Exploring the Great Outdoors of the Withlacoochee River

Location and History of the Withlacoochee Riverhit, for about 10 minutes later or when the sun is
The Withlacoochee River in South Georgia wasjust above the horizon, the ducks have already
named when the area was inhabited mainly byreached their feeding areas in low-land river
the Seminole Indians. Since the river made twistssloughs where they feed on acorns and
and turns, they named it The Withlacoocheeduckweed. Squirrels are in abundance traveling
River, meaning "crooked river". It starts nearfrom one tree to another or on the ground eating
Tifton, Georgia and runs into Florida where it joinsacorns. Turkeys and deer can be hunted all day
the famous Suwannee River. The Withlacoocheefrom professionally made hunting blinds and deer
River became very busy and profitable in thestands as high as 20 or 25 feet off the ground.
middle 1800's. It took steamboat trade andCamouflage clothing and turkey calls are essentials
travelers into Troupeville, Georgia, where myin taking home that 10 to 20 pound turkey for
family and I make our home. From our backthe Thanksgiving table or to never forget the
door, the Withlacoochee River is about 1/4 of aexperience with a trip to the taxidermist. The
mile through dense outdoors and a trail with deepfishing is good on most days. Spend a night of
ruts from many travelers, current and past.camping and catch a good supper of bream, bass,
Plant life of the Great Outdoors of thespeckled perch, shellcrackers or catfish. The
Withlacoochee Riveralligator garfish and mudfish are very large but
The type of outdoor foliage changes drastically asnot edible. The scene is complete as a great blue
you approach the river. The trees change fromheron flies in to search for fish. He settles in the
Georgia pines, small to medium hardwoods, andwater on one foot and waits. The sounds of the
much underbrush to some of the biggest Livepileated woodpeckers compete with cardinals, blue
Oak trees I have ever seen. Some are severaljays, sparrows, and crows.
hundred years old. The limbs get so heavy theyRecreational Activities of the Great Outdoors of
just fall off from their own weight. Closer to thethe Withlacoochee River
banks of the Withlacoochee River are rather largeEnjoy camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, and
cypress and tupelo trees, and multitudes ofsome of the more unusual recreational activities
cypress knees. There are also bracken ferns andas arrowhead hunting, photography, and knife
low brush plants, such as palmettos andthrowing. The large live oak trees are perfect for
huckleberry. The sandy soil limits what plants cantomahawk throwing or the knife sets especially
be grown.made for the sport. Many people enjoy kayaking
Wildlife of the Great Outdoors of thein the larger and deeper sections of the river. In
Withlacoochee Riverthe more shallow areas, large limestone shoals
The Great Outdoors of the Withlacoochee Riverform on the bottom and are difficult to see. As
abound with wildlife. Popular activities are huntingthe water flows, sticks and debris gather on the
of ducks, squirrels, turkey, and deer. For duckshoals, making them visible and less dangerous for
hunting on a cold, crisp morning, the hunters needkayaking. Whatever your preference for outdoor
to be in place before dawn. They wait quietly andrecreation, the opportunities of the Withlacoochee
patiently for the first ring necks and wood ducksRiver are endless and year round.
to fly in. There are not many chances to make a