Top Hunting Places in Duluth, Georgia

Located in Gwinnett County, Duluth, Georgia is widely known for its suburban charm and vibrant culture—but for outdoor enthusiasts, it also serves as a surprisingly effective base for accessing some of North Georgia’s top hunting areas. Whether you’re looking to hunt whitetail deer, turkey, waterfowl, or small game, Duluth offers fast access to diverse public lands and managed properties, just a short drive from the city limits.

Whitetail Deer Hunting Near Duluth

Whitetail deer hunting is the most popular game activity in Georgia, and the areas surrounding Duluth provide several strongholds for deer. While Duluth itself is densely populated, Dixon Memorial WMA, Wilson Shoals WMA, and Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center are within a reasonable driving distance and provide quality deer hunting terrain.

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Key Deer Hunting Spots

• Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (Mansfield, GA) – Offers archery and firearms hunts across a variety of managed habitats. Includes sign-in hunts and youth hunt programs.
  
• Wilson Shoals WMA (Lula, GA) – Roughly an hour north of Duluth, with over 2,800 acres of rolling terrain, food plots, and mixed hardwoods.
  
• Clybel WMA – Part of the Charlie Elliott Center, it features quota hunts, permanent deer stands, and wildlife observation towers.
  

Best Times to Hunt

• Archery: September to early October
  
• Primitive Weapons: Mid-October
  
• Firearms: Late October to early January
  

Always check for quota restrictions, especially for Charlie Elliott and Wilson Shoals WMAs.

Wild Turkey Hunting: Gobblers in Spring

Georgia has a robust population of eastern wild turkeys, and spring gobbler season near Duluth offers action-packed hunts in scenic wooded areas. For serious turkey hunters, Lake Russell WMA and McGraw Ford WMA are worth an early-morning drive.

Top Turkey Tactics

• Arrive before sunrise to scout gobbles.
  
• Use realistic calls and decoys (box calls and slate calls are especially effective in Georgia’s oak flats).
  
• Hunt along field edges, ridges, and roosting zones.
  

The season typically begins in late March and runs through mid-May. A turkey permit and valid Georgia hunting license are required.

Duck and Waterfowl Hunting Near Duluth

While Duluth doesn't have major marshes or wetlands within its borders, nearby Lake Lanier, Chattahoochee River tributaries, and Beaverdam WMA offer decent duck hunting during migration seasons.

Best Areas for Waterfowl

• Lake Lanier backwaters – Wood ducks and mallards are the primary targets.
  
• Beaverdam WMA (Franklin County) – Offers flooded timber and small impoundments.
  
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Good for floating duck hunts during early season.
  

Tips for Success

• Scout in advance to identify flight paths.
  
• Set decoys early and minimize calling—Georgia ducks are highly pressured.
  
• Obey federal migratory bird regulations and always carry your duck stamp, HIP certification, and waterfowl license.
  

Small Game Opportunities Near Duluth

From squirrel season in late summer to rabbit runs in winter, small game hunting is an underutilized treasure in North Georgia. WMAs near Duluth offer plentiful access to public lands where small game is legal and abundant.

Top Game Species

• Gray and Fox Squirrels
  
• Eastern Cottontail Rabbits
  
• Bobwhite Quail (in limited numbers)
  

Best Small Game WMAs

• Dawson Forest WMA – Offers over 25,000 acres of mixed terrain.
  
• Oconee WMA – Rich in small game and ideal for youth or beginner hunters.
  
• Redlands WMA – Particularly good for rabbit and squirrel.
  

Use a .22 rifle or small-gauge shotgun for small game, and bring a trained dog if hunting rabbits or raccoons.

Public Hunting Land Accessible from Duluth

Hunting Licenses and Legal Requirements

To legally hunt in Georgia, including any region around Duluth, you need:

• A valid Georgia Hunting License
  
• Big Game License (for deer or turkey)
  
• WMA Permit (if hunting public land)
  
• Federal Duck Stamp (if hunting migratory birds)
  
• Hunter Education Certification (for hunters born after Jan 1, 1961)
  

All permits and licenses are easily accessible through the Go Outdoors Georgia portal.

Top Hunting Gear Shops Near Duluth

Bass Pro Shops – Lawrenceville, GA

Just 20 minutes from Duluth, this mega-retailer offers everything from tree stands and trail cams to ammo and scent control.

Academy Sports + Outdoors – Snellville, GA

Good for budget-friendly gear, apparel, and quick pickups on game calls or camo.

Cabela’s – Acworth, GA

A well-rounded outfitter for bows, firearms, and specialized accessories.

These stores often provide in-store licensing services as well.

Safety & Conservation Ethics

As always, ethical hunting matters:

• Wear blaze orange during firearm seasons.
  
• Respect bag limits and protected species.
  
• Harvest ethically—clean, humane shots and proper field dressing.
  
• Practice Leave No Trace by cleaning up shell casings, wrappers.
  
• Autrey’s Armory (Fayetteville) – Firearms, scopes, tactical soft rifle cases, and gear.
  

Consider joining local conservation groups or volunteering for WMA maintenance days—it’s a great way to preserve access for future hunters.

Why Duluth is an Excellent Hunting Base

Duluth’s location—just 30 minutes from Atlanta and within an hour of multiple WMAs—makes it an ideal home base for hunters. Access to major roadways like I-85 and GA-316 means you can hit the woods before dawn and be back by lunch. The local outfitting stores, combined with nearby public lands and wildlife, make it a prime spot for hunters who want both urban convenience and outdoor adventure.