Departee Creek WMA
| Zone | County |
|---|---|
| 175 | White |
Flood Prone Region
Three-point rule
Valid Hunting or Fishing License or a WMA/Lake Conservation Permit is Required for All Users
Acres: 1,304
2026-27 Closed Seasons
- Bear
- Alligator
2026-27 Crow
Sept. 3, 2026-Feb. 21, 2027. Open Thursdays through Mondays only. No limit.
2026-27 Deer
Deer Archery: Aug. 29-31 (one antlered buck only); Sept. 26-Feb. 28.
Deer Alternative Firearms: Oct. 17-25.
Deer Modern Gun: Nov. 14-Dec. 20 and Dec. 26-28.
Deer Modern Gun Youth Hunts: Nov. 7-8 and Jan. 2-3.
WMA Deer Bag Limit: Three deer, no more than two antlered bucks (3-Point Rule applies), which may include:
- Two antlered bucks with archery, alternative firearms or modern gun,
- Three antlerless deer with archery,
- Two antlerless deer with alternative firearms or modern gun combined.
- During youth hunt, youths may take two deer, one antlered buck (no antler restrictions) and one antlerless deer.
2026-27 Quail
Nov. 1, 2026-Feb. 7, 2027. Daily limit – 6
2026-27 Rabbit
Sept. 1, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Daily limit – 8
2026-27 Squirrel
May 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Dogs allowed. Daily limit – 12
2027 Turkey
Youth Hunt: April 10-11. One legal turkey.
Firearms Hunt: April 19-May 9. 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
- Free georeferenced maps are available for this WMA and others at https://apps.agfc.com/maps/. These maps are frequently updated and include features such as parking, types of road and land boundaries.
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.