Departee Creek WMA
| Zone | County |
|---|---|
| 175 | White |
- 2023-24 Closed Seasons
-
- Alligator
- Bear
- 2023-24 Crow
- Sept. 1, 2023-Feb. 19, 2024. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
- 2023-24 Deer
- Deer Archery: Sept. 23, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024
Deer Muzzleloader: Oct. 21-29, 2023 and Dec. 29-31, 2023
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 11-Dec. 17, 2023 and Dec. 26-28, 2023
Deer Modern Gun Special Youth Hunt: Nov. 4-5, 2023 and Jan. 6-7, 2024WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two bucks, which may include:
- Two bucks with archery, muzzleloader or modern gun,
- Three does with archery,
- Two does with muzzleloader or modern gun combined.
- During youth hunt, youths may take three deer, two bucks (no antler restrictions) or up to two does.
Deer Notes:
- Three-point rule.
- No dogs.
- 2023-24 Quail
- Nov. 1, 2023-Feb. 5, 2024. Daily limit – 6, possession limit -12.
- 2023-24 Rabbit
- Sept. 1, 2023-Feb. 29, 2024. Daily limit – 8, possession limit – 16.
-
- 2024-25 Squirrel
- May 15, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12, possession limit – 48.
- 2024 Turkey
- Youth Hunt: April 6-7, 2024. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 15-May 5, 2024. One legal turkey.
- About the Name
- Departee Creek WMA was named after Departee Creek, a small bottomland creek that runs through part of the WMA.
- Access
- Access can be gained by traveling north on Hwy 367 to Bradford exit. At Bradford turn south on the service road and travel approximately two miles to area boundary.
- Age
- The area was established as a WMA in 1998.
- Area Notes
-
- A free annual General Use Permit (WMP) is required to hunt or trap on WMAs. Permits are available online by clicking “Buy Licenses” at agfc.com or by calling 833-345-0325 or any regional office.
- This WMA is in Flood Prone Region B. Click here for details.
- Description
- Previous land use consisted of row crop, rice farmland and commercial fishpond operation. Part of the area would be classified as upland and 154.4 acres would be described as a wetland/floodplain.
- Hunting Opportunities
- Hunting on this area is regulated in accordance with the statewide seasons and bag limits. Most hunting opportunity consists of deer and small game hunting.
- Location
- This area is near the city of Bradford in White County.
- Management Practices
- Management plans for this property have been approved and will consist of hardwood reforestation and developing two wetland projects. Some of the old fishponds may provide the opportunity for some fishery management projects.
- Ownership
- 1,304 acres owned by AGFC
- Phone
- 833-345-0283
- Purpose
- The property shall be managed for fish and wildlife purposes, in accordance with the management plan agreed to by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Public use and recreation will be allowed on the area.
- Recreation Other Than Hunting
- The old fishponds and Departee Creek offer some fishing opportunity. Also these old ponds are excellent places for birdwatchers to observe wading birds and other migratory species.
- Restaurants and Other Facilities
- Bradford is the nearest town with restaurants, gas stations and bait can be purchased there. Bald knob or Newport would be the nearest towns with overnight facilities.