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Jasper County · WMA
Clybel WMA Hunting Guide
Clybel WMA, 6,700 acres in Jasper and Newton counties: whitetails, gobblers, squirrels and rabbits and doves, this season's dates, Game Check harvest, rules and the ground nearby.
Photo: ChattOconeeNF (CC BY 2.0)
Sizing up Clybel WMA
Kind of ground: wildlife management area run by WRD. Where: Jasper and Newton counties. The Thomson regional office (Region 3) is the WRD contact. It is run by the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division. With 6,700 acres, it sits at 53rd of 121 WMAs by acreage. Mansfield is the closest town with a guide here, about 5 miles away; the area lies south of it.
Clybel WMA, county by county
| County | Courthouse town | Population 2024 | Doe-day zone | Bear zone | Alligator zone | Deer 2025-26 (reported) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper County | Monticello | 17,219 | Green | None | — | 1,871 |
| Newton County | Covington | 124,010 | Green | None | — | 1,159 |
From the source page (Georgia 2026-27 Hunting Regulations (eRegulations) area listing); counties and zones from the WRD county zone tables; county deer counts from WRD Game Check; population from the Census 2024 estimates. Checked October 13, 2026.
Dates WRD set for Clybel WMA
This year's listing gives Clybel WMA 16 lines of dates: deer, turkey, small game, dove, quail and waterfowl. You must be drawn for 4 of the hunts (450 permits combined). Flags to note: 1 bonus deer line, 3 youth lines, 1 specialty hunt and 4 Hunt & Learn dates.
| Game | Segment | When | Flags | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Sept. 12-25, Nov. 11-15 | — | |
| Deer | Firearms | Sept. 26-Oct. 1 | Youth | |
| Deer | Firearms | Oct. 2-4, Nov. 9-10 | Hunt & Learn | |
| Deer | Firearms | Nov. 5-7, Nov. 19-21 | Quota 200 Bonus deer | |
| Deer | Firearms | Nov. 23-29 | Specialty | |
| Turkey | — | Apr. 3-7, 17-21 | Quota 25 Youth | |
| Turkey | — | Apr. 10-14, May 1-5 | Quota 25 | |
| Turkey | — | Apr. 23-27 | Hunt & Learn | |
| Small game | — | Aug. 15-Sept. 25, Oct. 5-Nov. 4, Nov. 8, 11-18, Nov. 22-Dec. 11, Dec. 13-Jan. 7, Jan. 11-Feb. 28 | Sign-in | |
| Small game | Rabbit | Dec. 12, Jan. 8-10 | Hunt & Learn | Daily bag limit: 3 rabbits/person. |
| Dove | — | Sept. 5 | Quota 200 Sign-in | |
| Dove | — | Sept. 12, 19, Oct. 5-11, Nov. 22, Dec. 19-Jan. 7, 11-31 | Sign-in | |
| Dove | R3 Dove Field | Sept. 11-12 | Hunt & Learn Sign-in | |
| Quail | — | Dec. 5, 19, Jan. 16 | Sign-in | Daily bag limit: 3/person or 9/party.Quail hunting on designated dates only. |
| Waterfowl | — | Nov. 14-15 | Youth | Legal hours end at noon. Waterfowl allowed during state season dates that overlap with small game dates. |
| Coyote | — | May 16-31 | — |
Dates and symbols from the 2026-27 Georgia regulations listing, wording as printed by the source. Checked October 13, 2026.
How many deer come off Clybel WMA
Bucks 20, does 20: that is the 2025-26 reported harvest on Clybel WMA. Range across the chart: 30 up to 54 deer. This season's running total stands at 32 (incomplete). 60 gobblers have been checked from Clybel WMA in the springs listed, 11 of them in 2026. Counts are raw Game Check reports from the area; WRD does not adjust them for non-reporting at this level.
Deer reported from Clybel WMA
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 (in progress) | 9 | 23 | 32 |
| 2025-26 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| 2024-25 | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| 2023-24 | 12 | 19 | 31 |
| 2022-23 | 16 | 17 | 33 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | 19 | 42 |
| 2020-21 | 23 | 31 | 54 |
| 2019-20 | 20 | 30 | 50 |
| 2018-19 | 19 | 15 | 34 |
| 2017-18 | 19 | 23 | 42 |
| 2016-17 | 17 | 28 | 45 |
Clybel WMA spring turkey counts
| Season | Gobblers checked |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | 11 |
| Spring 2025 | 8 |
| Spring 2024 | 8 |
| Spring 2023 | 3 |
| Spring 2022 | 5 |
| Spring 2021 | 3 |
| Spring 2020 | 7 |
| Spring 2019 | 1 |
| Spring 2018 | 7 |
| Spring 2017 | 3 |
| Spring 2016 | 4 |
Deer from WRD deer harvest reports, turkeys from WRD turkey harvest layer; as of 2026-10-13. Checked October 13, 2026.
