Lake Authority formalizes duck hunting policies for the 2019-2020 season

The Grady County Lake Authority adopted new policies governing duck hunting for the upcoming 2019-2020 duck season on Tired Creek Lake during the authority’s monthly meeting Tuesday morning.

A subcommittee of the authority chaired by Authority Vice Chairman Chip Wells put together a recommendation that has been verbally approved by a majority of the authority and was ratified on a 6-0 vote this week.

All members with the exception of Eric Cohen were present and voted in favor of the hunting policy for the 2019-2020 season.

“This is a work in progress, but we believe this gives youth some excellent opportunities to get out on the lake and enjoy the thrill of duck hunting and at the same time provides adult hunters the opportunity for a quality hunt on our lake,” Wells said.

Once again, duck hunting will be limited on the lake to Wednesdays and Saturdays during the Georgia Duck Season. The duck hunting season in Georgia runs from Nov. 23 through Dec. 1 and then from Dec. 12 through Jan. 31.

The duck hunting dates for the season on Tired Creek Lake will be Nov. 23, 27, and 30; Dec. 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28; and Jan. 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, and 29. Duck hunting is only permitted in the upper, three fingers at the north end of the lake.

Grady County residents will have the first opportunity to reserve a date to hunt, according to Wells. From Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, local residents may call the Grady County Tax Commissioner’s Office at 229-377-3322, ext. 2 and make reservations and pay the $75 per boat (three people per boat) fee by credit card or they may stop by the tax office on First Street N.E. and pay in person with cash or credit card.

On Nov. 1, non-residents may call and make reservations for any hunting times left.

There is no limit on the dates a hunter may make reservations for as long as slots are available and all fees are paid in advance.

According to Wells, only 12 boats, four per lake finger, will be allowed on each day of the season. The legal hours for duck hunting on Tired Creek Lake is a half hour before sunrise and hunts must conclude at noon.

The early Teal season will be restricted to youth hunters, 17 years of age and younger. Youth hunters will be permitted to hunt teal on the lake on Sept. 14, 18, 21, 25 and 28. There is no fee for youth hunters, but they must be accompanied by at least one adult per boat and adults are not allowed to hunt during the teal season. To make reservations for teal season, call the Grady County Tax Commissioner’s office.

The authority is also hosting youth hunts during the State Youth Waterfowl Season this fall and youngsters 17 and younger can hunt on Tired Creek Nov. 16 and 17 for free. Reservations must be made through the tax office.

“Tax Commissioner Barbara Darus offered to help us and she has taken the ball and run with it. We really appreciate her assistance and by working together we believe this will be a convenient way of managing duck hunting on Tired Creek Lake,” Wells said.