Happy Mother's Day!

Grandson & Great-Grandsons Gone Fishing

This past Sunday was a beautiful day to go fishing, and my daughter, Debra (taking pictures), and her two sons, Stephen (not shown) and Ethan, took my three great-grandsons, Will, Noah, and 5-year-old Asher, fishing. She said Stephen caught a small bass and a perch, and that was it. They threw them back in and said it wasn't the best spot, but they will try a different place next time.

Great-Grandson Noah, Grandson Ethan, and my youngest Great-Grandson Asher.

William David "Will" fishing.

Noah fishing.

Five-year-old Asher is fishing.

Making precious memories in our great Mississippi outdoors!

A Memory of 19 Years Ago

 

Rex Dean Howell and I, with Rex's dog CAMO,

Sharing a memory from 19 years ago, on May 5, 2007, when I met Rex Dean Howell and his family at their deer camp, the famous Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club, on the edge of the MS Delta near Eden, MS.  The property had 11 Indian Mounds, and our first picture together was taken in front of one.  One of the happiest days of my life.

We met by chance when he came to a hunting forum I had posted on, where I had included a picture of my first 8-point buck and left a link.  He came to my website before I turned it into this blog and signed my guestbook on January 29, 2007.  I always thank everyone who signs, and that is how we met.  He later told me to keep blogging about deer hunting because not too many women deer hunt. He had a hunting blog called Deer Camp Blog, and the rest is history.  At the time, we had the same template and green-colored blog.  It was meant to be.

My former husband, Bob Phillips, and I were invited to the deer camp, where we met his dad, Hershel, and his brothers, Paul and Trent.  We were treated like royalty when we arrived and toured most of the camp, which covered close to 2,000 acres and included a 40-acre pond.  

Until 2019, I was able to deer hunt on the property, but Rex got very sick with cancer and died on January 31, 2021.  He called me on December 23, 2020, and told me he was very sick and we could not hunt. On Christmas Eve, he went into the hospital and was operated on early Christmas Day. 

A wonderful memory in my life, from 12 years of deer-hunting with a friend, I will never forget as long as I live.  May he rest in peace.  Amen

Little Joe's First Turkey

Grandson's 1st turkey! So proud! 11 1/2-inch beard, 1.25 spurs.

 

Suzy Conyers (Grandmother) congratulated him.

Proud Grandfather (Joe Conyers) is taking a picture.

 Little Joe is very well camouflaged!

My congratulations on a job well done.  I enjoyed taking my grandson, Carl, deer hunting when he was much younger and got his first deer, a six-point buck!  Wonderful memories to cherish for the rest of your lives.

Rick's Turkey

My Facebook friend, Rick Macfarlane, has an awesome turkey picture. 

Congratulations!!! 

Vandy's Turkey

Yesterday was another great day for the old guy. You don't really appreciate being in the woods until you spend a whole season sitting on the porch, as I did several years ago, because of heart issues. At 74, it gets a little harder to get up every morning, so occasionally I take a morning off and usually work on gardening or dove fields, and a couple of hours after daylight, I ask myself, " What are you doing. Headed to Alabama to try and get the last 2 dove fields planted and, of course, a turkey hunt whenever possible.

My congratulations to you, Vandy Collins, in our wild and wonderful outdoors!

Shirley's Beautiful Turkey

 

Shirley Webb is my friend on Facebook, and this is what she had to say....I'm a wife, mama, and grandmother. I love God, family, friends, and hunting, most especially turkey hunting.

God is good to me. Yesterday afternoon at 5:20 pm, I harvested this beautiful bird. I hate the dark picture, but I was hunting solo, and by the time I got out and got some pictures, it was dusk. I'm so thankful.

My congratulations to Shirley in our great wild outdoors! Woo Hoo!!!

