2017 Twin Oaks/Halifax County Deer Hunt
On Dec 1st and 2nd, Combat Warriors held a deer hunt in Halifax County, NC hosted by Twin Oaks Hunt Club with sponsorship by Busckshot Hunt Club, Ventosa Hunt Club, Wilson Farms and other generous land owners from Scotland Neck to Hobgood (Joey Cotton, Matt Shields, Ricky Edwards, Clay Whitley to mention a few). Thirty-five warriors were hosted, housed, feed and guided thanks to the dedication and generosity of our volunteers.
Months of planning were finalized on Nov 30 at the guide meeting hosted by Buck Shot Hunt Club and their dedicated northerners who make the long trip from New York for each of these events. All the property owners and hunt club guides reviewed available tracks of land, stands, and schedule of events behind the scenes so the warriors just had to show up, eat, hunt and enjoy themselves.
A few of the warriors were able to come in early enough on Friday to enjoy an afternoon hunt. Eight deer were harvested on the opening evening of the hunt from multiple properties. By 7:30 pm most of the warriors had arrived and were treated to fresh steamed oysters and a hearty steak and baked potato dinner with additional fresh sides. Jimmy and Randy from Tarboro have been treating warriors to great grilled meals for several years now, and they continue to please each year as the numbers have grown. Warriors and guides alike enjoyed a full belly and a few libations as the fellowship continued into the night around the bonfire with a moving song performed by Nick Culpepper and Taps played on the harmonica.
Coffee and breakfast was served at 4:30 am to insure hunters and guides were fueled for their morning hunt. By 5:00 am, guides set out in all directions with their warriors to the multiple properties. By 10:30 am when the warriors came back for lunch, five more deer were harvested from several different properties! Prior to lunch we gathered to thank all those that made this hunt possible. Special thanks to the Sportsman’s Box for their donation of gift boxes for the warriors (www.SportsmansBox.com).
The cooks, Randy and Jimmy, continued to impress with Carolina style BBQ chicken for lunch, leaving some warriors in need of a nap prior to the afternoon hunt. However, Ventosa Kennels and local law enforcement provided unique post lunch entertainment to keep everyone awake. Michael Beaulieu and crew from Ventosa Kennels in Scotland Neck (www.ventosakennelnc.com) offered an impressive display of their mulit-purpose canine in an apprehension scenario. We were all glad it was Michael in the training suit after witnessing the power of the K9! NC Division of Wildlife also came to support the event and we appreciate their diligence in protecting all of the natural resources we enjoy as hunters. Plus it’s always good to have the game wardens on your side!
Warriors and guides put in a final hunt Saturday afternoon and five more deer harvested which included our largest buck of the hunt. There were a few that slipped though the woods unobserved, and others that didn’t provide a shot. We won’t talk about the multiple treks into the swamps in search of the ones that “got away!” We do have to make honorable mention of the corn thieving raccoons that met their demise and one that wanted to come back alive in a box as a gift for the unsuspecting! Top prize for largest buck was a Yeti Roadie 20 cooler, and the largest doe took home a Yeti Hopper.
While everyone was out on the evening hunt, Phillip Weeks worked his magic in his “Late Night Porkin” smoker producing some lip smacking pulled pork and pork tenderloin for dinner. The day concluded with dinner, live music by Jerry Cole (@Jerrycolemusic), deer processing, some tall tales among new friends, and what we hope are memories to last a lifetime.
We are truly blessed to have such freedom, warriors who sacrifice to protect it, and patriotic citizens who appreciate it.