Retired ranger recounts adventures in new book

Jim Hethcox saw the wild side of wildlife during his 27 years as a game warden for the state of Georgia.

Now, the retired conservation officer has compiled a book of tales from the job - from breaking up cockfights to visiting a traveling snake show that set up in Columbia Square shopping center.

"When you get out there, rangers run into all kinds of things," he said.

Hethcox, now living in Candler County, will revisit the area Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. for a book signing of his Adventures in Green & Gray: True Stories of a Game Warden at American Sportsman Inc., 4088 Washington Road in Martinez.

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At 2 p.m., Hethcox will dedicate his book to the memory of Irving G. Knox, who worked as a conservation ranger for more than 20 years in McDuffie and Columbia counties - and who trained Hethcox.

There are a number of local stories included in the 163-page book from Hethcox's four years as a Columbia County ranger. Hethcox's wife started a company, Wiregrass Publishing Inc., to produce the book, which retails for $16.95.