It looks like the weather is about to finally become a little bit more seasonal. For the first time this spring, we have 90 degree temperatures in our forecast. A cold front came through over the last two days and along with 2-5″ of rain, it will take a day or two for the fish to recover. Once they do though, the fishing in north Georgia should get pretty active. The short-term forecast shows highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s. With only one day that has reached 90 yet this year, the fishing should get interesting. Many of us look forward to these balmy nights to get out on the water. The bass and catfishing gets to be so much fun once these temps hit. Fish late evening and after dark for catfish using either cut bait or chicken livers. Prepared bait will also work well this time of year. When fishing for bass, we recommend slower moving baits in the evening and overnight. Plastic worms is our bait of choice at these temps, but the crankbaits and spinnerbaits will still work, especially in the mornings. Mid-day fishing will get more challenging with the warmer temperatures. Spend the middle of the day fishing for panfish. Crickets and redworms will work best for most bream during the middle of the day. Our free fishing days have passed, but fishing licenses are inexpensive and give you a year’s worth of fun, so pick one up and get out to the water!!!
Dirtroad Current Reports
Warm Weather Fishing Ahead
Georgia Turkey Season Closes
Tomorrow is the last day for turkey season in Georgia. For many hunters it has been a great season. For others of us, we unfortunately did not to fill our tags. It was a very weird season for many hunters because of the unusual weather conditions, but each year has its own challenges.
Now we get into a down part of the hunting seasons. It is time to do a little relaxed fishing and begin early scouting. Hunters should have been scouting during the spring turkey hunts, but if you weren’t take a few hikes and do your scouting.
Bass fishing is improving daily and trout season has been open for over a month now. Don’t get disappointed that hunting seasons are over. We are less than 4 months until dove and deer seasons open again!!!
Final 10 Days of 2013 Turkey Season
The countdown has begun…10 days left in the 2013 Turkey Season. Mixed reviews are coming in from hunters across North Georgia. GON had an article this month about the turkey season. Many of their field reporters commented on how the turkeys were more active in the afternoons. This is a direct result of our unseasonably cool spring. When we get the early warm-ups the turkey flocks will break up early in the season and the hens will be on the nests long before we reach this point in the season. With 10 days left, there are still hens that aren’t on the nests and most of the successful hunts have been hunters being in the right place at the right time. More multiple kills have been reported this year than years past, a clear indication that the toms and jakes never broke up this spring. Pre-scouting normally can lead to successful seasons. For once, luck held a higher standing than scouting. Don’t expect that to last in seasons in the future!
This past weekend was a terrible one weather-wise and even worse for the turkey chicks that are beginning hatch. The chicks are very vulnerable to exposure in their first few weeks of life. Long soaking rains like we have had the last 4-5 days, can destroy future populations. We need this weather to move on for our last 10 days of the season and seasons to come.
Turkey Season Update
Only 22 days left in Turkey Season!!! Have you been out yet? Field reports have been very positive over the last 10 days. Although the season is winding down, there are still birds out there. Unfortunately, the public land birds have been hunted hard this season with the favorable weather. This has left them skittish with just over 3 weeks left in the season. With another warm up expected this week, the birds will be active but cautious. It will take all of your skills and/or a little luck to bag a bird this late in the season. Good luck out there and play safe!!!
Field Report- 30 days left!
Turkey season is down to its final month and is finally peaking! The gobblers are getting more and more active daily and the flocks have broken up. More individual birds are being spotted as the hens are headed to the nests. The season started out slow, but has picked up steam in the last 10 days. If the cold front comes through next weekend as forecasted, the birds will shut down next week. We probably have about 5 days left before the season takes a re-boot. If you haven’t made it into the field yet, don’t miss the next week.
Incorrect Media Information
Today GA DNR Wildlife Resources Division issued a press release regarding the false media information about the 2013-2014 deer seasons. As posted on www.georgiawildlife.com and www.dirtroaddispatch.net two weeks ago, the reduction of doe or either sex days does not reduce the overall season. The Georgia deer season length would remain the same under the proposed regulations. The only change would be the either sex days. This proposed change was at the request of many Georgia hunters. The reduction of either sex hunting days accomplishes the need to improve the deer population in some of the northern zones. Although not our initial recommendation, the staff at DRD fully support this decision.
It is important to research and educate yourself on the proposed hunting seasons. Please don’t rely on the news media to provide you with this information. Reliable websites will provide you with the links and sources of the information. Many of the media outlets do not have a staff person with knowledge on these subjects to correctly report the information. We are not saying to not trust the media, but when it comes to outdoor reports, it is beneficial to have people that are involved in the field reporting the information.
