Outdoors in Georgia [Nov. 1974]

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Noverpber 1974

1

Outdoors it? gecrgia

November, 1 974

Volume III

Number 1

FEATURES

The Bridge

(Photo Essay)

Edward Brock 2

Protect Your Dog

from heat

Joe Cullens 5

from snakes

Bob McNally 5

Ocmulgee River

Claude Terry 13

.... Fort Yargo State Park

Aaron Pass 17

Outdoorsman's Quiz . Sgt. V. J. Garrison 19

The Marsh (Photo Essay)

20

Mercury and Marsh Hens . . Ron Odom 22

1974 Big Deer Contest

26

.... A Deer Hunter's Day

Bob Gooch 28

DEPARTMENTS

Outdoor Calendar

33

ON THE FRONT COVER: A tiny pool near the Flint River: one detail in
Nature's Fall canvas. Photo by T. Craig Martin.
ON THE BACK COVER: Announcing a special introductory offering of
Charles Elliott's new book on quail management. This low price makes
it the perfect Christmas gift for sportsmen.

T. Craig Martin Aaron Pass Dick Davis Joe Cullens
Bob Wind

MAGAZINE STAFF

Phone 656-3530

David Cranshaw

Editor-in-Chief

Editor Liz Carmichael Jones . . . Art Director

Wildlife Editor Jose Vinas

Artist

Staff Writer Staff Writer

Bob Busby

Photo Editor

.... Jim Couch

Staff Photographer

Staff Writer Edward Brock . . . Staff Photographer

linda Leggett . . Circulation Manager

Department of Natural Resources

Joe D. Tanner
Commissioner

Jimmy Carter
Governor

George T. Bagby
Deputy Commissioner

George P. Dillard Chairman
-- Decatur 4th District
Donald J. Carter Gainesville-- 9th District
Mary Bailey Izard Atlanta-- 5th District

Leonard E. Foote Vice Chairman Marietta-- State at Large
Wade H. Coleman
Valdosta-- State at Large
Lloyd L. Summer Rome-- 7th District

Leo T. Barber, Jr. Secretary
-- Moultrie 2nd District
Dr. Robert A. Collins, Jr.
-- Americus 3rd District
Henry S. Bishop
Alma-- 8th District

James Darby Vidalia-- 1st District
Leonard Bassford
-- Augusta 10th District
Jimmie Williamson Darien-- Coastal District

James A. Mankin
Griffin-- 6th District
James D. Cone Decatur-- State at Large
A. Calhoun Todd, Jr.
Macon-- State at Large

Division Directors

EARTH AND WATER DIVISION Sam M. Pickering, Jr., Director

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
R. S. Howard, Jr., Director

PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES DIVISION

OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH

Henry D. Struble, Director

Chuck Parrish, Director

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INFORMATION

David Cranshaw, Director; Dick Davis, Assistant Director

GAME AND FISH DIVISION
Jack Crockford, Director
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES James H. Pittman, Director

Outdoors in Georgia is the official monthly magazine of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, published at the Department's offices, TrinityWashington Building, 270 Washington Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. No advertising accepted. Subscriptions are $3 for one year or $6 for three years. Printed by Williams Printing Company, Atlanta, Georgia. Notification of address change must include label from a recent magazine, new address and ZIP code, with 60 davs notice. No subscription requests will be accepted without ZIP code. Articles and photographs may be reprinted when proper credit given. Contributions are welcome, but the editors assume no responsibility or liability for loss or damage of articles, photographs, or illustrations. Second-class postage paid at Atlanta, Georgia. 40,000 copies printed at an approximate cost of $14,200.

C/eorgia Hunting

There's been a lot of talk lately, particularly

among avid hunters, about the power of "anti-

hunting" groups, about their political strength,

their access to high places in government, their

ability to warp public opinion. In some of these conversations we even hear that sport hunting

is near its demise, and that the sport hunter

soon will follow the passenger pigeon into

extinction.

That's just not true in Georgia. Here we re-

spect the hunter/sportsman, and we honor his sport as one of the many that can lead to a

greater appreciation of the natural world around

us. Sport hunting is an important facet of our

outdoor heritage, a facet that should be pre-

served with the rest of that heritage.

But the fact that the sport hunter is not a

vanishing species here should not lead to com-

We placency.

cannot tolerate the poacher, the

slob hunter, the incompetent. Not because we

fear threats from outside the sport, but because
we each honor it from the inside. Any sports-
-- man's ethics are internal the fisherman, the

backpacker, the spelunker, the boatman: all obey ethical standards when no one is around to enforce those standards. So does the honor-
able hunter.
We hunters must police ourselves, both to
protect the sport and to protect ourselves. The threat to hunting in Georgia comes not from "anti-hunting" groups, but from incompetent and foolish hunters themselves: anti-hunting groups do not cause land to be posted, they do not create defaced road signs, they do not leave wounded animals bleeding in the woods. It's up
to us to protect ourselves.

Noverpber 1974

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(Photos
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Outdoors \y) Georgia

November 197+

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Protect Ybur Dog...
Photo by Bob Busby
Outdoors it? Georgia

from snakes by Bob McNally

Only the day before it happened, a friend asked if I'd ever seen any rattlesnakes in the
open country a short distance from my house.
The answer was no. I'd met nothing more dangerous than garter snakes and an occasional racer, and I was lulled into assuming that no
poisonous snakes were around. On a hike the next day, we found out just how wrong I had
been. My Labrador was crashing through a
stand of low, heavy brush when suddenly she bounded back onto the fire road, licking her paw and staring in puzzlement at a shrub alive with
the buzzing of an angered rattlesnake. I tied a cord around her leg above the paw,
carried the dog to the car, and had her to the veterinarian's within 45 minutes. But in that
short time the venom had swollen Ivy's paw to more than twice its normal size, and shock had so weakened her that she was unable even to sit.

