Posts by Duncan Dobie
Michael Waddell: Born To Hunt
Michael Waddell and Georgia gobblers go back a long way. His love of turkey hunting and the skills he developed as a master caller and hunter when he was a teenager opened the door to an extraordinary outdoor career that has been going strong for over 20 years. And even though his love of turkey…
Read MoreA Tale Of Two Brothers: Part 2
“I can’t imagine how tough it is growing up without a daddy,” Uncle Eli said shaking his head. “That’s why I’ve tried so hard to let you two experience some of the finer things in life like turkey hunting.” They were a sitting on the large front porch of his house in rocking chairs. Eli…
Read MoreWoody’s Forum Celebrates 20 Years!
Woody Coffee had no concept of the sleeping giant he was about to awaken when he launched his “Woody’s Taxidermy Campfire Talk” message board in 2001. For him, it was a simple way to stay in touch with his customers. Facebook would not come on the scene until 2004, and other than a message board…
Read MoreA Tale Of Two Brothers: Part 1
“Why did we have to get up so early, Uncle Eli,” the boy said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “We have to get ahead of the turkeys,” Uncle Eli said. “Turkeys have to get up very early in the morning and go to work, and we have to get ahead of them before they…
Read MoreArt Rilling: An Officer, A Gentleman And A Georgia Icon
The outdoor and hunting world in Georgia has lost a very special friend. Art Rilling, who owned and operated the Stone Mountain Game Ranch from 1962 to 1982, and later the Yellow River Game Ranch from 1982 to 2012, passed away on Jan. 4, 2021. He was 92. Art was a mentor and inspiration to…
Read MoreWashington County’s Best Buck Stolen, Still Missing
Editor’s Note: The Washington County record buck killed by Jason Luttrull in 1999 was stolen from the Washington County Fair on Oct. 14, 2004. GON spoke with Jason’s best friend Chris Kevern on Sept. 2, 2020, and he confirmed that the deer is still missing. If you have information on the buck’s whereabouts, please call…
Read MoreDeer Festival In The Deer Capital Of Georgia
On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce will be holding and celebrating the 54th annual “Monticello Deer Festival” on the square in Monticello. Originally organized by the Jasper County Jaycees, the first festival was held back in 1966 to celebrate the premier deer hunting offered in this amazing part of the state.…
Read MoreThe 180 Club
It’s an exclusive club in the Deep South, and only nine Georgia hunters can claim to be a member. In order to qualify, you have to have killed a buck scoring a minimum of 180 net typical inches or higher. Five of the Peach State’s 180-inch-plus bucks were taken in the 1950s and ’60s, and…
Read MoreFall Fiction: Coon Dog Cemetery Hunting Club Part 5
Long ago they had named the club ‘Coon Dog Cemetery’ to honor the legendary dogs, hounds with names like Run-Around Sue, Ol’ Rip, Kentucky Mike and Wrong-Way Pete. Dogs that had found their final resting place in a small, sacred plot of ground at one end of the property. Over the years, as the deer…
Read MoreTurkey Call Makers To Rendezvous Again In North Georgia
Once again, many of the South’s finest and most renowned turkey call makers will rendezvous at the lodge at Unicoi State Park on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10-11, 2020 for the 5th annual Unicoi Call Makers Show. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and admission is free. Christmas may be over…
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