What Clybel WMA requires
What applies here, card by card.
How Clybel WMA works
Before stepping onto the area, hunters and visitors 16 and older need a license or the Lands Pass. Bear, deer and turkey hunters sign in online on Go Outdoors Georgia, from the day before. Some hunts are drawn: apply in advance on Go Outdoors Georgia. Take bonus deer to the check station before you leave.
Licenses for Clybel WMA
The free Harvest Record is mandatory for deer, bear, turkey and alligator, whatever license you hold.
Rules that follow you onto Clybel WMA
Firearms and primitive weapons dates mean orange or pink on top, at least 500 square inches. Bait is legal on private land with permission, never on WMAs, VPAs, national forests or other public land. Within 24 hours, report big game and turkeys on Game Check.
Quota hunts at Clybel WMA
Apply through Go Outdoors Georgia. Missing out builds a priority point for next time.
Getting to Clybel WMA
From Mansfield: Take HWY 11 south 5.7 miles to Shepherd Rd. turn left and follow signs 1.1 miles.
Clybel WMA up close
Quoted from the managing agency, then the lists that tie this page to others.
Notes from WRD
Located in Mansfield, Clybel WMA sits on 6,400 acres and is home to the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. Visitors of all ages can find something to do at this WMA, from visiting the nature center to walking the miles of trails. Clybel Wildlife Management Area has diverse habitats that are home to a variety of wildlife. Typical of Georgia's Piedmont region, you will find old fields, planted pines, mixed pine-hardwood stands and mature hardwood forests.
Management practices that benefit both game and nongame species include food plot rotations, mowing, prescribed burning, timber harvest and winter disking. Hunting opportunities include deer, turkey, small game, and dove. Tell Us About the Name: The Clybel Wildlife Management Area is named for Clyde and Mabel Shepherd, who left a lasting legacy of conservation in Georgia through their generosity and vision. The land that makes up Clybel WMA was once part of their several-thousand-acre Clybel Farms in Newton and Jasper counties.
Their commitment to ensuring the property was conserved to create a place where generations of Georgians can hunt, fish, enjoy the outdoors and stands as a lasting tribute to their name. Multi-use trail and areas are closed all day during firearms deer hunts and before 10:00 a.m. during archery and turkey seasons. Rules posted at trailhead. Campground reservations: georgiawildlife.com/charlie-elliot-wildlife-center. Marben PFA the agency website lies within Clybel WMA and the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center.
Clybel WMA dove plantings
| Field | WRD region | Acres | Planted with | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clybel WMA | 3 | 135 | Wheat, sorghum, sunflowers | Good |
Text and lists from the source page, Georgia regulations, WRD GIS, WRD GIS; retrieved 2026-10-13, checked October 13, 2026.
Clybel WMA species and bags
Hunters come to Clybel WMA for whitetails, gobblers, squirrels and rabbits, doves, bobwhites, ducks and geese and coyotes.
White-tailed deer
Earliest listed: Sept. 12-25, Nov. 11-15, archery.
Small game
Earliest listed: Aug. 15-Sept. 25, Oct. 5-Nov. 4, Nov. 8, 11-18, Nov. 22-Dec. 11, Dec. 13-Jan. 7, Jan. 11-Feb. 28.
Species from the area record; bag limits from the WRD bag limit table. Checked October 13, 2026.
Pins around Clybel WMA
Clybel WMA sits at the orange pin, with 12 public neighbours inside 30 miles. Acres on file for the neighbours: 225,919.
| Nearby area | Kind | Size (ac) | Miles | Heading | Deer reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaither WMA | WMA | 2,129 | 4 mi | northwest | 25 |
| Walton WMA | WMA | 200 | 13 mi | north | 1 |
| Oconee Ranger District (Oconee National Forest) | Ranger district | 116,724 | 15 mi | east | 385 |
| B.F. Grant WMA | WMA | 11,400 | 15 mi | east | 47 |
| Hard Labor Creek State Park | State park | 5,804 | 17 mi | northeast | — |
| Little River WMA | WMA | 1,475 | 18 mi | southeast | 14 |
| Cedar Creek WMA | WMA | 41,000 | 21 mi | southeast | 93 |
| Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 35,000 | 24 mi | south | 8 |
| Rum Creek WMA: Berry Creek Area | WMA | 161 | 26 mi | south | 5 |
| Hitchiti Experimental Forest | Experimental forest | 4,591 | 27 mi | south | — |
| Panola Mountain State Park | State park | 1,635 | 28 mi | northwest | — |
| Rum Creek WMA | WMA | 5,800 | 28 mi | south | 36 |
Points from WRD, USFS, USFWS, NPS, DoD and Recreation.gov layers (WRD WMA Boundary GIS (polygon centroid)). Distances are straight-line. Statewide public land map.
Clybel WMA, dinners, courses and trials
8 upcoming events (Adult Hunt and Learn, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, S.H.A.R.P. skills day, Youth Hunt and Learn, adaptive hunt and family outdoor day), retrieved October 13, 2026.