Fortunately, she responded well to treatment and suffered no permanent damage. But the episode was an all-too-graphic introduction to the danger poisonous snakes pose to dogs in
the field.
Most of us tend to think of snakes as a threat to people, but actually they do far more harm to our stock and pets. For every human bitten, 15 domestic animals, most of them hunting dogs, fall victim to snakes. Not only is snakebite in dogs more common; it also is more dangerous. Of every 100 humans bitten by rattlesnakes, fewer than 3 will die; of every 100 dogs, more than 20 will die.
Georgia serves up a generous helping of
poisonous reptiles, each with its own habits and habitat. The brightly banded coral snake is a
relative of the African and Asian cobras, and it (next page)

from heat by Joe Cullens

The dogs scramble from the rear of the truck with a gust of anticipation; opening day is here at last and the sun is out and it looks like another warm, Indian Summer day. . . . But 20 minutes later a hapless hunter finds his best dog
collapsed in a heap, panting for breath. Scenes like this are repeated all too often in
the Southeast as thousands of avid sportsmen free their dogs for the opening days of hunting
season.
Heat prostration is a major killer in dogs: if the animal stumbles for no apparent reason, or if he appears deranged and dizzy, then prompt
action is vital to save his life. Heat prostration is a disturbance of the heat
regulating functions in the body. There are three types: heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat-
stroke. The first two are not common in dogs.
Noverpber 1974

but do occur occasionally. All three are direct results of high temperature, humidity and poor ventilation; direct sunlight can play a contribu-
tory role.
Let's say your dog seems weak or not up to his
usual "go get 'em" style; then he starts quivering and loses control of his muscles; finally, he collapses with a groan and begins to pant feverishly. His pulse is extremely rapid. His temperature seems normal but the dog won't get up. These signs point to heat exhaustion, especially
if they came on gradually. Indeed, you might not even notice a change in the animal until the
drastic stages are developing.
Another problem may develop when you are
working your dog (especially hounds) hard during hot weather. The dog doubles up in pain-
(continued on page 9)

--
shares their potent, paralyzing venom. However, because of its small size and secretive ways, it
almost never presents a danger to man or dog.
In fact, most bites from coral snakes occur when
captive specimens are handled carelessly. All of our other poisonous snakes are pit
vipers, distinguished by triangular heads, heatsensitive facial pits, and long folding fangs. Three species of pit viper are found primarily in
north Georgia: the pygmy rattlesnake is feisty,
bold, and quite venomous, but it is so small
-- generally about 8 1 inches long that it isn't
much of a threat; the most common and least
poisonous of the northern vipers is the copperhead, a forest dweller that, like most snakes, prefers flight to fight; the timber rattlesnake is equally shy, accounting for few bites.

The swamps of the coast and the south harbor
the cottonmouth, a relative of the copperhead, and the canebrake rattlesnake, a sub-species of the timber rattler. Both species have a reputation for boldness, but the cottonmouth is usually
the one more likely to stand its ground when
disturbed.
To hunters and their dogs, the most danger-
ous poisonous snake is the eastern diamondback. This rattler is the biggest of all North American snakes, both poisonous and nonpoisonous, occasionally reaching 8 feet and 16 pounds. The diamondback is found along the coast and at lower elevations inland. This snake isn't particularly aggressive, but it will defend itself if pushed. The diamondback feeds primarily on rabbits and rodents, and it lives in the same cover

Outdoors it? Georgia

A as its prey. hunting dog plowing into a thicket
after game is going right to the diamondback's home. Because of the snake's size and long fangs, it can deliver a whopping dose of venom
deep beneath the skin.
The danger venomous snakes create for dogs
is due largely to the snakes' life cycle. Since snakes are cold-blooded, low temperatures force them to spend the winter months in hibernation. With the warmth of spring, they emerge, mate, and travel to their hunting areas. Through the summer's heat, snakes are relatively inactive, preferring to remain in hiding unless hunger forces them to hunt for one of their infrequent meals. In the fall, however, the snakes feed ac-
tively as they move to find dens for the winter. Just when you and your dog head into the field
for game, the snakes are likely to be out and about as well.
The best way to save your dog from snakebite
is to teach it to avoid snakes. Catch a good-sized nonpoisonous snake like a bull snake or pine snake and put it in an enclosed area. Leash the
dog and put him with the snake. When he starts
to nose around the snake, jerk him back to you and slap him. Keep up this jerk-and-slap routine until the dog loses all interest in the snake.
Of course, training doesn't always hold, and even a well-trained dog preoccupied with the hunt may stumble onto a rattler and be bitten. If that happens, knowing what to do will go a long way toward saving your dog.
The most effective treatment is to get the dog to a veterinarian quickly. Before you go into the
field, find out about local veterinary services, particularly emergency treatment outside regu-
lar office hours. Knowing where the vet is will
Noverpber 197+

get you to him that much faster if trouble occurs. Since bird dogs often work concealed from
the hunter, a dog may be bitten without the
hunter's seeing or hearing the attack. However, the symptoms of snakebite are pretty unmistakable. The dog probably will show obvious signs of severe pain. There will be one or two puncture wounds, sometimes hidden by the dog's coat.
Massive swelling around the wound will begin
in a matter of minutes, and as the swelling travels toward the heart, the punctures will exude great amounts of a thin bloody or yellowish fluid. If the dog is bitten out of your sight and you're not sure what kind of snake was responsible, there's no reason to waste time try-
ing to chase down the offender and identify it. The same antivenin is used for all the pit vipers, and treatment depends more on the dog's symp-
toms than on the snake's species.
When the dog is first stuck, it probably will be
very agitated. Get it to sit or lie down, and try to calm it. If the bite is on the leg or paw, you can tie a lymph constrictor above the fang marks. This constrictor is not a tourniquet, and it is not meant to stop all blood flow, just to slow lym-
phatic circulation. You can use a rolled hand-
kerchief or a shoestring tied just tight enough to slip a finger beneath it. However, since dogs go through life nose-first, most are bitten on the

^

Photo by Aaron Pass

EASTERN DIAMONDBACK

face or neck, and a constricting band is out of
the question.
So is the cutting often recommended as treat-
A ment for snakebite. lay person without medi-
cal training is likely to do more harm than good by incising the fang marks. Cutting around the
face or neck is particularly dangerous because of major arteries and veins close to the skin, and the nose is so richly supplied with blood that cutting into it will create a confusing mess. Besides, the dog isn't going to like it one bit. Already the animal is in severe pain, and adding to its grief by cutting almost certainly will cause
it to bite.
If you have ice handy, apply it to the wound to reduce pain and swelling. Carry the dog to
your car. Shock is likely to begin within half an hour after the bite; the doe will be weak, breathe
Photo by T. Craig Martin
SOUTHERN COTTONMOUTH

shallowly, move slowly and with difficulty, and

may vomit. Keep it warm and comfortable.

Some dogs, particularly large aggressive ones,

will not let you handle the wound or carry them.

If a dog resists any first-aid measure, don't fight

it. That will waste time and panic the dog,

spreading the venom all the faster. Remember

that the most important thing is to get to a veteri-

narian quickly and to keep the dog calm until

you do.

