Yesterday afternoon, four of us from Cypress Creek Hunting Lodge hit a millet field for some wing shooting. And boy did we have some fun! A few of us even killed some birds…

We got to the field about 3:30pm, and the doves slowly started filtering in throughout the afternoon with peak flying about 5pm. And while they never came in as thick as they did Monday afternoon when they had the first shoot, it was still pretty good. Bubba, who had obviously been practicing in secret, managed to limit out; that is him in the pictures shooting and then showing us what a dove looked like so that the rest of us knew what to aim for   Danny, the owner, came in next with 13, then me with 9 and then Henry with 5.

I shot two boxes of shells to get my 9, so it worked out to almost one bird per 5 shells. Not too bad for someone that had not shot a dove in several years! However I am definitely going to hit the skeet range for

some practice before the next dove shoot comes around. But I had a great time, and it was nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful afternoon.

South Carolina’s dove season is split in to three periods. It opened on September 1 and runs until October 4th. It then opens again from November 22 to the 29th, and then again from December 19 to January 15th. The limit which was 12, has now been increased to 15 per day.

And if anyone is looking to shoot some doves but doesn’t have a place to hunt, they should check out the SCDNR site for a list of public fields that are open. Here in Hampton County, the Webb Center has 35 acres of dove fields ready, and it is on a first come, first served basis. The dates that their fields will be open are as follows: Sept 3, 17, & 27; Nov. 26, Dec. 20, Jan 10. All hunts are afternoons Only, and hunters can also call (803) 625-3569 for more information.

I also want to thank everyone for their suggestions concerning yesterday’s post on providing a special-needs hunt. I know that it was a touchy subject, but after hearing similar complaints from other hunt providers, I just thought that the problems needed to be brought up. And again, in no way was I trying to take away from all of the great work that all of the disabled-hunting organizations have done. I just wanted to bring the problems to light so that they could be addressed and hopefully corrected.

And while I have no time or enough resources to start a group dedicated to providing special hunts, I do think that there has to be other ways to recruit special-needs hunters. I really liked Gillian’s idea of working with our local Department of Special Needs and Disabilities as well as contacting some disabled veteran’s groups to fill the spots. I am also considering setting up a drawing where disabled hunters and/or a deserving youth’s parent may apply for a special hunt. Would my fellow bloggers be interested in promoting such an event when I can make it happen?

Jeff

PS Gillian has heard the calls for her to write another story, and I already have it in my hand… I mean computer. Check back for her story about “A Romantic Walk In The Woods? NO THANKS!”.

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