Wednesday, March 13, 2024

2024 Santee Big Cat Brawl Week - Hill's Landing

Catfish Whiskers up close
Scott and Gauge Peavy with heaviest
Catfish at Hill's Landing March 13
The 2024 Santee Big Cat Brawl will be fishing on Friday, March 15 and Saturday March 16 out of Black's Camp, but a special one-day pre-fish tourney was held on Wednesday March 13 at Hill's Landing in Cross.  Angler Gauge Peavy weighed in a 56.2-pound blue catfish to take the only prize for heaviest fish. He was fishing with his father Scott Peavy. Several other catfish in the 50-pound class were weighed-in, and all fish were released alive at the Hill's Landing boat ramp and dock.

To read my Big Cat Brawl Preview story click on Tideline

To view past stories in Tideline click on Marsh Tacky Horses - Five Birding Hotspots 

Blue Cat on left and Channel Cat on Right

Catfish Boats at Hill's Landing



Saturday, March 9, 2024

2024 Carolina Marsh Tacky Association - Pigs and Pearls Benefit

Shannon Hawkins enjoys CMTA oysters
The mission of the Carolina Marsh Tacky Association is to preserve, protect and promote the Marsh Tacky horse lineage. Their third annual Pigs and Pearls banquet was held at The Barn in Reevesville, and catered by Shuckin' Thyme form Folly Beach. A large contingent of Charleston equine enthusiasts showed up to support CMTA, plus the regulars that come from the Pee Dee, the Upstate and Midlands. A raffle, silent auction and merchandise sales were set up, and a beautiful sunny afternoon allowed folks to mingle inside the venue or venture outside to explore the grounds.

I want to thank CMTA's leadership, especially Colin Drew, Miranda Rawson, Travis McKnight and Caroline Knight for speaking with me at their event. Everyone was busy making sure that attendees had a great time, and to allow Marsh Tacky owners time to be together and figure out what's happening back on their own farm. McKnight shares that's it's not all about horses for him, that he is a professional dog trainer too. And speaking with breeder Shannon Hawkins allows one to learn more about individual traits that are being passed down the bloodline, and what others can look for when and if they purchase a horse from the Hawkins Heritage Farm.

The biggest hit was the hot fresh oysters from Folly Beach. All ages bellied up to the oyster table, and everyone was able to indulge in the salty crustaceans until they had their fill. Lingering at the table between fresh steamed buckets allows everyone to chat and I'm not sure who enjoyed this time more, Sarah Gallashaw or Miranda Rawson! Of course, a full BBQ meal was served and everyone enjoyed a seated meal. Next CMTA event on the 2024 calendar is the Member trail ride in April.
CMTA Horse Blanket on Auction

To read my feature article on CMTA click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries on CMTA click on 2022 Pigs and Pearls 

Lots more CMTA events in '24

Nice venue for Pigs and Pearls Benefit

Friday, March 1, 2024

2024 Birding Journal Observations - January / February

Hen wood duck on nest box in Feb. 2024
A mild and drier than usual weather pattern was accented with a few short-lived freezing snaps and a deluge or two, and these up and down temps seemed to point to an early Spring. I normally would record plenty of sightings of goldfinch and cedar waxwings in my backyard, but this year they have been absent, but not absent from the Lowcountry landscape though. I had regular sightings of winter birds like pine warbler and yellow-bellied sapsucker, and thick flocks of Robins appeared in late February. 

In other observations, waterfowl sightings in the Lowcountry were plentiful in general, especially in known locations such as Tom Yawkey Center. Roseate spoonbill sightings were a little less this winter in my opinion, but not alarming in any way. Perhaps a few less tundra swans at Bear Island this year too, but in general the ACE Basin still stands as a welcoming station for swans, spoonbills and other avian life that might want (or need) to find a safe place to visit.

To view my article about 5 Fun Birding Destinations click on Tideline.

To view reports from 2024 Christmas Bird Counts click on Yemassee - Edisto - Palmetto Bluff

To view the most recent Birding Journal Observations click on November / December 2023

To view past Birding Journal Observations from January / February click on 2023 - 2022 - 2021- 2017 201620152014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Pheasant Tower Shoot Aims for Fellowship

Pheasants in the morning sun on Jan. 20
When deer season ends the calendar flips to January, and while doves and ducks are still in season, they can be in short supply. A pheasant tower shoot presents an option for wingshooters to keep burning gunpowder, and enjoy the outdoors while it is still cold weather. The social aspect of a pheasant tower shoot is sometimes overlooked, but with multiple shooters in a blind, there is plenty of opportunity to visit with others during the hunt. The pheasants can fly sky high at times, and if someone makes a towering shot, that will be affirmed by others shouting ‘Good Shot.’ 

