2013 SEWE Saturday - Sporting Village

Long-jumping Dock Dogs perform Saturday morning, with this pooch landing 20-plus feet out

Willie LaDue, Earl Pope and Angus MacBride of SCDNR

Day Two of the SE Wildife Expo was a day with two differing weather stories. The morning was clear, sunny and mild with the afternoon forecast for falling temps, cold winds and precipitation. Heading to Brittlebank Park for the 10 a.m. start time, large crowds assembled right away at the Dock Dogs jumping competition to watch a range of sporting dogs. While some dogs did not jump more than 8-feet, others soared quite far with big splash-downs pleasing the crowd. A large food court served up cajun creations and other fairground foods, while outdoor vendors such as John Deere, Chevrolet and Express boats shared their products with SEWE patrons. Inside the big tent is the 2013 Sporting Village filled with hunting guides / programs that range from the Lowcountry to Africa. Conservation groups like QDMA, SCI, SCWA and even the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Clothing vendors like Tideline Outfitters, DuBarry of Ireland, Griffin and Howe, and several camo dealers were on hand. Turkey calls, duck calls, and every kind of hunting accessory can be found here, along with plenty of print publications such as Gray's Sporting Journal and Virginia Sportsman. Other outdoor exhibits include Charleston Angler tackle shop, Boykin Spaniel Society and wooden furniture. When the wind picked up it was time to walk across the street to the Marriott Hotel and visit the sporting guns collections, antique decoy displays and vintage book dealers. SEWE can offer an unexpected boon for those who are always looking to add a special treasure to their personal collections. Large crowds at all of the Saturday venues demonstrates that a little wintry weather does not deter these outdoor-oriented folks, and for those with a keen birding eye it was noticeable that flocks of cedar waxwings are now criss-crossing the Holy City, one of the surest signs of Spring!

Lowcountry Branch of QDMA at Sporting Village

USFWS staffer with corn snake

To view past blog entries from 2013 SEWE click here.