Mid-Season Turkey Update

This turkey is one of many harvested this season on Dawson Forest WMA.

Report by: Kevin Lowrey, Wildlife Resources Division Senior Biologist

The 2012 turkey season is well underway and saw a fast start in Georgia. Many regions are reporting outstanding turkey hunting, with hunters seeing, hearing and harvesting plenty of gobblers, particularly in the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, and Blue Ridge areas.  Berry College WMA (Ridge and Valley area) and Dawson Forest WMA (Upper Piedmont area) are on pace to break all time harvest records, while hunting in the Upper and Lower Coastal Plain has generally been described as decent. Increased foliage due to the early green up has made gobblers difficult to hear in parts of the coastal plains. Also, the mild winter and 90 degree opening week days in these regions made snakes and mosquitoes more active, which have kept some hunters out of the woods. Additionally, the drought in the coastal plain has forced some turkeys into inaccessible creek drainages, further slowing success. There are reports of a good amount of turkeys being seen and heard in the coastal plain, but that has not been represented by the harvest.

With the season a little more than half complete, where should you go hunt now? Below, “Table 1″ shows the top two producing WMAs in each region this spring.  While these areas will likely continue to produce some turkeys for the remainder of the season, there may be better choices.   After speaking with several GA DNR biologists about their strategy for late season success they were nearly unanimous in the idea of looking for less pressured areas.  For example: 1.) Areas with less vehicle access, 2.) Bowhunting only areas, 3.) Areas that were quota early in the season and are now general open hunts the remainder of the season and 4.) Small overlooked areas.  These are the types of areas where a late season hunter, who puts in the time, can have great success. “Table 2″ has a list of WMAs with some late season potential in each region.

Now is the time to get after wild turkeys. Most hunters have given up for the year so there is less competition. Hens are nesting, gobblers are lonely, and with spring in full bloom it’s a great time to be in the woods.  Late season hunting does come with challenges. Many turkeys that have been called to become a little call shy, so vary your technique late season by calling less often and softer. Scout harder to locate turkeys and be alert for smart gobblers to come in silent.

Wherever you end up hunting this last leg of the season, remember three things: Be safe, have fun and introduce someone new to turkey hunting!

Remember: Turkey hunting requires a Big Game license in addition to a Hunting license. To hunt on a WMA, you need a Wildlife Management Area license. BUY A LICENSE!  Click HERE for a map of all WMAs in Georgia!

Table 1:Top WMA’s (Total Turkey Harvest) This Season (2012)
Region	WMA	Number of Hunters	Total Harvest
1	Berry College	160	41
1	Paulding Forest	500	43
2	Lake Russell	468	42
2	Dawson Forest	580	48
3	Tuckahoe	152	32
3	Dilane	130	42
4	Cedar Creek	470	70
4	Ocmulgee	433	42
5	Chickasawhatchee	N/A	20
5	Silver Lake	N/A	8
6	Bullard Creek	85	14
6	Flat Tub	59	11
7	Sansavilla	151	13
7	Griffin Ridge	9	4

Table 2:Best WMA’s for Late Season Success
REGION	WMA
1	Sheffield WMA
1	Rocky Mountain PFA
2	Warwoman WMA
2	Chestatee WMA
3	Tuckahoe WMA
3	Dilane WMA
4	Big Lazer Creek WMA
4	Blanton Creek WMA
5	Chickasawhatchee WMA
5	Silver Lake WMA
6	Bullard Creek WMA
6	Big Hammock WMA
7	Altamaha WMA
7	Townsend WMA

Altamaha WMA Has Best Waterfowl Season Ever

Happy early season teal hunters on Champney Island.

The 2011-2012 Altamaha Wildlife Management Area waterfowl season has been the best on record since the early 1960s according to WRD Game Management Section.

The 32,000-acre Altamaha WMA is home to thousands of ducks, including black ducks, mallards, northern pintails, redheads and canvasbacks. More than 750 hunters harvested 1,669 ducks on the quota area, Butler Island.  Green-winged teal, blue-winged teal and ring-necked ducks were the most abundant of the 17 species harvested.  Many species were also harvested on Champney and Rhetts Islands too.

One possible factor attributing to the success of this waterfowl season could be the dry winter in Coastal Georgia, which may have pushed species out of the dry swamps and into the Altamaha impoundments and surrounding areas. Additional factors may include the positive population trends for most waterfowl species, and most importantly, the hard work and dedication of the Altamaha staff helped the WMA to have some of the best wintering ground habitat in its history.

As one of the most species rich management areas in the state, wildlife watching is another popular activity on this WMA. Visitors to the area may see such animals as deer, hogs, rabbits and squirrels.  Birding enthusiasts can see avian species like white ibis, wood storks, roseate spoonbills and bald eagles. The Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP) is aimed at maintaining the WMA for all users.  Visitors to Butler and Champney Islands and the McGowan Lake Tract of the Altamaha WMA will need either a Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP) or WMA stamp. More information on GORP is available at http://www.georgiawildlife.com/Georgia-Outdoor-Recreational-Pass.

