CPiper
Senior Member
Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine
June 2005 Issue
Pages 29-32
Did you see my thread on “have you ever cried in the deer woods”? Well, I almost cried sittin on my bed the other night after reading this article.
I was in WalMart with the kids and by happen chance I stopped by the magazine rack. I seldom do that, knowing I will have to read D&DH and NA Whitetail cover to cover and VERY seldom buy a magazine from a newsrack – I picked up this D&DH issue and thumbed through it and low and behold, an article on an old southern doggin camp.
I threw the mag in my buggy and at 11PM, after tuckin the kids in bed and doing my chores, I sat and read the article.
All sorts of memories and emotions found their way to the forefront of my heart and mind.
All of a sudden I was a 10 year old lad in Clarke Co Alabama reliving so many fond memories of a traditional southern dog camp. It made me long for them yester days and years, when life and deer hunting was simpler, gentler, more fun and respectful.
If you have never been on a dog drive, or been on a bad one, or had a sour poor run in with some doggers, get this magazine and read up!!
The 1st picture shows a bunch of white haired old gentlemen, some middle aged gents and a score of young boys, all bunched up together for a group picture; deer legs showing in the background.
John D McQueen was president of the featured dog camp in 1943, and he went on his first dog drive as a 10 year old boy in 1893 – yes, 1893 - over 100 years ago.
He tells of how the land was covered in virgin forests and you could run dogs 10 miles in any direction. How the hunters on adjacent lands loved being called and forewarned of the pending dog run and would stand their lines and cash in on the improved deer movement.
Southern MEN had a pride and respect back then that is all but lost and swallowed up in today’s fast paced self centered culture; and these men held dog hunting and the land in high regards.
The article speaks of the dog camp as a place for high socializing and being a place to build and maintain deep long lasting friendships.
Its tells of a specific time when a Dr at the club happened to kill a nice buck only because he was out of place. McQueen’s dad helped the Dr with his deer and 2 weeks later, both McQueen’s dad and the Dr were dead - these men lived, hunted and died with each other.
It tells of the passing of rite, passing the heritage and tradition of dog hunting and being a part of this camp onto a son; a daughter if there was not a son present.
It tells of how doe deer were once sacred and held in high esteem and how over the years the club grew to understand and appreciate deer management; In place now is doe harvest and “earn a buck”. You must shoot 3 doe deer before you can shoot a buck, and the buck has to be 6pnts or better, 3 does before you can take advantage of the clubs 3 buck limit (nanny nanny boo boo to you naysayers who say doggers cannot manage what they shoot – Iv been telling we not only can, we have, for GENERATIONS/Decades!!!!)
The members once held meetings with Alabama’s legislators to lobby against doe killing – hows that for doggers being and getting involved?!
It tells of the kangaroo courts that were held for missed shots. Of cutting shirt tails and the “beatings” that would be passed out. Made me stop and remember – last place I saw shirt tail cutting was when I was in my late teens in Alabama, and we had a wall full of shirt tails. Don’t see of hear of that much anymore do we?
Again, you MUST read this article!!
In closing, McQueen says that this club would remain a place where “real sportsman may gather and enjoy good hunting and good fellowship … and that the way to do this is to continue to conserve our game and timber, and at all times remember that killing game is by no means the only thing which makes hunting worth while”
I do wish things could be different, like they were 50+ years ago. Too many changes, too much selfishness, too much unwillingness to bend and change/adapt.
I am sure South Carolina has such a club(s) that is stepped in such a deep legacy; It will a sad dark day if things changed to take away to stop the continuance of such a legacy!
June 2005 Issue
Pages 29-32
Did you see my thread on “have you ever cried in the deer woods”? Well, I almost cried sittin on my bed the other night after reading this article.
I was in WalMart with the kids and by happen chance I stopped by the magazine rack. I seldom do that, knowing I will have to read D&DH and NA Whitetail cover to cover and VERY seldom buy a magazine from a newsrack – I picked up this D&DH issue and thumbed through it and low and behold, an article on an old southern doggin camp.
I threw the mag in my buggy and at 11PM, after tuckin the kids in bed and doing my chores, I sat and read the article.
All sorts of memories and emotions found their way to the forefront of my heart and mind.
All of a sudden I was a 10 year old lad in Clarke Co Alabama reliving so many fond memories of a traditional southern dog camp. It made me long for them yester days and years, when life and deer hunting was simpler, gentler, more fun and respectful.
If you have never been on a dog drive, or been on a bad one, or had a sour poor run in with some doggers, get this magazine and read up!!
The 1st picture shows a bunch of white haired old gentlemen, some middle aged gents and a score of young boys, all bunched up together for a group picture; deer legs showing in the background.
John D McQueen was president of the featured dog camp in 1943, and he went on his first dog drive as a 10 year old boy in 1893 – yes, 1893 - over 100 years ago.
He tells of how the land was covered in virgin forests and you could run dogs 10 miles in any direction. How the hunters on adjacent lands loved being called and forewarned of the pending dog run and would stand their lines and cash in on the improved deer movement.
Southern MEN had a pride and respect back then that is all but lost and swallowed up in today’s fast paced self centered culture; and these men held dog hunting and the land in high regards.
The article speaks of the dog camp as a place for high socializing and being a place to build and maintain deep long lasting friendships.
Its tells of a specific time when a Dr at the club happened to kill a nice buck only because he was out of place. McQueen’s dad helped the Dr with his deer and 2 weeks later, both McQueen’s dad and the Dr were dead - these men lived, hunted and died with each other.
It tells of the passing of rite, passing the heritage and tradition of dog hunting and being a part of this camp onto a son; a daughter if there was not a son present.
It tells of how doe deer were once sacred and held in high esteem and how over the years the club grew to understand and appreciate deer management; In place now is doe harvest and “earn a buck”. You must shoot 3 doe deer before you can shoot a buck, and the buck has to be 6pnts or better, 3 does before you can take advantage of the clubs 3 buck limit (nanny nanny boo boo to you naysayers who say doggers cannot manage what they shoot – Iv been telling we not only can, we have, for GENERATIONS/Decades!!!!)
The members once held meetings with Alabama’s legislators to lobby against doe killing – hows that for doggers being and getting involved?!
It tells of the kangaroo courts that were held for missed shots. Of cutting shirt tails and the “beatings” that would be passed out. Made me stop and remember – last place I saw shirt tail cutting was when I was in my late teens in Alabama, and we had a wall full of shirt tails. Don’t see of hear of that much anymore do we?
Again, you MUST read this article!!
In closing, McQueen says that this club would remain a place where “real sportsman may gather and enjoy good hunting and good fellowship … and that the way to do this is to continue to conserve our game and timber, and at all times remember that killing game is by no means the only thing which makes hunting worth while”
I do wish things could be different, like they were 50+ years ago. Too many changes, too much selfishness, too much unwillingness to bend and change/adapt.
I am sure South Carolina has such a club(s) that is stepped in such a deep legacy; It will a sad dark day if things changed to take away to stop the continuance of such a legacy!
