Young Hunters Showing Off Their Deer (5)

Zoe Pell shot this 9-pointer on opening youth weekend.  She hunted on family land in Utica with her father, Sonny Pell.  My congratulations to you, Zoe!  Proud of you!

Wade Provance took down this buck this deer season.  A different positioning of a deer and hunter.  Congratulations to you, Wade.

Brently Ashley, 9, shows off his biggest buck to date - - an 11-pointer.  That is awesome, Brently.  My Congratulations!!

Layton Hasty, 9, harvested this 9-point buck while hunting in Vicksburg on January 14th.  Congratulations to Layton!  Job well done in our great Mississippi outdoors!

American Queen Has Ceased All Operations as Of Yesterday

Well, it’s official. For those who haven’t heard the news already, American Queen has officially ceased all operations as of yesterday. A sad state of affairs. I will miss the Queen coming to our historic hometown of Vicksburg, MS.

Notice to employees.

The American Queen backing out of the Yazoo Diversion canal at Vicksburg, MS.

The American Queen headed to the MS River while in the Yazoo Diversion Canal in Vicksburg, MS.

The Grand American Queen moored at the waterfront in Vicksburg, MS.

Many Does Since 1986

This is one of many does that I have harvested since 1986. This doe weighed 120 lbs and was harvested from the North Cornfield stand at the Christmas Place Hunting Club on the edge of MS Delta. I was hunting with Mark, who was Rex's best friend. The biggest doe harvested was at Homewood Hunting Club in Claiborne County, MS, weighing 146 lbs.  

Happy "Heavenly" Birthday, MOM @ 103

 Wishing my mom, Evelyn, a very Happy "Heavenly" Birthday today. I love and miss you so much!

My Blogging Friend, Gorges Smythe Died

Ulysses “Steve” Dye III, 68, of Parkersburg, passed away at Camden Clark Medical Center on January 31, 2024. He was born June 11, 1955, to Evelyn Lawson Dye and the late Ulysses S. Dye, Jr.

Steve graduated from Parkersburg High School and Mountain State Business College. He worked at O’Ames until they closed and most recently at DeBarr Trucking. He published many articles in magazines such as Backwoodsman, Fur-Fish-Game, and Northern Woodlands under the pseudonym Gorges Smythe. As Gorges Smythe, he also maintained a Blog called Gorges’ Grouse, where he displayed opinions, nostalgia, and stories of his Appalachian home. Steve was a Baptist by faith. Left behind, along with his mother, to cherish his memory is his stepson, Robert Goff (Jeannie) of Parkersburg, two grandchildren, Claira Goff and Ashlee Goff Hardesty (Kyle); great grandson. Logan Hardesty; aunt Kay Eichhorn; cousins Gary Eichhorn, Alice Eichhorn, and Mike Dawkins.

In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his loving wife, Barbara Ann Weaver Dye; a sister, Nancy Simmons; and a brother-in-law, Norman Simmons.

As per his wishes, there will be no visitation or public services.

May he rest in peace.

Young Hunters Showing Off Their Deer (4)

Joanna Stuckey is 6 years old, and this was her first deer.  My congratulations to Joanna on a fine first deer.  

Reed McClug, of Vicksburg, shows off this 240-pound, 10-point buck he harvested in Warren County.  The deer measured 146-3/8 inches.  McClug, 14, is the son of Quinn and Emilyu McClurg.  Congratulations Reed.  So proud of you! 

Adalynn Stuckety, age 7, took down her first deer this season.  Congratulations, Adalynn, on your fine doe!!  Proud of you!

Samuel Terrett harvested this 8-point buck this hunting season.  Congratulations on a very nice buck in our great Mississippi outdoors!

Cade Hall, the son of Sarah and Jay Hall of Clinton harvested this big buck.  My congratulations to Cade on a fine buck in our great Mississippi outdoors.

Remembering Rex Dean Howell

I'm missing my hunting friend, Rex Howell, who passed away on January 31, 2021, from cancer.  

This picture was taken the first day we met at his deer camp at the famous Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club on Christmas Road near Eden, MS.  The land has 11 Indian mounds, and we are standing at one of them. It was taken on May 5, 2007. You can see his dog, Camo, to the right of the picture.  

Rex came to my website and signed my guestbook, and I always thanked everyone who had signed. That is how it all started. I asked him one day how did he find me. He said he had gone to a hunting forum and saw a post I had answered; the rest was history.  

Rex has a blog called Deer Camp Blog, and I have a blog as well. I started my hunting blog in 2006 and stopped. He told me to continue because, at that time, he said only so many lady deer hunters blogged.

