DMU Cook, Georgia
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey
- Group
- Green Zone
- Area
- N/A
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 1,152
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for White-tailed Deer so far. Wild Turkey also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedCook County sits in south-central Georgia (county seat: Adel) within the WRD Green Zone — the most liberal deer-management tier in the state. Antlerless deer may be harvested throughout the entire firearms season with no separate either-sex day restriction. A mosaic of row-crop agriculture (peanuts, corn, cotton), planted pines, and Alapaha River bottomlands produces solid whitetail numbers; the county has recorded top-10 statewide finishes for bucks exceeding 140 inches. Public hunting is available on the Alapaha River WMA (~6,870 acres of upland pine and bottomland hardwood) and the smaller Sparks Cut-Off VPA (~340 acres). Private-land hunting clubs and leases dominate the landscape. Hunting pressure is moderate overall, lighter on the WMA than on private farms. Wild turkey are present and huntable in spring. Bag limit is 12 deer per season (max 10 antlerless, max 2 antlered); one buck must meet Quality Buck criteria (4 points 1-inch-plus on one side, or 15-inch outside spread minimum).
Flat to gently rolling south Georgia coastal plain. Dominant cover is planted loblolly pine interspersed with row-crop fields (peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans). Alapaha River corridor provides bottomland hardwood drains and cypress-gum swamps. Elevation averages roughly 200–250 ft.
Moderate. The Alapaha River WMA receives lighter pressure than well-known north Georgia WMAs but draws local hunters consistently through firearms season. Private club lands see steady pressure from opening weekend through the holidays. Agriculture-edge stands near peanut fields are heavily scouted.
Green Zone designation — antlerless deer legal throughout the entire firearms season (no restricted either-sex days). Statewide bag: 12 deer per season, no more than 10 antlerless and no more than 2 antlered. Quality Buck rule applies to one of the two antlered deer (min 4 points ≥1 inch on one side, or ≥15-inch outside spread). New for 2025-26: antlerless-only firearms weekend added in early October.
Archery: opens mid-September (approx. Sept 13), runs through January 31. Primitive weapons/muzzleloader: opens mid-October (approx. Oct 11), runs through mid-January. Firearms: opens mid-to-late October (approx. Oct 18), runs through mid-January. Spring turkey season typically April–May statewide. Feral hogs present year-round with no closed season on private land.
Top-10 Georgia county for mature bucks (140-inch class recorded). Liberal antlerless rules make Cook an excellent destination for hunters seeking doe harvest opportunities alongside quality buck potential. Alapaha River bottomlands offer classic south Georgia swamp-edge stand setups. Agricultural fields provide consistent food-source hunting from pre-rut through late season.
Questions, tips & discussion
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Boundaries: GADNR Wildlife Resources Division official deer zones. Community info last updated 16d ago.