Late season dove hunting is one of the most under utilized seasons across the country. Most states have September dove seasons that probably fall second to deer hunting only. By the time late November rolls around many hunters are packing it in. Deer season is winding down with the rut over in most areas. The hunters that drift out for rabbits and quail hunt for the weeks leading into Thanksgiving and then vanish. Duck hunters keep their hunts limited until after January 1st, although they are the toughest hunters. Everyone is getting ready for the holidays and forgetting about some of the great hunting that we have left through the end of the year. Dove season in many states re-opens for a few weeks towards the end of November or early December. Doves are migratory birds that move with the weather changes. Most of the country still has birds throughout the year though. The best part about late season doves is often you find them in the same spots you found them in September, but in higher concentrations. Many of the fields are completely cut down with the corn, sunflowers, and millet scattered. The doves will focus on these areas and if you find them you will be in for a fun shoot. Late season doves are also a good opportunity to take new or young hunters and dogs to get low pressure experience. With the fields having so many fewer hunters, it is easier to teach and have fun. One of my early hunts after passing the hunter education test was during late dove season. My dad and his long time hunting partner took my self and his daughter to the back side of one of the farms they quail hunted and we shot (mostly at) all afternoon. It was fast paced and exciting and gave the adults time to show us what we were doing wrong and right. If you know someone who is thinking about getting into hunting, take the opportunity over the next few weeks to take them dove hunting. Borrow a shotgun, buy a box of shells and share the gift of the outdoors with someone new this fall.
Dirtroad Current Reports
End of many WMAs Seasons
Although tonight was the end of the season for many of the WMAs, it is the start of many of the other seasons across the state. Wilson Shoals WMA season ended quietly with nearly 200 hunters bagging less than 20 deer. This has stirred many of the hunters in the area to question the limits across the state of Georgia, but we will address those theories later. Other WMAs seasons have ended as well, while several others are just starting. In addition to that, many other seasons are opening or have recently opened.
Dove Season – Reopens 11/22, Grouse Season – Opened 10/15, Duck and Goose Split 1 – Opened 11/17
These are good opportunities to get kids and dogs out and enjoying the outdoors. Take the kids, find a turtle, hike the woods and have some fun. Always remember that it isn’t about what you bag or the size of the game; it’s who you teach and get to spend the time with.
One Day Left for Wilson Shoals WMA
Sunday will be the last day for deer and bear hunting for Wilson Shoals WMA. It has been a slow season so far. This evening was beautiful with a little bit of a crisp feel for a fall evening in Georgia. The woods were very active tonight with geese, doves, squirrels and bear sign everywhere. Heard a few shots that weren’t associated with the range. When leaving, I checked the sign in sheet and there were 14 deer taken now with 3 new ones signed out today. Congratulations to the hunter that bagged the 12 point today!!! Nice to know there are quality deer in the mountain counties. Good luck to everyone with one day left in many of the WMAs.
Wilson Shoals WMA Afternoon Hunt
Headed out to Wilson Shoals for a quick evening hunt. It was a much nicer evening than lasyesterday. A little breezy, but cooler and just a few clouds in the sky. I signed in, headed down the main road, crossed the creek and went up the hill to hunt along the utility line. Heading down the utility line, I eventually cut into the woods. There was a huge valley that I set up on the high side and could see about 150 yards across to the other side. With only about 2 hours, I knew that time was against me. Sitting on the ground was difficult with the severity of the slope. My pack and myself kept sliding down the hill. After about 30 minutes the woods came to life. The area was mostly hardwoods and squirrels were everywhere. I could hear a turkey clucking in the distance, but Georgia doesn’t have a fall turkey season so we ignored him. Down in the valley, a deer could be heard trying to sneak through the leaves. Everything had dried out and moving quietly wasn’t an option. Never coming out into the open, darkness finally gave the win to the deer.
Driving down the gravel road, I spotted three hunters walking. Stopping I found a father with two young boys. I asked if they needed a ride. They jumped in and proceeded to tell me everything they had seen. A deer, two rabbits, a turtle…they were so excited to be hunting with dad. We crossed the creek and I let them out at their car. The polite young men both thanked me for the ride even without a prompt from dad. Whoever said the outdoors doesn’t teach you life lessons, never met a kid that hunts.
Some days are better than others…
Over the years, we have all been taught to hunt and fish before a front arrives. How many times have we found ourselves sitting out a storm just knowing how good it will be when it’s over? How many times have you sat it out and then nothing? Well tonight was one of those nights. The weather has been warm. The forecast called for a cold front to come through mid-day today. Rain and falling temperatures throughout the evening. I got into the woods around 2:30 pm; well ahead of the front and climbed a tall pine with the climber stand and got set up. It took a few minutes to cool down, even though I wasn’t even wearing long sleeves. One of those things that you have to get used to hunting in Georgia. About 45 minutes after getting in the tree, the rain began to fall. The advantage of sitting in a pine is that it blocks a lot of the rain. Not even the squirrels were moving. The rain began to fall harder and more leaves began to fall. The rhythmic pattern of the rain, along with the dreariness of the low hanging clouds made me sleepy. Not a fan of sleeping in a climbing stand though. Just far too many risks outweigh the much-needed nap. The rain began to ease up with an hour until the end of legal. Darkness came quick. I could hear deer moving down by the creek, but there was no way to see them. Between the leaves on the trees still and the early darkness, it was impossible. I have never had a night when 15 minutes after sunset, you couldn’t see anything through the scope.
