Map: N-Georgia.com, built from U.S. Census Bureau boundaries; location from Georgia DNR
Dixon Memorial WMA is a 36,100-acre state forest near Waycross, run by the Georgia Forestry Commission, with DNR managing the hunting. About half is upland pine forest and half is cypress-gum wetland and creek bottom. Deer, bear, turkey, small game and doves are all hunted here, and there is a public shooting range on the property.
Current notice from Georgia DNR
Check station hours are limited because of Hurricane Helene damage; see Georgia DNR’s Alerts & Closures before you go.
- SizeAbout 36,100 acres
- Check station / access5000 Check Station Road Waycross, GA 31503
- GPS31.14193, -82.24170
- Georgia DNR officeRegion 6 office, 912-262-3173
2026-27 Hunting Seasons at Dixon Memorial 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.
| Game | Season | 2026-27 dates and rules |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Sept. 12-23, 27-30, Oct.4-9, Dec. 13-Jan. 10 |
| Deer | Firearms | (bonus deer hunt) Sept. 24-26, Nov. 5-7 |
| Deer | Firearms | Oct. 1-3, Nov. 21-29 |
| Deer | Firearms | Buck Only: Oct. 10-Nov. 1 |
| Deer | Firearms | (quota, 3 hunters) Dog Hunting/Buckshot Only: Nov. 13-14, Dec. 11-12 |
| Deer | Firearms | Dog-deer hunting in designated area only. All dogs used in the hunt must be marked with the selected hunter’s name & valid phone number. Designated area is closed during hunts except to hunters with a valid quota permit. |
| Bear | Bears may not be taken on the Federal portion of Cowhouse Island. | |
| Bear | Archery | Sept. 17-19 |
| Bear | Firearms | Sept. 24-26, Oct.1-3, Nov. 5-7 |
| Turkey | Apr. 3-May 15 | |
| Dove | State Seasons | |
| Coyote | May 16-31. Feral hogs may be hunted with dogs. | |
| Small Game | State Seasons. | |
| Waterfowl | State Seasons |
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).
Dixon Memorial WMA Maps
For current boundaries, roads, gates and food plots, use Georgia DNR’s Dixon Memorial 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.
- Dixon Memorial WMA NE (older PDF)
- Dixon Memorial WMA NW (older PDF)
- Dixon Memorial WMA SE (older PDF)
- Dixon Memorial WMA SW (older PDF)
Area Rules & Directions
- No airboats. Archery only areas applies to deer only. Alligators may not be taken on the Federal portion of Cowhouse Island or Laura S. Walker State Park. No ATVs/UTVs.
- Access roads come off US 1, GA 177 and US 82. ATVs and UTVs are not allowed.
Directions. From Waycross: Take U.S. 1 south 6 miles to HWY 177, turn north and follow signs to check station.
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
Dixon Memorial Shooting Range.
Activities
Geocaching, not allowed during managed hunts or before 10 a.m. during turkey season; Hunting (including quota hunts); Shooting; Wildlife Viewing.
Nearby Public Land
Altama Plantation WMA, Altamaha WMA, Clayhole Swamp WMA, Griffin Ridge WMA, Little Satilla WMA, Morgan Lake WMA, Paulks Pasture WMA, Penholoway Swamp WMA, Rayonier Corridor Lands WMA, Rogers WMA, Sansavilla WMA, Townsend WMA.
More WMAs
See the South Central Georgia WMAs page, the statewide WMA map and our deer, dove and duck season guides.
Common Questions
When is deer season at Dixon Memorial WMA in 2026-27?
Under the 2026-27 regulations, Dixon Memorial WMA deer hunts are: Archery: Sept. 12-23, 27-30, Oct.4-9, Dec. 13-Jan. 10; Firearms: Sept. 24-26, Nov. 5-7; Firearms: Oct. 1-3, Nov. 21-29; Firearms: Buck Only: Oct. 10-Nov. 1; Firearms: Dog Hunting/Buckshot Only: Nov. 13-14, Dec. 11-12. Check the area listing for quota and sign-in rules.
Do I need a license to go to Dixon Memorial 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.
Where is the Dixon Memorial WMA check station?
The DNR lists the address as 5000 Check Station Road Waycross, GA 31503, at GPS 31.14193, -82.24170. 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: Dixon Memorial 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.