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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 ■ r " ""■ | J 111 s I |\ ' .•••■- M M I | \ » ■|||. Ma, I Jw v 1 I\ ■ 9 jmm| w | p E I ygmum* hmammsMumM Sssms* AmmsmssM&mMMm ■jPJi ■ EM m w ,v-v .. •_ ■"' <?■ ■• ';,' . • Visit our NEW Showroom at : .p Bill 1 »**•—s ]a VI «L, • - i 1 Nf — {Tf I '' ff Vs fl ii i I : 0 * fi * 5 j| 3 B fi 8 ■ \ P / .A 1 C 8 S S flj B 8 I sJOJIBt • y. P w |,„.U K > ‘ ,Ji r J * S 8 \ - f { B 8 8 8 B s 0$ | ® 8 wi® Isll ! rri 1§ 1111 ' i 1 1 111 11 i 11111 rs?! TonyTheus 960*1 297 ‘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 478*922-7777 Zane Dykes 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. feV-1 taljillig 'V ' \ j - • Spj Hriffrx l rc.*rfi-^3 ‘l 1 #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 Cnfl f, nrr , d,. mii4»kn/iL L- 6,^4 utjsi. rrofn me yutUvOOuiv ine Ocsr 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 ktutkitlfttifui nnhtrfl! kanfttu rumtilo tiyiuiut uvUvty, rjwtittc southern hospitality and history. From Ricky Knowles 808*7946 SEPTEMBER 2007 | 888 T. 3