2017 Grand American - Bluetick Hound Sassy Allie Girl Wins

Treeing Contest ACTION

Unusually cold weather over the weekend did nothing to slow down the hundreds of coon dogs that were released during the 2017 Grand American. This is the first competition of the new calendar year for the United Kennel Club (UKC), and marks the 52nd time for the annual event based at the Orangeburg fairgrounds. American Cooner magazine from Illinois is the main sponsor of the Grand American which draws entrants from across the country, including the bluetick hound from Kentucky that became the 2017 Overall Winner.

Meredith Henderson with Treeing Walker at Bench Show

There is no shortage of things to do at the Grand American since it becomes the epicenter for both coon hounds and hunting gear for sale. Start by visiting the barns where individual kennels have their prime hunting dogs on display, usually with a litter of puppies from the same bloodline for sale. I visited the Indian Hill Blueticks booth and learned that they came from McCormick County in the upstate. Like most vendors, they were friendly and eager to answer any questions about their breeding program.

            

Vintage Homart headlamp and modern version

The other side of the fairgrounds has an open-air market area where hunting gear is for sale, including GPS-tracking dog collars, headlights and all sorts of footwear. Coon hunters start out after dark, and follow their coonhound into the woods, and they have to have the best snakeproof, briarproof and waterproof boots and chaps available. You can find all of this gear in one place, and special show prices makes each offering even more tempting.

 
To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries from the Grand Amercian click 2016 - 2015 - 2014-  2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010

Cute Bluetick Hound pups for sale 

Late Season Duck Hunting Brings Mixed Bag

Chad Beard and Diva, with Lawton and Marian Huggins

Retrievers are essential 

Dog trainer Chad Beard from Docheno Kennels and I put out our decoys in a semi circular spread in front of the blind, with a motion decoy right in the middle. Our hunt partners Lawton Huggins and his daughter Marian gave decoy placement directions from the blind in the dark of night, and we all felt the anticipation of their father-daughter duck hunt. Daylight always comes quickly despite all the preparations to be ready, so we scurried into the blind and loaded our shotguns.

            

Ladies First! When legal shooting time arrived a big duck passed by the far end of the blind where Marian was stationed, and she aimed her Browning humpback shotgun and dropped it like a stone with one shot. Everyone in the duck blind can gain confidence when a good shot is made to start the morning. Her father was next to strike, aiming his 20-gauge over and under at a passing duck which splashed down behind the blind. I’m not sure which gun fired the most shells between father and daughter, but I do know that when shotgun shells became depleted, Lawton pledged his remaining ‘poppers’ to Marian’s gun.

Lesser scaup and ringnecks

A Father Daughter Waterfowl Hunt Begins

Beard sent his yellow Labrador named Diva out early and often to fetch up all our ducks, a workday that this young lab made look easy. All four guns in our blind would end up finding success in downing a limit of ducks, and Diva worked flawlessly as Beard directed here via whistle commands and hand signals. Dog work is important to duck hunters in order to ensure that each downed duck is claimed, especially when a surprise duck like a lesser scaup makes your mixed bag that much more special. 

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about late season duck hunting click on Filming Migration Nation TV Show - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

   

2016 Birding Journal Observations - November / December

Cute bird feeder in the form of a squirrel

The usual migratory songbirds and raptors were seen in November and December, but the overall number of backyard birds visiting the feeders seems to be noticeably decreased since Hurricane Matthew. My avian observation about fewer birds has been shared with and agreed upon by a couple of fellow bird observers. I haven't a conclusion just yet, but a hypothesis might be linked to the widespread number of hardwood trees that were toppled during Hurricane Matthew - perhaps those trees were more vital habitat for nesting birds than realized? After all, the pine tree were largely spared by Hurricane Matthew, but they could not have offered much protection form the winds and rains of a Category One Hurricane - which hit in early October. Hopefully, a succession of seasons will bring balance back in the form of a bounty of bird life.

Observations include downy woodpecker, chipping sparrow, tufted titmouse, Carolina chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-bellied sapsucker, cardinal, robin, bluebird, brown thrasher, wood thrush, pine warbler, bald eagle, mockingbird, meadowlark, pileated woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, dove, Carolina wren, red-tailed hall and downy woodpecker.