Still to come
| Dates | Name | Place | Entry | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 23–25, 2026 | Georgia Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) 15th Annual Weekend Workshop · Becoming an Outdoors-Woman | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Newton Co. | Source | |
| Nov 8–10, 2026 | Adaptive/Supported Hunt – DEER at Clybel WMA · Adaptive hunt | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Jasper Co. | Apply | Source |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Adult Rabbit Hunt and Learn · Adult Hunt and Learn | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Jasper Co. | Apply | Source |
| Jan 8–10, 2027 | Youth Rabbit Hunt and Learn · Youth Hunt and Learn | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Jasper Co. | Apply | Source |
| Mar 20, 2027 | S.H.A.R.P. Turkey · S.H.A.R.P. skills day | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Jasper Co. | Register | Source |
| Apr 23–25, 2027 | Youth Turkey Hunt and Learn · Youth Hunt and Learn | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Jasper Co. | Apply | Source |
| May 15, 2027 | Keeping Georgia Wild Family Festival 2027 · Family outdoor day | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Newton Co. | Source | |
| May 29, 2027 | S.H.A.R.P. Trapping · S.H.A.R.P. skills day | Clybel WMA, Mansfield, Jasper Co. | Register | Source |
Public range on Clybel WMA
Before hunting Clybel WMA, practice on its own range.
Facilities: 5 Bullseye Targets, ADA Trail with 3 3-D Targets, Trail with 30 3-D Targets
Facilities: 100-yard Rifle Range, 35-yard Pistol Range, 45-yard Shotgun Patterning Range
- Bring a hunting license, fishing license or Lands Pass.
- A free online safety video comes before the firearm line.
- Armor-piercing and green-tip loads are not allowed.
From the WRD range list and the GA DNR range layer, checked October 13, 2026.
Clybel WMA: nearest towns and businesses
Town guides first, then businesses in the same and neighbouring counties.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield | Newton | 5 mi | 494 | 9,022 |
| Shady Dale | Jasper | 9 mi | 296 | 35,292 |
| Monticello | Jasper | 11 mi | 2,969 | 35,316 |
| Covington | Newton | 13 mi | 15,302 | 1,583 |
Hunting guides for its counties: Jasper County, Newton County.
After the shot at Clybel WMA
Offices for Clybel WMA
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from WRD, USFS, USFWS and DoD layers; businesses from WRD lists, store locators and listings; offices from WRD, DNR Law Enforcement and USFS pages. Checked October 13, 2026. Call ahead.
Clybel WMA hunting kit
Matched to the species on this page.
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Legal light at Clybel WMA this week
Georgia shooting time starts a half hour before sunrise. Big game and small game end a half hour after sunset; doves and ducks end at sunset.
Worked out for Clybel WMA in Eastern time from the rule in the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division guide (hunting hours). Hogs, coyotes, raccoons and some furbearers may be hunted at night on private land; check the guide. Shooting hours for every county.
Common Clybel WMA questions
Where can I stay overnight at Clybel WMA?
Yes, camping is allowed in designated sites.
Do I need to be drawn for Clybel WMA?
4 quota lines with 450 slots; apply on Go Outdoors Georgia.
Where else can I go near Clybel WMA?
Nearest: Gaither WMA (4 miles), Walton WMA (13 miles) and Oconee Ranger District (Oconee National Forest) (15 miles).
How many bucks came off Clybel WMA?
The 2025-26 reported total was 40.
How do I report a deer or gobbler from Clybel WMA?
Record it on your Harvest Record, then report through Georgia Game Check within 24 hours (app, GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com or 1-800-366-2661).
Is blaze pink legal on Clybel WMA?
In deer and bear gun hunts, wear 500 sq in of orange or blaze pink.
Which agency is in charge of Clybel WMA?
The Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division runs it as a wildlife management area run by WRD.
Is baiting allowed at Clybel WMA?
No. Baiting for game or feral hogs is illegal on state and federal land.
Where do hunters stay for Clybel WMA?
Start from Mansfield; the area is 5 miles off, in Jasper and Newton counties.
Is Clybel WMA big enough for a full day?
Roughly 6,700 acres.
How does sign-in work on Clybel WMA?
Deer, bear and turkey hunters sign in online first; it opens the previous day.
Do I need a Lands Pass for Clybel WMA?
Residents pay $15.00 for a hunting license or $30.00 for a Lands Pass; either lets you in.
Clybel WMA: confirm before you go
The manager has the last word on Clybel WMA. Read its page and the WRD guide the week of your hunt.
Sources for this page: WRD: clybel wma · Georgia regulations: wma regulations a c · WRD GIS · WRD GIS · WRD: dove; regulations from the 2026-27 Georgia hunting regulations. Checked October 13, 2026.
Other photos on this page: peterichman (CC BY-SA 2.0); Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0).