Maggie's Fine Turkey

I didn't get to hunt opening day, but today I did, and called in this beautiful big bird! 10-inch beard and 1 1/4 inch spurs. He was so heavy, I had a hard time getting him set up on a log so I could take a picture with my tripod, so it's not a great photo, but I am so thankful! 4.4.2026

by Maggie Boineau

My congratulation!  Job well done!

Bradly's First Turkey Ever

St. Jude's Healing Kids Turkey hunt in Savannah, TN. This morning, our hunter is Bradly Cobb from North Carolina. Did great and took his very first turkey ever this morning! Great hunt, and it is all on film!

Was done before 7:00 am by Joe E. Shults.

So proud of you, Bradly!  Nice turkey too!

In Memory of My Friend, David Edward Woods

April 4, 1954 ~ March 21, 2026

David Edward Woods, well-known Vicksburg hair stylist/barber, died March 21, 2026, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He would have been 72 years old on April 4, 2026. 

David was also known as an accomplished and artistic woodworker who always enjoyed sharing his talents with others.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Bettye Woods. He is survived by his twin sons (Christopher and Nicholas), two granddaughters (Nicholas: Callie and Zoe), and four brothers (Ben/Stephanie, John, Thomas, and Sam/Rosanna), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. David will truly be missed by his relatives, many clients, and friends.

The family wishes to thank the numerous doctors and nurses at UMMC and Sanctuary Hospice who assisted with David's care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to favorite veteran charities.

A memorial service will be held on March 31, 2026, at Sebrell Funeral Home, 425 Northpark Dr.

Ridgeland, MS 39157.

3:00 pm visitation

4:00 pm memorial service

May he rest in peace.

Frankie's Turkey

Frankie Pazos, accompanied by his dad, Frank, joined us at Rebel Yell Outdoors, and the 11-year-old scored big on his first turkey, a very handsome trophy turkzilla! Hunter #5 with long beard #5!!!!

Y'all help me congratulate this fine young hunter and excellent marksman. That tiny tubed .410 did a fine job!

My congratulations to Frankie, and I'm so proud of you!!!

Hunting Friend Died August 15, 2025

Billie Scott Boykin, 94, of Ridgeland, MS, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2025. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m.

Billie was born May 15, 1931, in Mist, Arkansas, to Eddie and Edythe Boykin. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and married the love of his life, Lydia Sue Howell Boykin. He worked as an electrician, a rancher, a farmer, and in timber management. He loved his family, hunting, and raising both hunting dogs and quarter horses.

He is preceded in death by his father, Eddie Scott Boykin, and his mother, Edythe Adams Boykin.

Billie is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lydia Sue Boykin; his children, Billy (Lynn) Boykin, Jr., Tray (Lisa) Bourgoyne, and Terri Boykin; grandchildren, Billy Scott (Taylor) Boykin, III, and Kristin (Chandler) Tinsley.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Columb's Episcopal Church, 550 Sunnybrook Rd, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

May he rest in peace.

Just found out today through a good friend, Jane Ivy, that Billy had died.  Here is a picture of us at the deer camp talking about our deer stories.  Fred Harris, Billy Scott Boykin, and I in the late 80s at Browns Point Hunting Club on Kings Point Island, north of Vicksburg, MS. 

Happy "Heavenly" 68th Birthday, Rex

This is a picture of my hunting friend, Rex Dean Howell, and me taking a break during a workday at the famous Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club on the edge of the MS Delta.  He is wearing a T-shirt that was given to him by my former step-daughter, Karen, and hubby Ron Whitmore, who owned Artisans Santa Fe art supplies in Santa Fe, NM.  He is proudly wearing it.  He died on January 31, 2021 (the last day of hunting season) and would have turned 68 today.  I miss our hunting and work days, which were so much fun.  I feel very fortunate to have known him, and I miss him, his family, and his hunting friends.  

Angela's Very Nice Buck

Angela Parker harvested this buck in the early bow season in Hermanville, Mississippi.

My congratulations to Angela on a very nice buck in our great wild outdoors.

That's a BIG HOG!

