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 20 - 2023 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

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 2023 - 2022 - 2019- 2018 - 2017-  2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

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 - 2022 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014- 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Engraving on shotgun

Marriott Hotel

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

Brookwood Inn - Murrells Inlet / New Ownership

Sea Turtles and SeaShells add Ambiance

New ownership at the Brookwood Inn is making a splash in Murrells Inlet. The brother and sister team of Rob and Julie have experience doing business in Horry County and decided to bring their expertise to Georgetown County. Renovations are taking place from one end of the motor inn to the other, including several stand alone buildings that reside on their 4-acre property that is graced with the beauty of mature live oak trees and large flowering camelia bushes. Staying in town for the Hammock Coast Birding Festival, I can relate that the Brookwood Inn is literally the closest lodging to Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens - which is a real plus during early morning outings.

Open the Double Doors for a Private Viewing Area

My stay in the outbuilding known as The Alamo, due to its architectural outline, was comfy and quiet. A king-sized bed and spacious main room with brand new tile floor segues to an efficiency kitchen with fridge, stove and sink area with coffee maker. The bathroom is well lit and paintings of an egret and sea turtle help bring beachy decor to mind. A private porch with two rocking chairs overlooks a saltwater inlet with a woodline that is teeming with bird life. In fact, the mild weather (is this February?) allowed me to throw open the double-doors and enjoy birdwatching from my room! Kingfisher, hermit thrush, cardinal and robin were just a few of the birds I spotted. The Brookwood Inn is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and is standing the test of time quite well.

To view past blog entries about Lodging and Outdoor Adventure click on Riverview Hotel / St. Mary's, Ga. - Gross Savanne / Lake Charles, LA - Orchard Inn / Saluda, NC - Partridge Inn / Augusta, GA - Belmont Inn / Abbesville, SC -  Planters Inn / Savannah, GA - Lonesome Valley / Cashiers, NC - Barnsley Resort / Adairsville, GA - Little St. Simon's GA - Wanna B Inn / Englewood, FL - Old McCaskill Farm, Rembert, SC - River Palms / Jenson beach, FL - Bald Head Island / South Port, NC - Redfish Lodge / Rockport, TX - Tarpon Lodge / Pine Island, FL  

The Alamo - stand alone cottage

Relaxing Lowcountry Setting

2024 Huntington Beach State Park - Center For Birds of Prey

Barred Owl just after Release into Wild Feb. 9

The Hammock Coast Birding Festival sponsored by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce took place Feb. 8 - 11 in calm, cloudy and mild conditions. One of their birding venues is Huntington Beach State Park, usually known for waterfowl and shorebirds. Organizer Mark Stevens arranged for the Center for Birds of Prey to come give attendees a flight demonstration, with some of their captive raptors. Addie Carter presented a Mississippi Kite and a Red-tailed Hawk for all to marvel at and to photograph. She even took time to answer questions about these birds, and other raptor questions.

Unknown to everyone there, including WBTW Channel 13 news cameras, was that Addie brought a Barred Owl to release back into the wild. The Center for Birds of Prey accepts injured raptors and rehabilitates them in hopes of being able to release them sooner rather than later. This Barred Owl was now ready to go back into the wild, and the State Park woods near Atalaya Castle were a great spot for this owl to reside. Everyone was asked to stay back and to stay quiet as the transportation box was placed next to the woodbine, and the lid was opened. The Barred Owl left the box in a quick whoosh and lit in a pine tree to survey its new home, in a display of avian conservation that struck a chord with birders.

Addie Carter with Mississippi Kite

To view past blog entries from the Center for Birds of Prey click on 2023 Flight Demo - 2018-  2017- 2016 - 2013 - 2011 - 2010 

Red-tailed Hawk landing on stand!!