It sometimes is recommended that you carry

a vial or two of antivenin and inject it into the

bitten dog yourself. This is very, very risky.

Antivenin is a horse serum, and can cause

severe allergic reactions. The chance of reaction

is so great that in humans antivenin often is used

only as a last resort, after other measures fail.

If you give your dog antivenin and it reacts, the

combination of allergy and venom will kill it.

Leave antivenin to the veterinarian; he can test

for allergy before administering the serum.

With all this talk about the dread effects of

snake venom, it might seem that we could do

ourselves and our dogs a bundle of good by

killing every snake we come across. Not so. As

is often true of the natural world, what seems

threatening from one viewpoint proves neces-

sary or beneficial from another. Poisonous

snakes should be treated with the same caution

as any potentially dangerous animal. But these

snakes play an important ecological role in con-

trolling rodents and other reptiles, animals we

call "harmless" simply because their numbers

We are kept in line by predation.

do well to

know the dangers posed by venomous snakes

We and the best way to handle their bites.

also

do well to let them be.

Outdoors ip Georgia

heat (continued from page 5)

ful contortions as though something were twist-

ing his muscles into knots. He probably is suf-

fering from heat cramps, going through the same

kind of pain you suffer when a muscle cramps.

The animal may be vomiting if the cramps have

struck his stomach.

Neither prostration nor cramps are likely to

strike your dog; but if they do prompt corrective

action is needed. Heat prostration should be

treated by moving the animal to a cool place in

the shade. Sprinkle him with cool water and try

to get him to drink some cool salt water by put-

Do ting a little in the pocket of his cheek.

not

try to pour liquid down the dog's throat: this

could choke him and cause strangulation. Get

him to the vet as soon as possible.

There really isn't much you can do for

cramps; the equipment needed for treatment

should be handled by a veterinarian. The best thing you can do is keep the animal as quiet as possible and get him to the nearest vet.
Heatstroke is the most serious form of heat
prostration, and it is the most common ailment. The rapid pace of the attack is its major indi-
cator: if your dog seems to be all right one minute and you see him stumble and collapse the next, you've probably got a case of heatstroke on your hands. It will kill him if you don't
act fast.
If you find your dog collapsed and panting, with a vacant stare in his eyes, feel him immediately to see if his temperature is high. If it is, he's probably suffering from heatstroke. It is not unusual for body temperature to reach 110, and this is the dangerous part, for the animal cannot stand temperature that high very long.
If you find your dog in this condition get him to a cool, well-ventilated place quickly. Then douse him with cool water. If you happen to
Photo by T. Craig Martin

Jm

have a cooler of ice handy, wrap some in a handkerchief or rag for an ice pack on the animal's
head. If there is a tub around, fill it with cool
water and get the dog into it. Sink him completely, except for his head, and sprinkle it well with cool water. If you can't get the dog into the water, wet a towel or several rags and wrap him up. Keep a constant check on his temperature.
You don't want to cool him too fast, because you may send him into shock. Cool water en-
emas can be used, but it is better to leave these measures to a veterinarian. Don't try to give the animal anything by mouth, especially if he is
unconscious.
Remember, speed is the key to successful treatment of heatstroke. Keep a constant watch for sudden changes in the dog's condition. Complete recovery may take several days, but without fast action your dog may die before regain-
ing consciousness. Finally, as soon as the animal's temperature is lowered, get him to a
veterinarian.
The long period of inactivity between hunting seasons probably is a major factor in the inci-
dence of heat prostration. Physical activity, obesity, and the action of some foods are other factors, but there are preventive measures:
A Avoid heavy exercise on hot, humid days.
cloudy, muggy day is just as dangerous as one with the sun glaring down at full intensity. Shearing your long-haired dog is more dangerous than leaving the hair on. That thick mat

Photo by Bob Busby
Outdoors it? Georgia

provides protection from the burning rays of the
sun. Many unhappy owners have heard the
miserable whimper of a badly sunburned dog and felt the guilt of a careless mistake.

Feed your dog a pinch of salt in his regular food each evening.

See that he has plenty of water to drink.

Finally, if you keep your dog in a kennel or pen, see that he gets regular exercise during the non-hunting months. This makes not only a
healthier animal, but a better looking one. Nothing is worse than a struggling, fat, dog,
panting to keep up with the rest of the pack. Obesity can contribute to heat prostration. Keep him slim and fit and he'll be a happier animal.

It is not a bad idea to keep a canine first aid kit around the house or with you in the field.
A good kit might contain:

One and two inch rolled bandages Gauze pads
Cotton swabs Adhesive tape Blunt-end scissors Absorbent cotton

Nail clippers
Hydrogen peroxide Flea and tick powder Rectal thermometer
2% tincture of iodine (for minor cuts and

abrasions)

Aspirin tablets (3-grain for pain)
Petrolatum (for minor burns) Nitrofurazone ointment (for more serious
burns) Chloramphenicol opthalmic ointment
("Chloromycetin" for keratitis or corneal

-- injury)
Hydrocortisone

neomycin otic solution

-- (for otitis externa inflammation of the

ear Mineral oil (laxative)
These should be available at most drug stores.
Ask your vet to recommend additional aids, but remember that in a serious illness or injury there is no substitute for good veterinary treat-
ment.
Keep your dog fit and he'll be around for quite a few hunting seasons. He depends on you when he's sick; don't let him down when he needs you most.

Noverpber 1974

II

j^v*i*^
i>^.'

Ocmulgee

by Claude Terry
Photos by T. Craig Martin

cr I \ I^iver

Novetpber 1974

Morning mists rose from the Ocmulgee like

steam from fresh-poured coffee. The only people

in view as we came early to the river were

fishermen on the bank, humped and staring into

the water. We spoke our hellos as we launched

our canoe, and got back a taciturn " 'lo" from

We one.

had come to Juliette to get on the

river, planning to exit in Macon.

Once we were launched and drifting

downstream, we noticed set lines dangling

from branch tips. Soon we saw a branch

whipping about, and found a large catfish

securely hooked, waiting to become someone's

dinner. He (she?) was the first indication of

the many brief encounters with wildlife

we were to enjoy that day.

The sandbar on which we ate lunch was

slashed by many channels, each occupied by

large mussels. The number and size of these

mussels was surprising. They were embedded

in the sand with the shell opening down, so

the "foot" could be extended in its constant

probing. This left the heart-shaped portion of

the mussel closer to the surface; and on most

of the large mussels this part of the shell was

badly scarred, in some cases into the flesh.

