During the past few centuries, land use, human occupancy and wildlife numbers have dramatically changed on the area now partly occupied by the Redlands WMA. This area was first utilized by Native Americans for hunting and agriculture. Then came settlers who harvested the virgin forests, followed by the development of large-scale plantation farming. Now, with the general decline of intensive farming in the Piedmont and under forest management programs, a new type of wild and cultured forest habitat has emerged.

Deer like diversity, edge habitats and a variety of potential food sources. These will continue to exist on the Redlands WMA, and hunters can look forward to the challenge of harvesting deer from Georgia's red hills for the foreseeable future.

HOG HUNTING
Hogs are mostly taken on Redlands as "targets of opportunity" when pigs are seen during deer hunts. The general state of the pig population is characterized as poor.

Porkers, according to Nicholson, are mainly found in the river bottoms adjacent to the Oconee and Apalachee rivers and Turkey Creek.

"This is not the place I would go specifically to hunt hogs," Nicholson remarked. "However, we have an increasing population of hogs on this WMA, as well as on many others in the state. Hogs are a destructive species on food plots. They consume natural mast and prevent other plants from rooting that would provide additional food for deer, turkeys and other wildlife."

From a wildlife management point of view, hogs are an unwanted exotic species. Nonetheless, the lean meat from wild hogs is appealing to many Georgia hunters who want some ribs, loins, hams and sausage for the table. Nationwide, hogs are conjectured to have become one of the most commonly hunted big-game animals, second only to the white-tailed deer.

Hogs may be taken with archery equipment and deer guns during the deer season and with muzzleloaders and small-game guns during the small-game season. Breaking out the muzzleloader and going hog hunting has become an increasingly popular option after deer season closes at many WMAs, including Redlands.

GEORGIA HUNTING SEASONS
For the exact dates of hunting seasons on the Redlands WMA and other public areas in the state, pick up a copy of the Georgia 2005-2006 Hunting Seasons & Regulations booklet. These are available from all WRD regional offices or wherever hunting licenses are sold. You can also find the information online at www.gohuntgeorgia.com. Follow the links for Hunting Seasons & Regulations.

SMALL GAME
An abundant population of squirrels in the river bottoms is the area's most underutilized recreational wildlife resource. Bushytail hunting can begin as early as Aug. 15. Small game season is closed during the scheduled deer hunts, reopens in December and closes again to reopen in early January after the end of deer season.

This late session gives small game hunters another month to try for squirrels, rabbits and quail. Rabbits are present on the WMA but were not commonly seen during the 2004-05 season. The WMA has the capability of supporting rabbits on many of the parcels, and generally the population is considered good.

Some years woodcock may be found in the bottoms and wet swales, but few birds appeared during the 2004 season before the season closed in mid-December. In better years, woodcock hunting is also considered good. The potential for quail on the WMA is rated fair.

ACCESS
Well-maintained all-weather Forest Service roads combined with state and county roads provide access to the WMA. In addition, there are also hiking trails, which allow foot hunters a comparatively easy way to get to some of the more distant areas. Some roads are closed during hunting season, and ATV traffic is prohibited except on designated trails.

A report by the Chattahoochee Conservancy quoted a Forest Service official as being cautionary regarding ATV use.

"All-terrain vehicles are useful for hunters to access hunting areas and to remove game. Responsible users stay on trails. However, we are constantly rehabilitating hiking trails only to see our signs pulled out or bypassed by irresponsible ATV users. If this continues, the obvious alternative is to prohibit all ATV use on Forest Service lands," the report stated.

Overnight camping is permitted at Redlands, and each of the larger parcels have established camping areas. These include Penfield, Magnolia Tree, Cold Springs, Moon, Cloverfield, Oconee River, Village and Turkey Creek. Camps are located adjacent to all-weather graveled roads that are easily accessible to two-wheel-drive vehicles.