I unloaded my groundhog rifle about 10 years ago,
Ground hogs were virtually unknown around here until a few years ago. There's getting to be more of them in spots north of Atlanta, but I wouldn't count on finding many places to hunt them.
I think bears or boars would be a fun switch.
Same thing for bears and feral hogs. Bears are increasing and every once in a while one will wander down into this area. A sow was killed by a car right around I-75 & I-285 some time back and then 2 large cubs in close locations within a few days. One about 3 miles from my house. Again, hunting areas for them are spotty, I haven't heard of a "bear lease" yet but there is plenty of room in the Chattahoochee National Forest!
Feral hogs are basically a pest, and unlike wildlife they belong to the landowner so they can be hunted year around. I would imagine that most people that hunt them do so on their deer lease. Again, populations are spotty. For example, from what gstewart44 tells me his lease down around Waycross is overrun with them. We have just begun to see sign of them in the area I hunt, about 25 miles north of him. As a wild guess, I'd say if you drew a line from Savannah to the Alabama line west of Macon, you'd include most of Georgia's hog population. Our WMA's normally have days set for hog hunting.
What's the waterfowling look like down there?
Again, look to the WMA's. I've hunted property that had the odd local duck or two on it and Canada Geese, local and migratory, are pretty abundant. But I personally don't know anybody who is an avid waterfowl hunter. What about the rest of you Jawja boys?
Dove we got but the shoots are social events or pay as you go unless you plant your land (owned or leased) for them. Quail hunting used to be great in Georgia but I haven't had a bird dog since my last one died some 25 years ago. The change in farming practice I guess. Covies are to small and spread out to make having a bird dog worthwhile for me.
Turkey are just about everywhere. As are those darn coyotes!
Archery, Primitive Weapon then the General Gun seasons for deer begin to open around mid-September and run through mid-January. You are allowed 12 deer, not counting the ones killed on WMA hunts. Small game opens with squirrel season in August, I never shoot them before the first frost because of wolves, and mostly runs through February 28th. then Turkey season starts in March, this weekend I believe, and runs 'till mid - May with a season limit of 3. That gives you June, July and August to get your stands and such ready for the next deer season. Not to mention the fact that a man got to fish sometime!
'sides, them fields and woods can get awful hot in the summer!
I assume you have a copy of the game laws as you talk about Lanier's waterfowl regs. There's lots a good info in them. If not, go here:
http://www.georgiawildlife.com/ Also, give me your address and I'll send you a copy of
Georgia Outdoor News. You can subscribe to that monthly magazine if you want to. It's pretty informative.
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