That’s a big hog. Rumor it was 1,100 lbs killed in Fayetteville, Arkansas. That’s a freaking tank!

Holly's BIG 7-Point

Holly Pell killed this 7-point buck while hunting in Warren County on January 18.  It weighed 235 pounds and had a 20-inch inside spread. 

That is an awesome 7-point!  My congratulations to Holly in our great Mississippi wild outdoors! 

Sharing a Memory

Sharing a memory from long ago of my former husband (deceased) and me riding on the sandbar at Brown's Point Deer Camp, north of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River in the late 1980's.  It was so much fun going to camp in the summer, riding around, jumping off the deer, and checking out the sandbars.  We had a blast and later got a four-wheeler to enjoy as well.   

Sarah Kate's First Deer

Sarah Kate McPhail, in her first year out of college, made some memories with her dad this winter while killing her first deer.  

My congratulations to Sarah Kate on a job well done!  It's in your blood now.  Nice buck in our great Mississippi outdoors!

Orlando's Big Buck

Orlando Tel Duncan killed this big 13-point buck near the Big Black River on January 10.  It weighed 235 pounds and had a 20-inch inside spread.  

My congratulations to Orlando in our great wild Mississippi outdoors.  I'm sure he will have it mounted!

#1 Hog For The Year

My friend Kareen on Facebook loves to kill hogs, and this is her first one this year. Here is her hog story in her own words.

I was out by 7:02 pm. There were deer there that ran off. Then a lone cow elk showed up & some time later I could see the shadow of a hog. There was just enough moonlight that I could make him out. So the elk & the hog did their dance. She didn’t want to leave, but he wasn’t leaving either & just waiting. She finally gave up & took off & when he walked under the lights I dropped him in his tracks. As I was walking up to him, I could see he was still barely alive, so I put one more in him. I do believe he was the hog from the night before, who had only one eye. Pretty good-sized, and I will measure him in the morning. Shot him at 7:51 pm. That makes #1 for the year & 213 grand total. I am so happy!

My congratulations to my hog friend, Kareen, in the great Texas outdoors!

Evan's Buck

Evan Rowland killed this very nice 8-point buck on private land in the Bovina area on New Year's Eve.  Congratulations to Evan.  So proud of you in our Mississippi outdoors!

Abel's Buck

Abel Hopkins got this buck during the 2025 deer season.  Fine-looking buck, Abel!

My congratulations to Abel in our great Mississippi outdoors!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Trip's Very First Buck

Trip Irwin, an 11-year-old Vicksburg resident, got his first buck.  It was a 13-pointer.  So proud of Trip, and he will never forget the day he shot his very first buck.  What a memory.  My congratulations to Trip on our great Mississippi wild outdoors!  Way to go! 

Walk Dates Across the MS River @ Vicksburg

I have been on the bridge at least 3 times and walked all the way to Louisiana with my youngest daughter years ago during a fun run & walk.

Two other times for a meal on the bridge.  It was very enjoyable, and taking pictures was excellent.  Here is the schedule for the next three months.  So glad they are doing this now, as the trains pass east and west; otherwise, they may not be passing at this time.  Not sure.

Upcoming ‘Sip Stroll Walk Dates:

February 13 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
February 20 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
February 27 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
March 6 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
March 13 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
March 20 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
March 27 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 3 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 10 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 17 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 24 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Evelyn's Nice Buck

 

Evelyn Kivett got her first deer this past season.  My congratulations to Evelyn in our great Mississippi outdoors.  That's a nice buck, and I'm so proud of you.

Freddie's Two Deer on One Morning Hunt

Freddie got two deer in one morning on January 2nd!  Happy New Year's, he said.  

My congratulations to Freddie in our great Mississippi outdoors.  A lot of meat in the freezer for sure.  