Whether the sand eroded these scars or raccoons

and birds had chipped them in their attempts

13

JULIETTE

1 MILE

s K BRIDGE

E **
"b.bb

gauge

> PAVED ROAD

GEORGIA

1 GRAVEL OR DIRT ROAD A RAPID OR DANGER SPOT

14

Outdoors it? Georgia

to open the shells was not clear, but the pitting

suggested hungry pecking.

Probably the most memorable encounter began as we rounded a curve above the ledges

of the first shoal. I saw the ledge shinning
blackly ahead, then looked down to avoid a submerged rock. When I looked back down-

stream, the ledge had transformed to a dull

and rusty yellow. I decided I had been mistaken

about the color. But the next ledge also was

black and glittering. For a moment. Then the

turtles paving it slid into the water, leaving rusty

We yellow rock behind.

saw literally thousands

of the turtles ( they appear to be from the

cooter family) during the long day's paddle.

Though they quickly abandoned their basking

at the first sign of our boat, they stayed in

the eddy downstream, poking their heads up,

the original snorklers.
We counted nearly a dozen osprey at different
sites along the 28 miles we paddled that day.

They screamed and rose from snags and from

the hearts of large trees, alternately flapping and

riding thermals, then gliding away. Once,
rounding a curve, we surprised a fawn drinking

<

. ^^^-^-^

^7

Safetr

These safety tips apply to all rivers, even

<

one so "tame" as the Lower Chattahoochee:

<

'
1) Never canoe or raft alone.

2) Georgia law requires that Coast Guard

'.

approved life jackets be carried in the

'.

'

boat. Wear them on rivers rated over

'

'

Class I.

'

3) Leave a trip plan with some responsible

'.

person.

i

4) Don't drink alcoholic beverages before or

i

'i

during the trip.

'i

i

5) Have adequate flotation gear in decked

'i

[

<

boats, styrofoam or innertubes under the

thwarts of canoes.
6) Wear helmets on Class III or above rivers. 7) Rafts should have two or more compart
ments, and should be loaded to no more

than Vi their rated capacity. 8) Canoes should run solo or tandem, never
three in a canoe. 9) Allow plenty of time: usually figure 3-m. p. h.
for canoes, 2-m.p.h. for rafts, plus

scouting time.
10) Check the depth gauge (if available) before

beginning the trip.

November 1974

at the river's edge. Again, on a high bluff

sloping to the river we heard a buck "bark"

repeatedly.

Catfish and turtles, deer and osprey.
The commonplace and the rare. We saw all
along the Ocmulgee as we paddled toward

Macon. The essential feeling was that of a

wilderness, not the more northern wilderness

sparsely populated by hardy plants and wildlife,

but a subtropical wilderness, replete with

organic smells and lush vegetation fighting for

every inch of sunlit space, as rich in animal

life as it was in plants.

The canoeing was simple, with a mild current

and enough easy class I rapids to keep life

interesting. Only one rapid was class II at

moderate water levels. This was just below the
Dames Ferry (Highway 18) bridge. At the

bridge several fishermen warned us about the

rapid, and we planned to run the extreme right

We side.

had no trouble, but the center could

be dangerous at higher water levels: it would be

best to stop and scout this ledge from

the right bank.

As the afternoon wore on, we encountered

a variety of fishermen, from small boys hiking

and teenagers on minibikes to older folks in

row and motor boats, "floatin' and fishin'."
We got out at the Spring Street bridge in

Macon, where a dock offers easy access. Most

paddlers probably would prefer to break the trip

up into two days, for this section of the river

offers a comfortable overnight paddle for a

canoeist above novice class. It's a pleasant

introduction to wilderness with a southern flavor.

15

ENTRA,,C|, ^~~
Outdoors it? Georgia

Noverpber 1974

Fort Yar
State
Pari*
By Aaron F. Pass
Fort Yargo State Park lies a short distance from Winder, Georgia, and
serves as the recreation center to the citizens of several northeast Georgia counties. In addition to water sports
on the park lake, camping and other outdoor recreation opportunities are to be found on the forested shore. Fort Yargo State Park really is an intricate part of Georgia history, for in a secluded corner of the park stands an old blockhouse. This ancient building and others like it are partially responsible for making northeast Georgia what it is today.
The late 1 8th century was an unsettled period on the emerging Georgia frontier. White settlers from the south and east were following trails blazed by the intrepid fur traders into what is now northeast Georgia to establish themselves in a raw and untamed
17

land. The territory known to the Indians as Snodon was one such area.

This area, around the present site of Winder, Georgia, was already under claim dispute between the Upper Creeks and the Cherokees to the
northwest when white settlers began
to arrive. Their presence did nothing to reduce the tensions, and while there were no major uprisings initially, the friction between whites and Indians increased.

Desiring security, the settlers built several blockhouse forts. According to George G. Smith's account in History of Georgia Methodism, "There
was up to 1 792 great danger from Indian forays and the scattering of inhabitants lived much of the time in blockhouses." That the settlers were
ultimately triumphant may be due to such defenses, of which Ft. Yargo is
one.

The old log building was constructed sometime in the 1790's from handhewn logs and situated near the headwaters of Marbury Creek. Be-
hind the blockhouse is a natural spring
and there is evidence a wooden stock-
ade once enclosed both the building and the springhead. In times of trouble, nearby settlers would gather a few belongings and hurry to the fort until the danger had passed.

Eventually, both the Cherokees and the Creeks were driven out of the area and the fort was no longer necessary for protection. Records indicate that in 1810, the blockhouse and 121 acres of land were sold to a John Hill for $167. Apparently the blockhouse at some time was used as a residence and was maintained in good condition
while many other frontier blockhouses
decayed from lack of care.

Efforts to preserve this historic site

were begun as early as 1927 by the

Sunbury Chapter of the D.A.R. In

1948 Winder residents, assisted by

Senator Richard Russell, acquired the

property which was to become the

park. Ft. Yargo was incorporated into

the State Park system in 1953.

Today, Ft. Yargo State Park has

many recreational opportunities to of-

A fer the visitor.

260-acre lake pro-

vides swimming, boating, and fishing.

