Fall is a time of harvest and last weekend was certainly no exception as a group of dedicated hunters went to the dove field for some relaxation, fun and excitement. And hopefully they would also harvest a few doves for the supper table. While the heat kept the doves out of the field for awhile, the hunters were not deterred in their quest.

    Matt Kennedy was joined by his bride Brandi and children Eli and John Carter as they participated in the cherished tradition of family fun in the dove field. Hunting runs deep in the Kennedy roots and Matt wanted to pass on the family tradition to his young children as well. By the looks of things Brandi and the whole family had fun while harvesting more than a few doves.

    Across the field I watched Andy Mayatt and his son Tucker blast their share of doves also. Tucker enjoyed shooting the doves and even retrieved a few of his dad’s birds as well. By the look of excitement in his eyes Tucker was really excited and glad to be there. On more than one occasion Mayatt downed a bird or two and young Tucker lit out like a trained retriever and happily fetched the dove for his dad.

On target

    Bruce Martin took up a stand across from me right alongside a hay bale. As a group of doves flew over Martin never missed a beat and downed a couple of the birds. Singles didn’t stand a chance if they flew near. In fact more than a few fell within range of Mayatt’s and my guns. Though Martin was modest about his shooting ability, he quickly got the limit with a minimum of misses.

    In keeping with the family hunting theme Richard and Chase Davis were on hand with Chase doing the shooting and harvesting and Richard doing the cooking with the help of Mitch Mosley. While Chase and Peyt Mosley busted a few birds, their dads cooked and even delivered some much needed refreshment for the hunters.

    Yours truly joined them on a delivery round and I snapped a few photos of the local sharpshooters including Frank Eddins and Colby Heathcock. The young guns were blasting them every chance they got and they got quite a few chances.

    Arriving right on time at his appointed spot and last to get in the field was top gun John Lucas. Lucas was death on the birds and few escaped if they flew by in his range. Birds dropped out of the sky with regularity. From my vantage point the birds would crumple and start falling just prior to the shotgun report arriving at my position. The birds looked like they were just folding up for no reason, when Deadeye Lucas’ shotgun barked again and I knew what had happened.      

    Scott Davis got in on the action and busted his share as well as he roamed the perimeter with his trusty black Lab, Lucy. Few got by Davis though he spent quite a bit of his time checking on the other hunters while Lucy hunted up downed birds from the woods, brush and water.

Eager retrieves

    On several occasions I watched as Lucy busted out into the water and swam to a floating bird with reckless abandon, surely relishing the opportunity as her proud master looked on. Watching a trained Lab ply its trade is a thing of beauty to behold and worthy of the trip if for nothing else.

    Toward the end of the hunt Davis was joined by his wife Cassie and their future hunters Sara Scott and Gray. The three of them made their way around the field with Lucy hunting up doves and enjoying the late fall afternoon while Cassie toured the field in a golf cart worthy of an expectant mother. As the day wound down the hunters met back up, compared notes and counted the doves.

    Though everybody didn’t get their limits they were pretty close and most got their limit of fun! Before the doves were cleaned most of the hunters enjoyed grilled food and some sweet deserts compliments of The Dessert Queen, Ronda Burton. Her sweet dessert delights are scrumptious to say the least!

    Nothing beats a fall afternoon of dove hunting fun with family, friends, food and birds. If it gets any better than that I just couldn’t stand it!