Hunting the North Georgia Mountains as a lady is…well, is really no different than hunting as a gentleman. There may be a few more curious looks and amusing stares, however, and dragging my deer out can be exhausting because oftentimes they weigh more than me. Through the years, I’ve scouted and hunted all over North Georgia, mostly hunting public land on the National Forests and local Wildlife Management Areas. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed leased hunting land in Lincolnton, Dahlonega and Sparta too, along with a few private hunting land locations in White, Banks, Lumpkin, Gordon and Franklin counties.
My favorite WMA of North Georgia would have to be Chestatee Wildlife Management Area. I’ve taken a few deer over the years and have figured out a few prime hunting spots. I know of one deer in particular on Chestatee WMA who escaped my grasp that would make any hunter shake in their boots. Of course, I don’t want to give away those secret hunting locations, so you’ll have to do some scouting of your own to figure out Chestatee WMA. I’ve enjoyed the Ladies Hunt at Lake Russell and have had the privilege of taking my girls along for those hunts as well. I’ve enjoyed watching my, then 7-year-old, girl try to get a bead on a doe meandering along one morning along an oak ridge in Lake Russell WMA. You can’t go wrong with Chattahoochee WMA, Broad River or Dukes Creek either.
For you locals, you know public hunting land in North Georgia is diverse and opportune – if you don’t mind doing a little research, walking and scouting. White Oak Gap, the Horse Range and ‘behind Turk’s’ are a few of my favorites. Heck, I’ve been hunting so long and learned of these places from my dear friends and relatives, who are natives of White County, that I’m not really sure what the proper names are for these spots. I’m guessing if you grew up in White County, you know exactly where I speak of.
The one thing I have learned along my journey, is you’ve got to be prepared for some rugged mountainsides and steep climbs to hunt the hills of North Georgia. Of course, you can choose some of the flatter landscapes and come out all right. However, you just can’t beat scaling a vertical mountainside on a brisk, cold morning, only to come to the top and watch the sunrise. There’s a sense of accomplishment and admiration for nature when you hunt these North Georgia Mountains. Good luck to you all, man or woman, in this hunting season.
