Down To The Wire For Georgia Deer Hunters

Georgia has a deer season longer than most every other state in the country. So why does it seem like it takes forever to get here, and then it is over before you know it? There’s still time put up some venison to get you through until next season—maybe even time for some last-minute magic on a big buck. But the 2020-2021 Georgia deer season is almost a wrap.

Please take a few moments and take part in our annual Rate Your Deer Season survey that appears on the cover (see page 80 for details).

And in the meantime, let’s hear from our GON Hunt Advisors for a final recap on their seasons, along with some last-minute tips.

At 97 years old, Harry Hodges got it done and brought home this Screven County buck! Helping Mr. Hodges celebrate are two of his great grandchildren, Makenzie Newton and Journey Conklin.

NORTH GEORGIA

Cherokee County & Mountain WMAs: Tim Dangar, of Ball Ground, reports, “As another season comes to a close, may we pause and give thanks for full freezers and another safe time out in God’s creation. I had a chance to get up in the mountains on a couple hunts, and wow are they beautiful right now. We are still down in deer numbers, but in talking to hunters it’s been a good year for bear and hog. The more bear and hog we can take out of the mountains the more food and reproduction we will see for the whitetail herd. Another good acorn crop this year will also help down the road.

“It’s been a great season here at home in Cherokee County, and we have let a lot of deer walk, which makes me feel good about next year, as well. With big morning frost the norm right now, feeding activity seems to be green fields in the evenings at last light. To all my fellow mountain hunters, please note: DNR will be hosting a public meeting on Jan. 12, 2021 at Gordon Central High School in Calhoun beginning at 7 p.m. for input on the 2021-2023 hunting seasons regulation. This is an excellent opportunity to voice our desire and concern for the next two years. We must keep the pressure on for no, as in zero doe days, on mountain WMAs and the Chattahoochee National Forest east of I-75. This has been the rule for two years now, and if we can hold that for at least another four years, we will see numbers come back in our beautiful mountains. Also, it’s a good time for promoting bow season to begin first of October and gun season first of November and going through January of the next year. Mark your calendars and try to be there if possible. Until turkey season, be safe and God Bless!”

This big 9-pointer was killed on Lookout Mountain in Walker County on Dec. 10 by Kalyb Holland, of Chickamauga.

Madison County: Keith Ingram, of Comer, reports, “I’m 58 years old, and without a doubt 2020 was the most trying year of my life, as I’m sure it was for everyone. But on a brighter note, it was the best deer season I’ve seen in more than 50 years of hunting them. It has been incredible the number of deer I  have seen, and the number of bucks—and good up and coming bucks I’ve seen still alive and well. I ended my season on Nov. 28 with my second 10-pointer of the season, and it is the first time in 16 years that I’ve taken two bucks on my home grounds here in Madison County. My son took a very good 8-pointer back in bow season, so we are finished for this year.

Hunt Advisor Keith Ingram with his second Madison County 10-pointer of the season.

“The rut was incredible, with multiple bucks running does at times. I saw my second buck chasing two different days the week of Thanksgiving before I caught him by himself that Saturday morning. This deer was run down and had lost a ton of weight. I could drag him with no problem myself. I just hope he got all the romance he was working so hard for before that morning.

“As far as food sources, the acorns are pretty much gone except for some water oaks. The deer are really hitting the food plots and green fields now. My wife walks right before dark every evening, and she says my food plot and the pasture behind the house are full every evening. If I was going to hunt the remainder of the season, I would stick close to the transition areas between the bedding and food sources.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the deer have made a comeback, and it has definitely been the year of the buck, at least in my area. I’ve always had plenty of deer, but years of letting them walk is really starting to pay of. Even if you are limited on your acreage, if you put in the time and money and have patience, the reward can come. The key is keeping them on your place, especially during the rut, and it’s not an easy task.