D and G Outdoors in Holly Hill, S.C. holds a pheasant tower shoot most Saturday’s in January and February. They have a staff that cleans the pheasants so that you leave with some protein in a Ziploc bag ready for some sporting supper. They also provide several dog handlers and retrievers that will collect and bring any wayward pheasants to hand. At the end of their morning shoot, a hot meal of barbecue, hash and rice is served so that the shooters might enjoy some fellowship and reflect on the hunt. After the January 20 pheasant tower shoot host Tommy Dantzler gave the blessing before lunch and was glad to answer any questions about future hunts.


The bottom-line on price for a blind at a pheasant tower shoot will vary, and is likely tied to the number of shooters allowed in a blind at any site. First timers can do well at pheasant tower shoots because the day’s format is repetitive, and easy to grasp. A strong wind in a certain direction can affect the flight of the birds, but in general it pays to watch every bird in flight, staying ready when your next chance to shoot comes winging by.  


To view the entire story in Trilogy Outdoors click on February Issue.


To view past stories from Trilogy Outdoors click on Release Over 202023 Hawk Watch -  Kiawah Bird Banding -  2023 Crappie Camp -  Early Birds of September -  SCDNR Salt Fishing Clinics -  Silver King Makes Big Splash - S.C. Mahi Series - 2023 Yawkey Wildlife Center 2023 Hammock Coast Birding Festival - 2023 Lowcountry Oyster Festival - 2022 Sea Turtle Season Navigating an S.C. Public Draw Deer Hunt - Crappie Camp - Blessings of a Sporting Father

Monday, February 19, 2024

2024 SEWE Sunday - Sporting Round Up

Possibly my favorite 2024 artwork
Lots of folks spend their most precious time at the Charleston Place hotel where the top shelf artists and carvers display their work. The ability to ask an artist questions like what inspired them to create a particular piece is a part of what sets SEWE apart from other art shows. I asked Heiner Hartling about his peacock piece, and he quickly replied that his local grocery has an aviary outside with peacocks, and he simply decided to paint one. Mystery revealed.

To view my SEWE '24 photo gallery in the the Post and Courier click Tideline.


Turtle Survival Alliance carving

To view past blog entries from SEWE Sunday click on 20232022 - 20192018 - 2017 20162015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Sunday, February 18, 2024

2024 SEWE Saturday - Brittlebank Park and Sporting Showroom

Quail Village at Brittlebank
The crowd on Saturday at Brittlebank Park was on par with the largest ever seen at SEWE, despite cloudy and cooler weather. The Dock Dogs is a steady draw, but so too are the new S.C. Marsh Tacky Association horses at Brittlebank. The Quail Village is a great way to bring biologists, managers and landowners together under one tent to talk about habitat on the ground, and oh year, hunting the prince of game birds. Haberdashers are welcome to join the flock of clothiers that reel their boots, jackets and high quality outdoor clothing. Add live music, the largest food village at SEWE and a VIP booth, and there may not be much reason to stray far from the banks of the Ashley River. 
Dock Dogs 25th

Viewing decoys and firearms at the Marriott is a great option for the enthusiast that likely is happy to review the treasures that only assemble once a year at SEWE. Sporting antiques are in high demand here, and a host of destination hunting lodges offer places for patrons to dream of going. Many of these vendors come every year to SEWE and are familiar faces to locals, but their expertise helps many to better understand any purchase of items that are sure to join other cherished memories from SEWE shopping.

To view past blog entries from SEWE Saturday click on 2023 - 20222018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 20142013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Engraving on shotgun

Marriott Hotel


Saturday, February 17, 2024

2024 SEWE Friday - Marion Square / DU Oyster Roast

Busch Wildlife staff and critters
The 2024 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition began at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 16 and I started out at Marion Square meeting some friends that were First-Time attendees. I made them watch the 10:30 Flight Demo by the Center for Birds of Prey, and then we walked around to visit friendly folks in booths talking about conservation and tourism. The boykin rescue society had multiple little brown dogs in their booth, and elsewhere it was a who's who of sporting dog breeds on leash and enjoying a warm and sunny day at SEWE.
Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast

Our paths diverged as I attended some Duck Unlimited events including a brunch with the DU board, and an oyster roast with the S.C. state chapter at the Charleston Visitors Center Bus Shed. At brunch the sweet potato biscuits and the shrimp salad sandwiches kept the waterfowl enthusiasts from going hungry, as everyone offered their hometowns with some coming as far away as Arkansas  and Mississippi to be at SEWE. The evening oyster roast featured fresh, local, salty clusters that were readily shucked and slurped by experts and newbies alike. A buffet featuring shrimp and grits was the perfect seafood encore and then sponsors adjourned to the Camden Room to dine on prime rib and to get started bidding on auction items.

To view past blog entries from SEWE Friday click on 2023 - 2018 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 2009

Friday Friends at SEWE

African yellow-billed kite acquiring food in flight