The Last Thing a Hunter Wants to Find in the Woods

So, quite the morning in the woods. After this morning sit I was walking down a powerline grade and came across the last thing a hunter wants to find. I stumbled upon 5 dead deer, 3 bucks and 2 does, at first I wasn't sure what I was looking at. After a moment, I realized that a tree that probably blew over in last weekend's high winds had taken down powerlines, and the 5 deer had been electrocuted. Yes, I called the DNR to make sure I was doing everything correctly then we called consumers since the powerlines were still hot, they sent a truck out to disconnect the power, cut the trees off the line an the turned power back on. So I'm writing this as an eye opener, if you hunt around powerlines, look first as you walk in, this story could have had a different ending if anyone was walking around in the dark.

Just an update to this, all these deer were spoiled, probably been 5 days old, and had a nasty smell, and yes, I get to keep the antlers.

An Anonymous Hunter

In Memory of My Hunting Friend, Rex Dean Howell

Deer Camp Blog

A picture of my hunting friend, Rex Dean Howell, who died on January 31, 2021, taken by his son Spencer.  We were headed to the North Cornfield stand where his brother, Trent Howell, was bush hogging at the famous Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club. While we were headed there, I asked him how he found me, and he said it was on a hunting forum.  I had put my web address there, and he came and signed my guestbook on January 29, 2007, and the rest is history.  He is deeply missed by his family and hunting friends. 

The BEATLES "Birthday" song

Happy 85th Birthday to Me!

This little girl, me, turns 85 years old today! I'm a proud mother of 4 daughters, a son (deceased), 6 granddaughters, 3 grandsons, and 5 great-grandsons. So blessed to have lived this long and to enjoy my family that I love so much.

Happy Birthday to me!

Brandy's Big Mississippi Buck

Congratulations to Brandy on an absolute giant of an 8-point. It doesn’t do this deer justice in our great MS outdoors!  Way to go!

Ruston's Buck

Ruston Landers, 10, got this deer during the 2025-26 season.  So proud of Ruston in our great Mississippi outdoors!  

Happy 60th Birthday, Kathy!

On January 21, 1966, my daughter, Kathleen (Kathy) Love Boyd Day, was born at 4:21-½ in the morning. She is 60 years old today and the only daughter out of four, who is a deer hunter. In this picture, we were hunting at Homewood Hunting Club in Claiborne County, MS, back in the early ’20s. We have had some fantastic hunts together and made some great memories. I’m wishing Kathy a very Happy 60th Birthday today. Have a Blessed one, Kathy! I Love you, MOM xoxo

Scarlett's First Buck

Sixteen-year-old Scarlett Coutch, a Vicksburg native, killed her first buck Monday while hunting in Hinds County with her father.

The deer was an eight-point buck, marking a milestone for the young hunter.

Coutch is a 10th-grade student at St. Aloysius High School, where she is also a member of the Lady Flashes softball team.

My congratulations to Scarlett in our great Mississippi outdoors.  So proud of you!

No Deer @ Campbell Swamp

I was invited to go with my granddaughter, Victoria, and hubby, Jamie, to hunt at Campbell Swamp.  I've heard of this place south of town all my life.  It was owned by the Anderson-Tully Company (Lumber Mill) years ago and was sold.  My former husband worked for ATCO as a personnel manager.  We had three places to hunt, but not here.  It was a pretty windy day, but a great place to hunt.

 

If this old deer stand could talk. It would have a lot of hunting stories to tell.  It was to the left of the deer stand I was in.  

This was the deer stand I was in.  You could put at least 3 people in it.  I would have camouflaged it myself.

Looking out the front window with a wide view.  Moveable plexiglass was used for windows.  

This was behind me.

This was to the right of me.

This is to the left of me.

It was full of dead wasps.

As the sun was setting, a cardinal came by to see me.  They say it is a belief that seeing a bright red cardinal is a divine message, often meaning a deceased loved one is visiting, a sign of hope, or a reminder that angels or God's presence is near.  

No deer, but I enjoyed being back in the woods again after two years of illnesses and hospital stays.  I have until the end of January to hunt here in Mississippi.  Next time.