Register Comments

This section is dedicated to getting the word out about special projects, requests for help and other important notices.

2009 Deer hunting dates set for FDR

The Georgia DNR has already set the dates for the quota deer hunt for January 13-14^th2009. 155 hunters were chosen to hunt at FDR.

The whole park will be closed those days (no hiking, backpacking, cabin use or RV campground use by the general public.) On the day before the hunt, hunters will be allowed to “scout” the park for a hunting spot but CAN NOT carry a hunting weapon. Hikers will be allowed on the trails that day also. On January 13 & 14 large signs on Ga. 190 we are told will be placed saying “PARK CLOSED.” No ATV vehicles are to be used by hunters and the DNR we are told. Hunters thus cannot have “wheeled vehicles” of any kind in the woods, just like hikers (no deer retrieval carts.)

The DNR we are told will make the hunt closure dates known to the public via a local “media notice.” So what about folks from out of town who often come during the week to go hiking on the PMT and find the park closed for hunting? They will be surprised and likely angry. Over 25% of the hikers and backpackers who hike portions of the PMT in FDR State Park monthly do so during Monday thru Thursdays. A Georgia annual park pass will NOT be valid in FDR on January 13-14. Thus NO PARKING anywhere in FDR or along Ga. 190 or Ga. 354 during the hunt dates. GA 190 and Ga 354 will be open for “thru traffic” only.

The PMTA board voted to just maintain the trails the best we can when we can and still stand against the hunting. The hunt in 2009 will be followed by hunts in future years until the DNR ceases them due to lack of deer killed or public out cry stops them. The PMTA board would like to feel that with the low numbers of deer we expect hunters NOT to kill come January 13-14, that it will not take long for the DNR to cease their plans for hunting at FDR.

As an added note: the PMTA board was presented data by the DNR stating that there are upwards of 62 deer per square mile in FDR (while other independent data states 13-15). We were shown a vague “plant damage study” (consisting of studying plants eaten on in a total of 190 square feet down near the large group camp road.) We were told this study area was used as a area of comparison with a Wildlife Management area which also had plant damage in a similar altitude area. No other areas of FDR was surveyed. So the DNR concluded that looking at 190 square feet of space is representative of all the other nearly 10,000 acres of FDR. The final note here is that on a safety map (non-hunting area) for FDR for the upcoming hunt…..the area studied where the supposed plant damage was found near the Large Group Camp Road will NOT be hunted. ONLY PLACE where they found supposed damage not hunted….ironic?

We will continue to be against the burns and hunting, but very frankly we need more of you to speak up and we ask for your continued support by speaking up and to continue to write letters to the DNR in opposition.

NOTE: If you see a hunter on the Pine Mountain Trail with a weapon (rifle, shotgun, bow) before or after January 13-14, you are urged to call the local sheriffs departments (911) along with calling the FDR enforcement officers on their security number 706-663-4256 with a complete description of the persons, vehicles and location. Also, we’d like to know about this so email the PMTA via this website. Same goes if you see evidence of deer stands, baiting with corn or salt. There are not supposed to be any deer stands in FDR before or after the hunt days shown…..

Just to clarify something… the PMTA really appreciates the cooperation of the Don McGhee and his staff at FDR. We get along great with them and feel appreciated by them. We just don’t agree with some of the decisions by the management in the DNR Park & Historic Sites division (mainly on hunting and burns.) Jim Hall

Another burn planned for 2009 at FDR State Park.

FDR State Park is the second most profitable state park. The Pine Mountain Trail is the draw to FDR for visitors who hike and backpack through the center of our trail a lot. For 33 years the PMTA volunteers have labored to build, maintain and promote the PMT to the finest trail system in the Southeast and largest of any Georgia state park. We are the largest group of volunteers doing things at any state park.

The proposed 2009 burn is in the center of the Pine Mountain Trail , and if happens will burn over both sides of some really steep areas of the trail for over 2.5 miles! This is mainly in a hardwood forest with lots of great points of interest.

The fire break to the west will be a “logging road/access road for park personel”, to the south Ga. 190. North and East, well that is about a 1.5 miles of park border with private lands. One can only guess from previous proposed large burn maps they will likely use a bulldozer to plow/scrape a break that 1.5 miles. Virtually destroying the use of these 2.5 miles of trails, and lending to massive erosion from the fire tractor cut/plowed/scraped firebreaks.. Yes bare ground plowed line behind Beech Bottom Campsite and again visible near Mile 9.7 and about 10.2.

