Georgia’s turkey season starts this weekend, with hunting on private lands beginning March 29th and on public lands starting April 5th. Hunters in the state are preparing to seek out wild turkeys, hoping for good results similar to last year, when 140 turkeys were harvested in Chattooga County. Georgia has over 130 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for hunting but hunters are advised to research the WMAs beforehand, as each has specific requirements and regulations regarding hunting times and the number of hunters allowed. A complete list of WMAs and properties open for hunting can be found in the Georgia hunting regulations online. A Georgia DNR spokesperson emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific WMA rules since they differ by location. For private land hunters, obtaining landowner permission is necessary. The Georgia Wildlife Turkey Harvest Dashboard shows a total of 11,593 turkeys harvested statewide in 2024, with Polk, Union, and Pickens counties leading in numbers. Safe hunting practices and respect for wildlife are encouraged.