Deer Hunting:
 2014 - 2015 |
 2015 - 2016 |
 2016 - 2017 |
 2017 - 2018 |
 2018 - 2019 |
 2019 - 2020 |
 2020 - 2021 |
 2021 - 2022 |
2022 - 2023 |
 2023 - 2024 |
2022-2023: My Ninth Deer Season!
THIS YEAR, I GOT ONLY TWO DEER, BOTH ON THE SAME DAY.
CONTINUING: Hunting deer in Georgia over/near bait is
now PERMITTED on Private Land in ALL Zones.
Public Land including Georgia WMAs and National Forests
still do NOT permit hunting any animals near bait.
CONTINUING: Hunting deer in Alabama over/near bait
continues to require an addition to the hunting license.
OPENING DAY IN GEORGIA (standard firearms, statewide):
!!! New Site !!!
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Warrenton, Georgia
| Saturday High 74ºF / Low (going in) 38ºF with a 3% rain chance sunny with wind @ 6 mph from the NE sunrise 7:41 a.m. EDT / sunset 6:48 p.m. EDT |
Saturday was cancelled due to overtime at my job!
My hunting trip is postponed until the next day...
| Sunday High 76ºF / Low (going in) 44ºF with a 4% rain chance sunny with wind @ 4 mph from the NE sunrise 7:41 a.m. EDT / sunset 6:47 p.m. EDT |
No deer harvested this time!
...I let five different deer walk today...
My goal is now a Trophy Buck.
 |
 |
 |
| 7:23
a.m. EDT - 10/23/2022 |
8:58 a.m. EDT - 10/23/2022 | 8:59 a.m. EDT - 10/23/2022 |
Morning Hunt
I saw three bucks spanning 7:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.
Two were spikes and the third was barely a 4-pointer.
I let them ALL go, because I intended to get a large rack of antlers.
The first of three was a yearling and was immediately attracted
to the Tink's deer estrous that I sprayed in front of the stand.
The next spike was larger and and had longer antlers;
he made a point to attempt a rub on some saplings.
Robert was doing construction work on Ms. Lola's extra room,
but he had to leave due to an extreme sinus headache.
This was about 11:30 a.m., so I decided to take a lunch.
Lunch
Lunch was provided by Ms. Lola!
I was grateful to Ms. Lola for her kindness.
She had creole-style turkey chili, corn bread,
collard greens, and salmon patties.
Robert and I were planning to get BBQ, but we cancelled,
as his condition soon deteriorated, forcing him to leave.
Afternoon Hunt
| |
 |
| 4:16
p.m. EDT - October 23, 2022 The corn crunching is AUDIBLE. |
4:18
p.m. EDT - October 23, 2022 Literally "Under the gun!" |
The young doe shown above was both
photographed and video'd live during my Afternoon Hunt.
Another accompanying doe was far to the left.
This was a mother-daughter pair, that I come to see much of.
UPDATE: I found out later than the adolescent was a button buck.
I was SO hoping I could use the female deer as "buck bait!"
Both deer came from my far right at about 3:45 p.m. and
slowly ate as they went along for nearly an hour.
Nothing else showed in front of my stand.
A large deer did show about 5:00 p.m. to my far left,
but it never came anywhere close (within 50 yards).
7:31 p.m. EDT - October 23, 2022
This is when I was leaving the site via Stoney Hill Road for the evening.
I just had to stop an get this photo through my front windshield.
What a view!
Scouting was done on Sunday, September 24th in Warrenton
on Edgar Hill's property and down the street at the water plant.
I may hunt in either of those two places, come opening day.
Each have at least one tree stand, but Robert may put up
a (self) pre-fabricated box blind near the water plant.
 |
 |
|
| near Water Treatment
Plant |
behind Edgar's house |
We were going to return October 9th to assemble the box blind,
but Robert got some contract work to do that day.
Hunting out of either tree stand was inevitable.
I ultimately chose the back yard to hunt due to its proximity to the house.
Currently, October 29th was the next possible day to work on the box blind.
Robert is now bringing his friend Winfred to work the box blind.
Robert says for me to not worry about that and just hunt.
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Warrenton, Georgia
| Saturday High 66ºF / Low (going in) 54ºF with a 17% rain chance cloudy with wind @ 9 mph from the NE some patchy drizzle is possible throughout the day sunrise 7:46 a.m. EDT / sunset 6:41 p.m. EDT |
No deer harvested this time!
