Hunting
Trophy deer, quail, turkey, squirrel, duck, and geese are taken in abundance from the thousands of wooded acres hunted around the Thomson area. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Game Management Section has several Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) within a short drive of the Best Western White Columns Inn. The WMA's are managed in order to offer opportunities for wildlife related recreation including hunting and wildlife watching.

The Clarks Hill WMA boasts a 15,000 acre site offering deer, turkey, small game, raccoon, opossum, fox, bobcat, dove, and feral hogs. From Thomson: Take US Hwy 78 north 10 miles; turn right on Smith Mills Road at WMA sign; go 2.5 miles to check station.

The Germany Creek WMA is a 1,200 acre tract offering deer, turkey, small game, raccoon, opossum, fox, bobcat, and feral hogs. From Thomson: Access only by boat. (Nearest boat ramp is Raysville Bridge on GA Hwy 43 approximately 10 miles north of Best Western White Columns Inn). The area is to the east of bridge access.

Thomson - McDuffie County is located within the Northern Zone for Firearms Deer Season. The buck only season for 1999 runs October 23 through January 1. Either sex season is October 30 through November 7, November 24 through December 5, and December 26 through January 1. Dates for archery and primitive weapons seasons as well as turkey and other game seasons can be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources on-line or at the Game Management Offices. The Thomson office can be reached at (706) 595-4222.

A WMA license is required for any person 16 years or older who does not possess a valid honorary license when hunting on a WMA. Maps of the WMAs and hunting regulations are also available on-line from the Department of Natural Resources.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lands around Clarks Hill Lake are also open to hunters who possess a WMA license. Maps of Corps of Engineers Lands may be obtained from the Visitor and Information Center, located at the South Carolina end of the dam just off Highway 221. (803) 333-2476 or (706) 722-3770.

Hunting licenses may be purchased on-line from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and at many of our local convenience/bait and tackle stores near the water.

For more information about hunting in Thomson, Georgia visit www.huntwhiteoak.com.