As of June 1, the application period is open for nine Georgia state park quota deer hunts. These public land hunts are administered separately from the traditional WMA quota deer hunts, with their own drawing and preference points.
As you’ll see below, these state park hunts are harder to draw than most WMA hunts, but the reward for your patience is a much higher chance of filling your deer tags. The success rate on some of these hunts is over 100%!
In this article, we’ll cover which state parks are offering deer hunts for Georgia’s 2023-2024 deer season, how many preference points you’ll likely need to draw each hunt, as well as the success rate of hunters who participated in them (based on 2022 data). That should be more than enough information to help you make your final decision on which Georgia state park quota deer hunt you should apply for this year.
When deciding how many preference points to wager, keep in mind that things could be different this year based on the number of people who apply, and the demand for certain hunts.
Just because you could draw the Chattahoochee Bend State Park hunt with four points last year doesn’t mean that will be the case this year.
If you have points to wager, you can always use them. Any points in excess of what you needed to draw the hunt will be credited back to your account.
2023-2024 Georgia State Park Quota Deer Hunt Options
| State Park | Quota | Hunt Dates | Draw Odds (Based on 2022) | 2022 Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee Bend | 110 | Nov. 28-29 | 100% (4 points) 38% (3 points) | 62.5% |
| Don Carter | 55 | Nov. 14-16 | N/A New Hunt | N/A |
| Fort Yargo | 85 | Nov. 28-29 | 100% (4 points) 47% (3 points) | 67.2% |
| Hard Labor Creek | 250 | Nov. 7-8 | 100% (3 points) 31% (2 points) | 97.2% |
| Panola Mountain | 60 | Nov. 14-15 | 100% (6+ points) 44% (5 points) | 100% |
| Red Top Mountain | 50 | Nov. 14-15 | 65% (6+ points) | 126.7% |
| Richard B. Russell | 60 | Dec. 5-6 | 100% (4 points) 63% (3 points) | 62.9% |
| Standing Boy (Archery) | 20 | Oct. 6-8 | N/A | 15%* |
| Standing Boy (Archery) | 20 | Nov. 3-5 | N/A | 15%* |
| Standing Boy (Archery) | 20 | Nov. 10-12 | N/A | 15%* |
| Standing Boy (Archery) | 20 | Dec. 1-3 | N/A | 15%* |
| Tugaloo (Archery) | 40 | Nov. 28-29 | 100% (5 points) 38% (4 points) | 29.4% |
Easiest State Park Hunts to Draw
Unfortunately, if you don’t have at least two preference points for the state park quota deer hunts, you aren’t likely to draw a hunt this season. Some of these hunts take over five years of points accumulation just for a shot at getting drawn.
There are several in that middle range where three to four points will either guarantee a draw or at least put you in contention. If you’ve only got two points for this year, though, you could potentially draw the Hard Labor Creek State Park hunt, although based on 2022, your odds are less than 40%.
The two unknowns for this year are the new Don Carter State Park and Standing Boy Creek State Park hunts. New hunts are typically high demand. However, in the case of Standing Boy Creek, it was formerly a WMA open all season, so the excitement of getting to be the first to hunt it won’t be there like it will for Don Carter.
Hunts with the Best Odds of Success
If you’re looking to put venison in the freezer, you really can’t go wrong with any of these hunts. And that ‘s the whole purpose of these state parks to begin with — reduce the deer population on the park.
The lowest success rate of any of these hunts (not including the new Standing Boy Creek State Park) is Fort Yargo State Park at 42%, and that’s pretty great odds for public land.
Even the Tugaloo State Park archery hunt has nearly a 30% success rate. Having said that, there were a few on the list that blew my mind with close to, or in some cases more than, a 100% success rate.
If your goal is meat in the freezer, and you have the preference points to draw, your best bets for success are:
- Red Top Mountain State Park (126.7% success rate!)
- Panola Mountain State Park (100% success rate)
- Hard Labor Creek State Park (97.2% success rate)
How to Apply for Georgia State Park Quota Deer Hunts
You apply for these state park quota deer hunts exactly like you do the regular WMA quota hunts.
Head over to the Georgia DNR website and set up an account if you already haven’t. Once you’re logged in, you’ll choose “Apply for a Quota Hunt” at the top of the page, then the apply button for State Park Quota Deer Hunts.
At that point, you have to decide whether you are applying as an individual or with a group, then make your hunt selections.
If you’re unfamiliar with the application process, I created a video last year (embedded below) that walks you through the process. Disregard the references to Hunt the South, as it was later rebranded to the site you’re on now — Get Outdoors South.
Quota Deer Hunt Deadline
The deadline for applying for Georgia’s state park quota deer hunts is September 1.
Final Thoughts
Georgia’s state park quota deer hunts can be a great opportunity to enjoy a hunt with friends or get to hunt some land that you normally wouldn’t have hunting access to.
And even though you won’t be sharing the woods with as many hunters as you would on a WMA hunt, you should still be sure to respect other hunter’s space and focus on the experience more than filling a tag.
In the end, even if you go home empty handed, you’ll be left with some great memories to last a lifetime.
Thank you Brian again for another informative writing. I have 9 points. Red Top is just up the road a short piece from my house. Yes, I’m considering it but not sure.
Why no info on FDR? I know it was technically in 2923 but still the same season? Where can I find that info?
Jason, FDR only has a hunt every other year, so there won’t be an FDR hunt this deer season. That’s why it is not included in the article.
I heard that there was some bruiser buck’s spotter at Don Carter over the 4th of July weekend.
I also heard this so I went and scouted this state park, and I can confirm that there are some great bucks running around on this place. I saw several shooters in a day of scouting. This should be a terrific hunt for those lucky applicants. May the odds forever be in your favor.