This post is part of a series by DNR intern Mishay Allen about the Wildlife Resources Division’s Game Management Section.

DCIM100GOPROBuck Shoals Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is the first WMA in Georgia that is solely focused on youth hunting opportunities. Its small size and other natural features make it
the perfect place for Georgia’s youth to learn to hunt. In addition to dove hunts, there are deer, bear, turkey and small game hunts that will all take place this hunting season.
I visited the Buck Shoals management area this past weekend to attend one of the first Adult-Child Dove hunts on the property. I was lucky enough to join a family on one of the late afternoon hunts. Watching the kids spend time learning to hunt with their dad was great. They sat behind a hay bale and practiced their dove calls as they searched the sky for the next dove to come flying their way. The celebration after the first dove took me back to when I was a little girl out hunting with my dad.

The manager of Buck Shoals WMA was there teaching his niece and nephew to hunt. We took some time to tour the property and talk about plans for the area. Driving around the property, I was able to see the 3 ponds, the campground, 12 hunting blinds, and beautiful mountain views. The goal for Buck Shoals WMA is to make it a premium outdoor experience for Georgia’s youngest hunters and fishermen. All of the work doDCIM100GOPROne to the land so far has really made this area into something special. They’ve regraded and graveled all of the roads, begun renovating all of the buildings and started preparations on the existing wildlife openings for upcoming fall plantings.

The Wildlife Resources Division only recently acquired this property, and there’s already a ton of events coming up that you don’t want to miss. The schedule for the rest of this year includes Kids Fishing Events, Adult-Child dove hunts, Hunt & Learn deer hunts, Adult-Child deer hunts, and Hunt & Learn squirrel hunts. Buck Shoals WMA has really gotten off to an impressive start, and I can’t wait to see all of the future plans for the area!