Deer Hunting:
 2014 - 2015 |
 2015 - 2016 |
 2016 - 2017 |
 2017 - 2018 |
 2018 - 2019 |
 2019 - 2020 |
 2020 - 2021 |
 2021 - 2022 |
 2022 - 2023 |
 2023 - 2024 |
 2024 - 2025 |
2025-2026: My Twelfth Deer Season!
Hunting deer in Georgia over/near bait continues to
be PERMITTED on Private Land in ALL Zones.
Public Land including Georgia WMAs and National Forests
still do NOT permit hunting any animals near bait.
Hunting deer in Alabama over/near bait
CONTINUES to require an addition to the hunting license.
PREP WORK IN SANDERSVILLE, GEORGIA
(Saturday, September 20, 2025)
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| 11:12 a.m. EDT (trail cam was not on Daylight Saving) About to strt some serious work: ...unwittingly captured on the trail cam. |
11:11
a.m. EDT MY NEW POLE SAW! EGO -- battery-powered |
11:13 a.m. EDT (trail cam was not on Daylight Saving) Robert sez: "Don't protect the tree... PROTECT ME!" |
PREP WORK IN ROANOKE, ALABAMA
(Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28, 2025)
Tim and I installed a new automatic gate opener
all day Saturday and early Sunday.
Some photos and additional info
coming soon...
Going forward, we can stay in our vehicles
whenever it rains; it also saves time.
OPENING DAY IN
GEORGIA (standard firearms, statewide):
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Sandersville, Georgia
High 82ºF / Low (going in) 52ºF with 6% rain chance
mostly sunny with wind @ 5 mph from the SSW
sunrise 7:37 a.m. EDT / sunset 6:55 p.m. EDT
Olivia went hunting with me!
Robert had reserved the permanent blind for us.
He also said that he wanted Olivia to be the first
female to get a deer on this property.
WELL... Olivia
FINALLY GOT A DEER!
She had to wait until the third season (since 2023),
but Olivia is now officially a member of
those who harvest deer.
Georgia DNR confirmation# 101825D0020
harvested 6:22 p.m. EDT, October 18, 2025
at the Sandersville Hardee's at 6:30 a.m.
Hardee's coffee was surprisingly good!
At Hardee's, Olivia got chicken biscuit, and I
got the Frisco breakfast sandwich (with ham).
Olivia and I arrived to the blind just after daybreak
and began the hunt at 7:45 a.m. in the blind.
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| 7:32 a.m. EDT |
7:33 a.m. EDT |
7:46 a.m. EDT |
A mother/juvenile pair walked in from the creek afterwards
(about 7:55 a.m.) and got just behind and to the right
of the feeder, also behind some brush.
Olivia says she couldn't get a clear shot; that was
when I noticed she wasn't using the rifle scope,
so I had to teach her to follow the deers' movement
from within the scope.
We broke for lunch at 11:15 a.m. and went to Walmart
to get supplies and then ate a downhome lunch
at Jet, just down Highway 15 in Sandersville.
Olivia got the baked chicken and I got the Salisbury steak.
We both had Jet's famous creamed corn as a side.
After I set up a new Browning cellular
trail camera at the Honey Hole,
we resumed the afternoon hunt at 2:35 p.m.
Much time passed with Olivia getting tired
and seemingly impatient, but was not complaining!
At 6:10 p.m., the mother/juvenile pair showed from
the back left of the woods, with more deer
following at 6:20.
Olivia was frustrated that no deer would show
broadside the whole time and then finally three
lined up, with Olivia taking the middle one.
Taking the shot:
VIDEO of Olivia getting her deer
[Sorry for unsteady video!]
After careful thought, I realized that when Olivia
took the shot, I was more concerned about
following the deer with my eyes, than with my iPhone.
(Allow time for video to load on your cell phone)
Olivia's doe was taken at 25 yards with a
Ruger American Ranch rifle chambered with .350 Legend.
Olivia made an ethical kill;
shot placement was right behind the shoulder!