Upcoming Activities at Altamaha WMA: Hog hunts March 1-15 (underway) and May 19-June 3. Visit the Wildlife Resources Division Flickr page for more photos from the waterfowl season at Altamaha WMA.

Note: Special thanks to Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division Senior Wildlife Biologist Will Ricks for his contributions to this blog post.

NASP State Tournament Now Set

920 total archers competed in the five National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) regional tournaments in Georgia, and with the conclusion of Regional No. 5, the 6th annual NASP Georgia State Tournament is now set.

Johnson County High School secured a spot at state by winning the high school division, and taking top honors with a team score of 3,028. Dodge County Middle School also qualified for State by winning the middle school division, while Funston Elementary qualified by winning the elementary team division.

25 teams (listed below) from the five regional tournaments will be competing in the upcoming state tournament.  The NASP State Tournament takes place on March 21 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA. Click here for more information on NASP, and learn how you can bring NASP to your school!

State Qualifying Teams, Score:

1. Woodlawn Elementary, 3263
2. Bagley Middle, 3193
3. Morgan County Middle, 3125
4. Dodge County High, 3123
5. Bay Creek Elementary, 3081
6. Marion County High, 3031
7. Miller County High, 3030
8. Johnson County High, 3028
9. Peach County High, 2938
10. Crawford County High, 2905
11. Dodge County Middle, 2889
12. Lafayette Christian (High), 2850
13. Lee County Elementary, 2832
14. Wynnbrook Christian (Middle), 2827
15. Bay Creek Elementary JV, 2819
16. Charlton County High, 2806
17. Gerard Prep (High), 2794
18. Bulloch Academy (Middle), 2757
19. Lake Park Elementary, 2736
20. Glascock County High, 2734
21. Woodlawn Elementary JV, 2715
22. Lee County Middle, 2706
23. Funston Elementary, 2671
24. Wauka Mountain Elementary, 2662
25. Southeast Whitfield High, 2642

Click here for complete recaps and full press releases from all NASP regionals in Georgia.

NASP State Tournament Taking Shape

Over 600 students have already competed in this year’s National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Regionals, with one final regional tournament remaining. With four regionals complete, the NASP State Tournament is beginning to take shape.

Bay Creek Elementary School earned top shooting honors in Regional No. 1 with a team score of 3,081, securing a spot in the 6^th annual Georgia-NASP State Tournament.  Lafayette Christian School also qualified for the state tournament by winning the high school division, with a team score of 2,850.

In Regional No. 2, Dodge County High earned a spot in the State Tournament, coming away with top shooting honors (3,123 team score)and winning the high school division.  Wynnbrook Christian School also punched its ticket to State, winning the middle school division with a 2,827 team score.

Three teams secured spots in the State Tournament out of Regional No. 3.  Marion County High School won the regional by one point over Miller County High School, ensuring their spot at State.  Lee County Middle School took the middle school division crown with a team score of 2,706, while Lee County Elementary school won the elementary school division with a 2,832 team score.  Both Lee County schools qualified for the State Tournament.

Defending State Champions and National Champions, Woodlawn Elementary, won the overall title for Regional No. 4 with a 3,263 team score.  Bagley Middle School and Southeast Whitfield High School, who won their divisions in Regional No. 4, will also join Woodlawn Elementary at the state tournament.

Schools that did not win an automatic berth to state at the regional tournament can still be selected as a high-scoring wildcard team after the final regional tournament is completed in late February.  The 6^th annual Georgia-NASP State Tournament will be held on March 21 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA.

Click HERE to learn more about NASP, and how you can bring NASP to your school!

Waterfowl and Deer Seasons Going Strong

An 8-point buck harvested on Blanton Creek WMA in November.

The first of two adult/child hunts at Rum Creek WMA took place Dec. 10, where groups in attendance saw plenty of wood ducks, gadwalls, mallards and green winged teal.

Butler Island held its third quota hunt of the year on Dec. 10 as well.  The hunt was recorded as the third best in the history of quota hunts on the island, with 76 hunters harvesting 263 ducks!

Here are some updates from additional quota hunts:

• FDR State Park, Quota Hunt (Dec. 6-7): 74 hunters harvested 8 bucks
• Blanton Creek WMA, Quota Hunt (Dec. 8-9): 53 hunters harvested 3 deer
• Paulks Pasture, Dog/Deer Quota Hunt (Dec. 9-10): 19 hunters harvested 7 deer and 2 hogs
• Griffin Ridge, Quota Hunt (Dec. 8-10): 45 hunters harvested 7 deer and 1 hog (last quota hunt of the season)
• Ossabaw Island Firearms Quota Hunt: 74 hunters harvested 36 deer and 29 hogs

Remember to visit our Flickr page to view photos from Georgia’s 2011 deer season by clicking HERE!

