[TXPalerider]

This year's South Zone was truly special for me in a lot of ways. Not only was it an opportunity for me to hunt and catch up with a lot of old friends, I also had was able to spend some quality time with some newcomers to our annual hunt. Even had the chance to meet one of the new local Game Wardens and he was really nice guy too. About the only negative thing about the weekend was several of our regulars were unable to make the hunt due to storm related problems.

The bird hunting was, in a word.....phenomenal!! The fog Saturday morning delayed the flight a bit, but, as soon as it burned off it was "Katy Bar the Door." We had a good mix of both Whitewings and Mourners, which allowed the flight to last longer, and both young and old hunters were able to get relatively easy limits. Over the course of the weekend, I would estimate we had 35-40 hunters leave with full two day limits. I would guess we shot somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 birds. It was definitely one for "the books."

In addition to the above mentioned attributes, it was especially memorable for me because it was my 5 year old son's first ever weekend hunt with the guys. My oldest (15) was off on his own, and we had plenty of quality one-on-one time together. He had an absolute ball shooting his new BB gun and we had a great time sitting on our dove stools talking about gun safety, dogs, cows, doves(wings, eyes, feet, etc.), swallows, butterflies, dragonflies, ants and whole host of other relevant/irrelevant topics.

Overall, it was just really neat to watch his eyes light up as he examined doves up close and watch his little brain working as he thought about all the new stuff going on around him. It was truly a memorable weekend. :

Here are a few pics from the weekend. Sorry about the quality they were taken with my cell phone.

 

[Haute Pursuit]

That's awesome!

 

[rlw]

THAT,my friend is what hunting is all about!
Rick

 

[badfisherman]

It's hunters and men like you who make the big difference in kids growing up these days.I was lucky enough to be raised right and know the difference from right and wrong. Your son will remember that hunt forever etched into his mind..Good job Brad..

 

[Rack Ranch]

What a memory..It seems like it was either feast or famine for the dove hunters...glad you had the feast...looks like you got yourself another hunting partner..pretty soon your gonna be watching the kiddos do the killing...gonna be a lot of fun...Walker

 

[Trouthunter]

It was a great weekend for sure; I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera as Connor is quite the show stealer.

Thanks again, it was as much fun as ever and I even missed old Bucksnort, well kind of.

Just kidding Danny we sure wish you could have made it and as you can imagine your name came up often.

PS...missed Brad's Dad too and Walter and.....next year guys.

TH

 

[6Mile]

Great story and great pics. way to get the young one out there.

Congrats.

 

[huntinguy]

Thats what its all about there! Good times no doubt!

 

[Bucksnort]

It was a great weekend for sure; I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera as Connor is quite the show stealer.

Thanks again, it was as much fun as ever and I even missed old Bucksnort, well kind of.

Just kidding Danny we sure wish you could have made it and as you can imagine your name came up often.

PS...missed Brad's Dad too and Walter and.....next year guys.

TH

I missed being out there with you guys. Still running off generator at the house, had to meet with insurance guys etc. Glad ya'll had a great hunt. Shame I have to wait another year now.....what a bummer.

 

[slabseeker]

south zone

just seeing the goat weed tells it all.What part off the south zone did ya'll
hunt?

 

[JLC72]

Man, awesome hunt and great job getting the boy out! Thanks for the post and for cell phone pics they look great. Thanks again and congrats.

 

[TXPalerider]

We were hunting around Victoria.

 

[kweber]

what's all this talk like the opener is all that is? we have many days to get in a dove hunt or two. and fishin' too. we're gonna go after teal this weekend, and then look to Oct for doves and redfish in the surf. geese, ducks, deer, turkey and quail will be on the agenda also. fall is here, amigos, drink deep.