There is a swimming beach and a

bathhouse for the aquatically inclined,

and rental boats available for those
who don't want to get their feet wet.
A launching ramp is provided for
visitors who bring their own boats, but
there is a 10 h.p. limitation on all motors used on the lake.
For the camper, Ft. Yargo provides 34 campsites near the lake. Each site has a water and electric hook-up, and trash cans and picnic tables are scattered throughout the area. Laundry
facilities and a dump station are lo-
cated in the camping area. For organized groups desiring larger
facilities for day-use activities, there are two group picnic shelters located
on the lakeshore. The large pavillion near the swimming beach also is avail-
able to organized groups at night or

when the beach is closed for swimming. To entertain the kids there is a miniature golf course and a play area located near the swimming beach.
Will-A-Way is a recreation area in Fort Yargo State Park devoted solely to the needs of the handicapped. Steep slopes, steps, uneven walks, and narrow doorways have been eliminated, allowing handicapped persons full access to park facilities.
The Will-A-Way recreation area includes a day use area, family cottages, and a group camp. The day use area and cottages are open to the handicapped and their families or friends, while the group camp is available to any non-profit agency serving the handicapped.

18

Outdoors \t) Georgia

Outdoorsman's

(Editor's note: To sharpen our readers' knowl-
edge of Georgia's conservation laws, Outdoors in Georgia will run an occasional set of questions dealing with some aspect of those laws. This is the first in that series)
Circle the correct answer: YES/NO or TRUE/FALSE. The correct answers appear at
the bottom of the page.
1. Can a 12 year old hunt deer? YES/NO
2. Is a license needed to hunt bobcats? YES/
NO

3. Can buckshot be used to hunt deer on man-
agement areas? YES/NO

4. Is it legal to use a .44-magnum pistol to
hunt deer? YES/NO

5. The possession limit on doves is 12.
TRUE/FALSE

6. Electronic calls are permitted in fox hunt-
ing. TRUE/FALSE

A 7.

hunting license is not required to train

bird dogs. TRUE/FALSE

8. Compound bows and crossbows are legal
for varmit hunting only. TRUE/FALSE

9. .30 caliber rifles are not legal on primitive
weapon hunts. TRUE/FALSE
10. Must hunters wear fluorescent orange caps
during firearms deer hunting? YES/NO
1 1 . Can a light be used to locate deer at night
if no firearm is present? YES/NO
12. Is it legal to hunt from county unpaved
roads? YES/NO

13. Deer killed by motor vehicles need not be
reported. TRUE/FALSE

A 14.

hunting license is not required if I hunt

on my own property. TRUE/FALSE

15. Can a Conservation Ranger enter private
property without the land owner's permis-
mion? YES /NO

Quiz
by Sgt. V. J. Garrison
1 6. Deer kills must be reported not later than 5 days after the close of hunting season.
TRUE/FALSE
17. Land must be posted to legally prevent
unauthorized hunting. TRUE/FALSE
18. Quail that are legally taken may be sold.
TRUE/FALSE
1 9. Can game animals be held without a per-
mit? YES/NO
20. Geese may be taken in season with buck-
shot. TRUE/FALSE

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Noverpber 1974

19

*&$$&& W;!
Outdoors it? Georgia

.
November 1974

Mercury

& raaRsb hens

by Ron Odom

>-'

"--"^^^--

Photo by Ron Odom

22

Outdoors ip Georgia

Marsh hen hunters again this fall should heed state and federal warnings that high levels of mercury have been discovered in birds from the Turtle River-Brunswick River Area on our coast. Similar warnings were sounded last year after extensive sampling in the Brunswick estuary, combined with spot checks at other locations along the coast, revealed heavy contamination in the Brunswick area and possible contamination in the Savannah area.
The Food and Drug Administration currently classifies any product containing more than 0.5 parts per million (ppm.) of mercury unsafe for human consumption. This means that there could be only Vi pound of mercury in a million pounds of food. This "safe" limit however, is in-
tended only as a guideline; the real danger level depends on the specific amount of a contaminated substance eaten.
Since mercury levels in the muscle tissue of marsh hens from the Brunswick Estuary all exceeded the 0.5 ppm. "safe" limit, it was felt to be in the best interests of the hunters to issue a warning. Marsh hens eat large quantities of smaller organisms which are contaminated and absorb their mercury content.
Unfortunately, there is no warning system for the animal life in these contaminated marshes. Marsh hens, soras, snails, crabs, and probably
many other species have been contaminated by
the mercury, and will have to learn to live (or
die) with it. Many herons, egrets, ospreys, terns,
gulls, hawks, cormorants, waterfowl, and other species feed in and around these polluted areas and are likely candidates for contamination and
population damage. To what degree we do not know, but we do know they are highly sus-
ceptable.
We also are aware that sub-lethal effects of
this mercury pollution might go unnoticed for a long time. Wildlife losses, short of mass die offs.
Noverpber 1974

Photo by Ron Odo
Marsh dwellers like this Louisiana heron also may suffer from the effects of mercury pollution, for
they too feed on smaller marsh critters.
tend to go unnoticed, particularly when they
occur in the vast stretches of isolated salt-marsh
and in non-game or semi-game animals. Dead and decomposing carcasses do not remain long
in coastal marshes, for scavengers are plentiful and tidal action is thorough.
The Turtle River-Brunswick River Area, upstream from Brunswick, and the Savannah River, from Augusta to Savannah, were identified in 1970 and 1971 by the Georgia Water Quality Control Board as heavily contaminated with mercury. The Olin Corporation and the Allied Chemical Corporation were singled out as the primary polluters of the two river systems.
Both operations are chloro-alkalai plants, industries making chlorine and caustic soda through
23

the electrolysis of brine, using mercury as an electrode. In 1970 Allied and Olin were discharging 3 and 10 pounds of mercury per day, respectively. Both industries were ordered to reduce their discharges to less than 0.25 pounds per day and to begin a program that eventually would eliminate mercury discharge from their plants. Currently discharges have been reduced to less than 0.25 pounds per day, a noteworthy accomplishment.
Due to the nature of mercury, however, com-
plete elimination of the discharge is an absolute
necessity. The sad fact is that even if all mercury discharge were stopped today, the problem of mercury contamination still would be with us for many years to come. Researchers have estimated that it might take from 10 to 100 years to completely clean up a polluted waterway.
It appears that the damage done to some of our waterways, and particularly to certain marshes, can be corrected only by time and the
absence of further pollution. This problem is not peculiar to Georgia.
Similar difficulties with mercury have been documented in the United States from Alaska to
Georgia, and in many other nations as well.
Severe losses have been incurred by commercial

fishermen because of bans on fishing in some
areas.
Researchers in Sweden, where the mercury problem first was discovered, currently are investigating methods of cleaning up contaminated marshes including covering polluted sediments with fine, high absorptive materials, burying the sediments, and removing polluted sediments by dredging. The cost of any of these methods in Georgia probably would be prohibitive. Pollution prevention, in the long run,
is much more economical and sensible than any
attempt to cure or clean up an already contaminated environment.
Although industrial pollution has been largely responsible for our mercury pollution problem, other, more subtle, sources are contributing to the contamination of our environment to a lesser
degree. One investigator estimates that the burn-
ing of coal and fossil fuels could contribute as
much as 1 800 tons of mercury a year to our en-
vironment. Other identified sources of mercury contamination include sewage treatment plants, agriculture, the paint industry, laboratories, and
hospitals.
As long as heavy concentrations of mercury
remain in our marshes, hunters and other users

Finding dead or dying birds in the marsh can be very difficult: scavengers and the tide work
quickly here.

