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HUNTING, FISHING A CAMPING
MIDDLE GEORGIA GOES WILD
A glance at this year’s hunting and fishing seasons
By Frank Posey
Tribune Writer
Hunting and fishing regulations change
periodically. Before you hunt or fish, please visit
these Web sites of the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources: www.gohuntgeorgia.com and
www.gofishgeorgia.com.
Hunting and fishing are the two most popular
outdoor activities in Middle Georgia. For mid
state hunters the long wait is nearly over. Dove
season starts the traditional hunting season
in Peach and surrounding counties. The first
segment of the three seasons runs Sept. 1-15.
The fields are prepared, doves are lining the
power lines and dead tree limbs. If you haven’t
secured an invitation or a berth on a pay field,
you’d better get humping. You may be too late for
the first season, so check the classifieds for pay
fields or talk to area hunters about opportunities.
The gray speedsters have a large fellowship
in Peach and surrounding counties. For older
hunters like myself, squinting into the sun on a
90-degree dove field has lost its appeal.
Small game hunting in the mid-state is of no
consequence. Interest in small game hunting is
almost non-existent. The large coveys of wild
quail are gone. Squirrels were once the game of
choice for hunters all over America. By the early
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‘7os, squirrel hunting had been displaced by deer
and wild turkey. Squirrel hunting, however, is
still the most interesting and productive way to
introduce a child to hunting.
Tweaking bows, target practice, checking
stands and feeding plots are about to give way
to the real thing. Archery season for deer begins
statewide Sept. 8.
Firearms season for deer in Middle Georgia is
the main event of deer season. As the weather
starts to cool in October, monster bucks ease
through the convolutions of area hunters’
brains like skulking warriors. And Peach and
surrounding counties are home to some real
trophy bucks.
Firearms season begins in the northern and
southern zone Oct. 20.
Now let’s talk fish. Blessed with farm ponds,
lakes, rivers and creeks. Middle Georgia has
fishing opportunities for everyone. Access to
fishing areas is generally free, while others
charge a small fee.
“Dog days” fishing is usually slow and
unproductive. The good news is that cooler
weather is just around the corner.
Area rivers, except for the waters at the upper
ends of impoundments, are drought-stricken and
can only be accessed in limited ways. Float trips
are one alternative but have a tendency to be labor
intensive. Pulling a boat over rocks, logs and
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478*955*9853
EVANS NEWSPAPERS, INC.
sandbars can be a challenging experience. But,
due to the reduced fishing area, float fishing can
be very productive.
Night fishing for all species, except brim, on
area lakes is the ticket now due to high daytime
temperatures.
Please remember, whether you hunt or fish in the
mid-state, these sports need to be family affairs.
Take your children away from video games.
Teaching them to use and appreciate the great
outdoors is a rich and rewarding experience.
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#1 AmkaWo Foils State Park
Campground
Dawsonvitle, SA -Theword
Arricoioio is
waters" his slate 0 j
700 r_H„
//7'fooT #o?Brtoii, Ajracofoio rails,
reputed to be the tallest fall in the
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in Tent Comping: Georgio"
#2 Desoto Falls Compground
Cleveland, 6A - The sylvan
campground provides a good base
comp from which to enjoy the scenery
of the foils, os well as the nearby
Appalachian* Trail and Raven Cliffs
Wilderness. From the guidebook "The
Best In Tent Camping: The Southern
Appalachian & Smoky Mountains"
#3 Georgia Coastal Region
Campgrounds
i. .i.„,
Bmtswkk' 6A - Seorgra enjoys
more than 100 tides of coostßae
along the Atfontk Ocean. The coastal
region is a wonderful combination of
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southern hospitality and history. From
Ricky Knowles
808*7946
SEPTEMBER 2007 |
888
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