Last day of the VA early goose season !

[Daniel G Rainey]

Like Mills I have killed some geese, but now let the young guys fight the waterfowl wars. I deer hunt a lot, but in Mississippi the old time deer drive with horses ,hounds and drivers on foot are just about a thing of the past. Several years ago while visiting my sister in the Mount PLeasant I was asked on a deer drive at the Middleton Hunt Club in the middle of the low country. It was a hoot! . This was a shotgun only and as I recall, I have never seen as many Parker and Fox side by side at any hunt. Most were guns passed down in the family .We met an old gentleman well into his 80's at the club gate ( a member ) and he was highly upset that they were letting members climb trees and shoot at deer with rifles without turning the hounds out. He had killed his first deer at Middleton at age 7 was still shooting the same double. This was most enjoyable morning, some members wore tweed coats with ties and hunting horn around their neck to call in the hounds or let everyone know they killed one ( no cell phones ) I was passable in my Barbour jacket and knee high rubber boots. The lunch was to write home about ! And everyone had fun.It was great day! Dan