Georgia Wilderness Society
Oconee    River


Oconee River
November 2921

Six GWS members paddled 42 miles in three days on the lower Oconee River the week before Thanksgiving, going from Hwy 46 down to the Altamaha. We had good current, but the water was a little too dingy to spot the sturgeon we had hoped to see. Folks enjoyed good temps, only a few bugs, two nice sandbars for camping, plenty of firewood, and good company. We spotted one alligator, plenty of deer, and the usual assortment of vultures, hawks, herons, kingfishers, anhingas, and turtles. Coyotes and owls entertained us at night. I had previously avoided the Oconee during the main deer hunting season, but this trip changed my mind. We saw only two hunters in boats and two DNR fisheries folks in three peaceful days on the river. Paddlers were Terry Ross, Gus Lane, Curt and Irene Cole, and Joe and Grant Mangum.
Previous GWS trips on the Oconee