Blankets Creek will be closed to the public for three days in December and January as Cherokee County has recently been notified of potentially dangerous deer behavior.
The Blankets Creek area consists of 330-acres of land on which the deer population has swollen to hundreds of deer on the property. The overpopulation has led to malnourished animals and a safety issue for trail users.
Upon learning of the situation, Cherokee Recreation and Parks officials contacted the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division which suggested a wildlife management event to thin the deer population on the property.
To control the deer population, Cherokee Recreation and Parks will hold a deer management event on December 19, January 2, and January 9. The event is for Cherokee County residents only.
December 19 is reserved for youth and disabled hunters with one chaperone and a single piece of archery equipment. The January 2 and January 9 dates will be open to all residents of Cherokee County.
Interested hunters may register for the limited spots by visiting PlayCherokee.org. Online registration will begin Tuesday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m. Hunters will be selected through a lottery process, with a maximum of 30 hunters per date. Registration costs $25 per slot, and all funds raised will be designated for Blankets Creek.
All state hunting laws must be followed.
For more information, visit PlayCherokee.org.