Good news for all who hunt, fish, bird, hike or paddle at Dawson Forest: The wildlife management area near
A look at some of the work and expansion that has taken place at the Dawson Forest WMA.
Dawsonville will soon be more accessible and safer!
A road closed since 2004 and reaching 4,700 acres of the WMA has been re-opened thanks to a partnership between DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, the National Wild Turkey Federation, a local landowner and Dawson County. The effort led to the purchase of a small tract under the federation’s “More Places to Hunt” program. (The acquisition restored use of Stone Place Court, off Steele Bridge Road).
But there’s more.
The Wildlife Resources Division and Mountain Stewards are using a $70,000 National Recreational Trails grant to expand parking at the Amicalola River Access Site.
The popularity of the site, which offers everything from fishing spots and a half-mile trail for the handicapped, to Class 3 rapids for kayakers and canoeists, has created a problem. When the lot fills, some people park along Ga. 53, which is unsafe.
Because of the parking situation, the parking lot will be revamped to add room 36 spaces, covered with a water-permeable surface (EnviroGrid-20), and bolstered against erosion and runoff with a retaining wall and Filtrexx Soxx.
This work will benefit all who use Dawson Forest, a 25,000-acre WMA packed with outdoor opportunities. Come see for yourself!
Note: The Dawson Forest WMA covers 25,000 acres and offers many recreational opportunities including; hunting (deer, turkey, small game, dove and waterfowl), fishing, canoe access points, camping, hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching, wildlife observation and picnicking.
Special thanks to Ken Riddleberger, regional game management supervisor for the Wildlife Resources Division’s Region 2, for his contributions to this post.