Dogging Bear Quota Hunt

[Heath]

Seems like your just looking for a rant I said I have no problem with the hunt, the timing sucks yeah but I realize when it boils down to it we don't have much of a say so anyways. Most of the time their minds are already made up about these public opinion meetings. Get over yourself I have the right to hunt ANYWHERE in georgia, ANYTIME and I believe your mistaken about the reasoning behind the game management zones but you keep thinking that because at the end of the day your opinion is as relevant as my dogs. Happy Hunting though.

Imagine a Democrat getting mad and throwing a hissy, even cussing. And now my opinion matters less than yours.
Thanks for the illustration of why decisions should be made by sound minded individuals.
Please enlighten us as to the other reason Georgia is divided into so many different sub-regions. Last time I heard our biologist speak, those were his exact words. We have to divide it so we can regulate each region separately and make adjustments as it pertains to what each area needs specifically. Of course that paraphrased. But I would love to hear your myth buster Wikipedia answer!
And yes I love a good rant. We mountain folks have remained quiet long enough. If we don’t stand up for ourselves we will end up like you soft foots!

 

[Unicoidawg]

All right guys discussion is good, but keep it on the cool side.

 

[Christian hughey]

Imagine a Democrat getting mad and throwing a hissy, even cussing. And now my opinion matters less than yours.
Thanks for the illustration of why decisions should be made by sound minded individuals.
Please enlighten us as to the other reason Georgia is divided into so many different sub-regions. Last time I heard our biologist speak, those were his exact words. We have to divide it so we can regulate each region separately and make adjustments as it pertains to what each area needs specifically. Of course that paraphrased. But I would love to hear your myth buster Wikipedia answer!
And yes I love a good rant. We mountain folks have remained quiet long enough. If we don’t stand up for ourselves we will end up like you soft foots!

All i get from this is you wanna call names. If that's your thing cool. Our state is subdivided to manage each sections WILDLIFES NEEDS not HILLBILLY NEEDS. You don't even know what your standing up for yourself for. ? get real bud. Also democrats need not be brought into any conversation on this forum their not worth mention.

 

[Christian hughey]

All right guys discussion is good, but keep it on the cool side.

Sorry sir keepin it cool!

 

[Heath]

We have to divide it so we can regulate each region separately and make adjustments as it pertains to what each area needs specifically.

Seems as though you didn’t read the last one.
I’m a hillbilly now?
my opinion is as relevant as your dogs what?
I thought our opinions were equally important. I hate for the thread to be jeopardized because two hard heads cant just agree to disagree.

I’ll try again. I feel like I may have been unclear. Bear numbers are far too high. and have been for a long time. DNR, USFS, biologist as well have spent more time responding to bear complaints through the late spring and summer than being able to do their jobs. That’s what a few have said, so yes it’s just second hand gossip but it matches up with what the rest of us locals have seen as well. It seems they have taken all avenues and data sources into consideration. They have tried,over the past few years, to extend bear season and increase bag limits and increase overall opportunity to decrease bear numbers. They have now taken another approach or attempt in order to regain control of a real problem. When numbers of any animal are to high or to low, all species suffer to some degree. So this is very much so a regional decision to try and give more balance to our ecosystem. Which, in theory, will be a step in the right direction for all wildlife.
That is why I said cut off your nose to spite your face in my original post. Deer hunters want more deer. Me too! Dog hunters have been desperately wanting to have a kill season. It’s a win win for everyone if it works out. But, some would rather protest a 9 day hunt on a minute fraction of the available land to hunt. It just makes no sense when it could very much so help you in the long run.

Relax, this is just trial run for the biologist to study the outcome. If it works it could benefit all game animals in years to come. It’s not the only thing that needs fixed but it is a step in the right direction for all hunters here on the mountain.

A for real scenario- what if it drastically helps the deer herd? Would you give up 9 days of deer season every year to have much better deer hunting and opportunity for the duration of your hunting career? Surely we all could agree that would be great?

 

[strothershwacker]

Agree to disagree. I dont think any opinions are gonna be changed here. So why keep at esch other. Ya'll done built a wall tween each side, now yer just banging yer heads against it.

 

[Heath]

Agree to disagree. I dont think any opinions are gonna be changed here. So why keep at esch other. Ya'll done built a wall tween each side, now yer just banging yer heads against it.

You are correct. It’s just that we’ve actually tore down a wall that was built to keep many of us from participating for a long time. We should all celebrate that we live in a state where our hunting opportunities are growing. Many places have lost that privilege. It is not a rite, but a privilege granted to us by the state. We all need to be mindful of that and keep pushing to further it at any opportunity.

 

[Christian hughey]

Seems as though you didn’t read the last one.
I’m a hillbilly now?
my opinion is as relevant as your dogs what?
I thought our opinions were equally important. I hate for the thread to be jeopardized because two hard heads cant just agree to disagree.

