORP is valid for no more than three (3) days from date of purchase and an annual GORP is valid for not more than 365 days from date of purchase. A GORP may be purchased at www.gohuntgeorgia.com, 1-800-366-2661, or license vendors. Transaction fees apply.

Any individual(s) or organization(s) who desire to sponsor or conduct an event, activity, or series of events or activities involving more than eight (8) individuals on a WMA or PFA may be required to obtain a “Right of Entry” agreement from the Department. A Right of Entry agreement must be formally requested from the Department not less than thirty (30) days prior to the proposed event, activity, or series of events or activities. Events that conflict with the primary uses (e.g. hunting and fishing) of a WMA or PFA may be prohibited. Contact the respective Game Management office (see page 4) for more details. For WMAs on National Forest, special use permits issued by the US Forest Service may be used in lieu of the GORP requirement.

General: Camping, hiking and other recreational uses are allowed year-round, unless otherwise posted at the WMA check station or at a specific recreation site. All WMA visitors are encouraged to wear hunter orange during the hunting seasons. Specific recreation sites may be closed as needed for management purposes by posting at the site.

Camping: All camps must be in designated campgrounds, unless otherwise indicated or posted at the WMA check station. Camping is allowed anywhere on WMAs on National Forest Lands, except where posted otherwise. Forest Service regulations govern outdoor recreation on WMAs located on National Forest Lands. Camping or driving motor vehicles on managed wildlife openings is prohibited. Carving, cutting, chopping or damaging of live trees is prohibited. Camping or establishment of a campsite shall be limited to a period of time not to exceed 14 consecutive days after which the campsite shall be vacated and all personally owned property is removed for a period of not less than 7 days. During that 7 day period, a new campsite may not be established within 1 mile of the vacated campsite by the same person(s). Loaded firearms are prohibited in camping areas, except that any person possessing a license to carry a concealed firearm that is valid in this state pursuant to OCGA §§ 16-11-126(f) or 16-11-129 may carry such firearm subject to the limitations of OCGA §§ 16-11-126 and 16-11-127, except where prohibited by federal law. Campers are responsible for their own trash. No person shall unreasonably disturb or annoy others through abrasive, insulting, or threatening words or actions, or disobey any lawful order of a law enforcement official, or act in a manner resulting in a breach of the peace. No generators, musical instruments, radios, televisions, or other noise-making devices may be used after 10 p.m. or before 7 a.m., in such a manner that they may be heard by other WMA visitors.

Firewood: Only trees that are dead and down may be cut and used for firewood by visitors while staying on WMAs.

Fishing: Unless otherwise posted, fishing is allowed on WMAs according to statewide regulations. When fishing on a WMA, only a Fishing License is required. However, a Fishing License and a WMA License is required to fish on state Public Fishing Areas (PFAs) and Waters Creek Trophy Trout Stream on Chestatee WMA (see fishing regulations). A trout license is required in trout waters. Anglers possessing a Three-Day Fishing, Honorary, Disability, Sportsmen’s, or Lifetime License are not required to have a WMA License.

Shooting Ranges: DNR provides shooting ranges on several WMAs statewide.