I knew they'd been logging off my local WMA lately. I didn't realize the extent.

I had a little time Wednesday after work so I geared up, Diesel gladly took his place in the car, and we headed out.

We parked in the lot by the check station, where the main access road begins, and headed in.

This area used to be a pleasant cove between two ridges. Stamp Creek runs through it.

You see that brown lump of dirt to the right, about two o'clock? That's a hill we usually climb and stump around on when time is short. There's a 150 year old trench line at the bottom of it, just where there's kind of a line....

They drove the logging equipment across that trench and flattened it. WMA are lands privately owned in Georgia and leased to the state as wildlife management areas. The owners maintain the logging rights.

I get the right to earn a living and do what you will with your own land, but wow....

Another view. This was full of trees and brush a month ago.

Look along the top of this to the right. The main access road runs through there.

They essentially went down the access road and cleaned the hills that butted up against it.

You can kind of see how the pattern runs. In the middle of this shot is a gully between the hills that forms a stream from runoff water and flows it to the creek system.

Looking at this, I realized that I no longer have an excuse for not trying long shots. I've protested many times that anything more than 20 yards is impossible in these woods. Not so anymore.

However, targets are scarcer...

That's some nice stumping grounds! Thanks. Jawge

Thanks Jawge. I really enjoy the hills and forests of NW Georgia. It's amazing terrain for a flatland Midwestern boy.

The old mounds from rootballs seem to be missing now.

I did find a couple of them.

The upside is that the views are fantastic now.

That ridge with the sharp fall at the end is Pine Log Mountain. It's a long ridge that culminates in a projection called Bear Mountain. It's 2100 feet at that end, if I remember right.

That's nothing to 4Finger and the guys out west, but around here, that's pretty high.

I accidentally wandered that ridge two summers ago.

So by now I'm on the third or fourth hilltop, trying to figure out how to slay stumps in this target poor environment, when I stumble across this gully that's not been logged off.

I picked out the rootball and the log laying there at the bottom. About times longer than my normal range and downhill to boot, but the point of the rove is taking the shot you find, so I gave it a try.

Little high on this one.

I took four shooting arrows on this rove. I shot one at the log and three at the rootball. You can see the orange fletching just left of center, about 9 o'clock here.

The other two arrows were high.

Success on this one, though. This was the shot of the day for me. Arched that bad boy down the hill into the log, right where I was looking. That seldom happens....

To the left of the previous downfall, was another rootball.

Sorry, Tin Horn, had to be done....

Took another three efforts, but I finally put a shaft in it.

I'm still using my spliced arrows. I've found that twisting the components as I join them seems to spread the adhesive and makes the joint stronger. It's been awhile since I had a join fail. I've even hit a few hard targets, like solid hickories, and had the shaft joint survive. I still mushroom the insert end, though...

By now I'd crossed seven or so hills, across the hill, down the gully, up the other side, rinse and repeat...

It's was getting later, so I started the return leg of the rove. I wandered to the end of hill, and there I found some woods. They're not cutting down to the creek...

The creek is still its beautiful self, for now.

I'm a little concerned about runoff from the stripped hills.

These open areas won't stay that way. They're getting sunlight like never before. They'll be filled with brush soon, and choked with saplings.

There's other areas in the WMA that have been logged and they're so dense with small pines a guy can't walk through there, especially with a bow and quiver. I've tried....

Diesel was ready as always for a water break.

As he matures and gains more coordination, he's more and more fun. He throws himself awkwardly into situations that he has to exercise coordination to get out of.

He'll fling himself into the creek and THEN discover it's deeper and steeper than he'd thought...

Another creek shot. This belt of water and trees has stripped terrain on both sides.

Good shooting, my friend! Jawge

I took this shot because of the tree and the steam. Didn't realize that Diesel was in it. Should have. Where there's water, there's Diesel.

So, at what point do you retire an arrow that served honorably.

This is my vintage Bear arrow. It's been lost, found, bent, straightened, refletched, and renocked multiple times. I lost it once overnight; my wife found it for me the next afternoon.

I put a new cock feather on it for this rove. Almost back to the car, took one last shot. A twig I hadn't noticed caught the arrow in midflight, redirected it, and stripped the brand new feather. It richocheted off a tree. Here's the results.