“For the first time in 16 years since moving to Madison County and hunting the county during that time, I would have to say my season has been excellent. I hope it’s a sign of things to come because there are still plenty of deer out there, and plenty of bucks to breed what does that may be left to be bred.

“I’ve enjoyed sharing my season with everyone this year, and I hope for a much better 2021 for all.”

Ellane Barnes, of McDonough, made a 179-yard shot to down this 19 3/4-inch wide 12-pointer. Ellane was hunting in Crawford County. The main-frame 8 has four stickers on the burr.

MIDDLE GEORGIA

Fayette & Meriwether Counties: Jeff Scurry, of Fayetteville, reports, “Overall the deer numbers seem to be up. We’ve seen lots of does and yearlings this year. Seems like the large number of does in my areas kept some of the mature bucks from moving as much, but I actually saw a 2.5-year-old buck breed a doe during the second week of November. I noticed the second rut had lots of activity in my area Dec. 5 through 10. Saw lots of 2.5-year-old bucks chasing does that did not get bred first go round.

“As of Wednesday, Dec. 16, things have slowed down tremendously, just seeing a few does and a few small bucks coming into the food plots.

“I have been taking a few coyotes between deer hunts, total of four in the past three weeks. I think predator control in the off season has definitely helped the deer numbers in my area.

“Overall the season was good—got a nice buck with my bow, let lots of bucks walk.

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

What a great buck from Upson County! Alex Kite, 19, of Lizella, was hunting a ground blind the morning of Dec. 1 when he shot this 12-pointer. The rack has split brows and super thick mass.

Hancock County: Greg Grimes, of Ball Ground, reports, “Deer have shifted to a mostly nocturnal pattern. You can still have success if you watch the weather and get out there during a cold front. The deer really hit the feeders heavily when the temperature drops. The bucks seem to be on the feeders even before the does, trying to recover from body loss from the rut.

“If you still have a target buck on the property, I suggest getting in as close as you can to that thick cover while playing the wind to your advantage. We have not really seen any signs in Hancock of a second estrous causing much rut action. You might get lucky this last month and get a fawn coming into estrous, but don’t bank on it.

“It’s mostly just a cover-to-food pattern. Morning sits have not produced much action, but the evening seems to have a more consistent pattern either on feeders or food plots. Usually the deer do not show unless there is a cold front until 30 minutes or maybe at last light but they are coming in.

“It’s a grind, and while some of us switch to thoughts of rabbit or duck hunting, if you really want a deer it can be done still. Enjoy these last few sits of the season as it won’t happen again for another eight months.”

Bailey Smith, 13, of Comer, took this fine 8-pointer on Dec. 12 in Madison County after putting in a lot of time and effort. It paid off, Bailey!

Monroe County: Greg Grimes reports, “Some of my target bucks never showed up this year as they had in the past two or three years, so it was a rather frustrating year for me. We actually hunted the property more than ever in hopes the older bucks would show up. Being blessed to have multiple properties to hunt around the state we spent time in other counties as well.

“Others reported equally frustrating seasons in Monroe County as some of their target bucks left properties to get shot by neighbors. Many smaller tracts have the right recipe during the rut and have taken many good bucks in spite of smaller property size.

“The good news is the food plots are getting hit really hard—it is almost a guarantee that we will see does from a hour to 30 minutes before dark. This is great because we have a kids hunt right after Christmas as well as one in January. We have also had several nice two and three-year-old bucks on camera that will be good to hunt next year.

“We are planning some habitat changes now for next year. We will have much more emphasis on cover. This means I will be thinning some trees as well as planting screening cover as we mostly have open hardwoods. I’m excited about what next year will bring. We wish everyone well for the last few weeks of the season. If you have lots of does, now is a great time to get a kid or even an adult who has never hunted their first deer. Good luck and finish strong.”