Hunting in Full Swing

This buck was harvested on an Ocmulgee WMA hunt over Thanksgiving.

With waterfowl season opening Nov. 19, hunting in Georgia is in full swing.  The first Butler Island quota hunt this season set a new record for quota hunts on the island!  414 ducks were taken by 84 hunters, meaning each hunter harvested an average of 4.9 ducks!  A total of 16 species of ducks were recorded with the top three species being Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, and Gadwalls.  While records are not kept on Champney and Rhetts Islands, these impoundments saw similar success.

The second quota hunt held on Butler Island was Nov. 26. Although it did not meet the record of the first hunt,  216 ducks were still harvested.  The top three species were Greenwing teal, Bluewing Teal and Shoveler.  Again, similar success was had on Champney and Rhetts Island.

Deer season also continues across the state.  The Adult/Child deer quota hunt on Ossabaw Island on Nov. 24-26 saw 32 deer and 17 hogs harvested by 48 participants.

Thanksgiving week hunts at Ocmulgee, Lake Russell and Blue Ridge were also a success for deer hunters.  Ocmulgee WMA had 126 deer (92 bucks, 34 does) and 9 hogs harvested by 568 hunters.  At Lake Russell WMA, 687 hunters harvested 75 bucks and 3 hogs.  16 deer (5 does and 11 bucks) were taken by 326 hunters at Blue Ridge.

Numbers from other hunts included:

• Oconee WMA Dan Denton Waterfowl Area Federal Youth Waterfowl Saturday: 11 youth hunters harvested 12 ducks and 1 goose
• Di-Lane Quota Hunt Oct. 26-29: 149 hunters harvested 29 deer
• Tuckahoe Check-in Hunt Nov. 3-6: 324 hunters harvested 100 deer
• Di-Lane Check-in Hunt Nov. 10-12: 130 hunters harvested 25 deer
• Oconee Sign-in Hunt Oct. 22 – Nov. 13: 345 hunters harvested 78 deer
• Townsend WMA, Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Dog Deer Hunt: 34 hunters participated and harvested 7 deer
• Sapelo Island Dec.1-3 Archery Deer Hunt: 44 hunters participated and 8 deer, 3 hogs were harvested.
• B. F. Grant (Antler Restriction Area), Dec. 1-3 quota (400): 169 hunters harvested 30 deer (8 bucks, 22 antlerless)
• Big Lazer WMA (Antler Restriction Area), Dec 1-3 sign-in hunt:  143 hunters harvested 18 deer (4 antlered & 14 antlerless)
• Oaky Woods, Dec. 1-3 check-in hunt: 438 hunters harvested 88 deer (62 bucks, 26 antlerless, 9 hogs)
• West Point (Antler Restriction Area), Dec. 1-3 sign-in hunt: 214 hunters harvested 38 deer (10 bucks, 28 antlerless)

Click HERE or photos from the 2011-2012 deer season, and visit our Facebook page for photos of deer from WMA hunts over the years!

Survey Predicts Strong Bear Season

Over 40 routes have been surveyed this summer in north Georgia as part of a Southern Appalachian black bear study.

The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division is expecting great opportunities this fall, as archery bear season approaches (September 10).

As part of a long-term, multi-state study of Southern Appalachian black bears, WRD staff  surveyed over 40 routes in north Georgia in July. Biologists and Technicians have been setting up these bait stations for black bears annually or biannually every summer since 1983.

The bait stations consist of string and partially opened sardine cans, and are placed out of reach from other animals. After five nights, the number of stations visited by bears is recorded, and these results, in combination with annual harvest reports, nuisance complaints and other data, help to interpret bear population trends over time.

In the first year, 1983, only 12 percent of the stations were visited by bears. Since then, the population has steadily grown and in 2009, 76 percent visitation was recorded along these same exact routes.

Claw marks are spotted on this tree as Wildlife Biologist Adam Hammond continues to survey the bait stations.

In one recently completed survey on the Stanley Gap Trail within the Chattahoochee National Forest, just north of Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area (which straddles Fannin and Gilmer counties) claw and teeth marks indicated that bears visited four out of the seven stations along the five-mile trail.

This is very typical and supports other indicators that Georgia has a healthy bear population. The survey results are also a good sign for hunters planning on participating in the upcoming bear season in north Georgia.  Be sure to purchase all appropriate hunting license and thoroughly review the bear hunting regulations in the state before you get out there and take advantage of the season!

Note: Special thanks to Wildlife Biologist Adam Hammond (Wildlife Resources Division: Region I) for contributing to this story.