The high was actually 62ºF with no drizzle until
leaving the Warrenton/Norwood area after dark.
Morning Hunt
This time, I was in the stand at 6:58 a.m.; it was still dark.
I could hear several deer walking all around after settling in!
At 7:38 a.m., I saw a 4-pointer buck chasing
four does, all of them coming from the left.
The buck still wasn't the size I was looking for.
 |
By about mid-morning, Robert had
brought an old friend named Winfred to work on the
bonus room for Ms. Lola's house. They managed to
get the outside paneling done on the main wall.
During this time, fewer deer showed. I only saw
does, including the mother-daughter pair. I originally was going to work with both Robert and Winfred on the box blind, but Robert had me hunt instead with them trying to finish work on the house. The box blind will have to come later as Robert keeps having difficulty with the bonus room for Ms. Lola. |
Lunch
J & M Bar-B-Que
After doing a little yard work to trim some high weeds,
I followed Robert to this barbecue place more than 5 miles away.
We had been talking about doing this J&M restaurant ever since 9/24.
The BBQ was really good, though the rib tips are more bones than meat.
To my dismay, the macaroni and cheese had sold out,
but the coleslaw and collard greens were astounding!
Afternoon Hunt
Right before quitting time, the same mother-daughter
pair of does came from the right, munching on my corn.
UPDATE: the adolescent was a button buck.
This made them a mother-son pair.
I will need to try again.
7:28 p.m. EDT - October 29, 2022
This photo is not the same location as last Sunday, but it is
very noticeable how much darker it is on Stoney Hill Road,
due to the cloudy skies.
CANCELLED
It is too warm and rainy this weekend!
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Warrenton, Georgia
| Saturday: High 80ºF / Low (going in) 60ºF with a 50% rain chance cloudy with wind @ 8 mph from the SSE sunrise 7:53 a.m. EDT / sunset 6:34 p.m. EDT |
CANCELLED
Friday, November 11, 2022
Warrenton, Georgia
| Friday: High 69ºF / Low (going in) 63ºF with 99% rain chance HEAVY rain & cloudy w/ wind @ 15 mph from south sunrise 6:58 a.m. EST / sunset 5:30 p.m. EST |
An invest (tropical system) formed north of Puerto Rico on Sunday,
and on Monday, the subtropical system was named Nicole.
This changed the forecast for Florida and on up to Georgia.
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday
morning, November 8 |
Thursday
morning, November 10 |
expected
track of Nicole |
NICOLE
Nicole's center made landfall around 3 a.m. EST (0800 UTC),
Thursday, November 10, in the vicinity of Vero Beach, Florida.
It struck as a Category 1 hurricane and quickly downgraded back to a tropical storm.
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Warrenton, Georgia
| Sunday: High 58ºF / Low (going in) 37ºF with 3% rain chance partly cloudy with wind @ 8 mph from the NNW sunrise 7:00 a.m. EST / sunset 5:29 p.m. EST |
Yep! I got...
not just ONE... but TWO!
| BUTTON
BUCK (Son) |
DOE (Mommy) |
|
 |
 |
|
| Georgia
DNR confirmation# 111322C494 harvested 4:25 p.m. EST, 11/13/2022 |
Georgia DNR
confirmation#
111322D499 harvested 4:28 p.m. EST, 11/13/2022 |
|
| |
|
|
| Actual
video getting this button buck; FIRST TIME EVER VIDEOING SHOT! You can hear a "bark" at the end... it is the mommy doe huffing at me. |
Actual
video getting this doe; SECOND TIME EVER VIDEOING SHOT! I was hoping that she would drop immediately; at least I could follow. |
It was a real chore getting both deer to my truck.
More details collecting these deer will follow.
I took both deer to my chef friend in Tucker.
More details processing the deer will follow.
The morning hunt was a DISAPPOINTMENT!
A wreck on I-285 near Covington Highway delayed me by an hour;
I got to the stand about 10 minutes before daybreak.
I stopped at 12:30 p.m. and then threw out some corn
about 25 yards from the front of the stand.
The afternoon hunt began about 2:45 p.m. with nothing happening.
With my third attempt at hunting about to come to a close,
this hunt had not had any deer show all day...
Until these two deer rolled up!
It helps to have corn thrown out.