For the last few years Beech Bottom Campsite has been one of the most used sites by groups (mainly Boy Scouts.) Those doing a 2 night 3 day trip of the whole trail need a place to stay in the middle of the trail. One of the main reasons for new Jenkins Spring Campsite (between Beech Bottom and Big Knot) has to do with those doing the whole trail and Scout units needing two sites (to break up a large group but still be close by one another.)
For the last 8 years the PMTA has tracked the used of all the campsites and this is what shows for Beech Bottom the last three years with February –May being some heavy use months.

A burn around Beech Bottom would render it looking awful and useless by February for biggest backpacking month March on through May!

March is the highest use month by all sites (over 600 backpackers in March using the backcountry campsites.)

This is Beech Bottom Campsite now...

...and THIS is likely what it will look like after the burn if it happens in early 2009!

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Meet the new president of the PMTA……Sam Burke

Sam was born November 22, 1955 in Kingsport, Tennessee (in Northeast Tennessee.) He went to school in a small east Tennessee town, Fall Branch. Sam’s wife Brenda is from Greeneville, TN. They have been married since April 30, 1976 (32 years this year.)

Their first daughter, Nicole was born in 1980 in Kingsport, TN., and second daughter, Dayna, was born 1987 in Nashville, TN. Nicole is now married (Schuets) and lives in Fortson, GA. Dayna is a junior at Columbus State University

Sam went to x-ray school in 1973 and completed it in 1975. He has been a Radiologic Technologist since 1975. He is also registered in MRI, CT, and x-ray. He worked in hospitals, imaging centers, and durable medical equipment through 1992 in Tennessee. He operated his own Medical Imaging Consulting business until 1995. They moved from Nashville, TN to Columbus, GA in August of 1995 in order for him to be administrator of Columbus Diagnostic Center and Director of Purchasing and Service Contracting for U.S. Diagnostic. There he helped acquire and manage 120 imaging centers from coast to coast though 1998.

In 1998 he started another Medical Imaging Company, MRI Management in Macon, GA. MRI Mgt. developed, owned and managed five imaging centers in the Southeast with one partner.

In 2000 he sold ownership in MRI Management but, retained center ownership in order to start another company with previous business partners. Current company is Cypress Partners. They own, manage and operate 14 centers in Georgia, Alabama, and Maryland. The center here in Columbus is Columbus Diagnostic Center. www.cypresspartners.com

Sam (and Brenda) starting hiking with us on the PMT several years ago and really showed an interest after joining the PMTA. During 2006 Sam was with Carl on many work trips building the new White Candle Trail. Our most funny incident on that trail was with the installing of the sign post at Odie Overlook. Sam was digging for places and found this deep dirt spot in a crack near the cliff to place the post in. He still can’t believe he found a soft spot for that post.

For 2007 Sam was asked to join the PMTA board and displayed a great deal of interest in the organization. For many reasons, Sam was chosen to be the new PMTA Board President and we sure are grateful for all he has done in first couple months “on the job.”

Besides hiking, Sam also enjoys fishing.

FDR State Park staff changes

We have a new Assistant Park Manager at FDR, Clint Rouse. Clint and his wife Brittany reside at FDR. Clint was a management intern at FDR and came on board back in April. It was about that time that manager Don McGhee was hospitalized for an extensive period of time. Don is recovering at home. We know his wife Pam and daughter Hannah are thankful as we are that he is doing better. We look forward to having him back on duty soon.

Jody Rice, Interpretive Ranger at FDR, left for new assignment at Pinolla Mountain State Park back in June. We shall truly miss him as he worked with the PMTA on many things and provided visitors to the park with a bunch of unique program opportunities including the great tree climbing events. Jody will be back at FDR from time to time doing tree climbing classes.

The new FDR Interpretive Ranger is Sam McDuffie. Sam and his wife Ryan will reside in LaGrange. Sam was previously at Amicalola Falls State Park then went back to Georgia Southern for an advanced degree. Sam said he hopes to come along on one of our group led hikes soon.

For those of you who didn’t know there is also a new Enforcement Ranger at FDR, Joe McClendon. Joe and his wife Nikki live down near the large group camp. Joe joined the FDR staff back late last year.

Marcia Crawford, Judy Satterfield and Dianne Riley are truly appreciated, as they are the ones hikers and backpackers come in contact with as they seek out information and suggestions and obtain backcountry permits and parking permits at the park office. By the way, next time you go hiking, stop by the park office. Lots of changes inside to brighten it up and provide visitors with more retail type items. On display is a new large map of the PMT. This map will be of great use to those going backpacking and hiking as they can see trail areas on a large scale as they plan their routes.

Working to keep the park in shape are Steve Corley and Gene Crawford (Trades Craftsmen) with help from Ricky Mitchell.

So if you see these friendly guys driving a truck or working on a project around FDR, tell them hello and thanks for all they do.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer's Dusty Nix wrote this editorial on June 28, 2007.

