Georgia > East Central Region > Hancock County > Sparta

Whether it is quail hunting during the day or bowfishing at night, we at Cherry Hill Hunting Preserve believe in giving you a quality hunt that will both challenge and excite you. Our quail hunting in Georgia is as close to wild bird hunting as you can get and yet be assured you have quail to hunt. Our Bowfishing Charters are an adventure just to be on the water at night. You never know what you’ll see! We book a few deer and turkey hunts, but only if we think you’ll have a good shot at being successful. Hog hunts are free with the purchase of any other hunt. A sporting clay course is also available free with your hunt. PHOTO above is a happy Cherry Hill Hunting Preserve client with a 18-pound gar taken during a nighttime bowfishing expedition on the Savannah River.

Bowfishing
Shooting fish can be like a hot dove shoot with no bag limit. The first time I take you, we’ll shoot the Savannah River where the shooting is fast and furious. Just like every dove is flying at a different height and speed, every fish is swimming at a different depth and angle. There is a deflection of light that makes the fish look higher than they really are. By shooting low, the splash of the arrow does not distort your view of the fish. Your arrow looks like a torpedo sailing through the water toward it’s target. In the river, most of the fish you’ll see are 2-4 lb suckers, there are only a few trophy fish. But, since you’ll have the opportunity to shoot literally 1000 times apiece during a full nights charter, it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it. After you get used to aiming low, we’ll go to the lake where you’ll only shoot a few hundred times in a night, but you stand a better chance of seeing a 10-15 lb gar, a 20-30 lb carp, or a 50+ lb catfish. Besides shooting fish, it is an adventure just being on the water at night. You’ll see beaver, turtles, gators. It’s also interesting to see what lies under water. I’ve found everything from a safe to a satellite dish. My prices are the same for 1 to 3 people. All gear will be provided. PHOTO: Thumbnail photo above is Cherry Hill Hunting Preserve owner, Michael Evans, with a huge Savannah River catfish taken bowfishing.

Links:

• Read more about Cherry Hill Hunting Preserve.

Georgia > Coastal Region > Glynn County > Brunswick

The shrimp boat experience aboard Lady Jane teaches the history and techniques of shrimping. Experience 90-minute dolphin/shrimping tours aboard a working 60-foot shrimp trawler. Charters available for special events, extended shrimping tours, diving, bottom fishing, weddings and sightseeing cruises.

Welcome aboard the Lady Jane - a United States Coast Guard certified 49-passenger steel shrimping vessel recently retired after years of loyal service to the shrimping industry. She has been painstakingly refurbished for your cruising pleasure. Lady Jane is the only shrimp vessel on the entire east coast that has been certified by the USCG to carry 49 passengers.

If you like, help the crew sort the shrimp from her catch of bonnethead , blacktip, sand shark, horseshoe crab, puffer fish, amberjack, crocker, spot, whiting, bluecrab, and skate. Want fresh shrimp to eat? Then sit back and enjoy boiled shrimp the crew has prepared. If you’re worried about bad weather, relax! Lady Jane has a big, air-conditioned cabin, restroom and large open decks with ample room for you to walk around and enjoy the views.

Why not have a picture taken with the captain at the helm of a real shrimp trawler?

Links: 

• Read more about Lady Jane Cruises.
• Find listings and profiles of over 200 other Georgia Tour in the Brown’s Guides Georgia Tours Category.

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northwest Georgia Mountains > Gilmer County > Ellijay

Roadside stands filled with apples are a good reason to head to Ellijay in Gilmer County, but you will also find numerous outdoor activities to enjoy on a family vacation. 

The North Georgia Mountain town of Ellijay in Gilmer County is a perfect place to visit in the fall when the trees are in full color, area orchards are open for apple picking, and roadside stands overflow with fresh, local Granny Smiths and Rome Beauties to name a few.

But Ellijay is a great location for a Georgia family vacation anytime of year. Within a few miles of the lovely town, you’ll find several state recreation areas with fishing, hiking, breathtaking waterfalls, and trails for biking and horseback riding. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Coastal Georgia > Glynn County > Brunswick

Sailing through Sidney Lanier’s “Marshes of Glynn” is just one of the recreational experiences you can have on a family vacation to Brunswick and the Golden Isles. 

Any time of year is a good time to visit the coastal town of Brunswick and the four Georgia barrier islands that are known as the Golden Isles – St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Jekyll Island.

Take a Georgia family vacation to Brunswick and the Golden Isles for beaches, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, biking, deep sea fishing, dolphin cruises, historical tours, golf, camping, dining, shopping, museums, galleries and much, much more.

Below are some of the places you can visit on a trip to Brunswick and the Golden Isles.

• Brunswick’s Old Town Historic District
• Georgia Sea Turtle Center
• Jekyll Island Club Hotel
• King and Prince Resort
• Lodge on Little St. Simons Island
• The Cloister at Sea Island

Links:

• Read more about Brunswick and the Golden Isles.
• Read more about all of Georgia’s major barrier islands.
• See an interactive maps showing the Golden Island and all of Georgia’s major barrier islands.

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Region > Rabun County > Dillard

Catch a mess of rainbow trout and learn to cook it, stay in a one-room cabin, hike a nature trail, or mine for gems—there is plenty to do for a day, a weekend or more at Andy’s Trout Farm near Dillard in the North Georgia Mountains.

Four generations of the Cope family have built and operated Andy’s Trout Farm, beginning with Andy and Hazel Cope, who opened the property to the public back in 1965. Also referred to as Betty’s Creek Mountain Park, the family’s 325 acres of land sits along Betty Creek at the foot of the Appalachian Mountain range. Cold mountain stream water flowing from the mountains into the creek is used in the hatchery operation. Rent a pole, buy your bait, and pay for the fish you catch. You can also take a tour of the hatchery and learn about the life cycle of a trout.

There is plenty of room to breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the beauty of rhododendron and wildflowers in bloom. A nature trail winds through forests and crosses streams and a spectacular waterfall. Guided eco-hikes are available for learning about the area’s mountain plant life and eco-systems. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Georgia Mountains > Rabun County > Dillard

Riding horses in the Northeast Georgia Mountains is just one of the many activities – besides eating – that you can enjoy at the Dillard House in Rabun County.

Eating at the Dillard House is a true Southern culinary event. But did you know there are a number of activities that you can enjoy at the Dillard House before or after your meal?

Since the 1930s, the Dillard House Stables has offered trail rides through the beautiful and tranquil Northeast Georgia Mountains. Experienced Dillard House guides will take all levels of riders along well-maintained trails, with breathtaking scenic overlooks, lush forests and majestic waterfalls.

Try your hand at fly fishing in one of the area’s mountain streams, lakes or rivers with a Dillard House pro, who will teach you how to “cast the line and land your fly with a gentle touch” in your very first lesson. Take a half-day or full day Wild Trout Safari, a fly-fishing guided package designed to provide you with a great experience, or sign up for the two-day Dillard House Fly Fishing School. (more…)