Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

Map: N-Georgia.com, built from U.S. Census Bureau boundaries; location from Georgia DNR

Dawson Forest WMA covers about 25,500 acres in Dawson County in five tracts: Wildcat Creek, Goethe, Burnt Mountain, Amicalola and City of Atlanta. DNR owns about 15,000 acres and the City of Atlanta owns the rest. Hunting includes deer, bear, turkey, small game, doves and waterfowl, and miles of trails are open to hikers, cyclists and riders outside of hunts.

• SizeAbout 25,500 acres
• Check station / access5872 Highway 53 W Dawsonville, GA 30534
• GPS34.42494, -84.21270
• Georgia DNR officeRegion 2 office, 770-535-5700

• 2026-27 Seasons
• Maps
• Rules & Directions
• Facilities
• Common Questions

2026-27 Hunting Seasons at Dawson Forest 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.

Dawson Forest WMA Maps

For current boundaries, roads, gates and food plots, use Georgia DNR’s Dawson Forest 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.

• Dawson Forest WMA (older PDF)
• Dawson Forest WMA Amicalola Tract (older PDF)
• Dawson Forest WMA Burnt Mountain Tract (older PDF)
• Dawson Forest WMA City Of Atlanta Tract (older PDF)
• Dawson Forest WMA Wildcat Creek Tract (older PDF)

Area Rules & Directions

• All trails are closed before 10:00 a.m. during turkey and archery deer seasons, and all day during deer firearms hunts. No waterfowl hunting behind the Horse Camp parking lot. Special rules for horses, bicycles, and camping are posted at the trailhead, campsites, and WMA check station. Permits are needed for horses, bikes, and camping. Permits must be on you to be valid. Camp only in designated areas. City of Atlanta Tract - roads are closed to vehicles from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (unless lawfully camping, hunting, or fishing).
• Trails are closed all day during firearms deer hunts except to hunters, and before 10 a.m. during archery deer season and turkey season.

Directions. From Dawsonville: Take GA HWY 53 west 6 miles, turn right onto driveway at kiosk, check station is at top of hill. Check in and Sign-in/out at kiosk on HWY 53, check out harvested game during managed hunts at check station. Sign-in and sign-out is also available at the Horse Camp.

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