Dirtroad Tips

Attention Duck Hunters!!! Take some time to get out on the water. Over the last week, we are starting to see the first mini-flight of the season. Unfortunately we are into the second week of January, but more ducks are here than have been here all season. Reports from the field have been extremely positive and while scouting a large pond yesterday, we saw the most ducks we have seen in 4 years. Woodies, mallards, gadwall, and divers were all pouring in towards and after dark. A week ago at the same pond, only 5 ducks were seen. With the season winding down quickly, this may be the best we will see. We have been waiting for ducks and the cold weather that pushed across the midwest and northeast after Christmas has finally forced some ducks towards us.

We would still recommend small decoy spreads and limited calling. With duck hunters at an all time high, the ducks are more educated than ever. Hunting is challenging with crowded lakes and rookie hunters experimenting with their new calls. It is nice to see growth in the sport and experienced hunters are going to have to get creative. It makes all hunters better and makes the sport more fun. Take time to help a rookie hunter and enjoy the mini-flight that has arrived!

With all the cold fronts moving through the entire country, I took some time to scout new areas tonight for ducks. I headed over to Dawson Forest to check the wetlands, waterfowl refuge, and scout for swamps. We walked several miles and found a fair amount of bear scat throughout the trails. I would think that they would be hibernating by now, but may still be too warm. On the 3+ mile walk, we saw squirrels, a turkey, and the dog chased a deer. The area was beautiful with tall hardwoods and pines. Unfortunately, all the back creek areas and wetlands have dried up in the drought. Even with the significant rainfall from last night, they were dry.

Just before dark, we headed over to the waterfowl refuge pond. We got back there about 30 minutes before dark. We walked down to the waterfowl viewing blind. We sat down in the blind and scanned the pond with the binoculars. It was very overcast and difficult to see. The wind was blowing snow flurries. Across the pond, I saw some movement. Looking through the binoculars, I saw a small flock of wood ducks. They continued to swim around the back side of the pond and down towards the creek. The wind picked up and a familiar sound came through the blind. It was a snow/sleet mix hitting the aluminum roof and splashing in the pond. Right at dark, they let out their calls which sound like a cry, but no other birds landed on the pond. Snow was blowing hard at this point, although it was far to warm to stick.

No geese or big ducks yet, but with the temperatures across the country dropping, they will be here before long. Keep scouting and be ready when they get here.

Just a quick reminder…late season WMA Deer hunts re-open on Wednesday, December 26th.  Check your regulations for end dates and areas that re-open.

Late season deer hunts can be very exciting.  Although some bucks have begun to lose their antlers, others are still chasing does.  Georgia’s rut often is very late in the season and many quality deer have been killed in the last few weeks.  Depending on the weather, late season hunts are a different style than early season hunts.  Most late season hunters are not trophy hunters.  This is the time to put meat in the freezer.  Deer at this point in the season will be moving in larger groups and with the “December break” in hunting, won’t be as skittish as they were four weeks ago.  The bucks will be tired and less alert due to running does for so long.  The normal rules still apply with paying attention to the wind and covering up your scent, but you can get away with much more than early season.

Most states only have a late season for archery hunters.  In those states, hunters take advantage of the last few days to bow hunt does and get practice and experience to end the season.  Georgia does have a late gun season and many hunters take advantage of it.  Enjoy the last few days before the season ends in the north zone.  You can’t see deer sitting on your couch!

After back to back days of record temperatures in Georgia, it makes it hard to think about hunting.  We don’t recommend fishing in the month of December, but with these temps it is hard to not think about fishing.  Fortunately for us a front should come through next week and should lower the temps right after more seasons begin to open.  Woodcock season opened and the late duck season opens Saturday.  It will take a while for us to start seeing birds, but at least we are headed the right direction.

If you do head out fishing this time of year, remember that we have had some cooler temps and the fish will react that way.  They will be deeper and react slower than during the warm months.  Bass fishing can be good this time of year with jigs and slow-moving spinnerbaits.  It is still warm enough to use buzzbaits as well.  Crappie are also a good bet this time of year.  Find the areas of the lake with flooded timber.  Drop jigs straight down next to the tree with a minnow on the jig.  Read your regs carefully though.  Crappie limits vary from area to area, but are worth bringing home and deep-frying!

Even if you don’t get out hunting or fishing, take advantage or the warm temps and sneak out for a short afternoon hike with the family!

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.

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.