Rut-Crazed Buck One For The Ages From Dawson County

Meriwether County: Jason W. Swindle Sr., of Carrollton, reports, “This year was excellent. We have not pulled the trigger on a buck in three years. The reason that it was excellent is that three years ago, our surrounding landowners and I decided to only shoot bucks that were 4.5 years or older. It has paid off. Three years ago, we had four to five shooter bucks on camera. This year, I have well over 20 pictures of shooter bucks.

“The problem this year is that we had a heat wave during the peak of the rut (Nov. 8-12.) I did not hunt during this time. That was a mistake. We have multiple pictures of shooter bucks moving around noon when the barometric pressure was between 29.9 to 30.2.

“Now that most hunters have finished their season, we have the best opportunity to harvest a shooter. The cameras are showing that the bucks are much less pressured and have formed back into bachelor groups. The stands in between the bedding and feeding areas should be excellent.”

Ruth Peed is 88 years young, and she’s as active as any hunter in Georgia. Ruth downed these bucks this season while hunting in Taylor County.

Joshawa Shaw, 13, of Alamo, with the super buck he killed in Wheeler County on Nov. 11. The deer was 240 pounds live weight, and the rack was rough scored at almost 155 inches.

SOUTH GEORGIA

Colquitt County: Adam Childers, of Norman Park, reports, “Well, it’s crazy to think that another deer season has come and nearly gone. I think deer hunting has meant a little more to all of us this year. Getting to the woods was a nice escape from all of the craziness that 2020 brought. Overall I’d say we’ve had a pretty good season in this part of the world. Cooler temps to start bow season turned into a very warm October and November. Although it was hot, the bucks still did their thing like always. It seems they are definitely more run down than normal this year due to the warmer weather. Both bucks and does have been hammering the food since things settled down after rut. I’m occasionally getting some mature buck pics in the daylight, and I’ll primarily focus on food sources for the remainder of the season. Now is also the time I like to start working on a plan for next season. I always run my cameras for a few weeks after the season just to see what deer survived. It’s fun to me to wonder what the good ones might look like when the velvet comes off next September. Turkeys and fish will be on the brain very soon, but it seems like my mind always drifts forward to the coming deer season. With any luck, we’ll find ourselves surrounded by much better circumstances by next fall.

“Good luck to all that will be sticking it out these last couple of weeks! Enjoy it while you can because it will be a long eight months to wait until the second Saturday in September!”

As pretty a 10-point rack as you’ll see. Justin Roberts killed this buck in Worth County.

Crisp County: Jodi Manders, of Cordele, reports, “Can’t believe we are about to end another deer season. It has been somewhat of an unusual season for us. We did not see normal rut activity, matter of fact not any. The deer surely rutted but either at night or when we were not there. The bucks that we saw with does were young 2- to 3-year olds. On a good note we did see a larger deer count than normal. We were able to fill the freezers. After talking with one of our local processors, there were more deer harvested this year than last, partly because there were more people hunting and people putting more meat in the freezer because of the pandemic and not sure of how things will be in the coming year.

“It seems that the deer this season have gone back to their nocturnal post-rut habits much sooner. We haven’t seen many since Thanksgiving. We are still getting a good many pictures on cameras, at night of course, so there is still hope that a deer or two will venture out in the daylight. Maybe even a mature buck. Going to be hunting those travel routes and food plots for sure. Hope you all have a safe and healthy winter. See you when the turkeys start strutting, God bless!”

Julie Shaw made a 40-yard shot to down this Appling County buck on the last day of bow season.

Harris County: Jimmy Harper, of Hamilton, reports, “The 2020 deer season for us in Harris County has been about like everything else this year—just not normal. Warm weather throughout the month of November significantly suppressed daytime rutting activity, yet my family was still lucky enough to kill multiple mature bucks. Two of those bucks were killed during the pre-rut by my youngest son, Jake, during times when each of his young children, Bentley and Charlotte, were taking turns sitting in his stand with him. Those shared experiences were special for all of us, and hopefully will play a role in adding some young, new hunters into our ranks. With these and my other grandchildren, including Bo who sat with me in a blind for the first time this year, I’ve found they all enjoy and look forward to the entire hunting experience. They’ve filled up deer feeders, put up and checked trail cameras, helped set up blinds and ladder stands, hunted sheds, scouted for rubs and scrapes, and sat with us during our actual hunts, even though they weren’t quite ready to pull the trigger themselves. Still, we definitely enjoy having them involved, regardless of what we were doing together in the deer woods!”

