Last month, the Georgia State House passed HB 70 by a 163-2 vote. This legislation designates the gray fox as the official state mammal of Georgia. State Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus), the bill’s sponsor, had bipartisan support to elevate the fox’s status in Georgia…despite the fact that the gray fox primarily lives in southeastern Georgia.
Even with an overwhelming margin in the State House, the State Senate, as they are wont to do, has made a few changes. Okay, maybe one big change.
Have you ever seen a white-tailed deer? If you have lived in this state long enough, (as in more than a month) the answer is probably yes. This change was suggested by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources because, well, let’s face it: the deer has more widespread appeal.
On Tuesday, the Senate voted 49-1 in favor of the revised HB 70, officially making the White-Tailed Deer the state’s official state mammal. Sorry Gray Fox, but you had your chance and you blew it.
The White-Tailed Deer will join such esteemed Georgia symbols as the North Atlantic Right Whale, (state marine mammal) Honeybee, (state insect) and Pogo Possum, (state possum, obviously) as a representative of our fine state.
