DRD returned last week from it’s annual archery hunt at Sarah’s Creek. After a great year last year, there was fear of a letdown this year, but we definitely weren’t disappointed. We arrived late in the day and set up camp immediately which gave us time to head to the mountains to get in a late hunt. There wasn’t a lot of daylight left, but we were more looking for sign. What we did find was a lot of leaves left on the trees for this time of year and very few acorns falling. We headed back to camp just after dark and had a good dinner and then went to bed.
The alarm went off at O-Dark Thirty, but we were already awake. We got dressed and drove up the mountain. We didn’t exactly have a plan other than to head down the trail and just put in miles. Light started to break through the trees shortly after we arrived, but once again we found too many leaves and no acorns. We walked a few miles and glassed the hillsides. There was a lot of sign, but we couldn’t not spot any deer or bears.
After a late breakfast, we headed to a new spot to check a higher elevations for the afternoon. We split up by a few hundred yards and worked our way up the trail, once again taking our time and glassing. There was sign everywhere and just too many leaves to spot anything. We even crossed very fresh scat on the trail at one point but never could see the bear. After three miles, we arrived at a large wildlife opening that gave you a beautiful view of the mountain. We took numerous pictures on the beautiful fall afternoon. It made the walk worthwhile, but we were getting frustrated that we weren’t seeing anything with this much sign. We hiked back down and decided it was time for a break.
After a much needed lunch and soaking our feet in the cold water pools of the creek, we cleaned up camp and headed back to the mountain for an evening hunt. This area was torn to shreds by hogs. We decided with two hours until the end of legal shooting time to split up and hunt until dark. One person took the clover field and the other person took the hardwoods several hundred yards away. In the clover field at sunset, three deer entered the field at about 30 yards. Unfortunately, a limb snuck up and deflected the arrow causing a miss. A 45 yard follow up shot proved unsuccessful as well. Back in the woods, things got interesting on the walk out encountering a small bear at 15 yards. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see the pins on the bow and the bear decided there were better places to be and exited the trail at full run speed. A very exciting evening hunt rejuvenated the hunters for the next morning.
Once again, we were awake before the alarms went off and were in the woods well ahead of daylight. Nothing was cooperating that morning though. Even our turkey friends that we had bumped into all week were not to be found. After a late breakfast and taking time to load the truck, we decided on two more short hunts before heading home. Once again we found a lot of sign, but did not get anymore opportunities.
The weather was perfect with brilliant sunshine each day and cool nights followed by warm days. Fortunately this year the only accident was a melted sole of a boot that must have gotten a little close to the campfire. Otherwise the trip was great!
We always recommend getting out and exploring the great areas of Georgia to hunt. It is even better when you can take a few days and just spend them minus TVs, cell phones, and traffic. Pull your boots on get outdoors!!!
Dirt Road Dispatch 