Photo by Aaron Pass

24

Outdoors ip Georgia

^> A"-

T,

>

...

^u *

Photo by Ron Odom
-- of the marsh will pay the price through no
fault of their own. Wildlife living in and around the contaminated areas have been shown to pay even higher prices. Hunters and birdwatchers, in most cases, only suffer the loss of recreation, which is substantial in itself. Wildlife, on the other hand, often is killed by a heavy intake of mercury laden foods. The sub-lethal effects of mercury poisoning are even more frightening,
since the long term effects are unknown. Some documented effects are: decrease in egg hatch-
ing caused by levels as low as 0.5 ppm., lowered survival rate in young chicks, reduction in egg-
shell thickness, and severe neurological damage in hawks fed for two weeks on chicks containing 7-10 ppm. of mercury, a level comparable to levels found in marsh hens in the Brunswick
Estuary.
Plant life also is affected by mercury contamination: levels as low as 1 ppm. in water can reduce growth and the process of photosynthesis in phytoplankton, the very basis of the aquatic food chain.
What does the future hold? Although intro-
ducing mercury into the aquatic environment is a simple process, its tendency to accumulate in bottom sediment and in living organisms (plants and animals) makes its removal a complex, long-range problem. The deposited mercury
may change from one form to another, or it may be moved from one place to another, but the total amount is never changed. Even though
levels of contamination appear to have de-
Novcrpbcr 1974

^
I
Who knows what evil lurks in the tons of chemical
wastes we spew into our environment each year? The dangers of ignorance are very real.
creased in some species in some areas, the level in marsh hens and snails from these same areas remains high, and probably will remain so for some time.
Hunters would be wise to avoid these contaminated areas, even though they have been reopened to fishing, until mercury residues in marsh hens have decreased to acceptable levels.
Continued monitoring of the resource and of industry must be combined with effective en-
forcement of pollution laws if we are to avoid
future problems involving contamination of outcoastal marshes and of the wildlife dependent upon them.
Mercury, with its more than 3.000 uses, can
be very beneficial to mankind. On the other
hand, used without caution, it can become a very destructive enemy.
Even while we still are learning of the damaging effects of the tons of mercury we have poured
into our environment, our chemical-dependent society finds it difficult to learn from this gross
mistake. Tons of other chemicals still are spewed into our environment without any thought of their future effects on the life of this planet.
Many of these chemicals, which now appear to be our allies, may turn out to be another mer-
cury in diseuise!
25

The judging is over and the winners named in
the Georgia Big Deer Contest of 1973. This con-
test is jointly sponsored by OUTDOORS IN GEORGIA magazine of the Department of
Natural Resources and the Georgia Wildlife Federation. Judging takes place after June 1
each year to evaluate the deer trophies taken in Georgia during the previous hunting season. Winners are chosen on the basis of antler size
in two categories, Typical Rack and Nontypical
Rack.
All racks are measured by competent wild-
life biologists of the Game and Fish Division
using the Boone and Crockett system of meas-
urement. Any hunter who kills a buck with an
unusually large rack should take it to the near-
est Game Management Regional Field Office
for measurement after the antlers have airdried for 60 days. Typical racks scoring more than 150 points under the Boone and Crockett

system of measurement or nontypical racks scoring 175 points are eligible for entry in the contest. Note that the Boone and Crockett system allows for the measurement of all dimensions of the rack and converts these dimensions to a point scale. It does not refer to the number
of antler points or projections on the rack. Winners of the Contest will attend the Geor-
gia Wildlife Federation's annual banquet where they will be awarded prizes as part of the Federation Awards program. Each entrant in the contest will receive a Master Hunter Certificate noting the hunter's name, date and place of kill, and final score of antlers.
The following is an updated listing of the rules for the Big Deer Contest which apply to the 1974-75 contest, and the official measuring stations of the contest. It is advised that all entrants call for an appointment to measure their
trophies.

1973/74 CONTEST WINNERS

TYPICAL RACK: David Compton of Austell, Georgia, 163 2/8 pts., killed on December 8, 1973 in Washington County.

NONTYPICAL RACK:
John L. Hatton, Jr. of Macon, Georgia, 240 5/8 pts., killed November 16, 1973 in Monroe County. (New state record.)

CONTEST ENTRANTS

Contest Entrants -- The following individuals entered racks taken in the 1973
season which scored above the minimum qualifying score of 150 pts. They will receive a Master Hunter's Certificate from Outdoors in Georgia magazine and
the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

Jimmy Giles, Roberta-- 162 pts., Crawford County Henry O'Kelly, Commerce-- 161 1/8 pts., Greene
County
G. D. Whiddon, Sumner-159 1/8 pts., Worth County

Thomas Langford, Morrow-- 152 1/8 pts., Spalding
County
-- Herb McClure, Gainesville 151 4/8 pts., Taliaferro
County

Tony Mitchell, Marietta-- 156 7/8 pts., Hancock County

David Foster, Jonesboro-- 151 2/8 pts., Jones County

Thomas Oglesby, Sylvania-- 154 3/8 pts., Screven County
Anthony Bishop, Woodbury-- 153 6/8 pts., Meriwether
County

Larry Harden, Tunnel Hill-- 151 2/8 pts., Walker County
Karona Wainwright, Reynolds-- 150 5/8 pts., Taylor County

