Untitled Document

During the 1950's and early 60's the deer herd in Georgia was practically non-existent. Most of Georgia had been cleared and planted to cotton in the 1800's, destroying the deer habitat. Additionally the Screwworm Fly invaded from Mexico devastating deer and livestock in general. Small populations held on stubbornly in the mountains, large private estates and inaccesible swamplands, but for all practical purposes deer hunting was unavailable for several generations of Georgians.

Miraculously the Screwworm Fly was eradicated by modern science, several large tracts of land were tied up in Parks and National Forests and the Paper Companies acquired vast acreages to raise Pulpwood. Clearly this was the deer's New Deal. As the Pines covered large portions of the State in these areas, deer habitat was restored in abundance. Cautiously small populations of transported deer were introducedinto the isolated woodlands. the rest of the story is well documented as the herds thrived, spreading throughout the awaiting habitat. Georgian in 1985 enjoyed a state herd of some 900,000 animals, so many in some spots to pose a threat to overpopulation. Our deer hunter's hat is off to those foresighted persons who made this "Fairy Tale"success story a reality.

The initial impact of the comeback was felt mostly in the Piedmont. The topography is rolling and less suited to large scale agricultural practices. This factor was instrumental in making the price of the property amenable to economic production of Pulpwood, and the Paper Companies bought it, creating large areas of contiguous woodland. In addition to the Paper Companies, the Georgia Power Co. bought tracts along Rivers and Streams, built dams creating Lakes to generate electricity, resulting in the land not flooded converting to forest. Together with the acreage set aside by the Parks and National forests, Georgia became a State where 2 of every 3 acres was prime deer habitat and the deer responded.

Most of this habitat was available to hunting, which was a "Made to Order" program for a group of young fellows freshly graduated from the University of Georgia, trying to make a living in Athens, Ga. After several years of academic endeavors, there was a built up desire to get out into the outdoors and the "New" adventure of deer hunting offered the perfect challenge. Just how we went about this effort and the accompanying pain or pleasure, is laid out in a subsequent article " The Learning Curve".

RECENT PRESENCE OF WHITETAILS IN GEORGIA During the 1950's and early 60's the deer herd in Georgia was practically non-existent. Most of Georgia had been cleared and planted to cotton in the 1800's, destroying the deer habitat. Additionally the Screwworm Fly invaded from Mexico devastating deer and livestock in general. Small populations held on stubbornly in the mountains, large private estates and inaccesible swamplands, but for all practical purposes deer hunting was unavailable for several generations of Georgians. Miraculously the Screwworm Fly was eradicated by modern science, several large tracts of land were tied up in Parks and National Forests and the Paper Companies acquired vast acreages to raise Pulpwood. Clearly this was the deer's New Deal. As the Pines covered large portions of the State in these areas, deer habitat was restored in abundance. Cautiously small populations of transported deer were introducedinto the isolated woodlands. the rest of the story is well documented as the herds thrived, spreading throughout the awaiting habitat. Georgian in 1985 enjoyed a state herd of some 900,000 animals, so many in some spots to pose a threat to overpopulation. Our deer hunter's hat is off to those foresighted persons who made this "Fairy Tale"success story a reality. The initial impact of the comeback was felt mostly in the Piedmont. The topography is rolling and less suited to large scale agricultural practices. This factor was instrumental in making the price of the property amenable to economic production of Pulpwood, and the Paper Companies bought it, creating large areas of contiguous woodland. In addition to the Paper Companies, the Georgia Power Co. bought tracts along Rivers and Streams, built dams creating Lakes to generate electricity, resulting in the land not flooded converting to forest. Together with the acreage set aside by the Parks and National forests, Georgia became a State where 2 of every 3 acres was prime deer habitat and the deer responded. Most of this habitat was available to hunting, which was a "Made to Order" program for a group of young fellows freshly graduated from the University of Georgia, trying to make a living in Athens, Ga. After several years of academic endeavors, there was a built up desire to get out into the outdoors and the "New" adventure of deer hunting offered the perfect challenge. Just how we went about this effort and the accompanying pain or pleasure, is laid out in a subsequent article " The Learning Curve".
BACK TO THE DEER PAGE	TO THE WHITETAIL PAGE	HOME