DMU Telfair, Georgia

Telfair County (441 sq mi) sits in the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia, characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain that gives way to broad river bottomlands along its western boundary. The Ocmulgee River defines the western edge, its floodplain widening up to three miles across and forming a mosaic of hardwood swamps, oxbow lakes, and creek drainages lined with mast-producing oaks. The Little Ocmulgee River traverses the northern third of the county. Uplands carry loblolly and longleaf pine plantations interspersed with mixed hardwoods and row-crop agriculture. Sandy upland soils transition to heavy clay bottomlands near the river systems, with minimal elevation relief throughout.

Low to moderate overall. The bulk of Telfair County acreage is locked in private plantation and timber ownership with controlled access, meaning most hunting occurs by invitation, lease, or paid commercial operation. Horse Creek WMA draws moderate pressure during firearms seasons but sees lighter traffic during archery and primitive weapons windows. The county's rural and remote character and limited public land keep pressure well below Georgia's metro-fringe counties.

Statewide bag limit: 12 deer per season, no more than 10 antlerless and no more than 2 antlered. One antlered buck must meet Quality Buck criteria (at least 4 points one inch or longer on one side, or a minimum 15-inch outside spread). Telfair County (Green region) permits antlerless harvest throughout the entire firearms season with no county-specific antlerless restrictions. An antlerless-only firearms weekend was added October 4-5, 2025 statewide. Archery: September 13 - October 10; Primitive Weapons/Youth: October 11-17; Firearms: October 18, 2025 - January 11, 2026.

White-tailed deer archery opens September 13, primitive weapons/youth October 11-17, main firearms October 18 - January 11; rut in Telfair County typically peaks October 13-19. Spring turkey season runs approximately April 4 - May 15 for bearded turkey. Feral hogs are abundant in the Ocmulgee bottomlands and may be taken year-round on private land by licensed hunters; Horse Creek WMA has designated hog-hunting periods. Two waterfowl impoundments on Horse Creek WMA support duck hunting. Small game including squirrel, rabbit, and dove round out the calendar.

Telfair County holds the Georgia state record whitetail buck, a testament to the quality habitat found in these Ocmulgee River bottomlands. Broad swampy floodplains, oxbow lakes, and hardwood bottoms adjacent to pine plantations and row crops create exceptional deer habitat that consistently produces large-framed bucks. Wild hog populations are robust throughout the river swamps, providing year-round hunting action. Horse Creek WMA gives public hunters access to roughly 7,400 acres of prime Coastal Plain ground. For hunters with private-land connections or the budget for a plantation experience, Telfair County rivals any county in the Deep South for trophy whitetail potential.