As you all have already realized I’ve been away from the blog for quite sometime now. I’d like to thank each and everyone one of you for reading this blog and I hope that you’ll continue following the SkinnyMoose Bloggers as they bring you the very latest and greatest outdoor news and entertainment. I will be on and off the blog sporadically from here on out because I am tied up building and maintaining an all new message board called www.carolinasoutdoor.com ,an all new hunting and fishing forum dedicated to North and South Carolina outdoorsmen. Come join us or at least check in often to see what the folks in the Carolinas are doing in the field. Once again thanks for your support.

The above photo was sent in to Southern Adventures by Dave who is an avid squirrel hunter here in North Carolina. The hunt took place along the swamps of the Pee Dee River and as you can see, it appears there was no shortage of squirrels this day. I’m sure this hunt made for some great video footage for Randy Gary of Furs and Fangs video series. Here’s the story as it was sent into us. Thank you for your submission!!!

Randy Gary of “Fur & Fangs” video series traveled from his home in Louisiana to Marion County South Carolina to tape a squirrel hunt with Darrell Moran, Tim Cope and myself, Dave Inman. Matt Simms of Arkansas traveled with Randy as they made other hunts with hunters along their 16 day trip.

We hunted the swamps along the Pee Dee River which holds plenty of game. The first hunt we had 3 Original Mountain Curs doing the work. Darrell’s dog Gator, Tim’s dog Grizz and my Cash dog . After lunch we made another round with Darrell rotating his Gator dog out and using his young male Max.

At the end of the day we had plenty of meat and some good video footage to boot. We made a round the next morning hunting Max and Cash and added 13 more to the pot.

Randy seemed very happy with the footage he shot and plans on using some of it on his Fur and Fangs 9 DVD.

With deer season over here in the Carolinas, local hunters are taking advantage of the small game opportunities across the southeast. This story comes from Ned over in Waynesville, NC. Ned gives us a short story on how sometimes what you plan on happening, doesn’t always pan out. What started out as one rabbit in the bag, ended up as a day full of fox squirrels. Here’s Ned’s story about their hunt in Wythe County, Virginia.

After having a hard time running any rabbits on Saturday, my buddy and I decided to try our luck with the local fox squirrels. Now I have never killed or hunted them before, but my grandpa had given me some tips before he passed. We headed to some open oaks within a pasture. Fox squirrels seem to like more open woods. There was plenty of squirrel sign, nest, tracks in the snow, etc., and it wasn’t long before we missed our first. The squirrels were very active given the cold temps. I was carrying my grandpa’s old marlin .22 and eventually took my first ever fox squirrel with it. Made the day a little extra special for me at least. We hunted for about 4 hours killing 4, missing 3 more, and seeing about 3-4 more. Those things are tough as nails, and could carry some lead before dropping. They are smart too, it didn’t take but one miss before you were unable to sneak up on them a second time. It sure was a great day, and I am now hooked on hunting fox squirrels. It looks like I will be making a yearly trip back to Wythe County Va. from now on.
Ned

These photos were sent into us from Larry R. showing a nice mess of rabbits they were able to jump up from the briar thickets yesterday in the western part of the state. There were no dogs involved in this hunt, just some old fashioned briar stomping, and as you can see it sure looks like it paid off. Congrats on a fine rabbit hunt and thanks for the photos!!

With hunting season either over all together or soon to be in parts of the south, I’d like to start on a new project for the upcoming weeks/months. I am looking for harvest photos from across the south. These can be deer, hog, turkey, any small game, coyotes, hunting dogs, trapping photos, etc. Please be sure to include a name and state in which the animal(s) was taken. A brief story to be posted here at Southern Adventures would be awesome if you have time. Once I get enough submissions, I’ll be announcing the week in which I’ll begin to showcase a “Southern Trophy” a day. The contact information can be found at the top of the blog here. Hope to hear from you soon!!

