Imagine walking through the woods and being able to pet a deer, or to have a friendly squirrel scamper up to you in search of a treat. It might sound like something out of a fairy tale, but at Yellow River Game Ranch, the fairy tale is real.

The 24-acre nature preserve is home to about 600 animals and birds that are indigenous to Georgia. Visitors can walk through the shaded paths and pet the deer that roam free, or feed the squirrels and chipmunks. There is the farm animal area where goats, sheep, donkeys and giant pigs fight for a scratch - and a carrot. Treats for the animals can be purchased at the Yellow River store or brought in from home.

There is also the ever-popular Bunny Burrows, where dozens of rabbits live. Visitors can walk inside their home and sit a spell with the tame rabbits, on rocks overlooking the Yellow River.

And a visit wouldn't be complete without a peek at the state's famous weather prognosticator, General "Beau" Lee, who lives in his Weathering Heights plantation, and works only on Groundhog Day, can oftentimes be seen enjoying some peaches on the front porch of his mansion.
The game ranch also has several picnic tables set up around the area, and visitors are invited to bring a lunch and spend the day with the animals. Sharing is optional.

Open year-round, there are different summer and winter hours, so be sure to check the Website before you go. The ranch is open 7-days-a-week in the summer, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (last ticket sold at 5 p.m.). It's $8 for ages 12 and up and $7 for ages 2-11. Children under age 2 are free (one child per adult). Call about group rates for 15 or more people.