I’ll try again. I feel like I may have been unclear. Bear numbers are far too high. and have been for a long time. DNR, USFS, biologist as well have spent more time responding to bear complaints through the late spring and summer than being able to do their jobs. That’s what a few have said, so yes it’s just second hand gossip but it matches up with what the rest of us locals have seen as well. It seems they have taken all avenues and data sources into consideration. They have tried,over the past few years, to extend bear season and increase bag limits and increase overall opportunity to decrease bear numbers. They have now taken another approach or attempt in order to regain control of a real problem. When numbers of any animal are to high or to low, all species suffer to some degree. So this is very much so a regional decision to try and give more balance to our ecosystem. Which, in theory, will be a step in the right direction for all wildlife.
That is why I said cut off your nose to spite your face in my original post. Deer hunters want more deer. Me too! Dog hunters have been desperately wanting to have a kill season. It’s a win win for everyone if it works out. But, some would rather protest a 9 day hunt on a minute fraction of the available land to hunt. It just makes no sense when it could very much so help you in the long run.

Relax, this is just trial run for the biologist to study the outcome. If it works it could benefit all game animals in years to come. It’s not the only thing that needs fixed but it is a step in the right direction for all hunters here on the mountain.

A for real scenario- what if it drastically helps the deer herd? Would you give up 9 days of deer season every year to have much better deer hunting and opportunity for the duration of your hunting career? Surely we all could agree that would be great?

They won't let me say **** so poot and I guess if you wanna throw names around like soft, I will too. I agree with you about control of the population and doin what is necessary but im also with the others that say we are interested to see how it turns out. If I get an invite I will be on the trail with you. Not protesting the hunt just stating that I don't like the timing and yes my opinions equal to yours, neither is worth a dogs poot when it comes down to it. I also think running dogs for 9 days will hurt the following hunts held on those properties but we will see, like you said it's minute when you think of the vast terrain they have to roam. I'm still pushing for that spring bear season. I don't know who's arm we're gonna have to twist to get that go'in.

 

[livinoutdoors]

Good lord! This bear doggin thing is getting out of control! Just be happy we still live in a hunter friendly state, for now!

 

[Heath]

Now that we’ve gotten over our misunderstanding, why are you so upset about the dates?
It’s not going to negatively effect any hunting following the hunt. That’s propaganda spread by TV and none dog hunters to push their agenda. Please don’t buy into it. Every dog hunter I know is a deer hunter too and they deer hunt the same places they bear, hog, or coon hunt. Heck, I have 2 or 3 that use me as a turkey finder and my father has killed quite a few great deer I told him about the morning after I found sign in a place. I know it’s a popular excuse that we all hear but it’s just not true. There’s actually scientifically published data that supports me.
You do realize the biologist have started taking deer days away from public mountain land because the numbers are in such decline. It’s a great step, it needs cut way back even more.
They also spend gobs of money trapping and killing hogs but yet still won’t let us hunt them with dogs at night or on any WMA at any time. It’s ridiculous to me that they spend money on that and just eradicate them when there are scores of us that actually eat them and help thin them out if we were given that opportunity.
Lots of room for improvement when it comes to mountain game management. I’m just glad they are finally taking some steps in an attempt to rehabilitate it.

 

[greg_n_clayton]

Now that we’ve gotten over our misunderstanding, why are you so upset about the dates?
It’s not going to negatively effect any hunting following the hunt. That’s propaganda spread by TV and none dog hunters to push their agenda. Please don’t buy into it. Every dog hunter I know is a deer hunter too and they deer hunt the same places they bear, hog, or coon hunt. Heck, I have 2 or 3 that use me as a turkey finder and my father has killed quite a few great deer I told him about the morning after I found sign in a place. I know it’s a popular excuse that we all hear but it’s just not true. There’s actually scientifically published data that supports me.
You do realize the biologist have started taking deer days away from public mountain land because the numbers are in such decline. It’s a great step, it needs cut way back even more.
They also spend gobs of money trapping and killing hogs but yet still won’t let us hunt them with dogs at night or on any WMA at any time. It’s ridiculous to me that they spend money on that and just eradicate them when there are scores of us that actually eat them and help thin them out if we were given that opportunity.
Lots of room for improvement when it comes to mountain game management. I’m just glad they are finally taking some steps in an attempt to rehabilitate it.

It is my understanding you can't take pigs on WMA with a dog. It is also my understanding you can't take hogs on any public (USFS) lands with a dog.

 

[Heath]

We can hunt hogs with dogs on USFS lands any time bear and hog training season coincides with a open game animal season. We have to use firearms legal for that game species.
Years ago we were able to hunt during any game season except firearms deer season then they made this official training season which shortened us out of bow season and all but the last 3 weeks of turkey season.
No hunting at night. And no WMA’s except a few trial quota hunts a few years ago and supposedly we can hunt during this new coyote and hog season in May on WMA’s but one game warden says we can and another says we can’t. The printed regulations still say we can’t!

It’s a common misconception though and really wordy. Other states have far easier to comprehend printed laws.

