Turkey harvest from Georgia WMAs has remained relatively stable over the past 10 years with minor fluctuations. Although tens of thousands of hunters spent a considerable time in the woods, only five turkey-hunting accidents occurred during that span and all were non-fatal. Two were “mistaken for game” incidents and three were “accidental shooting,” when birds went between hunting partners. While safety should always remain first and foremost in all hunters’ minds, the numbers show that the drive to and from the woods is much more dangerous than a day spent turkey hunting!

So now that we know a little bit of what the upcoming season may bring, let’s look at some of the best public land hunting opportunities for 2008. For ease of discussion (and since there’s a big difference between what a hunter should reasonably expect from the Blue Ridge Mountains and from the South Georgia swamps), the WMAs are sorted by physiographic region.

RIDGE AND VALLEY
Of the large tracts in the northwest corner of the state, Pine Log WMA at 13,999 acres produced a hunter success rate of 5.4 percent. Meanwhile, 15, 706-acre Berry College WMA was just a hair behind at 5.3 percent, and perennial favorite Johns Mountain WMA had a hunter success rate of 5.2 percent on its 25,049 acres. Overall, the eight WMAs in this part of the state had a hunter success ratio of 4.2 percent.

Proving that good things come in small packages, even the small 163-acre Zahnd Tract produced one public-land gobbler. Hunters looking for a real challenge might want to consider the Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area in Floyd County. Approximately 3,000 acres there are open to archery-only turkey hunting.

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN
In the Blue Ridge, there was a virtual tie for first between 15,800-acre Warwoman WMA 15,800 and Swallow Creek’s 19,000 acres at an 8.8 percent and 8.7 percent hunter success ratios respectively. Dukes Creek/Smithgall Woods Conservation Area at only 4,500 acres produced a very respectable 7.7 percent success rate.

As a whole, the 12 WMAs covering 293,986 acres in this part of the state had a hunter success ratio of 5.0 percent.

PIEDMONT
In the Piedmont region hunters have 27 WMAs covering 238,893 acres from which to choose. The Piedmont is more developed and doesn’t have as many large WMAs as does North Georgia, but this area has excellent turkey habitat.

The 4,758-acre Blanton Creek WMA had an excellent hunter success rate of 18.8 percent followed closely by 6,015-acre Rum Creek at 17.7. Coming in third place, Clybel WMA’s 6,400 acres produced a 12.5 percent success rate. Nearly all other Piedmont WMAs open to firearms hunting produced success ratios of 4 to 10 percent.