REGISTRATION of Olivia's Harvest:
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| GoOutdoorsGA app 6:40 p.m. EDT |
What an accomplishment! |
First
harvest registered: DNR # 101825D0020 |
Let's go get the deer!
It took about an hour to gather the deer and load up
the truck with all gear. We left the property at 7:45 p.m.
We took the deer to Garner's Grinder deer processing
in Sparta (Hancock County) by 8:30 p.m.
It was $135 with an additional $10 credit card fee.
I opted for ground meat (no fat), backstraps, and some cube steak.
CLAIM CHECK #358
10:00 p.m. Dinner at
Waffle House in Madison, Georgia
At Waffle House, Olivia got the patty melt plate, and I
got the Texas cheesesteak plate.
We first went to Arby's next door at 9:40, but they
decided not to allow us to dine inside. This time they didn't
(referencing their TV commercials) "have the meats."
The next two days (October 19 & 20), these show:
On Wednesday, October 22, this 4-pointer buck shows:
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Sandersville, Georgia
High 74ºF / Low (going in) 45ºF with 1% rain chance
mostly sunny with wind @ 8 mph from the ENE
sunrise 7:43 a.m. EDT / sunset 6:46 p.m. EDT
This time, I have the honor of bringing my mentor,
Robert, to the site. Robert plans to hunt the blind in
the Honey Hole, and I plan to hunt in Edgar's stand.
Now, I am looking for a buck with 8-points or larger.
No deer harvested this time!
I was actually fine with not getting anything.
It was great being outside and enjoying the weather.
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| Arrive at site, near Edgar's stand; I had already dropped off Robert at his blind. |
Walking up to Edgar's stand. 8:02 a.m. EDT |
Waiting for a large buck. 8:30 a.m. EDT |
Changed head gear. the leafy leafy ghillie blocked my side view. |
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| Sound of Northern Flicker 9:04 a.m. EDT |
View around Edgar's stand 9:05 a.m. EDT |
How it looks with the stand cover. The sun's bright; gotta wear shades! |
Beginning the evening hunt. 4:36 p.m. EDT |
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| Time to "git" 6:55 p.m. EDT |
View down Wild Hog Alley at end. 6:55 p.m. EDT |
Robert and I leave; empty-handed. 7:19 p.m. EDT |
Deep blue evening sky! 7:23 p.m. EDT |
I need to take a break;
next weekend will be spent at home.
Curiously, emergency overtime was offered on the job Saturday,
so I spent the whole Sunday with the family
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Sandersville, Georgia
High 51ºF / Low (going in) 27ºF with 2% rain chance
sunny with wind @ 10 mph from the West
sunrise 6:58 a.m. EST / sunset 5:31 p.m. EST
Demetrius and Robert are going down;
I will be joining them as well.
Newest info: Tim finally went to Sandersville!
Robert offered to have Tim join him at the blind.
Demetrius will take the stand near the creek
and I may continue at Edgar's stand.
It was bitter COLD in the morning!
The wind kicked up at about 9:30 a.m.
and gusted up higher that 13mph.
No deer harvested this time!
{BY ANYONE}
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| 6:25
a.m. EST Arrive 33 minutes before sunrise; I bundled up heavily--so cold! |
6:33
a.m. EST Putting out deer pee before ascending Edgar's stand |
6:34
a.m. EST View down Wild Hog Alley |
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| 6:43
a.m. EST Finally... I am settled in; The ushanka does block my side view |
9:16
a.m. EST The sun comes out; so does the wind! I changed head gear |
10:27
a.m. EST This video shows how the wind affects the canopy |
Demetrius saw five does that morning and then
after lunch, two more does.
Of course, some may have been repeats... LOL
I started getting restless and noticed everyone else
was delaying going to lunch come 11:30 a.m.,
so I got out of the stand anyway.
My experience has shown that deer do NOT show
on a Windy Late Morning.
This gave me time to set up
the new Browning cellular camera.
