Three Day South Carolina Quail Hunt

[Mike Koneski]

So my buddy David deFernelmont and I headed to South Carolina with our brides to get away from lousy PA winter weather and enjoy some good old Southern quail hunting. We had this hunt planned since last Summer and we looked forward to the 'whir of wings" with much anticipation. We hunted three days, January 13-15. Dave had his two GSPs and I had two of our English Setters. To say that the dogs didn't embarrass us was an understatement!! The dog work was stellar! We would hunt my Setters in the AM and Dave's GSPs in the PM. A perfect set up. Dave used his CZ guns in 28 and .410 while I had my Parker VH 20 and Lefever DS 20. I'd hunt with the Parker in the AM and the Lefever in the PM. All total over the three days we bagged 201 quail! The action was intense. We were both able to score on doubles on Wednesday AM, about 20 minutes apart. Both doubles were very similar as the first bird was a quartering low bird and the second was a climbing bird. That was my first addition to the "Parker Doubles Club". The only negative of the three days was on Thursday AM, we arrived at our pine savanna field to see a large lab mix dog running all around and chasing birds. That definitely cut into what we found in the field. Let's just say that dog ran off in a hurry.

The temps were perfect for our hunting and running the dogs. Each day started in the high 40s. Tuesday wound up pushing 70, Wednesday was low 60s and Thursday was in the high 50s.

Along with the hunting, the food was outstanding! Nothing like Southern cooking to warm and comfort tired bodies. Even the last night's meal included quail in gravy!! deeeeeelicious!

The first photo is fried pork chops with gravy, black eyed peas and collard greens!

[JAMES HALL]

First picture. The only thing missing is the stewed tomatoes.

[Garry L Gordon]

What a beautiful place! Congratulations on your double and in doing so over your own pups and with an historic gun. Did Sammy hunt?

[Mike Koneski]

First picture. The only thing missing is the stewed tomatoes.

Agreed! BTW, one of our guides was Tim Hall. Maybe a relative??

[Mike Koneski]

What a beautiful place! Congratulations on your double and in doing so over your own pups and with an historic gun. Did Sammy hunt?

Uh, NO! :rotf::rotf: She doesn't hunt, neither does Patti.

It adds to the hunt using your own dogs. They make daddy proud! That Parker has taken mated pairs of four of the six species of quail in the USA. Hopefully, Lord willing, it will be able to take Valley and Mountain quail too.

[Bill Murphy]

Mike, two questions. #1, did you buy the farm? #2, did the lab go home with some #8 shot in his ass?

[Mike Koneski]

Mike, two questions. #1, did you buy the farm? #2, did the lab go home with some #8 shot in his ass?

Bill, #1, not quite but close. #2, I can neither confirm nor deny the request from our guide. :shock::cool:

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks for the report and pics Mike,


Looks like you and David enjoyed an excellent trip!

[Daryl Corona]

Looks like the perfect place to be in Jan to escape this global warming here in the NE.:bowdown:

[CraigThompson]

So what did the young fellow who I assume was your “guide” do ? Just walk along and suggest the direction to take ?

[Mike Koneski]

So what did the young fellow who I assume was your “guide” do ? Just walk along and suggest the direction to take ?

That, carry birds, take us to our fields, have water for us, take our birds in to be cleaned, vacuum packed and frozen….

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Very nice guys.
Was below zero this morning in South Dakota,got up to 7, with 25 mph winds and minus 25 wind chill. We drove around checking out new areas most of the day but got out at 3:30 for a hunt, birds wild in the wind but got one over little Doodle at 5:00.
Those temps sound wonderful.

[Garry L Gordon]

Very nice guys.
Was below zero this morning in South Dakota,got up to 7, with 25 mph winds and minus 25 wind chill. We drove around checking out new areas most of the day but got out at 3:30 for a hunt, birds wild in the wind but got one over little Doodle at 5:00.
Those temps sound wonderful.

Harold, that weather would almost make a guy use a single trigger gun…almost.:rotf:

Mike went in the right direction to warmer climes. :bowdown:

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Believe me Garry, if I had one I'd be carrying it!