September 8, 2010 Dove Death

Every year I read or hear about hunters and fishermen who die while pursuing their dreams afield due.  The WRAL article below reminded me of an incident that happened on my first dove hunt. 
Louisburg, N.C. — An 18-year-old man was killed Monday afternoon while hunting near Louisburg, according to Lt. John Reams of the state Wildlife Resources Commission.
Reams said an uncle and nephew were hunting near Rocky Ford when the uncle swung his gun to shoot a dove. The gun went off at the base of the nephew's head, killing him instantly, Reams said.
An autopsy will be performed on the teen’s body at the Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill.
More details, including the identity of the victim, haven't been released. 
I was around 12 years old and my brother asked if I wanted to tag along on a dove hunt.  Not sure he wanted his snot-nosed brother to tag along but I didn't hesitate.   He'd given me a BB gun the previous Christmas but it wasn't exactly dove killing material.  So I sneaked into Daddy's closet and "borrowed" his.  It was a beautiful Browning 12 gauge and, although I'd handled and fired guns before, I had no idea what I was doing.  No instruction, no training, no hunter safety course, nothing.
We, my brother, one of his buddies and me, headed to a local farm and my brother paid the farmer a small fee for us to hunt.  I don't remember much about the hunt itself but something happened right before we left that I will never forget.
It was a large cut-corn field with a hedgerow running through the middle.  Hunters were spaced around the circumference of the field and along the hedgerow.  We had arrived a little later and were relegated to middle of the field, with no shade, in September, in North Carolina.  It was hot!  The birds weren't flying so after a couple hours we all joined up to drink Pepsi's and eat snacks from a small cooler.  Man, that Pepsi tasted good and it was so cold it burned going down.   Sure enough, it happened.  As it always happens.  Three hunters standing in the middle of the field and a group of birds fly over.  I pulled up my (errrrrr "my father's") shotgun and when I broke the first rule of firearms, "Always point the gun in a safe direction."  Instead I pointed the barrel right at the head of my brother's friend.  No one else even noticed but boy did it shake me.  What if I had pulled the trigger?  What if he died?  I was done for the day! 
We got back home and I sneaked the Browning back into my father's closet, unbeknownst to him.  I deserved a trip to the woodshed that day.  For more than one reason!




Note:  My prayers go out to the family involved in the tragedy above.  May God give them peace in the eye of this emotional storm!

September 4, 2010 Doves!

This is the second consecutive year I've missed the opening day of dove season.  I pray the weather cooperates and NC sportsmen and women have a safe and productive opener!

08.05.10 Dream Build

One of the things I miss most about being out of the states is shooting my bow. Usually this time of year I am shooting 10-20 arrows per night at 3-d targets set up in various locations in the backyard. 20 yards from the top step of the deck to the deer by the fence. 15 yards to the black bear beside the maple tree. 30 yards to the feeding doe next to the chicken coop. 10 yards to the block target in front of the shed. Initially my goal was to be in proper form prior to the NC archery season. But it turned into a daily self-therapy session. Some days, no make that MOST days, I could use some of that mental detoxification.
I have done some asking and scoured the internet looking for archery shops and clubs here but have thus far struck out. Even if I find something I would say it's near impossible to get a bow through customs. My coping mechanism has become designing a new hunting rig to buy when we get back to the states. Here's what I've come up with thus far.  Easton Full Metal Jacket Arrows (white wraps with white blazers, tipped with Slick Tricks and I'd like to try lighted nocks for the first time), Custom Braided Sling and string leeches or cat whiskers and the items below:

Mission Eliminator II with M5 Quiver

Octane Hostage Pro Rest

Sword Twilight Hunter Sight

Limbsaver Modular Stabilizer

7.27.19 Another Outdoor Show

I haven't attended the Antler Insanity Jamboree before (or even heard of it for that matter) but if the name is any indication it's gonna be a good one. Some pretty big names, Michael Waddell, Nick Mundt, T-Bone Turner, etc will be in attendance. August 13-15 are the dates. Asheville is the location. For more information click here.

7.16.10 Upcoming Show

I won't be able to attend but wanted to tell how all my hunting buddies know about an upcoming outdoors show.  The Big Buck Expo will be in Greensboro next week, July 23-25.  Check out the link for more information.