 

[Christian hughey]

Now that we’ve gotten over our misunderstanding, why are you so upset about the dates?
It’s not going to negatively effect any hunting following the hunt. That’s propaganda spread by TV and none dog hunters to push their agenda. Please don’t buy into it. Every dog hunter I know is a deer hunter too and they deer hunt the same places they bear, hog, or coon hunt. Heck, I have 2 or 3 that use me as a turkey finder and my father has killed quite a few great deer I told him about the morning after I found sign in a place. I know it’s a popular excuse that we all hear but it’s just not true. There’s actually scientifically published data that supports me.
You do realize the biologist have started taking deer days away from public mountain land because the numbers are in such decline. It’s a great step, it needs cut way back even more.
They also spend gobs of money trapping and killing hogs but yet still won’t let us hunt them with dogs at night or on any WMA at any time. It’s ridiculous to me that they spend money on that and just eradicate them when there are scores of us that actually eat them and help thin them out if we were given that opportunity.
Lots of room for improvement when it comes to mountain game management. I’m just glad they are finally taking some steps in an attempt to rehabilitate it.

The first few weeks from my experience has been the best time to find them low and in numbers and that cuts a few weeks of good hunting to two weeks. Once the early gun hunt hits its too crowded for me, time to pack up and go national forest. I think if it were pushed back to the weekend after the early gun hunt or muzzleloader week everyone would be happy with it and the dogs will still find the bears. All the coyotes don't help either, fawn numbers are low and I found a fawns front leg and shoulder laying in the trail back to my stand last weekend. Coyotes have been tough to call this year no luck yet.

 

[Heath]

The first few weeks from my experience has been the best time to find them low and in numbers and that cuts a few weeks of good hunting to two weeks. Once the early gun hunt hits its too crowded for me, time to pack up and go national forest. I think if it were pushed back to the weekend after the early gun hunt or muzzleloader week everyone would be happy with it and the dogs will still find the bears. All the coyotes don't help either, fawn numbers are low and I found a fawns front leg and shoulder laying in the trail back to my stand last weekend. Coyotes have been tough to call this year no luck yet.

I’m being serious and not poking fun at you but you really should focus on National forest land outside of WMAs more anyway. WMAs are nothing more than a boundary line. No more game in them than on the outside. I’ve yet to see a valid reason for them to still be in existence.

 

[Christian hughey]

I’m being serious and not poking fun at you but you really should focus on National forest land outside of WMAs more anyway. WMAs are nothing more than a boundary line. No more game in them than on the outside. I’ve yet to see a valid reason for them to still be in existence.

Not really a matter of where the game is I enjoy hunting the lower elevations of these wmas. Easier setups, nicer scenery and that time of year, that's where its at. Also better managed for game with well used plots that national forest do not have. I do not directly hunt over plots but I do use them to determine travel routes also the added ? tree or two I've found seem to keep me goin back.

 

[Buckman18]

You do realize the biologist have started taking deer days away from public mountain land because the numbers are in such decline. It’s a great step, it needs cut way back even more.

Respectfully, I couldn’t disagree more about cutting back deer season on the NF. If the deer limit in the mountains is two, twelve, or forty, it’s not going to make much of a difference. The number of doe days in the mountains are, thankfully, so few, that no one is going to legally harvest many does anyway. In the lower elevations of the mountain counties, there are plenty of deer around the settlement, just not up on the high ridges of the NF. And, let’s not forget that the overwhelming majority of the NF that is more than a 1/4 mile deep NEVER sees a deer hunter. That said, I’ve killed many a mature buck on those high ridges, what they lack in numbers they make up for in age structure. It’s lonely at the top in the cold of December, but the eatin’ is good.

Reducing hunter opportunity in the mountains is not the answer. The NF gets so little hunting pressure, hunters impact is negligible. For those of us who also hunt the Mtn of NC, most would agree that the GA mountains have far more deer, even now, than NC. The NC season is a whopping 3 weeks and has been for decades. I think GA has the hunting seasons set perfectly. Just need to add spring bear, and get rid of more hogs.

 

[tree cutter 08]

And keep management areas in place. They ain't what they could be but it's nice to go hunt a place that you know hasn't been hunted that season. Spring bear season would be the way to. No reason not to. Early spring before it gets hot.

 

[Buckman18]

And keep management areas in place. They ain't what they could be but it's nice to go hunt a place that you know hasn't been hunted that season. Spring bear season would be the way to. No reason not to. Early spring before it gets hot.

This, and better road access.

 

[Christian hughey]

This, and better road access.

I feel we won't be getting much access. More for them to have to patrol. Warden told me last season they were stretched thin due to wardens still working the lakes and the hurricane relief. Had to ride 40 mins in the heat of bow season to the nearest wma that an officer was available to have him tagged after the hours it took to get him out by myself. They should definitely make it easier to tag em.

 

[tree cutter 08]

I feel we won't be getting much access. More for them to have to patrol. Warden told me last season they were stretched thin due to wardens still working the lakes and the hurricane relief. Had to ride 40 mins in the heat of bow season to the nearest wma that an officer was available to have him tagged after the hours it took to get him out by myself. They should definitely make it easier to tag em.

It's aggregating to have them tagged but last several I've killed its either been on a management hunt and check station was open or they have come to the house. I just tell them where its at if I ain't there. The local wildlife tech's are A+!