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Gwinnett’s famous groundhog finds new home in time for Groundhog Day

The first General Beauregard Lee looks at his sign while preparing for Groundhog Day in 1995. Lee, the South's "official weather prognosticator," lived at Yellow River Game Ranch in Gwinnett County, Ga. Upon his death, the ranch replaced him with his “bachelor nephew.”

Credit: Steve Deal

Credit: Steve Deal

The first General Beauregard Lee looks at his sign while preparing for Groundhog Day in 1995. Lee, the South's "official weather prognosticator," lived at Yellow River Game Ranch in Gwinnett County, Ga. Upon his death, the ranch replaced him with his “bachelor nephew.”
By Amanda C. Coyne
Jan 10, 2018

Gen. Beauregard Lee, the South’s top weather-predicting groundhog, will see another Groundhog Day after all.

The general’s future was in question after Yellow River Game Ranch announced last month it would close after operating for decades in Lilburn. Luckily for his legions of fans, Beau has found a new home at Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson.

PREVIOUSLY | Yellow River Game Ranch closes in Gwinnett after more than 35 years 

MORE | DNR will help relocate groundhog, other wildlife from Yellow River Game Ranch

Beau will be settled into his new home in time to celebrate Groundhog Day and predict when metro Atlanta’s bitter winter will end, the nature center said in a press release. The center will welcome guests at sunrise on Feb. 2 to see Beau’s prediction.

Admission to the nature center is free. It is located at 360 Mt. Vernon Church Rd. in Jackson, about an hour southeast of Atlanta.

Several other small animals from the Yellow River Game Ranch, including another groundhog, have been relocated to Dauset Trails. Facilities are still being sought for other animals in Yellow River Game ranch’s custody, according to a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

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In other news:

The popular game ranch in Gwinnett County closed last week.

About the Author

Amanda Coyne is a hyperlocal reporter for the AJC, covering Gwinnett County.

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