I carefully came down the tree and began putting the tree stand back together to pack out. Then came the strange sounds through the woods. Even after years of hearing them it still makes you pause. The coyotes started their evening symphony for all to hear. Although every hunter knows that they aren’t interested in you, I chambered a bullet anyway. I finished getting everything together and headed towards the truck. Walking through the brush, I quickly became soaked. It was a welcome sight to get back to the truck after the half mile hike. The water-logged packs seemed extra heavy and it was a relief to throw them in the truck. Pulling down the dirt road, I passed a campsite. Talking to the camper, he had hunted without any success this evening too. I asked if he had heard the coyotes and he said that was when he loaded his pistol. We both laughed and wished each other luck as I headed home.
Even without any success tonight, I will continue to get out on these days when the fronts move through. It doesn’t matter whether you are tired, drenched, or haven’t seen a thing, it is still always worth getting out and waiting to see what can happen. Nothing cool ever happens from the couch or the office.
Kentucky Gun Season
In about 6 hours the annual Kentucky Gun Season opens for the next 16 days. Although one of the shorter seasons in the southeast, Kentucky is home to a great population of quality deer. In 2011, the state recorded one of the highest number of trophy whitetails in the country. Great wildlife practices and controls have taken the population from near extinction in the early 1970s to a thriving population by the mid 1990s. In just the last few years the modern firearms season has been expanded from 10 days to 16 days and the number of tags issued has increased as well.
The quota hunts across the state are run very well and provide all hunters an opportunity to take home a whitetail. Ample public land is open throughout the firearms season as well.
The weather forecast has the temperatures above average for the first few days of the season., but returns to seasonal averages around Day 4 of the season. Unfortunately, with a shorter season than most states in the southeast, get out early and get out often. Please remember to check your local regulations and be safe while in the woods.
Good luck to all of the Kentucky hunters! Maybe you will be one of the fortunate ones to take home a quality whitetail this season.
Cool Nights/Warm Days
Have you looked at the weather forecast? Why not? This forecast looks amazing! The last few days haven’t been the best outdoors, but you have no excuse now. Whether you are camping, fishing, hunting, or hiking this forecast is perfect. The cool mornings are good for the start of the rut. The deer have started moving throughout the night and into the early morning hours. The warm afternoons call out to us for fishing or hiking. The leaves are still on the trees in most areas and south of the mountains, the colors are spectacular. If you go fishing, now is the time to use topwater (buzz baits) for the bass or jig for crappie. Crappie are probably 15-25 feet down and active in areas around the stick ups. The weather is amazing for camping. Cool nights are perfect for the campfire and a cozy sleeping bag and the warm days get you active around camp. No matter what you choose, figure out something to do before Tuesday when the rain and colder temperatures move back in.
Check back often to get more updates and reviews as we get out more this fall and early winter.
Start of the Rut
In Georgia, this week is normally the start of the rut. Of course, depending on what part of the state you live in it can vary by 2 weeks or more, but for the majority of the state now is the time to be in the field. Scouting and pre-season planning are important and should never be overlooked, but a lot of that gets tossed out the window over the next two weeks. If you are looking to put some meat in the freezer, be in the woods the next two weeks.
Newest Member of the DRD Family
We would like to welcome the newest member of the DRD Family- Madison Elizabeth born at 9:37 pm on 11/01/12!!!
Day 10 Hunt
Hurricane Sandy is doing a number on the eastern US. Georgia had winds in excess of 40 mph today with sustained winds of 32 mph for most the day. Regardless, I decided today was a day to be in the woods. With those winds, advantage deer. I walked 3/4 of a mile down the trail before cutting into the woods. Hearing anything move was impossible. Arriving to the spot I wanted to hunt about 2 hours before dark, I got situated next to a large tree. The wind was howling and down in the valley and old tree fell. Small limbs were constantly hitting the ground along with leaves and acorns. Eyes were the only source today. With 45 minutes left, I realized that I should move into an area that was a little more wind protected. I moved 200 yards south into a pine thicket. The wind finally let up some at sunset. An outdoor tip to remember – even on the windiest of days, the wind normally lays down some at sunset. You probably have 45 minutes of lighter wind before it picks back up after dark. Squirrels began to scurry around when the wind calmed down. One squirrel came 3 yards of me and I started to get nervous he was going to climb me like a tree, but he finally opted to go the opposite direction. The area was covered in squirrels for about 20 minutes before they headed to bed for the night. Darkness arrived quickly, but light came back shortly after under the full moon rising. On the walk out, the wind picked back up and is forecasted to stay this way for the next 36 hours. Better days are ahead…
Dirt Road Dispatch 