hunting

DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Tony DeMarco, who is an Athens ophthalmologist and avid hunter, wraps up the owl he found in a barbed-wire fence on the opening day of dove season on Saturday. He said the owl later died.

DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Tony DeMarco, who is an Athens ophthalmologist and avid hunter, wraps up the owl he found in a barbed-wire fence on the opening day of dove season on Saturday. He said the owl later died.

Dove season opens with tradition, unexpected rescue

Sarah Owens
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Opening weekend of dove season brought hundreds of hunters into fields across Oglethorpe County on Saturday, but for Tony DeMarco, the morning took an unexpected turn when his hunt became a rescue mission.
Young hunter Tate McDonald with his new shotgun and some of the doves he shot on Saturday at the Nation Family Farm. McDonald had a banner day in the field this year. Courtesy photo by Johnny Ralston (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

Young hunter Tate McDonald with his new shotgun and some of the doves he shot on Saturday at the Nation Family Farm. McDonald had a banner day in the field this year. Courtesy photo by Johnny Ralston (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

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Dove season off and running across the state

Alex Perri
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Saturday marked the opening day of dove season in Georgia, and hunters across the state took aim at the migratory bird, hoping to meet their limit (15 per day).“The biggest day of hunting in the year in Georgia is the opening weekend of dove season,” said Phillip Nelson, Oglethorpe County game...
Ben Hill (from left) of the Georgia Falconry Association was joined by his sponsor Dennis Blanton and apprentice Joel Bearden at the Jefferson Public Library for a presentation on the art of falconry. Hill and Blanton showcased a sister pair of Harris’s hawks, known for their cooperative hunting, while Bearden held a red-tailed hawk.

Ben Hill (from left) of the Georgia Falconry Association was joined by his sponsor Dennis Blanton and apprentice Joel Bearden at the Jefferson Public Library for a presentation on the art of falconry. Hill and Blanton showcased a sister pair of Harris’s hawks, known for their cooperative hunting, while Bearden held a red-tailed hawk.

Arnoldsville falconer aims to protect raptors

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Three falconers stand before a packed room at the Jefferson Public Library.  Each has a hawk perched on a thick leather glove, designed to protect them from the weight of the birds alone, enough to pierce their skin without trying.
Douglas Graham, an Oglethorpe County resident and hunter, harvests a turkey in the county during the 2024 season. Graham said he has hunted turkeys on private land in the county for more than 20 years. (Submitted photo)

Douglas Graham, an Oglethorpe County resident and hunter, harvests a turkey in the county during the 2024 season. Graham said he has hunted turkeys on private land in the county for more than 20 years. (Submitted photo)

Efforts offer hope for bigger future turkey hunting seasons

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Turkey hunting is a “way of life” for Oglethorpe County resident and hunter Douglas Graham, despite the recent steady decline in turkey populations.  For more than 20 years, Graham has hunted turkeys in the county.
Local hunter Seth Robinson found success with his son, Harris, who took down his first buck on New Year’s Eve. It was one of 3,650 deer harvested in Oglethorpe County in the 2024-25 deer season.

Local hunter Seth Robinson found success with his son, Harris, who took down his first buck on New Year’s Eve. It was one of 3,650 deer harvested in Oglethorpe County in the 2024-25 deer season.

Hunters take 3,650 deer from county this season

Mitchell Stone
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Oglethorpe County has once again solidified its place as one of Georgia’s top counties for deer hunting, ranking fifth for total deer harvested in 2024-25.
Paige Hill Murphy recently harvested this fallow buck in New Zealand. Her job with Huk allows her to travel places like Mexico and New Zealand. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Paige Hill Murphy recently harvested this fallow buck in New Zealand. Her job with Huk allows her to travel places like Mexico and New Zealand. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Oglethorpe native always ready for next hunting trip

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Oglethorpe County native Paige Hill Murphy has traveled across the world hunting different species of animals.

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News Roundup: Commission approves 2023 budget, tax rate

News Staff
Thursday, August 25, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2023 operating budget of nearly $8.8 million, and a tax rate of 7.029 mills for the incorporated areas of the county and 6.363 mills for the unincorporated portions at a called meeting on Monday night.

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News Roundup: Squirrel hunting season opens in Georgia on Monday

News Staff
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Squirrel season in Georgia begins Monday, Aug. 15 and continues through Feb. 28, 2022.    Hunters can pursue both gray and fox squirrels, and the maximum daily bag limit is 12 per hunter.    Some of the Wildlife Management Areas have a limit on the harvest of fox squirrels.