If you have any other questions regarding the proposed regulations for the 2013-2014 seasons, please go to www.georgiawildlife.com or check our previous report on www.dirtroaddispatch.net or email us at dirtroaddispatch@ymail.com.
Turkey Field Report 4-3-2013
Field Reports for the 2013 Turkey Season are becoming more positive with the warmer weather that we have been experiencing. Many hunters are filling their bag limits already, but the best days ahead. The large flocks are starting to break up with hunters and scouts starting to see more individual hens. Gobbling began to pick up towards the end of March and has increased daily. We expect North Georgia zones to peak in the next seven to ten days. After the rain ends tomorrow and the warmer temperatures return, it should get really good quickly. Try to find some time to get out in the next two weeks to take advantage of the season’s peak.
Don’t forget the bug spray. Ticks are bad again this year and Lyme disease is fun for no one. Also, these warmer days have some of our slitherly friends basking in the sun again. Watch your step out there and be safe!
DNR Proposals New Regulations
Last week Georgia DNR put out their proposals for the 2013-2014 hunting seasons. This is the biggest over haul of hunting regulations that we have seen in the past 10 years. The proposed regulations are open to public comment. You can either submit your comments or attend one of the three meetings. The meetings are in Tifton on April 23rd, Forsyth on April 24th, and Jasper on April 25th. The complete proposed changes are available on www.georgiawildlife.com.
After reviewing the 200 page proposal, several things have stuck out to us. First, there are proposed coyote hunting seasons for several of the WMAs. It will be a short season in May, but should help our deer populations. This is a crucial time during fawn development and could help reduce the coyote population.
Second, proposed is a reduction in Either Sex Days for many of the zones. This has been called for by most Georgia deer hunters across the state. The main difference will be the change in much of the Northern Zone from 75 Either Sex Modern Weapons days to 50 Either Sex Modern Weapons days. Although this is not the same recommendation that we proposed through DRD, we fully support this change. This will produce similar results as our recommendations.
There are many other proposals to look at including changes to alligator, bear, feral hogs, and small game seasons. Most of the changes are cleaning up the language in current laws and consolidating rules, but there are some other changes. Please take time to review these proposed changes and submit your comments to Georgia DNR. We have a say in OUR hunting regulations and need to be heard!
Turkey Season Eve 2013
It is Turkey Season Eve 2013 and the expectations are high. Field reports are indicating a good number of 2-3 year old birds. These birds are normally the most active and exciting to call. After good hatches in 2010 and 2011, populations are edging upwards in shoot-able birds for this season. There are concerns for the 2014 season, with a poor hatch in 2012, but that is next year.
A week ago, two separate north Georgia flocks were scouted. Both flocks were holding more than a dozen birds with two Toms spotted with each one. This being an indication of the weather that these flocks had not split yet. In just five days though, several individual birds are now being spotted in similar areas. This could lead to a fast start for many hunters this turkey season.
Turkey Flock 1 Week Before Season
Weather forecasts though are not in our favor for two reasons. First the cool, wet weather does not encourage the Toms to get out and gobble. Researchers have found that dry days with little or no wind are the best for gobbling Toms. With another week of cool and rainy weather forecasted, this may lead to a slow start for many hunters. We recommend still going though with the flocks just now starting to split up. The second reason that this forecast is poor, is for poult survival. Young turkeys have a much higher mortality rate in sustained periods of wet, cool weather. For the sake of future seasons, we would like to see a warm, dry spring. Obviously, mother nature doesn’t always work with us. Many hunters have been fortunate enough to bag a Tom on a cool, wet day. If you have done your homework, the results will speak for themselves.
Don’t forget to update your hunting license and if hunting WMA lands, to sign in. No one wants to ruin a good day in the field with a bad day with the game warden!
Turkey Scouting
If you haven’t been out Turkey Scouting yet, it is time to get out. The weather is finally breaking to more consistent warm days and the turkeys are on the move. We addressed scouting procedures in earlier posts. Head out early and sit on the dirt roads before sunrise. Fortunately with Daylight Savings beginning, we don’t have to wake up so early to get out before daylight. Avoid using any turkey calls until the season starts. Just like with ducks, turkeys become more educated as the season goes on. Don’t give them the advantage.
A lot can be learned by getting out on the hiking trails at the beginning or end of days. You will find the birds starting to gobble on these warm mornings and strutting the ridges. There are only 10 days until the first day of the season. Do you homework, pattern your shotgun, and see you in the woods on the 23rd!!!
Dirt Road Dispatch 