Text communication was scarce among the guys,
but everyone showed up in their trucks at
the big turn-around just after noon.
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| 12:02
p.m. I'm hungry! Where are you guys? |
12:47
p.m. Fried chicken, cream corn, turnip greens, & corn pone! |
We all did lunch at the cafe at Jet in Sandersville.
I forgot to take a group photo of us... Oops!
Of course, they served creamed corn.
Originally, we went to the Chinese restaurant,
but unbeknownst to us, it was closed on Tuesdays.
Tim getting suited up to hunt after lunch.
Tim borrowed Robert's bolt-action
.300 Win Mag rifle for the day.
He got one shot off at 3:28 p.m. (about 2 hours after lunch).
From Tim's and Robert's text messages, Tim had got a buck.
Tim said at least 4 points; Robert said a large 8 pointer.
I managed to text a few friends and family about Tim's apparent
success, and then heard 45 minutes later that
Tim and Robert couldn't find the deer!
That was discouraging!
I was hunting in the Clearing Stand for the afternoon and
was much warmer so it didn't required as much bundling up.
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| 2:37
p.m. In the clearing stand. |
2:38
p.m. It was super sunny; had to wear shades. |
3:04
p.m. The wind: Not as prevalent as the morning. |
I decided to cut short my hunt to go join in the search at 4:15 p.m.
Ultimately, Tim saw a deer way to the right at about 3:25 p.m. from the
main window of the blind. Robert said that it was out about 80 yards.
The angle was so that with obscuring brush, Robert could NOT see
the buck from his side window.
Tim took the shot; the deer did a mule kick; stood for a few seconds,
and then bolted off in the woods, supposedly down to the creek.
All four of us (Tim, Robert, Demetrius, and I) joined
in the search at about 4:30 p.m.
After about another hour, we just called it off.
Initially, Tim went with Robert down to the creek initially and
actually saw the deer looking at him from the hill on the other side of the creek.
The buck stared at him and then ran away further back into the woods.
OPENING DAY IN
ALABAMA(stalk hunting, firearms, statewide):
Saturday and Sunday,
November 22-23, 2025
Roanoke & Wadley, Alabama
| Saturday: High 76ºF / Low (going in) 63ºF with 43% rain chance mostly cloudy with wind 9 mph from the West sunrise 6:18 a.m. CST / sunset 4:35 p.m. CST |
Sunday: High 71ºF / Low (going in) 51ºF with 8% rain chance mostly sunny with wind 5 mph from the NNW sunrise 6:19 a.m. CST / sunset 4:35 p.m. CST |
This event was
- CANCELLED -
It came to be considerably WARMER than initially forecasted anyway.
I took my wife and kid to Helen, Georgia, instead.
Tim's repair folks never got the parts in for his tractor;
he also is looking to cancel hunting this season.
I AM NOT SURE IF I WILL GET TO HUNT
DEER IN ALABAMA THIS SEASON!
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Sandersville, Georgia
High 54ºF / Low (going in) 51ºF with 24% rain chance
mostly sunny with wind @ 13 mph from the NW
sunrise 7:17 a.m. EST / sunset 5:23 p.m. EST
I am looking to get a deer for my chef friend, Dan.
[edit: I actually get to do this January 5, 2026]
If I get a trophy buck or wild hog, I will go to the processor.
- CANCELLED -
I need to spend time at home with family
in preparation for the Christmas holidays.
Additionally: heavy winds are predicted.
The original weather forecast called for
a colder morning and calmer breezes.
Monday, December 29, 2025
Sandersville, Georgia
High 63ºF / Low (going in) 60ºF with 70% rain chance
partly cloudy with wind @ 17 mph from the West
sunrise 7:32 a.m. EST / sunset 5:32 p.m. EST
- CANCELLED -
Once again, heavy winds are predicted.
The original weather outlook called for northerly
winds around 6 mph with 41ºF for the morning low.
17 mph essentially makes the deer bed down;
this is not good for hunting!
