Purvis Crew joins Wrecking Crew for ducks, geese

Shane, Vernon and Chris Purvis on Dec. 10 after the hunt

Drake Waterfowl Gear and the Dec.10 harvest

Purvis Crew (plus two) during the Sept. 2011 early goose season

The opening day of duck season in S.C. after the split is a great time to hunt waterfowl that have gathered up during the break. The Purvis family hunted Canada geese during the September season and were keen to call in some ducks this December. For each hunt they chose to join the Wrecking Crew guide service based out of Lancaster County. These waterfowl guides are Pete, Daryl and Blake Hodge - which are three generations of waterfowlers. Add in the Purvis crew of father Vernon and brothers Shane and Chris - and you have a special family celebration going on in the field. Guide Daryl Hodge is a Drake Waterfowl field expert and always supplies the best gear for the Wrecking Crew hunts. On Dec. 10 the hunt party left a boat landing on the Catawba River to hunt public waters that the Wrecking Crew had scouted out during the season split. The guides and Robbie Boone had been out to set up the dekes well before the Purvis family joined them. Lead caller Blake Hodge worked four groups of mallards this day, and all but one of the groups locked up, letting their bright orange feet lead the way into the spread while back-paddling with their wings. When the shooting was over, a harvest of six mallards was accomplished and a lone ringneck who decided to buzz the decoys was also brought down by the Purvis guns. There is no doubt this won't be the last time the Purvis crew taps the Wrecking Crew for some waterfowl action!

To view past blog entries about the Wrecking Crew click here.