Map: N-Georgia.com, built from U.S. Census Bureau boundaries; location from Georgia DNR
Altamaha WMA, near Darien, combines 3,154 acres of managed waterfowl impoundments with some 27,000 acres of bottomland hardwood and cypress-tupelo swamp near the mouth of the Altamaha River. The duck impoundments are in three units: Butler Island and Champney Island are hunted by quota, and Rhett’s Island is reached only by boat. Deer, turkey, small game and doves are also hunted.
Current notice from Georgia DNR
The Champney boat ramp is closed. Waterfowl hunters can use the Darien River boat ramp, but parking there is limited and shared with other users.
- SizeAbout 30,000 acres
- Check station / access2613 US Highway 17 Darien, GA 31305
- GPS31.35110, -81.44760
- Georgia DNR officeRegion 6 office, 912-262-3173
2026-27 Hunting Seasons at Altamaha WMA
These dates come from Georgia DNR’s 2026-27 WMA regulations. “State seasons” means the statewide dates apply; see our Georgia hunting seasons guide. Sign-in is required for bear, deer and turkey hunts unless noted, and quota hunts require an application at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.
Altamaha WMA: Buffalo Swamp, Lewis Island, and McGowan Lake Tracts
20,167 acres.
| Game | Season | 2026-27 dates and rules |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Sept. 12-Oct. 9 |
| Deer | Primitive | Oct. 10-16 |
| Deer | Firearms | Oct. 17-Jan. 10 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3-May 15 | |
| Coyote | May 16-31. Feral hogs may be hunted with dogs. | |
| Small Game | State Seasons. | |
| Waterfowl | State Seasons |
Altamaha WMA: Waterfowl Management Area
11,402 acres.
| Game | Season | 2026-27 dates and rules |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Sept. 12-Nov. 15 |
| Dove | Sept. 5-7, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 | |
| Small Game | Aug. 15-Nov. 15, Feb. 1-28 | |
| Small Game | No furbearers. | |
| Small Game | BUTLER ISLAND | Opens after last saturday of waterfowl season. |
| Butler Island | Waterfowl | Selected hunters must check-in before 5:00 a.m. on morning of hunt for stand selection drawing. Shooting hours end at noon, last day of season ends at sunset. |
| Butler Island | Waterfowl | Saturday |
| Butler Island | Waterfowl | (quota, 20 hunters) (sign-in) Nov. 21, 28, Dec. 12, 19, 26, Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
| Butler Island | Rabbit Archery | (youth hunt) Jan. 23-24 |
| Champney Island | Waterfowl | Saturdays-Sundays |
| Champney Island | Waterfowl | (quota, 20 hunters) (sign-in) Nov. 28-29, Dec. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Jan. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31 |
| Champney Island | Waterfowl | (youth hunt) Youth or Veteran: Nov. 21-22 |
| rhett’s Island | Waterfowl | Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, State Holidays during State Seasons |
| Alligator | Aug. 14-Oct. 5 | |
| Coyote | small game weapons | Mar. 1-May 31. Feral hogs may be hunted and taken with dogs. |
Advertise Near Here
Outfitters, guides, lodging and processors: reach hunters planning a Georgia season. See our advertising options or download the 2026 media kit (PDF).
Altamaha WMA Maps
For current boundaries, roads, gates and food plots, use Georgia DNR’s Altamaha WMA page and its interactive property map, which also works in the Outdoors GA app. Our printable PDF maps below are older copies of DNR maps from roughly 2011 to 2013; boundaries, roads and tract names may have changed since.
Area Rules & Directions
- 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 listed above 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. Fishing, shrimping, and crabbing are prohibited on Rhetts Island during early teal and statewide waterfowl season. Butler Island ponds and impoundments west of HWY 17 are closed to cast netting. Drone use, including launching and landing, is prohibited.
Directions. Buffalo Swamp from Darien: Take HWY 251/Cox Rd west 8 miles to Cox. Left onto Possum Point Rd. Sign In box is 1.5 miles on left. McGowan Lake from Darien: Take HWY 251/Cox Rd west 8 miles to Cox. Left onto Barrington Rd. Entrance is 2.2 miles on left. You may also sign in at Altamaha Regional Park, Champney Island Boat Ramp, and Darien City Docks.
Directions. From Darien: Take U.S. HWY 17 south 1.5 miles, check station is on the right.
Everyone 16 and older entering a WMA needs a Georgia license that allows hunting or fishing, or a Lands Pass ($30 a year for residents). Wear fluorescent orange or blaze pink during firearms and primitive weapons deer and bear hunts, and report deer, bear and turkey through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours.
Facilities & Things to Do
Facilities
Boat Ramp; Campsites; Canoe Access; Dock; Lake; Nature Trails.
Activities
Boating; Camping; Canoeing; Geocaching, not allowed during managed hunts or before 10 a.m. during turkey season; Hiking; Hunting (including quota hunts); Lake Fishing; River Fishing; Wildlife Viewing.
Nearby Public Land
Altama Plantation WMA, Clayhole Swamp WMA, Fort King George State Historic Site, Fort Morris State Historic Site, Griffin Ridge WMA, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site, Little Satilla WMA, Morgan Lake WMA, Ossabaw Island WMA, Paulks Pasture WMA, Penholoway Swamp WMA, Rayonier Corridor Lands WMA, Richmond Hill WMA & Hatchery, Rogers WMA, Sansavilla WMA, Sapelo Island WMA, Townsend WMA.
More WMAs
See the Coastal Georgia WMAs page, the statewide WMA map and our deer, dove and duck season guides.
Common Questions
When is deer season at Altamaha WMA in 2026-27?
Under the 2026-27 regulations, Altamaha WMA deer hunts are: Archery: Sept. 12-Oct. 9; Primitive: Oct. 10-16; Firearms: Oct. 17-Jan. 10. Check the area listing for quota and sign-in rules.
Do I need a license to go to Altamaha WMA?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older entering a Georgia WMA needs a license that allows hunting or fishing, or a Lands Pass ($30 a year for residents, $60 for non-residents). Hunters also need the licenses for the game they pursue.
Can you camp at Altamaha WMA?
Yes, in designated campsites only. Camping on a WMA is limited to 14 consecutive days.
Where is the Altamaha WMA check station?
The DNR lists the address as 2613 US Highway 17 Darien, GA 31305, at GPS 31.35110, -81.44760. The DNR office for this area is Region 6 office, 912-262-3173.
Sources we checked
Everything on this page was checked on October 13, 2026, against Georgia DNR. If anything here differs from DNR’s official regulations, the regulations win.
- Georgia DNR: Altamaha WMA – size, location, GPS, facilities, notices and office phone
- Georgia 2026-27 WMA regulations (eRegulations) – hunt dates, area notes and directions
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.