Thoughts?

Great pics.That forest will start producing immediately and be a playground for deer this fall. You will get some great hunting until it gets impenetrable in about 3-5 years. The next rotation will probably be shorter. They are planting some hybrid pines now with very short growing cycles. Have fun. Looks like you have some good mast trees left. These will be your hunting spots for the future. Mark them so you can get to them and keep a path open. Good huntin'.

I was looking for the Trapp famiily. 8^). I have a few arrows like that DaGunz. Nice rove.

DaGunz; nice pictures and glad to see Desile still going along, we have been doing that this weekend too

great fun and relaxation

DaGunz; You're in NW GA, I'm in NE AL, we should get together sometime, I have 112 acres of wooded land (private) to go stumping on, and am always looking for a partner to go with. and there's over 1000 acres backing it all heavy woods.

Ron

Nice rove DaGunz, enjoyed it, thanks.

I'd straighten it (again), and keep shooting!

Just me

They cut it that way for a reason. It is called a shelter wood cut. Those mast producers are going to boom and produce literally tons of food and a few trees. Most of the dominant canopy will regrow on the stump to kill out most of the oak seedlings though. It is a VERY good prescription for wildlife, looks to have been conducted very well, and will be nothing but a benefit for all wildlife. To get into more mature woods may require a bit more walking. Eye appeal, especially to the unknowing, is a small portion of proper forest management. And if your a hunter, you'll change your mind about this "disaster" starting this fall.

I hope you are able to find more ground leased by the state from private landowners to rove on. I'm quite certain there is plenty there, in your regular spot even. I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder. But, from a career running loggers, you'll look long and hard to find a better looking job. BTW, I wander how much those supposed civil war trenches paid the landowner? I'll guarantee you, with timber at an all time high, not even a fraction that wildlife cut jut did. Just a little food for thought for the wandering. God Bless.

I just looked at the whole thread. I'm astounded by what I saw. Goodness, I wander how that stream is so pristine with all that terrible disturbance? Remarkable anything survived that torrent of destruction and greed. I'd rush the dog to the vet to ensure he doesn't die from drinking the water.

Thanks for taking us along. cbc

WVM, they cut to within a few yards of the stream on each side, down on the flat. Standing near the water, you'd never guess it has been logged.

Standing in the gullies, they appear undisturbed.

Not trying to imply that anyone did anything wrong. Im the first to admit that what I don't know about forestry would fill volumes. But it was quite a shock to see.

These are civil war relics without a doubt. Shermans approach to Atlanta came right through here. There are trenches abounding all around here. The south set a defensive line here, but moved before battle was joined.

The area the WMAI is in was valuable because it was industrialized and produced war goods for the south. There's a ruined iron furnace on the other side of that cove, within a hundred yards or so.

I guarantee the trenches weren't generating income, but how many opportunities are there to stand in an undisturbed, unrestored historic relic?

There's 17K acres in this particular WMA. Theres ccertainly more to wander. I know it fairly well. But there was another way to that cove, also.

The gullies are undisturbed by design. I'm sure it was a shock, proven by your post's. But, it's benefits to the wildlife will be shocking too. Much more to nature and healthy ecosystems besides what you see as pleasing to your eye. If trenches abound, how many do they need to preserve? You have the right to your feelings. I do too. Good evening and God Bless

Well, they aren't making any more 150 year old trenches

Lots of room to drive logging machines.

Just sayin...

Thank you Dagunz

I'm glad you are maintaining a good attitude about this area that you hunt. I enjoy your Roves very much.

Ole Thumper

Riverwolf, I have bits of arrows all over. I brought a piece of one into the office that I mushroomed on a tree. It's a perfect six-point split. Good conversation starter.

Ole Thumper, I'm just blessed to have a place to 'play'. I enjoy these hills more than I ever thought I would.

DaGunz, I've retired arrows that ave sentimental value. Otherwise, it is shoot until broken and can't be fixed. Jawge

Well, the consensus was to fix the arrow, so I did the best I could. Here's the result. Good enough to bounce off trees and things for awhile.

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