A Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) firearms deer hunt will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4, and will continue every day, all day through Saturday, December 7, 2024 on the Berry College WMA. The necessary signage regarding the WMA firearms deer hunt has or will be posted and will remain through Saturday. Please be aware that any and all activity (i.e. academic, recreational, college business, etc.) on the Berry College WMA is prohibited at all hours on these days.
DEER Archery SEASON
There are two scheduled deer and bear archery hunts on the Berry College Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for this year. Signing in prior to hunting is required only once per season during archery deer hunts. Check out or signing out on the day of a kill is required.
The dates for these hunts are September 14 - October 29, 2024, and November 3 - 15, 2024.
Horse, bicycle and foot trails are closed before 10:00 am during deer and bear archery season. During these hunts, only permitted hunters will be allowed on the WMA. All other activities are PROHIBITED every day prior to 10:00 am during the deer and bear archery season.
DEER FIREARM SEASON
There are three scheduled deer firearm hunts on the Berry College WMA for this year. 1,000 people will be drawn for the first two hunts.
The dates for these hunts are:
- October 30 – November 2, 2024 (Buck only/Either Sex last day)
- December 4 – 7, 2024 (Either Sex)
- January 4 – 5, 2025 (Adult/Child; Ladies only)
During these hunts, only permitted hunters will be allowed on the WMA. All other activities, such as recreational, academic, college business, etc. are PROHIBITED all day, every day during the deer firearm season.
TURKEY SEASON
April 5 - May 15, 2025
Horse, bicycle, and foot trails are closed prior to 10:00 am during turkey season. During these hunts, only permitted hunters will be allowed on the WMA. All other activities are PROHIBITED every day before 10:00 am during turkey season.
The Berry College Land Resources Department will be posting the necessary signage at high traffic areas that lead into the Berry College WMA. These signs provide NOTICE restricting recreational use and all other non-hunting activities on the Berry College WMA and its’ trails before 10:00 am each and every day throughout the turkey hunting season.
Bird and Rabbit, Dog Training
(No night hunting) August 15, 2024 – March 19, 2025, except during fire-arm deer hunts.
Coyote and Hog SEASON
No hunting of coyote or hog on the WMA.
All interior gated roads and/or trails leading from main or mountain campus onto Berry College’s WMA will take you into the hunting areas. It is very important that you pay close attention to the hunting dates, posted signage and stay clear of the hunting areas.
The main campus and the mountain campus are protected by a buffer zone, which is called the Berry College Refuge. Hunters are not allowed inside the Refuge Area (Buffer Zone).
No weapon of any type is allowed on the Refuge Area and hunters may not access the WMA from campus.
SPECIAL REGULATIONS
There is no open season for the taking of wildlife on the Berry College campus or refuge. Firearms and archery equipment are prohibited on the campus and refuge. Hunters may not use the main campus for gaining access to WMA. NO ATVs. Foot trails, horse trails and bicycle trails are closed all day during deer firearms season and before 10:00 A.M. during deer/bear archery and turkey season.
Visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com for more information.