Letters To The Editor: August 2022

Chris Sagar said the story on Jekyll Island’s Eastern diamondbacks caused him to look at this timber rattlesnake on his Putnam County hunting lease in a different way.

Jekyll Island Diamondbacks Changed My Perspective

Dear GON,

I  read the article in the GON June issue about the Eastern diamondback survey on Jekyll Island. I was really fascinated with the information. What surprised me most was the eating habits of the snakes. I have always thought snakes would eat anytime they got the opportunity. Reading that some rattlers would eat only one marsh rabbit per year was news to me. I also liked the way the biologist described snake behavior with regard to humans being close. 

 On Saturday, June 11, I was replacing the tail wheel on my tractor mounted rotary mower. A nut for one of the bolts was bigger than any socket I had in my set, so I decided to get my big adjustable wrench from the tool box behind the tractor seat. 

As I started walking toward the side of the tractor,  I stopped dead in my tracks. About 4 feet in front of me was a timber rattler about 2 1/2 to 3 feet long and in a partially coiled position. What went through my mind was the information I had read in the Jekyll Island article. I backed up a step and the snake started to move toward the trailer—to go under it. I stepped forward and the snake stopped. This was exactly as described in the Jekyll article. I let the snake go under the trailer, retrieved the wrench and completed my work. 

I wanted to know where the snake went, so I got my flashlight and looked under the trailer. Sure enough there it was. It had moved to the right side and was in front of one of the trailer wheels. I watched it awhile, again stepping forward and back to see the movement. Eventually it got tired of me and went into the weeds.

I had no intention of killing the snake as the info I had read in the Jekyll report talks about the value of venomous snakes controlling rodents. My take-away here is to keep your eyes open and your camera ready. You never know when a photo opportunity will occur. 

My thanks to Joseph Colbert (Jekyll Island Biologist) and Brandon Adams for a great article clearing up some misconceptions I had about snakes. 

Chris Sagar, Johns Creek

Editor’s Note: The story Chris references is at https://gon.com/hunting/eastern-diamondbacks-fitted-with-gps-units.

Larry Robinette with a Columbia County collared coyote he killed in turkey season.

GON Solves Puzzle

Dear GON,

While turkey hunting in Columbia County, I killed a collared coyote. I contacted the local DNR office, and they said the collar was not a DNR collar. I was very puzzled as to where the collared coyote came from, but after reading the article “GPS Collar Study” in the May 2022 issue of GON, I have a good idea how the coyote obtained the GPS collar. 

I enjoy reading GON each month to keep up on the hunting and fishing in Georgia. Keep up the good work.

Larry Robinette, Columbia County

Editor’s Note: You can view the GPS story at https://gon.com/hunting/tri-state-study-fits-175-coyotes-with-gps-trackers.

First Time In 87 Years…

Dear GON,

Just riding and looking on a WMA I hunt on, I saw something I have never seen in my 87 years. Crossing the road, right in front of me, was a doe and three fawns! I have seen does with two fawns before, but never three.

 Maybe the coyotes had taken the doe the other fawn belonged to? I don’t know, but this sure is unusual!

David Earl Tyre, Jesup.

GON Social

GON Facebook: Jackson McGill, 16, with a bird from Gordon County on April 30.