He would have me up every hunting season to deer/hog hunt at the family camp. I did not get to go in January of 2021 because he was very sick. I'm so thankful that he called me and told me about his condition in December 2020, but I did not realize that it was so bad. He died on the last day of the hunting season. 3.9.58~1.31.21

Young Hunters Showing Off Their Deer (3)

Keegan Jacobs killed his first buck, an 8=pointer, while hunting with his grandfather John Lindigrin on Paw Paw Island on December 27. My congratulations to Keegan!!!

Grant Smith of Clinton took down his first deer on November 21. He got the 5-point buck while hunting in Issaquena County with his father, Drew Smith, and grandfather, Herman Smith. Congratulations, Grant!!!

Maverick Stubbs, 8, harvested this 10-point buck during the youth season. Congrats, Maverick!!! Proud of you!

Ruston Landers, 8, bagged this buck during deer season. My congratulations, Ruston!!!

Dawson Jones killed his first buck, this 4-pointer, during deer season. Congratulations, Dawson!!!  

Kap Carey, the 7-year-old grandson of Steve and Kathy Williams, bagged his first deer, a doe, on November 21. Congratulations, Kap!!!

Fin Reeves, 10, bagged his 8-point buck on December 29 while hunting with his grandfather, Steve Spivey, near Selma, Alabama. Fin is the son of Time and Stephanie Reeves of Vicksburg. My congrats, Fin!!!   

Jaxon Heriard, age 9, took down his first buck this season. Congratulations on the fine buck, Jaxon!!!

Happy 83rd Birthday to Me

Happy 58th Birthday, Kathleen Love Boyd Day

I wish my once-upon-a-time 4-year-old cowgirl, Kathleen Love Boyd Day, a Happy 58th Birthday yesterday!  I wish I could turn back time and see you again in your cute little outfit.  Thinking of you in the mountains of North Carolina and wishing you happiness on your very special day. I hope you have many more birthdays to come.  I love and miss you so much.  MOM

Young Hunters Showing Off Their Deer (2)

Landon Fuson killed this 9-point buck while hunting in Phoenix, Mississippi.  My congratulations on a nice buck, Landon!!!

Avery Alexander, the 10-year-old daughter of Kevin and Lexie Alexander, Killed her first buck during youth weekend.  My congratulations on a job well done, Avery!  Proud of you!!

Easton Ashley, a 7-year-old from Vicksburg, shows off the first deer he killed with his crossbow.  My congratulations, Easton.  A very nice doe!!!

Liam Brokaw, 4, went on the hunt with G6:2 Outdoors for children and adults with special needs and bagged this deer.  So proud of you, Liam.  Very nice deer!

John Stephen Chao, age 9, killed an 8-point buck in Warren County while hunting with his uncle Eric Pell.   My congratulations on your nice buck in our great Mississippi Outdoors!!!

Young Hunters Showing Off Their Deer (1)

Jake Clune killed this deer on November 27 while hunting with his father, Tommy, on family land in Carlisle.  The deer is a 15-pointer, weighs 240 pounds, and scores 158 points.  This is the third big buck Jake has killed on the family land.  He is a sixth-grader at Pofrter's Chapel Academy in Vicksburg, MS. Congratulations, Jake!

Henry Bennett was hunting with his uncle Eric Pell when he killed his first deer on November 26 in Warren County.  Henry is the 7-year-old son of Jason and Erin Bennett.  My congratulations, Henry!!!

Eli Frazier, 10, got a buck with a 17-inch spread while hunting in Lorman.  It was his second buck ever.  My congratulations to you, Eli!!!

Cullen Bounds, 8, shot this buck in Redwood, MS, north of Vicksburg on December 16.  It was an 8-pointer that weighed 210 pounds.  My congratulations to Cullen on his nice buck!!!

Strickland Stanton got his third deer of the season, this 8-pointer, while hunting off Mississippi 465 with his father, Shaun, on November 22.  Strickland is a fourth-grader at Beechwood Elementary in Vicksburg, MS. Congratulations to you, Strickland!!!

Back Home Following A Two Week Holiday Vacation

Leaving Jackson-Evers International Airport, crossing over I-20 on December 20, 2023, for Virginia.

Ready to roll at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after layover returning to MS from Virginia.

On my way back home to Vicksburg, MS.

An airplane that took off next to us.

Pretty clouds to look out the window for those who have never flown.

So pretty and puffy!

Beautiful rays from the sun going down soon.

I had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's vacation and returned home on January 3, 2024.  The bad part was I came home being exposed to COVID.  My son-in-law got sick two days before I left, and it was confirmed he had it.  I'm recovering now.

Wishing My Blogging Friends, A Very Happy New Year

Back from my trip to Virginia with my family for two weeks.  Had a wonderful time!