Also, the rain chance going up along with
unseasonably warm temps does not bode well.
New Year's Day,
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Sandersville, Georgia
High 64ºF / Low (going in) 33ºF with 1% rain chance
sunny with wind @ 9 mph from the West
sunrise 7:33 a.m. EST / sunset 5:34 p.m. EST
Christmas Lights in Siloam, GA at 4:53 a.m.
I took this after getting off exit 138 from Interstate 20
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| 7:11 a.m. EST Arrving on property |
7:16 a.m. EST Getting ready to hunt |
7:22 a.m. EST Going to the blind |
Identified bird song: Tufted Titmouse
This little bugger evaded my rifle!
The left side of this photo is very close to the
front of the permanent blind. This is why I normally
keep my rifle at the ready; however, this deer
got lucky, because it happened upon me while
I was not ready. It was so close, that any of
movement of mine would force it to run.
Monday, January 5, 2026
Sandersville, Georgia
High 64ºF / Low (going in) 42ºF with 8% rain chance
fog & then mostly sunny w/ wind @ 3 mph from the SSE
sunrise 7:33 a.m. EST / sunset 5:37 p.m. EST
Yep! I...
GOT ONE!
Georgia DNR confirmation# 010525D4915
harvested 9:44 a.m. EST, January 5, 2026
This juvenile doe was one of two or three juvenile deer
seen by two cellular cameras as they were wandering
the property. I had to take a second shot on the back
side of her neck, so she wouldn't get up and run away.
The first shot went into her left shoulder and the
second went into the back right of her neck.
My priority for the day was to get a deer for Chef Dan.
However, if a wild hog or trophy buck *did* appear,
which did NOT happen, that would take higher priority.
My wife really wants me to get a wild hog.
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| 7:39 a.m. My pose, showing ready to hunt; I do this with every hunt to document when I started |
7:50 a.m. View of my Ruger Ranch rifle, chambered in .350 Legend with Leupold scope |
I get my best shot when she is just right of the feeder.
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| 9:50 a.m. Walked over after placing second shot |
9:50 a.m. Deer stayed down for sure |
9:50 a.m. Camera view facing back towards blind |
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| 9:51 a.m. Entry (shoulder) and Exit (neck) wounds |
9:52 a.m. View from Northwest (looking towards Southeast) |
9:52 a.m. View from West (looking towards East) |
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| 9:54 a.m. Time to go bring the truck over |
10:14 a.m. Wanted photo with rifle; now I need to load sled |
10:28 a.m. Bringing deer (in sled) to truck tailgate |
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| 10:30 a.m. Not as heavy as deer that Olivia got in October |
10:30 a.m. Need to turn truck around, finish packing, & leave |
11:41 a.m. $6 worth of ice (in town), payment using iPhone |
From here, it was onward to Tucker, Georgia
to bring my chef friend, Dan, some venison!
[more photos coming soon: deer processing]
THAT'S IT FOR GEORGIA!
I am not sure if I will
hunt deer in Alabama
this season.
FUTURE HUNTING EVENT
PLACEHOLDER
ALABAMA specifics regarding
where I may hunt this season
| Randolph County, AL | ||||
 |
 Alabama DCNR regulations.PDF |
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| Zone A
-- Stalk / Firearms: November 18, 2025 - February 10, 2026 (either sex -- privately-owned land only) |
(28.3 MB: file is LARGE!) |
Georgia specifics regarding
where I may hunt this season
| Fannin County, GA | Walton County, GA | Washington County, GA | |
 Cyan Zone private land either sex 11/7-11/13 & 1/1 antlered all other days |
 Green Zone private land either sex ENTIRE season |
 Green Zone private land either sex ENTIRE season |
 Georgia DNR regulations.PDF |
| Firearms: October 18, 2025 - January 11, 2026 |
Firearms: October 18, 2025 - January 11, 2026 |
Firearms: October 18, 2025 - January 11, 2026 |
(30.5 MB: file is HUGE!) |
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