Corps of Engineers to host primitive weapon deer hunts at J. Strom Thurmond Lake

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District
Story by Tracy Robillard

Date: 08.16.2012
Posted: 08.16.2012 08:57
News ID: 93315

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah district will host six primitive weapon deer hunts at the Bussey Point wildlife management area, a 2,545-acre peninsula located in Lincoln County, Ga., on J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake. The hunts are scheduled on the following dates:

Sept. 14-15 - Archery (ONLY)
Oct. 12 - Archery (ONLY)
Oct. 13 - Muzzleloader
Nov. 16-17 - Muzzleloader

“We host these hunts every year to maintain the deer population within the carrying capacity for the area and to improve the quality of the herd,” said Kenneth Boyd, conservation biologist for the Corps of Engineers.

Hunters will be checked in at the Bussey Point entrance gate. The hunts will begin one hour before sunrise and end one hour after sundown. During these hunts, camping will be limited to the camping area adjacent to check station.

The bag limit is two does and one quality buck each day of each hunt. Quality bucks are those with racks having four points or better on at least one side, or a 15-inch or greater outside spread.

Muzzleloader hunts are limited to 100 hunters per day. The muzzleloader hunters will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Archery hunters are invited to participate in all scheduled hunts.

Hunters must be licensed in accordance with existing Georgia Game and Fish Regulations. A Wildlife Management Area license is not required for these hunts. Appropriate licenses will be inspected at the check station. All state regulations and bag limits will be strictly enforced.

Park visitors who are not hunting are encouraged to find other recreation areas during the scheduled hunts. The area will also be closed two days prior to each hunt except to hunters who are scouting or placing deer stands. No weapons are allowed in Bussey Point on scouting days.

Directions: From the Hwy. 47 Little River Bridge in Lincoln County, Ga., go north 1.8 miles and turn right on Ashmore-Barden Road. Go 3 miles to stop sign and turn right on Double Branches Road. Go 3 miles until pavement ends. Continue straight on dirt road 0.5 miles to check station and parking area.

For more information, contact Ken Boyd at the J. Strom Thurmond Office toll free at 1-800-533-3478, ext. 1159, or at (864) 333-1159.