On Location: Blalock Lakes

The Duck Head Team is very lucky to call Atlanta home. Not only because we live and work in a dynamic, Southern city but because the surrounding area offers up some excellent outdoor escapes. Case in point is our recent visit to Blalock Lakes on the outskirts of historic Newnan, Georgia. Located just 45 minutes southwest of Atlanta, this sporting club and community was the perfect backdrop for our recent fall photoshoot. With 1,600 pristine acres of rolling wooded land and activities that include hunting, shooting, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking, Blalock Lakes is truly a Social Sportsman's paradise. 

CHECK-IN

Upon arrival we checked into our handsomely crafted cabins that were tucked into a beautiful wood setting, each with an inviting front porch and plenty of room to stretch out. The rocking chairs provided a great perch to catch our breath and seize a bird’s eye view of the gathering space at The Lodge, located only a stone’s throw away. While we enjoyed the comfort of the cabins during our stay, a few of us that want to sleep under the stars and a little closer to the land would love to come back to experience the well-designed camping site over a crisp fall weekend. 

CIRCLE UP

After dropping off our gear, we gathered up at The Lodge for some drinks and to take in the sunset by the fire pit. Built on the highest point of the property to provide a stellar view, The Lodge offers the perfect setting to gather with friends before a hunt or relax after a full day of outdoor activities. Naturally, the interior is warm and welcoming, with exposed beam ceilings, a massive stone fireplace, and deep leather chairs – a place that’s hard to leave. After a quick tour inside, we made our way out to the expansive wrap-around porch where we grilled an awesome dinner on Blalock’s Big Green Eggs. An excellent way to end any day of travel... 

THE THRILL OF THE HUNT

The beautiful landscape backdrop provides the perfect habitat for quail, duck, and turkey. Our guide, Tom, toured us through the carefully managed fields and sprawling forests where guided hunts are offered throughout each respective season. We were also fortunate to see that the well-trained dogs were at-the-ready to find and flush birds as we prepared to take aim. If you’re up for a different kind of adventure, you can try your hand at big game bow hunting. Thanks to Blalock’s deer management program, whitetail deer bow hunting is an option as well. 

PULL! 

If a day of hunting (or an early morning departure) is not on your agenda, then clay shooting might be the answer. Designed by nationally acclaimed outdoorsman Marty Fischer Blalock, this 12-station course for shooting clays is among the best. Blalock only utilizes biodegradable clays, to protect the setting for generations to come. For some friendly competition, we tried our hand at the five-stand range and Blalock’s expert instructors had our novice team competing safely in no time.  

DRIFT AWAY

The actual lake at Blalock Lakes is at the heart of the property surrounded by tall trees above and bass fish down below. The pace of the city fell away as we floated out on the water in one of the small wooden boats. Here we could have easily dropped our line in and drifted for the rest of the day...particularly as only electric or paddle powered boats are allowed on the lake. This environmentally friendly measure ensures not only a quiet, relaxed ride but also an old-school vibe that really spoke to us. As we wrapped up our day on the water, we docked at the picturesque Boat House and headed inside for a cold drink to toast the end of a perfect fall day.