Covington Ga area

[Bud B.]

My wife is an avid model horse artist. She paints plastic and resin horse figures and folks of like mind gather together and have shows for their artwork. I'm driving her down to Covington Ga Oct 4th for a show that's scheduled for all day Saturday the 5th. (Think Breyer model horses)

Anyone from down that way? Any WMAs in that area? Any 3d shoots going on? (Not likely since hunting season will be going strong) ANY HOGS!?!?! in the area?? I'd like to stump shoot or hunt in a WMA. I still have my WMA license but will likely need to purchase a one day or a three day hunting license if I get to do anything.

Any trad shops in the area?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

Bud

[Bud B.]

Looks like BF Grant WMA ain't too far away.....

[Bud B.]

ttt for you Gyawjuns  

[skunkhound]

Oconee WMA isn't too far from Covington. According to GON, 103 deer were pulled out of there in 2012 with a 20% success rate, and there are hogs and a beautiful lake too.
 The only real trad shop that I know of is Big Jim's. he's probably a few hours south of Covington. Never been there myself, but I hear he's got a great place, and worth the drive.
Make sure you bring a thermocell. Mosquitoes are pretty bad.

[Bud B.]

BF Grant shows an archery deer season from Oct 3-6. Ga WMAs have weird seasons. Gotta check the regs closely. Bucks must be at least a 15" inside spread!!!

I'll look up Oconee.

[troy butler]

I am in a bow only club with most trad shooters it is in Elberton which is bit far, but if you dont mind the drive. Pm me if you think you may be interested.Troy

[beauleyse]

I'm pretty sure you are less than 45 minutes from Piedmont Wildlife Refuge its a 35,000 acres parcel of land that is open to the public during bow season... No size restrictions and no wma stamp needed just a hunting license and to sign one of the brochures that you keep on your dash which you can download from their website. The place is rather large and you would probably be one of very few people there... No hogs but several deer... A few lakes and a nice camping area... I'll be there some time near that date but still to far out to say exactly when... Its a great place and could be something worth looking into.

[MikeNova]

Used to pass by Covington enrought to Atlanta. from S.C to Atlanta ain't nothin but woods so I'm sure somewhere close to covington is some good huntin.

[bear1336]

Cybel WMA is only 15 miles from Covington will good deer hunting also Walton Dove Fields holds some deer that can be hunted.

[bobman]

Redlands they even have a archery only section
Lots of deer some hogs its big
Its part of the Oconee national forest which is also a good bet

[NEB]

If hunting does not work out you can always visit the 3D range at Panola Mountain State Park, which is less than a half hour from Covington.

[JJY]

New 3D and static range at Clybel WMA also, very close to Covington.

[Hoyt]

Hunted Oconee WMA and all around Warrenton, Warren Co. etc. and used to be loaded with deer and turkey in those areas.

Back when I hunted around there you could hunt around all the major reservoirs (Lake Oconee) it was Corp of Engineer Lands..public. Don't know if it's changed or not.

[Ray Hammond]

you and your bride might like joining Gloria and I for supper, if you aren't too tuckered, BudB?

[Rick James]

I'm pretty sure Oconee is a Georgia Power Lake--Not Corp Land and not public...
I think Archery Traditions (used to be a trad shop) may still be operating in Athens which is not too far away
rick

[Bud B.]

There's an Oconee WMA map and season. I probably won't drive that far though.

You must be near Ray. I'll keep it in mind but if things go like I want I'll see the sun set in a WMA. Then to the wife and pack up and then a 5.5 hour drive back to Asheboro. May things will go better than I want and I'll get something with the bow early on and then will have some relax time  

Thanks for all the tips guys...keep'em coming...

[Hoyt]

Rick, when I lived in Martinez back in the 70's and 80's it was public..I hunted right down on Lake Oconee's banks. That was not far from Warrenton. But, I'm sure you know more better than me now..it might have changed.

I lived and hunted on Clark Hill Reservoir also..Leah, old Tommy Shaw's Little River area..and back then all around Clark Hill was Corp Land and open..is it still?

[Rick James]

Don, It sure is--The Corp land around Clarks Hill is still open--the Keg Creek WMA is Archery only, Clark Hill WMA is still going good--about 12000 acres I believe. Lake Oconee is formed by Georgia Power's Wallace Dam Hydro Power Plant--I'm not sure what the hunting situation is on the surrounding land but it is a Georgia Power lake and has a lot of development around it now--I work for the power company.
rick

[Sam McMichael]

I live in Gray but am originally from Monticello, only one county away. There is a lot of public land, and although I haven't hunted it in a long time, there is a large deer population in all of Central Georgia.  Get a copy of the hunting regulations and a state map, and this will give you a good idea of the large amount of available area. National Forest land gets hunted pretty hard in the easy to reach areas, but with a little effort, you should be able to find good hunting that is not so crowded. You may want to contact local DNR or perhaps the Forest Service ranger and get a little inside info.

[Ray Hammond]

The DNR has on line detailed maps by zone Bud- try looking at the zone that's red-

  http://www.georgiawildlife.com/maps/hunting    look at Region 3

Newton is the county you will be in where you start out from Intl Horse Park there in Covington

Most of the places mentioned are in that subgroup

I'm 25 miles north of horse park  in Buford GA -right where you'll drive by going home - at the split of I-85 and I-985-and Mall of Georgia