Wild Ways

Yellow River Game Ranch

By KathleenWalls

Barnyard animals at YRGR

Every now and again, you step just off the main road and discover a hidden wildlife wonderland. Yellow River Game Ranch is just such a spot. Less than an hour's drive northeast of Atlanta, Georgia is a wonderland filled with both domestic animals and wildlife that is or was native to Georgia.

Once a year one of the residents is the focus of worldwide attention. General Beauregard Lee, unlike the famed generals for which he was named, only works one day of the year. The celebrated groundhog worked his way up on his own merits. When I visited, he was deep underground in his burrow instead of the lovely mansion. He was not going to work even to impress a visiting journalist. But every February 2, "Beau," as he is known to his closest friends, comes out of his hole and performs his annual workday.

Beau's home, Weathering Heights

There is a long tradition attached to this day. Referred to as Candlemas Day, it marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox and had had unique customs associated with it since the dawn of time.

The Romans had a custom of lighting candles to scare away the winter's evil spirits on this day. Early Christians put their own twist on the pagan holiday. This became—and remains—the day all candles to be used that year in churches are blessed.

Perhaps the most unique custom began with the Germanic tribes and emigrated to America with the early German settlers. They believed that if a badger came up from his hibernation on this day and saw his shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter but if it was overcast and he didn't see the shadow, spring was close by.

At the Yellow River Game Ranch the staff noticed that General Lee, like other groundhogs before him, emerged from his burrow on Groundhog Day. They decided to start watching his behavior.

Beau's honorary degrees

Sure enough, Beau's predictions proved as accurate as local weathermen. As his fame spread, "Groundhog Hotlines" were set up near Beau's Weathering Heights Plantation. They began issuing advisories at 6:00 am EST. Phone calls asking what Beau is predicting come in from all corners of the globe.

Four Georgia Governors have recognized Beau and twice he has been commended for the accuracy of his predictions by the National Weather Service. When you enter the Ranch, you will see honorary doctorates from The University of Georgia – "DWP, Doctor of Weather Prognostication" and Georgia State University – "Doctor of Southern Groundology" posted near the door leading outside.

A red fox at Yellow River Game Ranch

Of course Beau is not the only animal residing at the Ranch. From the lowly chicken to the majestic eastern panther —remember, once these magnificent felines roamed the entire southeast instead of being limited to a few thousand acres in south Florida—you'll meet and greet some very interesting creatures here.

What struck me as so very natural is how so many of the non-predatory creatures share their habitat. Chickens, geese, rabbits, squirrels, peacocks and even deer roam free and may come up to you to beg for food. This is not a "don't feed the animals" kind of place. It's not even a "don't touch" kind of place. True, some of the wild animals like the foxes and wolves cannot be touched safely but you are allowed and encouraged to feed the others.

Little boy and mom with deer at YRGR

I watched a child's excitement when a small deer accepted a cracker from his hand. The soft muzzle brushed against childish flesh as the little animal nibbled the treat and trusting brown eyes looked deep into small human eyes for the first time. This is a treasured moment that can never be erased.

Art Rilling is the founder and heart of the operation. He told me when he first started, people said "No one is going to come out to see farm animals. He has proved them very wrong. Art said "When school groups come out here, teachers say the kids talk about it for weeks."

Burro

When you visit the Ranch, you wind through a mile-long trail on 24 wooded acres and encounter over six hundred creatures indigenous to the state of Georgia.

Several huge bears will perform in the hope of being tossed a treat. You will find one of the largest herd of buffalo east of the Mississippi, roaming the back meadow. Art said when he first was asked about getting buffalo, he wondered if they had ever been indigenous to Georgia but a little research showed that George Oglethorpe himself had sent buffalo robes back to England.

Art feeding the burros

It was when Art and I reached the burros' enclosure that I met the ultimate beggars. These little fellows almost talked. And the words they almost articulated were "Feed me! I want a treat!" One little fellow had even perfected the art of making edges of his mouth tremble as if to say, "I'm so pitiful I need special treats." They were all so cute.

Caroline in her catwalk

Caroline is about five years old, an eastern panther and a real beauty. She came to the Yellow River Game Ranch from a place in North Georgia that could no longer afford to feed her. Watching her here, you know she is loved and well-fed. I was impressed with her overhead catwalk. Art told me at one time they had a cougar who would lie up there and when visitors passed under -neath and looked up they would think it was about to pounce on them.

The coyotes recently got rained out. The staff had to move them to higher ground when the Yellow River overflowed its banks. They are the newest of Florida's wildlife. These wily fellow have learned to adapt and have migrated eastward and are now found in every state except Hawaii.

Sheep shearing here is an event. "We make a big thing out of that. We have Scott Fuss, who's been doing it since he was 12 and he 45 now and he puts on a quite a show. People have a preconceived notion that you're going to give the sheep a haircut If you have a good fleece, it looks like an upside down bearskin rug and when you get through, the sheep is naked and embarrassed. Then he picks up the fleece as one unit and people's mouth fall open. They were expecting just a pile of hair."

These are just a few of the experiences you can experience at Yellow River Game Ranch. To enjoy it to the fullest, go visit as soon as possible. This is an experience you will not forget.

http://www.yellowrivergameranch.com/
4525 Hwy 78
Lilburrn, GA 30047
770-972-6643