I got the following information on Thursday, November 10:
WSB Radio was sending out a message for Atlanta drivers to be careful on the roads.
The reason: The RUT
OPENING DAY IN ALABAMA(stalk hunting, firearms, statewide):
Saturday and Sunday,
November 19-20, 2022
Roanoke, Alabama
| Saturday: High 52ºF / Low (going in) 28ºF w/ a 4% rain chance partly clouy with wind @ 6 mph from the NW sunrise 6:16 a.m. CST / sunset 4:37 p.m. CST |
Sunday morning: High 49ºF / Low (going in) 31ºF w/ NO rain chance partly cloudy with wind @ 8 mph from the north sunrise 6:17 a.m. CST |
No deer harvested this time!
I came two nights early:
first reason... to night hunt (for raccoons and coyotes) and
second reason... to do prep work on the land.
DAY 1: Saturday
Morning Hunt
hunt in 2-man stand in southern pine grove
 |
 |
 |
| 5:36 a.m. CST Leaving the shack |
5:55 a.m. CST In the 2-man stand |
9:30 a.m. CST Getting hungry for breakfast |
Afternoon Hunt
hunt in permanent blind at top of sloped meadow
 |
 |
 |
| 11:51 a.m. CST After doing "rounds," ready for hunt |
12:08 p.m. CST Bundling up for cold air |
4:37 p.m. CST At sunset, temperature drops to 45ºF |
DAY 2: Sunday morning
(cancelled... decided to rest and go back home)
for Alabama...
SIGHTING OF FIRST BUCK OF THE SEASON
I installed my first cellular trail camera back on August 13.
Many critters have shown, including female deer.
This buck was the first to make his presence known this season.
For the first time since 2015, I never went the whole spring,
summer, and fall through October without seeing a buck
on this property. Something has changed in the area.
for Alabama...
Sighting of first LARGE bucks of the season
These bad boys appeared just
two days before rifle season!
VIDEO from camera at Southern Ridge:
| |
|
| 12:16 p.m. CST Thursday, November 17, 2022 This 8-point buck is kind of small! |
12:17
p.m. CST Thursday, November 17, 2022 This 8-point buck is much better!! |
Because I have not seen these bucks before now,
I assume that they are just cruising through the property.
I am thinking about coming back here more so in January and February,
as the rut in east central Alabama heats up.
THANKSGIVING EVE
I installed my second cellular trail camera on November 19.
Many critters have shown, including foxes, raccoons, feral dogs, and does.
This 6-pointer was the first buck to make his presence known on this camera.
6-pointer on Turkey Trail
CANCELLED
Once again, I ran out of money!
Earlier forecasts showed 24% chance of rain; it changed to 98%!
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Sandersville, Georgia
| Saturday: High 71ºF / Low (going in) 59ºF with 98% rain chance thunderstorms w/ wind @ 14 mph from the SW sunrise 7:12 a.m. EST / sunset 5:24 p.m. EST |
NEXT FOUR EVENTS CANCELLED
My last medical procedure at the podiatrist cleaned me out, financially.
It takes having money to hunt.
| Saturday, December 10, 2022 Sandersville, Georgia |
Wednesday,
December 28, 2022 Sandersville, Georgia |
|
| Saturday: High 58ºF / Low (going in) 52ºF with 21% rain chance cloudy with wind @ 6 mph from the ENE sunrise 7:23 a.m. EST / sunset 5:24 p.m. EST |
Tuesday: High 55ºF / Low (going in) 27ºF with 5% rain chance mostly sunny with wind @ 4 mph from the SE sunrise 7:32 a.m. EST / sunset 5:32 p.m. EST |
|
| I had planned to use the Honey Hole (Robert's stand) | This
location was changed from Warrenton after a disagreement between Robert and Ms. Lola |
|
| Sunday, January 1, 2023 Roanoke, Alabama |
Saturday, January 7, 2023 Sandersville, Georgia |
|
| Sunday: High 67ºF / Low (going in) 58ºF with 22% rain chance partly cloudy w/ wind @ 6 mph from the SSW sunrise 6:44 a.m. CST / sunset 4:45 p.m. CST |
Saturday: High 58ºF / Low (going in) 46ºF with 24% rain chance partly cloudy w/ wind @ 8 mph from the WNW sunrise 7:34 a.m. EST / sunset 5:40 p.m. EST |
|
| Tim
was going to attend with us in Sandersville |
LAST EVENT:
Saturday evening through Wednesday
February 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, 2023
Roanoke, Alabama
| Saturday
evening: High 55ºF with 1% rain chance partly sunny with wind 7 mph from the ESE sunset 5:16 p.m. CST |
Sunday: High 61ºF / Low (going in) 36ºF with 6% rain chance mostly cloudy with wind 6 mph from the SW sunrise 6:34 a.m. CST / sunset 5:17 p.m. CST |
| Monday: High 66ºF / Low (going in) 38ºF with 7% rain chance mostly sunny with wind 3 mph from the NE sunrise 6:33 a.m. CST / sunset 5:18 p.m. CST |
Tuesday: High 68ºF / Low (going in) 39ºF with 3% rain chance partly cloudy with wind 6 mph from the SE sunrise 6:32 a.m. CST / sunset 5:19 p.m. CST |
| Wednesday: High 72ºF / Low (going in) 50ºF with 8% rain chance mostly cloudy with wind 7 mph from the SE sunrise 6:31 a.m. CST / sunset 5:20 p.m. CST |
No deer harvested this time!