2024 Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center with Patrick McMillan

The Hammock Coast Birding Festival sponsored by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce took place Feb. 8 - 11 in calm, cloudy and mild conditions. Noted botanist and birder Patrick McMillan came to speak to the attendees during a Friday night supper at Pawley's Plantation, and then he went into the field on Saturday at the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center. SCDNR manager Jamie Dozier and SCDNR's Jim Lee greeted the 28 birders that would take a brief boat ride from the Belle Isle Landing over to Cat Island, before boarding two vans that would take them to red hot birding spots deep within the Santee Delta.

Shorebirds Buzz the Birders at Yawkey Feb. 10

Patrick McMillan educating Birders about Plants

We spotted a flock of seven wild turkeys free ranging in an open field on the way to a stop at managed wetlands that was busy with migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and raptors too. Dunlin and dowitchers buzzed around inside the open water areas, while the shorebirds patrolled the shallow muddy edges. The highest number of birds were waterfowl, with 1000 gadwall and widgeon using that far side of the main pond at this stop, and they were under continuous observation from bald eagles passing overhead, which made them pick up and fly around multiple times.

The second stop on this tour is the 'blackout' site, and the discussion about rice culture blossomed, while watching more waterfowl and looking for rails. SCDNR's Jim Lee knows the history of the Yawkey Center and provided details on the chimney that still stands today, while Patrick McMillan had a chance to pick a few local plants and educate others about what their botanical footprint means to the Lowcountry. McMillan told me that Spanish moss is quite possibly maintains its heaviest presence along the Georgia / South Carolina coastal plain, and that it simply exists on trees, and is not a hindrance in any way.

To view past blog entries from the Yawkey Center click on 2023 Winter Birding - 2023 Fall Birding -  2023 Formula For Success - 2023 Winter Photo Safari -  2018 Walk Through History - 2016 Birding Tour - 2015 Shorebirds with Manomet - 2015 Yawkey Legacy Story 

1000 Waterfowl (or more) at Yawkey Feb. 10

Any trip to the Yawkey Center begins like this

To view Birding Trips from 2023 click on  Nemours Wildlife Foundation - Yawkey Center / Fall - Botany Bay WMA -  Fripp Island -  Wings Over Beaufort -  Sea Island Shorebird Festival - Beidler Forest - Harbor Island- Kiawah Island -  Webb Wildlife Center - Whooping Crane Pond - Jarvis Creek Park - Caw Caw Bio Blitz - Hammock Coast Birding Festival  -  Botany Bay WMA - Pinckney Island NWR -  ACE Basin NWR 

2023 Gamekeepers / Winter - Regarding Wild Turkey Decline

Title Page

Jason Hewett is owner of Private Land Management Co. in S.C., and he spent years amassing experience as a plantation manager in the Lowcountry. He managed for trophy bass, mature whitetails, and sustainable bag limits for doves and ducks. “We had wild turkeys too, and I could see over time that their numbers are a reflection of the habitat they are in,” said Hewett. “It doesn’t matter what species you are talking about, habitat is the No.1 issue for all of them. Habitat loss is a key to wild turkey decline, and no other influence is greater.”

Outdoor Writer Ramblings

Charles Ruth is the Big Game Program Coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and he would be the first to defer to other studies, but the new data from an S.C. study site is looking hopeful. “While the SCDNR summer turkey brood survey program dates back to the 1980’s, it’s a new study at the Savannah River Site (SRS) that has potential as a roadmap forward,” said Ruth. “We have completed three years of wild turkey studies at SRS on 40,000-acres with our research partners, and the numbers show about three-times more poults produced over that time, than at other Southeastern study sites.” 

For more information click on Mossy Oak Gamekeepers Magazine.

To view past blog entries from Gamekeepers click on 2022 Managing Duck Impoundments - 2021 Regional Wood Duck Study -  Fall 2021- Summer 2021 - Winter 2020- Spring 2020 - Fall 2017- Spring 2016 - Winter 2016 - Fall 2015 - Summer 2015 - Spring 2015 - Winter 2015 - Fall 2014 - Summer 2014 - Spring 2014 - Winter 2013