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Great Southern Outdoors unlimited quail hunts are awesome. At GSO we think that most quail hunters like 50% watching dogs run, but we also think that 50% is shooting too. Listed below is what each group averages with 3 quail hunters on an all you can shoot unlimited quail hunts.
Each Quail Group : 133 total birds
Per Quail Hunter : 44 birds
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Update: April 2005
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April kicked off with a few days of fishing tournaments with Bassin' Magazine bringing in more than a dozen different pro-staffers from different fishing tackle and bait manufacturers. In two days of fishing our four lakes over 985 fish were caught.
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Update: March 2005
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Hank Parker Sr. spent several days at Great Southern Outdoors to film a few fishing shows. Among Hank's guest was his son, Hank Jr. (NASCAR Busch series), and Auburn University Coach Tommy Tubberville along with coaching staff, Jimmy Perry. Coach Tubberville caught the largest bass he has ever caught on... guess what...yes an Auburn Fishing Lure. Unfortunately, that one was the one that got away.
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Update: March 2005
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Winners of the 2nd Annual E.B. Chancey Quail Tournament are James Steven Ausley, James Timothy Collin, Ed Edison, and Kenneth Ausley.
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Update: February 2005
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While visiting Great Southern Outdoors, Gov. Riley enjoyed a quail hunt along with his son, Rob, Dan Moultrie, Jerry DeBin, and other Staff members
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Update: January 2005
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Great Southern Outdoors recently hosted United Agri Products Corporate meeting and special events. Among the events was a round of sporting clays and a Quail Hunt.
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Update: March 2004
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Famous radio talk show comedian, Killer Beez, visited Great Southern Outdoors during the month of March. The National Wild Turkey Federation brought Mr. Killer Beez down to do a little Turkey and Hog hunting. If I have ever met someone who has the hunting pattern down to perfection, it would be him. He took it easy for a few days, but at the same time had a very successful hunt during his stay at Great Southern Outdoors. What an enjoyable time this was for everyone including our staff.
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Update: May 2004
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The Great Southern Outdoors 15 hour countdown kicked off this past Saturday, and what a great time it was for everyone. The 15 hour countdown was our first registered Alabama Trail Shoot of the year, and we gave away a prize at the top of each of the 15 hours it lasted. By the end of the day Saturday, there were over four thousand dollars in prizes awarded to different guest. This includes one to our winner of the tournament, Larry Richardson. Larry shot a high 91 out of 100 on the day. We had intended on giving a prize away to our lowest scorer of the day but Mr. John Whaley’s score was so low, the boss would not even let us recognize it. Better luck next time John.
When the shoot was completed, the evening was finished with dinner and a band to celebrate the day. We would like to thank everyone for making the day so enjoyable. If you missed out on this shoot, be sure and keep in touch with our upcoming events so you can take part in the other scheduled shoots throughout the summer.
Great Southern Outdoors
15 Hour Count Down
Shoot results
May 15, 2004
Masters E
No Entry Danita Richardson: 58
Hunter
Larry Richardson: 91 Linda Allen: 41
Dwytte Spivey: 88
Steve Argo: 79
A
No Entry
B
No Entry
C
Wayne Ward: 85
Larry Prevatte:(Don Day) 84
Ray Allen: 82 (most consecutive)
Rick Redmon: 82
Roger S. Parker: 78
Marisa Lee-Sasser: 78
Andrew Loftin: 77
D
Steven Ward: 82
Gary Allen: 80 (most consecutive)
Butch Schram: 80
Lonnie Ward: 79
John Stephenson: 69
David Pinckard: 63
Jim Phillips: 61
Sharon Ward: 46
Dean Hill: 36
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Update: April 2004
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What enjoyable weather we have had in the past few months. With everything turning green and the dogwoods blooming, it's a sure sign that spring is here and the outdoors are taking on a whole new look. With the summer time fast approaching, we have been gearing for our big working months. But you know how things go around Great Southern Outdoors, we would not engage in any hard outdoor work without having fun first! That is just what we have been doing. As soon as the cold weather would give us a break in March, we started spending our afternoons on the GSO lake with friends and family. This all started as just a little fun in the afternoon, but when the bass started biting, it turned into a full fledged addiction. Now, when the boss isn't looking, you can find us in the boat
Great Southern Outdoors has several different lakes, but my co-workers and I like to spend most of our time on the biggest lake which is located in the very back of the plantation. We don't consider ourselves professional fisherman, but when it comes to this
lake, we are the pros. This is what I thought at least until last weekend. Last weekend Shakespeare Rods and Reels Inc. spent a weekend filming videos on this lake at Great Southern Outdoors. Mark Davis was the registered pro that was hosting the videos for Shakespeare. Mark and I are good friends, and I love to go fishing with him when he comes down, but this past weekend I didn't get the opportunity to be with him. When I got to work on Monday, I ask how the videos turned out. This is when I was hit with the news that they made four videos filming over 800 different bass being caught. The first thing I did was accuse them of using dynamite, but there wasn't much I could say after seeing the pictures and film. They caught four bass that weighed over 10 ibs a piece, and several crappie that weighed in over 2 lbs a piece. Needless to say my pride is hurt, but I am definitely going to the lake this weekend to find out about this 12 ib bass that was caught.