26

Outdoors it? Georgia

RULES:
1. Any hunter is eligible regardless of whether or not he is a member of an affiliated club of the Georgia Wildlife Federation or a subscriber to Outdoors in Georgia magazine. Hunters need not be residents of the State of Georgia to enter, but only deer taken in the State of Georgia by legal means and in conformity with all state and federal game laws and regulations may be entered.
2. Only deer killed during the current season will be considered for the contest
prizes.
3. Deer killed with c bow and arrow are also eligible, provided they meet minimum requirements. Indicate that archery equipment was used, rather than a rifle or
shotgun.
4. PHOTOGRAPH: A clear photograph is desirable if it's one that can be kept by Outdoors in Georgia magazine. Please do NOT send a photograph that you want returned. All photographs and entry forms become the property of Outdoors in Georgia magazine. Please identify all pictures submitted with your name on the
back.
5. The Georgia Wildlife Federation and Outdoors in Georgia magazine reserve the right to re-measure any trophy rack entered, to interview witnesses of kill date and to refuse any questionable application.
6. Before the affidavit can be accepted, the truth of the statements must be attested before a qualified officer such as a notary public, justice of the peace, sheriff, municipal clerk, postmaster, member of a state or local law enforcement agency, conservation ranger, etc.
7. There is no entry fee for the contest.
8. Split or repaired skulls will not be accepted.
9. Antlers may not show removed or repaired points.
10. All antlers must air dry for 60 days before measurements can be taken. Each applicant must present to the measurer an affidavit noting date of kill.
11. Address all correspondence regarding these awards to: Big Deer Contest, Outdoors in Georgia magazine, 270 Washington St., S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Deadline for entries is June 1, 1975.

VERIFYING OFFICIALS
NORTHWEST
William C. Collins
Game Mgt. Reg. Headquarters
Rt. 1
Armuchee.Ga. 404/232-9711
NORTHEAST James Scharnagel
Rt. 2 Gainesville, Ga. 30501 404/536-9936
CENTRAL
Richard Whittington
Rt. 3, Box 7A Ft. Valley, Ga. 31030 912/825-8248
SOUTH CENTRAL
Frank Parrish
Rt. 1
Fitzgerald, Ga. 31750 912/423-2988
SOUTHWEST
Oscar Dewberry P.O. Box 911 Bainbridge, Ga. 31717 912/436-2481
COASTAL
C. V. Waters Sapelo Island, Ga. 31327 912/485-2231

STATE RECORDS

TYPICAL RACK: 184 pts., Gene Almand, Riverdale, Newton County, November 16, 1966.
NONTYPICAL RACK: 240 5 8 pts., John L. Hatton, Macon, Monroe County, November 16, 1973.
WEIGHT: 355 lbs. (dressed weight), Boyd Jones, Tallahassee, Florida, taken in Worth County on November 11,
1972.

November 1974

27

eer

Hunter's

&ay

by Bob Gooch

-- The deer hunter's day begins early long be-

fore the dawn of the short winter day that is

How typical of the whitetail season.

long that

day lasts depends on the hunter's skill, the avail-

ability of game, and luck.

Take the past season for example.
A young friend I had been introducing to deer
hunting banged on my door one morning just as
A the November sun crept over the horizon. well

placed bullet from his light .243 had brought

early success. I helped him field dress the fat

spike buck.
A couple of weeks later I dropped a bounding
whitetail, ending my day just as hunger pangs

28

Outdoors it) Georgia

p>
M. '
rnkf-p^S

V^aT*

"* *%.

.- *
1*^

Photo by Leonard Lee Rue III

reminded me it was time for lunch. But there
-- -- have been other days many of them when -- -- my eyes probed the dusk in vain as darkness
ended my long but unsuccessful -deer hunt-
ing day.
Probably no other game animal has been the target of so many different hunting methods
as the crafty whitetail.
My own method has provided me many
pleasant hours in the woods and hundreds of pounds of tasty venison. I consider deer hunting best when the hunter goes it alone, pitting his own skill against what many consider the smartest of our big game animals. Such hunting de-
Noverpbcr 1974

mands knowledge of the whitetail's habits, for the deer, like most animals, is a creature of
habit.
Deer feed mostly at night and bed down during the daylight hours. To be successful, the lone hunter must temporarily abandon his usual rou-
tine and live a little with (like) the deer. The modern whitetail knows a great deal
more about man's habits than most men know about his. I know of one wise old buck that has survived many seasons by taking advantage of man's habits: when hunters and hounds in-
vade his domain, milling around as they get organized, he sneaks off to a small patch of
29

Scopes are great for those early morning and late evening hours on the stand: they're protection
against those occasional long shots.
Photo by Aaron Pass

hardwoods near a farmer's house, staying there

until the hunters leave. That deer knows a lot about humans. He seems to understand that the

farmer doesn't hunt and that he is relatively safe

in the woodlot near the house; he also knows

enough about the hunters to recognize the threat

they pose, and that once they leave they will not

return that day. This deer has lived by its wits.
My approach is pretty basic. It takes advan-

tage of the deer's daily habits, and it includes thorough scouting. Reduced to the bare frame-

work, it involves a three-phase deer hunting day;

getting on a stand before daylight for hunting
the dawn hours, still-hunting during midday,

and then back to the stand in the evening. Each

phase has its limitations, its challenges, and its
own rewards.
My day starts long before dawn. Occasionally

with breakfast, but not often. I usually eat after

My the early hunting is over.

early start allows

me time to get on my stand without disturbing
-- the deer who probably still are feeding.

Before that first hunt, scouting and a study

of movements, trails, and droppings have told
me a good deal about my quarry, where it feeds

and where it sleeps. Using this information I

already have selected a stand along the route the
deer use in their daily routine. To avoid the deer, I may have to follow a circuitous route to my

stand.

The lone hunter must deal with the deer's

three senses--smell, hearing, and vision, strong-

est in that order.
The hunter's stand and clothing should blend

with his surroundings, though safety considera-

tions dictate hunter orange. I wear the protective
color, but attempt to break up my outline with

a tree or skimpy cover. The bright color won't

scare off a whitetail, but hunters may.

Combating the deer's excellent hearing mostly

is a matter of disciplining yourself to sit or stand

quietly. Clothing appropriate for the tempera-
ture helps, since a warm and comfortable hunter

