Top Hunting Places in Cartersville, Georgia

Cartersville, Georgia is a rising star in the North Georgia hunting scene. Situated in Bartow County, this historic town offers quick access to public hunting lands, private leases, and rich ecosystems that sustain some of the best game populations in the state. Whether you're chasing trophy whitetail bucks, stalking wild hogs, or bagging gobblers at sunrise, Cartersville’s proximity to the Appalachian foothills makes it a must-visit for hunters in Georgia.

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Pine Log Wildlife Management Area – Cartersville’s Premier Public Hunting Spot

The Pine Log WMA, located just north of Cartersville, is a sprawling 14,000-acre property known for its diverse habitat, extensive game populations, and challenging terrain.

• Location: Bartow and Cherokee Counties
  
• Main Game: Deer, turkey, bear, squirrel, raccoon, hogs
  
• Terrain: Pine ridges, hardwood bottoms, open fields
  
• Special Opportunities: Archery-only areas, check-in hunts, seasonal dove fields
  

Hunters love Pine Log WMA for its mix of elevation, secluded hollows, and long-range shooting lanes. It’s especially productive during the early archery season and spring turkey hunts, with plenty of signs, rubs, and scrapes visible throughout the fall.

Allatoona Wildlife Management Area – Close, Accessible, and Loaded with Game

Just minutes south of Cartersville, the Allatoona WMA offers over 6,800 acres of public hunting land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Georgia DNR.

• Game Species: Deer, wild turkey, small game, waterfowl
  
• Highlights: Bow-only areas, primitive camping, lake access for duck hunting
  
• Top Hunting Zones: Clear Creek, Victoria Landing, and Stamp Creek tracts
  

Allatoona is ideal for hunters looking to combine public access with close proximity to Cartersville, and it offers the rare advantage of urban-edge hunting with solid game density.

Private Land Leases Around Cartersville – Controlled Hunting with Trophy Potential

Bartow County is home to numerous private timber properties and family-owned farms that lease land to hunters. These private leases offer:

• Quality Deer Management (QDM) practices
  
• Permanent ladder stands and box blinds
  
• Supplemental feed plots and mineral sites
  
• Reduced hunter pressure and exclusive access
  

Popular lease areas include Euharlee, White, Taylorsville, and Adairsville. Websites like HuntingLocator.com and Base Camp Leasing list active lease opportunities, though many are secured through word-of-mouth and local contacts.

Whitetail Deer Hunting – Prime Habitat and Long Seasons

Cartersville sits in a zone where Georgia's deer population thrives, thanks to mild winters, strong genetics, and abundant food sources.

What to Expect:

• Peak Rut: Mid-November
  
• Techniques: Tree stands along pinch points, bedding areas, and food-to-cover transition zones
  
• Weapons Allowed: Archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearms (season-dependent)
  

Public lands like Pine Log and Allatoona offer great options, but private land hunters often enjoy higher success rates due to stand longevity and targeted habitat management.

Wild Turkey – Gobblers in the Ridges

Spring turkey season in Cartersville brings a rush of adrenaline to every hunter who’s ever heard a thunderous gobble echo through the hardwoods. The ridge-and-valley geography of Pine Log and Allatoona creates ideal turkey terrain.

• Season: Late March through May
  
• Tactics: Morning fly-down hunts, ridge-top calling, decoy setups
  
• Gear Tip: Use slate calls, mouth calls, or Tactical Soft Rifle Cases to keep your gear protected and ready in the hillsides
  

These birds are wily and fast-moving, but experienced hunters can capitalize on their midday strut zones with patience and persistence.

Feral Hogs – A Growing Challenge and Year-Round Opportunity

Increased sightings and crop damage have made feral hogs a year-round target in Cartersville’s surrounding lands. With no bag limit and no closed season, hog hunting is an exciting off-season challenge.

Where to Hunt:

• Private leases and farms near Kingston and Taylorsville
  
• Parts of Pine Log and Allatoona (hog sign is heavy in creek bottoms)
  
• Night vision and thermal scopes allowed on private lands
  

Some local landowners even welcome responsible hunters willing to help control the hog population—a win-win for conservation and meat harvest.

Dove and Small Game – Fast Action in the Fields

While big game gets most of the attention, Cartersville is also a fantastic area for small game hunting, especially during early fall dove season.

• Dove Fields: Public fields in Pine Log WMA and leased private plots
  
• Other Small Game: Squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, and bobwhite quail (limited)
  
• Best Areas: Hardwoods near creeks for squirrels, thickets for rabbits
  

For families and youth hunters, small game offers an approachable, action-packed day in the woods that builds foundational skills and tradition.

Waterfowl Hunting – Allatoona’s Lake Edge Advantage

Lake Allatoona’s coves and feeders near Cartersville offer pockets of excellent duck hunting for early risers and those with jon boats or kayaks.

• Species: Wood duck, teal, gadwall
  
• Access: Boat ramps at Victoria Landing and Stamp Creek
  
• Tips: Hunt the backwaters after scouting food sources and flyways
  

It’s not coastal Georgia duck hunting, but when timed right with a cold front, Cartersville’s Allatoona shoreline delivers solid action for dedicated waterfowlers.

Outfitters and Guided Hunts – Professional Support for Every Skill Level

While DIY hunting is popular, several local operations offer guided hunts or managed lease access for those looking for more curated experiences.

Local Options:

• North Georgia Deer Hunts – Offers guided deer and hog hunts with local expertise
  
• Coosawattee Outfitters – Quail and upland bird hunting near Cartersville
  
• Georgia Wild Outdoors – Seasonally offers turkey and deer hunts with success tracking and processing options
  

These services often provide equipment, transport, and lodging for traveling hunters.

License Requirements and Hunting Laws

Before you head out into the woods or fields, make sure you’re in full compliance with Georgia law.

• License Required: All hunters 16+ need a Georgia hunting license
  
• WMA Permit: Required for public land like Pine Log and Allatoona
  
• Harvest Log/Game Check: Mandatory for deer and turkey
  
• Hunter Education: Required if born after Jan 1, 1961
  

Check the official Georgia Hunting Regulations site for season dates, weapon limits, and zone-specific updates.

Final Thoughts – Why Cartersville is a True Hunter’s Destination

With its access to thousands of acres of public land, a wide range of private lease options, and a vibrant hunting community, Cartersville, Georgia is one of the best-kept secrets for hunters in the Peach State. Whether you’re chasing that dream buck, tracking a sounder of hogs, or calling in a gobbler from the ridge, the wild is calling—and Cartersville answers.