To view past Birding Journal Observations for Nov. / Dec. click on 2015 - 2014 - 2013- 2012 - 2011 - 2010 

New Year's Toast to 2016

December 2016 Diver Duck hunt results,
Ringnecks and Lesser Scaup

Cheers to the year that was 2016, and my 8th annual year end post looking at what transpired on the Lowcountry Outdoors blog. I remain thankful for the newsprint publications that continue to carry my byline including 13 years with the Charleston Mercury, six years with the Colletonian, and Tideline too. My regular contributions to magazines like Guy Harvey and Mossy Oak Gamekeepers keeps me sharp on subjects ranging from saltwater fishing to wildlife habitat management. I stay watchful for Field Notes, and as a Field Expert for Drake Waterfowl my duties included filming for Migration Nation TV.

I have 201 blog followers and my social media presence continues on Facebook and Google +. For those within earshot of I93.7 FM in Walterboro, I am on the air with weekly radio updates about the outdoors on Wednesday mornings with Uncle Miles Crosby. Working with SCDNR and conservation groups like CCA and DU always offer a great way to raise awareness for the general public about the traditions associated with hunting and fishing. Weather trends in 2016 ranged from Hurricane Matthew to widespread drought.

December 2016 Quail Hunt

It was a productive year to travel around South Carolina to experience and share what other regions (besides the Lowcountry) have to offer in regards to the outdoors, lodging, dining and hospitality. For the 2016 visits click on Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center - ACE Basin NERR - Abbeville - Seabrook Island - Rembert - Boykin - Kershaw County

I look forward to working in 2017 towards more blog entries about sporting tales from the outdoors, and I remain ever grateful to those who share their stories during outdoor pursuits. Live well in 2017, and keep one's health and reputation in mind at times!

To view past blog entries from my New Year's Eve Toast click 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Quail Season Hunt Tips and CRP incentive

Temps in the 30's are ideal for upland hunts

A few quail for the iron skillet

Whether hunting private lands for bobwhite quail, or visiting a shooting preserve, the quail hunt know how is similar. Starting where your shoe leather meets the earth is a good place to have multiple options for upland hunting. I have a pair of lightweight hiking boots that are specifically for quail season, and when I have them on it just feels right. However, I choose to modify my footwear based on conditions, and while waterproof snakeboots aren’t nearly as comfortable for woods walking they are prudent when hunting during any warm spell of weather.

English Pointer in action

While quail hunting is not a social occasion on the scale of a dove hunt, it does offer outdoor recreation for even non-hunting participants. Some folks like to walk along with the group simply to observe the bird dogs at work, since canine interaction in the field is so special to view. Others may want to make some photographs of the dogs, their favorite hunters, or any other memorable encounters in the natural world. Socializing more people to quail hunting is always a winning proposition.

            

Wingshooter and bobwhites in flight

For those that are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to plant pine trees, a new incentive was just announced on December 9 to improve that same habitat to benefit bobwhite quail for future hunting. The USDA CRP tree thinning incentive will pay $150 pre acre on top of revenue from any timber harvest for those already enrolled in the program. Michael Hook is the small game program leader with the SCDNR, and a part of the S.C. Bobwhite Initiative.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about quail season opening click on 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2010 

2016 Christmas Eve Dove Shoot

Notice dove hunter sitting behind livestock

Comes from keeping shells in my bird pouch

Unusually warm weather and full sunshine caused temperatures to soar into the 70's for our afternoon holiday dove hunt, and that caused the grey game birds to seemingly soar into the stratosphere. Late season dove hunts are notorious for doves that fly high as a result of a season of shooting pressure on them. But warm weather means that they can stay away from the feed and fly high and lazy, which underscores that any dove hunt is simply a chance to gauge what the birds are doing on any given day. My first two shots resulted in two downed birds, but as the birds flew higher and higher, I wasn't able to connect anymore. Lots of shooting all around the field at only a single dove or a pair of birds is a signal that not many doves were being harvested. The corn in this dove field at Polk Hunt Club was blown down by Hurricane Matthew, but the brown top millet crop was fully mature and offered a good amount of seed. A grand holiday tradition was observed during our Christmas Eve dove hunt, and holiday hunting remains a special time in the outdoors.

To view past blog entries about Christmas Eve Hunting click on 2012 Waterfowl - 2011 Deer - 2010 Oyster Roast - 2009 Dove

Millet seed

Christmas Eve Hunt Host