One dubious idea, one very bad one

The prospect of controlled burns at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park is cause for concern.

The prospect of state officials permitting deer hunting there is downright scary.

Yet those activities are under serious consideration by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, a fact that has the 600-member Pine Mountain Trail Association, among others, seriously agitated.

The 10,000-acre FDR State Park is the site of some 42 miles of hiking trails, maintained in large part by the PMTA, and has been a favorite destination of hikers, bikers and other outdoor lovers for decades.

"Burns and hunting will change FDR State Park from the way God has seen fit to bless that land with such wonderful, special appeal," Trail Association President Jim Hall wrote to state officials and fellow board members last month. "... So while everything else changes, let FDR State Park remain true to nature and let God/nature take its course..."

A DNR regional supervisor said recently that a final decision has not been made on either burns or hunting, and that any policy change would require both a public hearing and approval of the state Board of Natural Resources.

This isn't a pro- or anti-hunting issue. This is an issue of public safety and common sense. Allowing deer hunting in FDR State Park would be an affront to both.

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Webmaster's comment: Thank you Dusty.

The current President's Message page has more information on this subject.

New PMT Trail Guides

from: Jim Hall

Here's the text from the recent Brad Barnes article in the Ledger-Enquirer about the White Candle Trail. Used by permission.

The beagle is what you'd call sturdy. And that's surprising, considering she's spent much of the last four years trotting the steep grades and rocky trails of the Pine Mountain Trail.

Carlson, an avid volunteer and hike leader on the trail, took her in when she started following him along the paths one night. When the two got back to his parking lot, there was no other car. The dog's owner was gone.

And while everyone can't expect to find a four-legged companion while hiking the trail, which wends up and down -- and up and down, and up and down -- 23 miles of Harris County 's Pine Mountain , they can expect to make surprising discoveries.

Hikers, nature enthusiasts and weekend warriors have found creeks to ford on stepping stones. They've found small, almost hidden waterfalls. Tall, rocky bluffs. Overlooks of the spreading valley below.

On Dec. 9, they'll have almost 2 1/2 more miles to explore, as officials christen the White Candle Trail.

The new section runs mostly south of Ga. 190, beginning at the easternmost edge of the trail. Eventually, it connects to a well-known side path, Beaver Pond Trail, creating a new 3.4-mile loop.

It's an easy grade and a short path, making it ideal for folks without much trail time.

"It's got a little bit of everything in a short amount of space," said Jim Hall, president of the Pine Mountain Trail Association.

One of the draws will be a grove of tall, longleaf pines planted as seedlings by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the winter of 1929-1930.

"This is the last stand of his pines," said Hall. Under Roosevelt 's direction, workers planted some 5,000 young trees on five acres of his farm. About half of the trees were destroyed by a 1954 tornado, but many still stand.

In the spring, the longleaf pines will produce the trail's namesake white candles, which is what foresters call the spring growth sprouts. Once you see them, the name is obvious.

The other big draw undoubtedly will be a small overlook with a gorgeous view of Pine Mountain Valley . Even Roosevelt 's famed picnic spot at Dowdell's Knob can be seen 2 1/2 miles away.

The Pine Mountain Trail Association voted for the name at a meeting that Carlson missed.

"I guess I would've protested it," the hiker said. "But Odie deserves it. She's been on this trail as much as I have."

The White Candle Trail is the first new path to open in the state park in 10 years. It may also be the last.

The main trail, which is 23 miles long, is now augmented by seven connecting loops. In all, there are about 43 miles of trails.

The White Candle is in Meriwether County and clips the edge of Harris County that forms the park boundary.

The new path was staked out in 2004 by D. Neal Wickham, the man who founded the trail some 31 years ago. In that time, the trail system has grown to be incredibly popular. It sees about 60,000 hikers a year.

After Wickham flagged the potential route, he brought it to the Pine Mountain Trail Association. From there, the volunteer association began working it through the bureaucracy, including approval by Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park officials and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife experts had to walk the route to ensure that no animal habitats would be jeopardized. Plant experts did the same.

In January, some 100 volunteers began working to clear the new trail. It was tough going, grading the side of a mountain. They came armed with chain saws, clippers and fire rakes. They rearranged rocks to mark switchbacks and prevent the trail from eroding. Often, on workdays, the crew would only get 600 feet cleared in about eight hours.

Of course, the current season will make the hike a bit challenging for its first walkers.

Carlson looked for the new white blazes painted on trees to make sure he was on track during a recent walk with Hall and Odie (who had no trouble making her way through the fallen foliage).

Where : Pine Mountain Trail. Meet at the parking lot at the WJSP tower, on Ga. 85, just north of Ga. 190, near Warm Springs