This is an extremely difficult post for me to share. I debated with myself for two weeks whether to put it up or not. My feelings and emotions haven’t waned, so I decided to share them.

Two weeks ago, I went to one of my favorite spots, The Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, in north-central Georgia. It is teeming with wildlife, and as peaceful as any place on Earth (usually). It offers hiking, camping, fishing, archery, shooting and hunting across its vast area, which contains 22 lakes and ponds. I have seen, and photographed, many types of wildlife, from American Bald Eagles, to Great Blue Herons, to Otters, Ospreys, Deer, and Ducks and Geese. I have watched several varieties of wildlife raising, nurturing and protecting their young. I have learned so much about Nature’s families – God’s families – and enjoyed every minute of it. I have seen parents and grandparents bring their children and grandchildren, taking them hiking and fishing and enjoying Nature at its best.

And I have witnessed a personal nightmare.

Just as I was putting my little boat in the water, moments before sunrise, I heard a flock of Canadian Geese flying toward me. Nothing unusual there. I love seeing and hearing them! Then, out of nowhere, I heard several shotgun blasts ring out, coming from the small island where lots of birds and other animals frolic. I saw several Geese fall to the water. Only two escaped the barrage. One of them landed in the water close to me. It was wailing a sad cry. I thought it had been wounded, and was now immobile. Then, I realized its mate had been shot, and it was crying out for it. Then, it flew back toward its dying mate, only to be gunned down itself.

I took my boat to the other end of the pond, which is much more secluded and inaccessible. The shooting continued for hours. It was also the first day of Dove Season, and I was wondering if that’s what the shooting was all about. I could hear it from several different directions. Finally, around 11 o’clock, the shooting subsided. I made my way back toward the other end of the pond, where I had launched my boat. I had only gotten a few photos. Obviously, all the animals were startled and scared to come out.

As I worked my way back up the pond, I noticed an eerie silence, one that I had never witnessed there. There were no Geese. There were no Ducks. There were no Ospreys or Herons or Deer. I saw at least two, maybe three, dead Geese still in the water, with no hunters to be seen. I didn’t even see “The Four Amigos”, a quartet of Ducks who are ALWAYS there. They are three different varieties, who rarely stray more than a foot or two from each other. They “play with” the other Ducks and Geese. They are just a pleasure to watch. The children love seeing them as well! I was genuinely concerned that they had been slaughtered as well. 

I went to all the other ponds and lakes in the area, and where there are usually scores, if not hundreds, of Geese, now there were none. NONE!! Not ONE, anywhere!!

Was this sportsmanship? I honestly don’t see the thrill in killing these innocent creatures for the fun of it. There are sport-shooting competitions everywhere. You can prove your skills, win prizes, and even win cash. I can even accept hunting for food, to an extent. My understanding is that Canadian Geese aren’t very good eating. Much of the wild game (and fish) that is donated to Food Banks and other shelters were confiscated, because it was caught or killed illegally.

I have zero admiration or appreciation for these hunters. As far as I’m concerned, they are selfish, inconsiderate beings, who have no respect for God’s Creation, or the pleasures of others – those of us who simply enjoy witnessing all of His Creation, Splendor and Beauty.

I did learn that Georgia has a “Plug Law”, that requires a special plug to be placed in the chamber of a shotgun to only allow three shells to be fired without reloading, to “keep the hunters from having an unfair advantage”. Seems like having a shotgun in the first place would be an “unfair advantage”. These hunters – the first one in particular – were not using guns with plugs. I heard many more than three successive shots with any blast. I will notify the local authorities, but it’s too late for the Geese.

I went back two days ago, exactly two weeks later. I did see The Four Amigos, and it warmed my heart tremendously. I didn’t see, however, a single Goose ANYWHERE – not on the other lakes and ponds, not in the grasses or woods – not ANYWHERE. My heart is still broken. I think about the babies, the young Goslings, that I photographed this past Spring. I watched them fledge from awkward babies to beautiful adults. And now, less than six months later, they have been slaughtered. What did they do to deserve such a fate?

I have to admit, this has taken a toll on me emotionally. I am still sad, and still infuriated. These beautiful creatures were family to me. Their killers were heartless.

The photos I am sharing here are of the Geese from last Spring, along with a few of The Four Amigos, from earlier, and from Friday. I hope and pray that they survive the next onslaught.