Day 0 - SATURDAY
The entire day was spent packing for a near week-long trip.
There would be no time to hunt deer today.
US 431 - north of downtown Roanoke, Alabama
I arrive to a MOST SPECTACULAR view to the west!
Day 1 - SUNDAY
Slept in some. Then I had breakfast at the house to save money:
This included instant Starbucks coffee and some fruit that I had
dehydrated with my Cabela's dehydrator on Friday and Saturday.
I hunted in late morning and then in late afternoon.
The 1-1/2 man stand was chosen due to the latest deer traffic.
Since I put up my Tactacam cellular trail camera back in November,
I noticed many does and some bucks were showing.
Day 2 - MONDAY
I hunted in early morning and then went to breakfast at Huddle House.
After breakfast I shopped at Tractor Supply and Walmart.
At Walmart, I found an INCREDIBLE DEAL on a gun-mounted Tactacam!
I have been wanting this for 3 years; $117 was hard to pass up.
Most of the afternoon was spent setting up the Tactacam,
which left me precious little time to hunt.
Day 3 - TUESDAY
Regarding the hunt, today was largely uneventful.
I missed so much sleep, that I just slept in.
I had breakfast inside (instead of going out) to save time and money.
Afterwards, I then prepped my supplies and started the hunt at noon.
It was very warm by noon; I wore short sleeves.
The cell camera at the Turkey Trail shows me spraying deer estrous.
I stayed until the end of legal hunting time: 5 and 1/2 hours straight!
Alas, no deer.
However, I did make a new friend!
This little cat was sitting on the front porch as I drove up.
It was so friendly, but a little scared, as if someone had been mean to it.
I fed it some softened little pieces of venison jerky (eating in photo above).
Day 4 - WEDNESDAY
I started just before daybreak and remained 6 hours.
Though it was cloudy, it got warm and the deer would NOT show!
The cell camera did show the deer coming back next couple of days.
This demonstrates that hunting deer in Roanoke is all about timing.
I now have to put up my deer rifle and bag for next season.
THIS WRAPS UP THE NINTH YEAR OF HUNTING DEER.
ALABAMA specifics
regarding where I may hunt
| Randolph County, AL | ||||
 |
 Alabama DCNR regulations.PDF |
|||
| Zone A -- Stalk
/ Firearms: November 19, 2022 - February 10, 2023 (either sex -- privately-owned land only) |
(29.3 MB: file is LARGE!) |
GEORGIA specifics
regarding where I may hunt
| Coweta County, GA | Fannin County, GA | Warren County, GA | Washington County, GA | |
 Green Zone private land either sex 11/5 - 1/8 antlered 10/22 - 11/4 |
 Yellow Zone private land either sex 11/26-27 & 1/1 antlered all other days |
 Green Zone private land either sex 11/5 - 1/8 antlered 10/22 - 11/4 |
 Magenta Zone private land either sex ENTIRE season |
 Georgia DNR regulations.PDF |
| Firearms: October 22 - January 8 |
Firearms: October 22 - January 8 |
Firearms: October 22 - January 8 |
Firearms: October 22 - January 8 |
(26.8 MB: file is LARGE!) |
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| Mark Gainey |
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