is a quiet one. Loose leaves and debris should

30

Outdoors ii? Georgia

be cleared away so that an occasional shift in
position will not rustle leaves or snap twigs. These noises can undo all your other precau-
tions.
The deer's strongest sense, smell, can be more difficult to deal with, for the wind is unpredict-
able. Fortunately, however, the air usually is still on cold winter mornings. Prevailing winds should be considered in selecting a stand, for wind blowing from the hunter to the deer will
destroy a hunt immediately. An unexpected
shift in the wind also can do this.
A tree stand offers many advantages. It gets
the hunter up where his view is good and he is inconspicuous to the deer. Deer seldom look up,
A for they seldom are threatened from the air.
tree stand can be cold though, and probably is not ideal in bitter cold weather.
I prefer a reasonably flat shooting rifle like the .243 or .270 for stand hunting, because a
successful hunt occasionally may call for a long shot. I also like a 4-power telescopic sight. The
hunter usually has plenty of time for deliberate,
-- careful shooting even if his buck walks be-
neath the stand.
The hunter who arises early, gets quietly to
his stand, and observes the above suggestions has an excellent chance of eating deer liver for
breakfast or lunch.
The best stand hunting is over within an hour after sunrise. Some hunters hang on for another
half hour or so, but that time can best be used for a late breakfast, or a coffee break and preparations for the next phase of the deer hunter's
day, still-hunting.
I change rifles for still-hunting, and may also make some changes in my clothing.
My still-hunting experiences tell me most
shots will be at spooked or running deer, probably in the woods. These shots call for a woods rifle with quick sights instead of the flat shooting, scoped .243 or .270. I find deer bounding through a thick forest tough for a scope. I also want a bullet that will take some brush without
blowing up, so my choice for this phase of the
deer hunter's day is a reliable old .30/ 30 carbine fitted with peep sights.
The still-hunter's outer garments should be wool or some soft material that does not make a
noise when rubbed against twigs and vines. And his shoes should have soft soles so he can move
Noverpbcr 1974

quietly and sure-footedly through the woods.

While I find stand hunting highly effective, I

like still-hunting for its challenges. I have taken
a number of deer from early morning stands, but I have downed more while still hunting and en-

joyed it more.
The woods and swamps are the still-hunter's
-- country these and the thickets and scrub oaks
where whitetails bed down for the day. The still-

hunter tries to stalk within rifle range of a bed-
-- ded-down buck and he finds it difficult. Usual-

ly he has to take his deer on the run. It is here

that the fast swinging, quick sighting little car-

bine with the peep sights is at its best.
As a still-hunter I attempt to work into the
wind so that my body odors will not spook my

quarry long before I get within carbine range.
I move quietly for 15 or 20 yards, then stop and

study the woods. Binoculars are handy, though
-- certainly not an absolute necessity I have
taken my finest deer while still-hunting and have

yet to use binoculars in locating them; but I still

carry them, and use them constantly in studying

the woods.

Some hunters say it is possible to spot a bedded-down deer by its antlers, by the twitch

of an ear or tail, or by a patch of brown hair. Maybe so, but nature has provided well for the

whitetail, matching its coat to the hue of the

A winter woods.

deer in its bed is extremely

hard to spot, and he seems to know it. Even a

skilled still-hunter can get within extremely close

range of a bedded-down whitetail, and a big
buck may explode almost from beneath the

hunter's feet.
My most recent deer rolled out of a jumble of

honeysuckle and downed pines as T moseyed

along. The deer was so close that I was startled
and missed the first shot; but when my bullet

lumbered by, the animal was puzzled: it stopped

and I had time for an easy second shot.

Other hunters often send deer scurrying to-

ward the still-hunter. If he is hunting properly,

the spooked deer will be well within range be-

fore it senses danger.
My largest buck was taken while I was still-
hunting one November morning. I had enjoyed

a pleasant, but unsuccessful, morning, and had

just started still-hunting when I spotted a move-

A ment just ahead in the pine woods.

large

-- animal was approaching me a dog, I thought

31

at first. Its tail and head were down as it ambled

along. Apparently it had been jumped by a

rabbit or squirrel hunter. Suddenly it stopped

and looked right at me, raising a beautifully antlered head. The big buck sensed danger, but
never did figure me out. While it was sizing me
up I dropped it with a single bullet in the chest. By late afternoon, the deer, if they are undis-
turbed, will start moving back into the open

to feed.

Getting on a stand is easier and less compli-

cated in the daylight of late afternoon. I find it
easier to anticipate the deer's movements as it

starts to feed in the afternoon. For one thing

feeding areas are easier to locate than the bed-

ding grounds sought in the morning.

Evening stand hunting is not much different

from dawn sessions except that the deer ap-

Now proach from a different direction.

it is time

to rack the carbine and load up the scoped rifle

again. Since most targets will be in the open,

the telescopic sights and the fast loads are more

appropriate.

Small clearings or open fields are ideal for the evening stand. The hunter can determine

the most active trails and take a stand on the

opposite side of the clearing or field.

Photo by Aaron Pass

Dees usually will precede the bucks into the
open. If antlerless hunting is legal, the hunter
may have to exercise a good deal of restraint to
wait for a buck. Let's consider the three phases of the deer
hunter's day:
The morning stand, if conducted properly,
probably is the deadliest, but it requires a better understanding of deer and the most scouting.
The late afternoon stand also is extremely effective, and easier to prepare for because deer are easier to observe as they feed. The major
objection I have to the evening stand hunt is killing a deer just at dusk, and then having to field dress it, drag it to the car, check it through
-- a checking station, then hang it to cool all in
the dark. These necessary tasks are more easily accomplished in the broad daylight.
Pleasant though it is, still-hunting is likely the
least effective. I have taken more deer that way simply because I favor it and use it more.
But regardless of when or how you hunt him,
the whitetail deer is a joy to match wits with.
-- The deer hunter's day is never dull no phase
of it.
For midday "still" hunting, peep or open sights win out over the scope for
quick shots at speeding whitetails.

32

Outdoors ip Georgia

Outdoor Calendar

6
Seasons Opening
Deer (firearms) in:
Game Zone I -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 1 Game Zone 1 A -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 23 Game Zone II -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 30 -- Game Zone III Nov. 2 - Jan. 1 (exceptions) Game Zone IV -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 30
(exceptions)
Game Zone V -- Nov. 2 - Nov. 30
(exceptions)
Turkey in:
Baker, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell, and Thom-
-- as Counties Nov. 2 - Feb. 28. 1 975.Spring
seasons will be set in February, 1975.
Woodcock: Nov. 20 -Jan. 23
Quail:
Nov. 20 -Feb. 28
Rabbit:
Nov. 20 -Feb. 28

A31CSSeX3S3KX33%XSSCSeSMSX3^^
i
Outdoors
ip georgia
11/74
Send check or money order to: Outdoors in Georgia Magazine 270 Washington St., S.W. Atlanta, Ga. 30334
please allow 60 days for change of address or renewal

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special intleductoiu oilei .

Prince of Game Birds
the bobwhite quail
by Charles Elliott

Onlxj $Lf.$0 until Dec. IS, /97#
Q Cj^eat book loi Cfecicia ^poltsmenl
ORD&R IfOURg HOW

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Bobwhite Quail . . . Room 720 . . . 270 Washington St.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

PLEASE SEND

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before Dec. 15, 1974) is enclosed.

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