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) will hold eight public meetings across the state in January to provide the public an opportunity to comment specifically on the current dove season structure as it relates to late-season opportunity and opening day shooting hours. Any changes in hunting regulations will be considered by the DNR Board of Natural Resources for approval in May 2008. Those interested are encouraged to bring these meetings to the attention of others that also may be interested in participating.All of the meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and will take place on the following dates a
nd at the following locations:January 7, 2008: University of West Georgia, Food Services Building, Carrollton

January 7, 2008: Jefferson Civic Center 65 Kissam Street, Jefferson

January 7, 2008: Altamaha Technical College 1777 W. Cherry Street, Jesup

January 8, 2008 State Farmer’s Market16 Forest ParkwayForest Park

January 8, 2008: Earl M. Varner 4-H Center, 220 South Circle Drive, Swainsboro

January 9, 2008: Wilkes County Superior Courtroom, 23 East Court Street, Washington

January 9, 2008: Roquemore Conference Center, Georgia National Fairgrounds, 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

January 10, 2008: Leesburg Public Library, 245 Walnut Avenue, Leesburg

Any participant at a meeting may present data, make a statement or comment, or offer a viewpoint or argument, either orally or in writing. Statements should be concise to permit everyone an opportunity to speak. Participants must register on arrival and notify the registering official of their intent to give a statement. Those unable to attend a meeting may submit written statements (deadline Jan. 18, 2008). Such statements should be mailed to:Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Wildlife Resources Division

Game Management Section

Attn: John Bowers

2070 U.S. Highway 278, SE

Social Circle, Georgia 30025

These meeting sites are accessible to people with physical disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Brandon Anderson at the WRD Headquarters Game Management Office at (770) 761-3044 no later than Jan. 4, 2008.

Classified as migratory birds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), doves are regulated under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under this authority, states must adhere to the USFWS framework, which provides for an opening date no earlier than Sept. 1, a closing date no later than Jan. 15, no more than three seasons and a total of no more than 70 days. Georgia’s current season conforms to this framework. However, considering the recent feedback regarding the desire for more late-season hunting opportunity (i.e. additional days in January), WRD is assessing the possibility of adjusting the current season structure to accommodate the public input.

For more information on the scheduled public meetings, visit the WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or contact the WRD Hunter Services Office at (770) 761-3044.

LINK

With deer season coming to an end, for some hunters this means their days are numbered in the woods and a long cold winter will be seen from inside their home. For others, it’s time to clean up the rifle and pull out the trusty shotguns and .22’s. Less and less hunters are taking advantage of the small game opportunities that their state allows. Just because deer season is over doesn’t mean hunting season is over. Squirrel and rabbit hunting can be an excellent way to get someone introduced to the outdoors, especially kids.

For some hunters the thought of giving up a day of deer hunting for squirrel or rabbit is thought of as down right crazy. With squirrel season opening in October here in North Carolina, the leaves are often still pretty thick, bow season is in full swing, and to be quite honest, hunting tree rats is usually on the bottom of the list for most. Rabbit season doesn’t get going until mid November and by then deer hunters are in pursuit of that mystical whitetail running the oak ridges and river bottoms in search of a hot doe during the rut. Once that deer season is over though, there are still some mighty fine hunting opportunities still available.

Public land is often frowned upon by many hunters across the nation due to overcrowding. Small game season can be an excellent way for someone to utilize the land available by the state. I know from personal experience that public land during small game season can be just as rewarding if not more rewarding than hunting your everyday deer lease. The public lands across this nation are beautiful pieces of property which many of us do not utilize, whether it’s due to hunting pressure, safety concerns, distance from home, etc. often times we as hunters are overlooking a chance to get away and get back in the woods after deer season.

Ask just about anyone you know that is a hunter what their first gun was. I’d venture to say the majority of hunters will answer “.410, 20 gauge, or a .22″. These are still the best small game weapons out there. For those out there that look at the end of deer season as the end of their hunting season, try grabbing a small caliber gun and hitting the woods for some small game this winter. Who knows, you might find yourself leaning against a tree enjoying it, just as you did when you were a child.