Waterfowl, Rabbit & Quail hunting seasons are upon us and DNR has some useful hunting tips; local fishing tournaments are coming to an end for the year – but it’s not too late to enjoy participating in these events; see this and more including our featured Worth Braggin’ About photo and a visit from Daffy & Bugs below:
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Ernie Broughton’s Blackshear Buddies Bass Tourney Results
The December 1st Blackshear Buddies Bass Tournament is the final prior to the Classic on December 15th. This weekend’s weather forecast promises a nice Saturday with temps predicted to reach the mid 70’s. Hopefully, following Tuesday’s rains, the water level may show some improvement. BBB Tournament Organizer Ernie Broughton said Wednesday it’s not likely since the lake is kept low this time of year for maintenance. With that in mind, fishermen may want to be cautious up river where some levels may reach only five feet in depth, according to Ernie.
Although catches have seemed slimmer this year than in past BBB tournament series, the 22 regular and five $1000 tournaments thus far have proven no less competitive or thrilling. In fact a BBBT record may come out of the results.
Current Leaders in the 19th Annual BBBT:
3rd Place – Danny Blount & Greg Kilgore 271.5
2ND Place – David & John Stokes 288.11
1st Place – Jimmy Sharpe & Sammy Moody 309.11
Newcomers are still welcome to participate. For entry information, contact Ernie at (229)432-9050.
November 17th BBB Tournament Results:
(12 boats)
2nd Place – Jimmy Troxell 17. 5 Troxell also had the tourney Lunker @ 6.6
1st Place – David & John Stokes 19.14
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WORTH BRAGGIN’ ABOUT
Worth Countian’s Big Harvest
Heather Greene of Worth County harvested this 10-pointer during her visit to Lincoln County, Nebraska recently. She used a 308 at 201 yards. The rack measured 20 1/2 inches wide from outside to outside. Wow! Way to go Heather!
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Fishermen for the Hungry 2012 Top 20 as of 11/28/12:
Place Team Captain Points
1 Cleghorn, Al 51.42
2 Meeks, Clint 51.42
3 Goff, Wayne 36.2
4 Stokes, David 32.5
5 Stokes, John 32.5
6 Blanchett, Jay 31.06
7 Hall, Chad 31.06
8 Moody, Sam 30.94
9 Sharpe, Jimmy 30.94
10 Brown, Clint 26.86
11 Stevens, Terry 26.86
12 Blount, Danny 26.36
13 Kilgore, Greg 26.36
14 Hambric, Brad 26.16
15 Haynie, George 25.82
16 Smith, Dwayne 25.3
17 Parker, Jimmy 24.19
18 Bass, Norman 23.97
19 Gammage, Earl 23.97
20 King, Phil 20.82
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Rabbit Season Opens & Duck Hunting Back Soon
WATERFOWL HUNTERS, HAVE YOU FINALIZED YOUR PLANS?
Don’t worry, there is still plenty of time to get outdoors and pursue some birds. The key to success, given the dry conditions across much of Georgia, may be hunting larger reservoirs.
Regarding the dry conditions seen on waterways, Georgia’s waterfowl biologist, Greg Balkcom, says, “Recently, I was at Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area in Monroe County inspecting one of our managed wetlands. The food was there, lots of wild millet and smartweed, but water is limited.”
But don’t despair. Instead look to pursue ring-necked ducks on some of Georgia’s reservoirs including Clarks Hill, Seminole, West Point and Eufaula. Ring-necks migrate in best numbers in late November and early December, and can be found on most of Georgia’s reservoirs.
Hunting tip for ring-necked ducks: Create a diving duck decoy spread and mix in a few coot decoys.
Hunting season for ducks is Nov. 17 – 25, 2012 and Dec. 8 – Jan. 27, 2013. Source: Georgia DNR
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RABBIT HUNTING SEASON IS NOW OPEN, MAKE PLANS TO PARTICIPATE
Rabbit hunting ranks high with small game hunters in Georgia and is a sport best enjoyed with family and friends. CONT’D BELOW:
The most enjoyable way to hunt rabbits is with a pack of rabbit dogs, with the most popular breed of dog being the Beagle. Dogs will usually be in two different categories, a “jump” dog or a “chase dog.” Jump dogs are those with great noses that lend themselves to finding the rabbits. Faster dogs are chase dogs that pursue rabbits and run them by alert hunters. 
Where to hunt? The best places to hunt are older fields that contain thick briar patches, clearcut areas, and young pines stands that still have thick understory cover of briars. Improve your chances of getting a shot by safely spacing people around a field.
Rabbit hunting is a great way to introduce youth and novices to hunting, as it is an activity with a lot of movement and excitement. Even on a slow day with few rabbits, hunters can enjoy being outside, walking around the fields, and being with the dogs.
To find out more about rabbits and rabbit hunting, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division offers a “Hunt & Learn Rabbit” class. Source: Georgia DNR
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QUAIL HUNTING FORECAST LOOKS GOOD FOR 2012-2013
Quail hunting season is underway and the 2012-2013 forecast looks good, particularly in south and east Georgia. Bobwhite abundance will be highest across landscapes with large blocks of high-quality, early-succession habitat (open grassy, weedy areas with scattered shrubs and brush).
“The quail population has shown a good winter carryover from the previous year and a strong hatch of new quail, which means more birds for this 2012-2013 hunting season,” says wildlife biologist James Tomberlin.
In fact, observations by Tall Timbers Research Station combined with Wildlife Resources Division surveys of select wildlife management areas and anecdotal reports indicate increased populations from 2011, as much as 30 percent in some areas. The milder winter weather coupled with timely rainfall this past spring and summer helped adult birds survive and created excellent nesting and brood-rearing conditions.
Georgia’s statewide quail season is November 17, 2012 through February 28, 2013 with a daily bag limit of 12 birds per hunter. Source: Georgia DNR
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