About The Lee County ledger. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1978-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2024)
The Lee County Ledger Wednesday, May 29,2024 - Page IB National Fishing And Boating Week Is June 1-9,2024 Special to the Ledger Grab the fishing pole and the tackle box and let’s go gas up the boat for National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW). This special week (June 1-9, 2024) is an oppor tunity to celebrate the benefits of being on the water “I can’t imagine anyone not wanting an opportunity to get out on the water, whether fishing from the bank, boating with friends or fishing while boating,” said Scott Robinson, Chief of the Georgia DNR WRD Fisheries Management Section. “Everyone benefits when you are out on the water because boating and fishing helps you connect with family and friends; it provides stress relief; and it also means you are actively supporting conservation efforts with the pur chase of fishing equip ment and boating fuel.” National Fishing and Boating Week began in 1979 and was created to recognize the tradition of fishing, to broaden the spirit of together ness and to share the values and knowledge of today’s anglers with tomorrow’s anglers. Ways to Celebrate: • Free Fishing Days: Georgia offers FREE fishing day Sat., June 8, 2024 during this spe cial week. On this day Georgia residents do not need a fishing license, trout license or Lands Pass (WMAs/PFAs) to fish. Attend a Fun Fishing Event: Multiple Fam ily Fishing Events are scheduled throughout the state during the week-long celebration (License.gooutdoors- georgia.com/Event/Cal- endar.aspx). Can’t Get Outdoors? Celebrate indoors by letting the kids go to the Angler Academy. At this website, developed by TakeMeFishing.org, you will find links to “fishy” crafts, games, informative videos and puzzles. Check it out at takemefishing.org/ how-to-fish/fishing-re- sources/angler-acade- my-for-kids/. Where to Celebrate: Anywhere there is water! Georgia has trout streams, large and small lakes and ponds, and extensive river systems just waiting for you. You can always start at one of the 11 Public Fishing Areas (Geor- giaWildlife.com/allp- fas) or at one of many Georgia State Parks (GaStateParks.org/) that offer fishing opportu nities. Headed To The Great Outdoors? Be Bearwise Special to the Ledger Our state is home to 3 distinct populations of black bears, in the north Georgia moun tains, in central Geor gia along the Ocmulgee River, in and around the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia, and occasionally, any where in between. If you head out to explore any of these areas, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Di vision encourages you to make sure you are BearWise. “When we venture into any known bear habitat, we need to do our part to help keep bears wild,” says Adam Hammond, state bear biologist with Georgia ELEV8 Athletics Football Clinic Friday, June 21st at 9am-3pm (Ages 9-13) Saturday, June 22nd at 9am-4pm (Ages 14-18) Special to the Ledger ELEV8 Athletics is taking Southwest Geor gia in a new direction with their innovative approach to youth sports and mental health. ELEV8 Athletics is a sports clinic that teaches student athletes skills, techniques and incorporates mental health wellness. Regis ter your student athlete today and have them train with former NFL players, receive a free shirt and swag bag, have lunch, play 7 on 7 and attend a 1-hour session with a Life Coach with ELEV8 Athletics Foot ball Clinic. Their goal is to help student athletes not only thrive in their physical talents but gain mental health practical tools too. Who’s right for this program? All student athletes from the ages of 9-18. Unfortunately depression, anxiety, ADHD, and low self-es teem are just a few examples of areas that the youth community may be struggling with and we don’t want them going through life’s journey feeling alone. It surely doesn’t help to see social media sharing only highlights of ath letes greatest moments without seeing what they had to persevere through to get there. This has just added pressure to the student athletes. A Certified Life Coach will give student athletes viable ways to help them navi gate through life’s most challenging situations. Join the at: Lee Coun ty High School (Foot ball Field), 1 Trojan Way, Leesburg, GA 31763 Register Here: bit.ly/ ELEV8Athletics SflNG&tOOLING Sales • Service Installation Repairs Refrigeration 'CHE CHESniEb SDEHia HII& ITUqTlTpIJ'RtTTl^^ www.southgeorgiaheatingandcooling.com me*. Licensed & Insured We Service All Makes & Models Residential And Commercial (Master Gas Card Natural & Propane) GA#CN007881 tst 3- Shane Parsons Owner shane@southgahc.com Financing Now Available Through WELLS FARGO Huron Heating & Cooling Systems WHATEVER IT TAKES: 759-2555 Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “Wild black bears typically go out of their way to avoid people, so taking precautions that do not tempt or encour age them to come closer reduces the potential for negative encounters and allows us to explore and enjoy the outdoors confidently.” Let’s Review Some BearWise Basics: Stay Alert: Pay atten tion to your surround ings and if traveling in groups, stay together. Keep kids within sight and close by. Leave ear- buds at home and make noise periodically so bears can avoid you. Leave No Trash or Food Scraps: Double bag your food when hiking and pack out all food and trash. Don’t burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill. Leaving scraps, wrappers, or even harmless items like ap ple cores teaches bears to associate trails and campsites with food. Keep Dogs Leashed: Letting dogs chase or bark at bears is asking for trouble; don’t force a bear to defend itself. Keep your dogs leashed at all times or leave them at home. Camp Safely: Set up camp away from dense vegetation and natural food sources. Cook as far from your tent as possible. Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in your tent. Store these items in approved bear-resistant containers OR out of sight in locked vehi cle OR suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet from any part of the tree. Local regulations vary. Know What to Do if You See a Black Bear: If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach. Stand still, enjoy, then quietly move away. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. If a bear contin ues to approach, hold your ground, wave your arms, yell, throw sticks or rocks, if needed, and encourage the bear to leave. If you are with a group, stay together. If it keeps approaching and you have it with you, use bear spray. If a black bear makes con tact with you, do NOT play dead, fight back aggressively. “Seeing a black bear in its natural habitat is a thrill and a privilege, and not something to be feared. Instead, review and follow BearWise tips to prepare and plan before it happens. That will allow you to have a positive experience and maybe even get a photo - if taken safely - to remember it in the fu ture,” says Hammond. BearWise is an educa tion program developed by state bear biologists, anchored by the web site www.bearwise. org, that offers citizens specific, detailed, and high-quality informa tion, engaging educa tion pieces, and more. Black bears may legally be taken during the bear hunting sea son, which occurs each fall in Georgia (Geor- giaWildlife.com/hunt- ing/hunter-resourc es). Killing bears outside of the hunting season or illegally during hunt ing season should be reported to Law En forcement at gadnrle. org/ranger-hotline. Lor additional in formation and further exploration of bear-re lated outdoor safety tips, visit BearWise.org. COMMUNITY. Y. Become a |4brt of the YMjCj^ and SAVE with our new member specials. FIND Y FIND Y Sninf LEE BRANCH YMCA (229) 759-9W0 • 316 Robert IM.ee Drive www.AlbanyAreaYMCA.com > T Setting the Standard of Excellence Collision Repair * Unibody Frame Specialist Fender & Body Repair * Auto Painting Alignment & Tire Rotation • Tires • AC Service Brake & Suspension Service • Oil Change Auto Window & Windshield Replacement All Insurance Claims Accepted 24 Hour Wrecker Service For Free Estimates, Call (229)439-8833 1518 US HWY. 19 SOUTH • LEESBURG • (229) 439-8833 Joyce Weiser and Calvin Duren