Double-Drop Floyd Co. Buck Grosses 175

“Overall on the lands we hunt, we have very close to a 1:1 buck-to-doe ratio, and we work very hard to maintain that. We’re in the process of harvesting the majority of our quota of does now, with both cool-season food plots and corn being primary draws for deer this late in the season. Not only do these types of food sources concentrate the deer, but they also allow us to be more selective about the size and the age of all does we harvest. Additionally, due to our year-round supplemental feeding programs, the button bucks on our properties, just like many in Harris County, are very close to the same size as yearling does this time of year, so harvesting our does under these conditions allows us to be extra cautious in order to avoid accidentally shooting one or more buttonheads.

This is the time of year when your GON Hunt Advisors get to share our ‘Wish Lists.’ In case anyone with the GA DNR happens to be reading this, I’d like to suggest (wish!) that two changes could be made to our current deer hunting regulations. The first is a change I ask for every year, and I hope I live long enough to see it actually happen. The Georgia bag limit of 12 deer—specifically 10 antlerless deer—under the current population, habitat and predator conditions, is simply way too high and needs to be significantly lowered. My second suggested change is something that our neighboring state to the north started doing a few years ago, and that is beginning archery season early enough in the year to allow hunters a greater opportunity to harvest a velvet-racked buck. I’m not suggesting a drastic change in the archery season start date, or anything that would greatly increase the overall deer harvest. Archery season could simply begin on the first Saturday in September of each year instead of on the second one as it does currently, and deer harvest could even be limited to quality bucks (no does) during that first week, if that was deemed necessary for this change to take place. But I truly believe this minor date change would increase both interest from bowhunters and revenue for the Georgia DNR due to increased participation and license sales. At a minimum, I’d like to suggest that this change be made on a trial basis. What do my fellow hunters think?

“Stay safe and warm until turkey season!”

Twelve-year-old Jud Marshall shot this big buck in Early County. The main-frame 10-pointer also has two drop tines, and the buck weighed a whopping 243 pounds.

Twiggs County: Richie Green, of Jeffersonville, reports, “Man what a year it’s been. For me my worst year ever with a bow in my hand for others well let’s say it’s one they will never forget. The weather finally made it’s mind up and stayed steady for awhile and the deer just kept on falling. By the looks of the pics being sent to GON this year has got to break records.

“I’ve got a few good shooters on camera but none came by me at all and now the daytime pictures are out of the question. I’m trying to concentrate on filling my freezer now but that’s not happening with the bow so I’m trying to get my granddaughter to shoot one with the gun and if that don’t work I’ll dust mine off after Christmas. .

“I think we are on the right track with all the protein being provided and clubs letting the little ones walk and the proof is in this magazine for sure. What I would like to see is more public land for archery only. We had a track on Ocmulgee WMA once upon a time but that went away so now we only have Gum Swamp. But that’s just a wish of mine.

“It’s crazy how one person can have a great season and another have one to forget but that’s deer hunting. Just being able to do it is a blessing and an honor that we take for granted way too much these days.

“I think we are on the right track with all the protein being provided and clubs letting the little ones walk and the proof is in this magazine for sure. If you want a big buck now you have to get as close to the bedroom as possible now without them knowing you’re there. Yea right, I know but it can happen and does. I have them on camera at last shooting light, literally, but I’m always in another stand.

“Well I’ll take this year as a lesson and realized I need to change my strategy for next year. I hope everyone has stayed healthy and filled their freezer this year and hope the Christmas season is everything it use to be for all. Until the spring God Bless us all.”