Letters To The Editor – May 2021

Another Side To Using Deer Feeders On Your Property

Dear GON,

Most deer hunters jump at the chance to lure deer into a feeder. I am sure there are success stories out there, but there is more involved in suppling a ready food source in the woods to get that deer. 

I fully understand why a feeder would seem to increase your chances, especially if deer are hard to come by with competition with other hunters. However, there is a downside most do not realize. When using an unnatural food source, like a feeder, it  also attracts predators, especially if it is a permanent feeder.  I have been fortunate to hunt the same area for many years and the evidence of non-hunter deer kills is obvious near permanent feeders.  I understand the desire to take advantage of things to increase your odds, but a permanent feeder may actually hurt your chances.  

Alton Powell, Chattahoochee Hills

Turkey Numbers Decrease, Longleaf Pine Forests Increase

Dear GON,

I was a member of The Devil’s Backbone Hunting Club in Meriwether County for 25 years. We had a mix of hardwoods, longleaf pine, loblolly pine, scrub oak, food plots and mixed age timbers. We had a great population of deer and turkey.

The state asked for permission to capture and collar golden eagles on our lease. After capturing two eagles, the state bought most of our club. The purpose for the land was to plant longleaf pines. Several groups contributed to the purchase of the land, including the NWTF. The property became part of Sprewell Bluff WMA. Now most of it has been clearcut to make room for longleaf pine.

The turkey population is down, and the turkey habitat is greatly reduced. I understand longleaf pine can be beneficial to many species, but I do not understand removing hardwoods.

The states says the answer to the drop in the turkey population is to reduce the length of the season and the gobbler limit. We need to spend money on research and habitat balance, not just growing longleaf pines.

Terry Hughes, Grayson

Rainbow Trout Made For The Perfect GON Cover

Dear GON,

The photograph of that beautiful rainbow trout on the cover of the April issue was classic. However, anyone who has ever lifted one of these magnificent fish out of the water will agree that the camera that can accurately capture the depth of those colors has yet to be invented. I can’t think of the words that could convey just how mesmerizing that range of colors are to the eye.

In the late 60s and through the 70s, catching 5-pounders in Lake Lanier was not unusual. Sadly, introducing stripers was the end of that fishery because trout turned out to be their favorite meal.

John Ricketson,  Macon

GON Social

GON Twitter: Jeremiah Davis, 11, harvested this bruiser of a wild hog on Dec. 13 in Telfair County. The hog was with a group of 20 in the field.

GON Facebook: Alex Keyros with a monster striper from the Chattahoochee River. The fish weighed 37 pounds, but on hand-held scales, so it couldn’t be considered for the river record.

GON Instagram: Mama did the calling and son did the shooting. What a great hunt in Terrell County for Sue and Lanier Freeman on April 7. This is no doubt a memory that will last.