If fishing is not your thing and your like my dad who would rather just shoot at something, then Great Southern Outdoors has some events coming up that you need to know about. We will be hosting four different sporting clay tournaments over the next couple of months. The first of these events will be held on May the 15th. You can find out everything about these events on the Web site, but let me tell you just a little bit about this first event. This event on May 15th is what the boss is calling the 15 hour countdown. It will be a whole day of fun. During the day the tournament will be going on at our twelve station course. If your not on the course, you can take part in some of the good cooking that our cooks will have prepared, or keep a close watch on things to see if you win one of the prizes that will be given
away each hour. They won't tell me what the prizes are going to be, but the rumor is they are pretty good this year. At the end of the tournament, we will have a big cookout for everyone, and following the cookout, there will be a live band playing in our activities center. So, this is definitely an event you don't want to miss. Whether you consider yourself a good shot or not, or if you don't even like to shoot, just come and enjoy the day with us. Like I mentioned before, you can get more details on everything at www.GreatSouthernOutdoors.com, or call us at 334-738-5066. The Web site will also tell you how you can book a fishing trip back to the "big lake." All of our boats and motors are ready to go, just leave the big ones alone for me.
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Update: February 2004
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First Annual E.B. Chancey Memorial Quail Hunting Classic
Hosted by:
Great Southern Outdoors and Cross Keys Plantation
Life long friends Rex Pritchett (Great Southern Outdoors) and Phillip Chancey (Cross Keys Plantation) held the first annual E.B. Chancey Memorial Classic Quail Hunt. This was a weekend quail tournament dedicated to hunting quail the old south style. These two plantations, which are located in Bullock County and Macon County, are right in the heart of many great quail-hunting legacies. The tournament was named after the late E.B. Chancey, who was a renowned quail-hunting legend himself. Those who knew Mr. Chancey knew of his great passion for the sport of quail hunting and his matchless reputation within the timber industry.
As Great Southern Outdoors and Cross Keys Plantation came together, they provided a weekend replica of how those, like Mr. Chancey, who used to hunt quail in South Central Alabama. The tournament was combined of teams that gathered from all different states throughout the southeast, and there were a total of 36 dogs that contributed to the success of the hunters. Each team was granted two trips to each plantation during the weekend. Upon arrival, the hunters met their guides and mounted the wagons to head for the fields. The beautiful rows of sedge seemed to go on forever, and they were filled with birds. As the teams made their way up and down the rows, they were allowed to harvest as many birds as possible within their allotted time period. There were some excellent hunters that took part in this tournament, and that made the competition very close. The competition was evident amongst each of the dogs as well. It was amazing to see all the different skills combined within each different dog, and everyone watched as they dove fearlessly into the briars to be the first dog to the covey. No matter how competitive it got throughout the whole tournament, everyone was enjoying the perfect weather and excellent hunting.
The winning team was honored at the banquet, which was held at Great Southern Outdoors on Saturday night. Each member of the team was given a 12 gauge or 20 guage over and under shotgun, and the other teams that participated in the tournament were awarded trophies, quail hunting apparel, and GameBore shells to replenish those used throughout the tournament. This was necessary considering that each of the teams combined to harvest an outstanding 964 quail throughout the whole weekend. “We could not have ask for a better weekend to do this,” said Rex Pritchett of Great Southern Outdoors, “the people have been great, and the birds cooperated to provide a great hunt for everyone.” Pritchett and Chancey, who were raised on neighboring farms in Bullock County, said this is an event that they will be coming home to repeat each year.
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Pictured above are some of the participants of the E.B. Chancey Quail Hunting Tournament
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Winners of the 2004 E.B. Chancey Memorial Quail Hunting Classic left to right: Tommy Edmondson, David Roberson, Ken Boles, Warren Marshall.
This group had a total kill of 324 birds.
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Update: February 2004
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Dear Outdoor Men and Women:
We wanted to send an update out to all of our viewers to let you know how our whitetail deer season ended. We would have issued this to you right at the end of January, when our season ended, but we thought many of you could possibly still be dealing with buck fever. So, we opted to wait until you had time to quit shaking and get the "big one" off of your mind. We hope you did have as enjoyable season as we all did here at Great Southern Outdoors.
The preseason weather conditions laid the groundwork for what would turn out to be our most challenging and fun season ever. The unbelievable amount of rain and warm weather kept the acorns falling and the big bucks bedded in the woods. We had to get in the woods and spend some extra time pattering the new habits of the deer due to the conditions. But hey, what kind of fun would it be without a challenge. Without a doubt, when the season started the trails that had been spotted began to pay off. There were some beautiful trophies harvested, and some heart broken hunters that let a few get away.
Tony, from New York who harvested two beautiful bucks last year, once again took another beautiful Alabama 8 point home with him. Sorry Tony, we have had an executive meeting and decided you will not be able to come back next year. Also, Tony and Tom from Tennessee, who everyone claims are great hunters, had an interesting story from their trip this year. Tony and Tom together saw over 250 deer on their three-day stay. Of the 250 deer spotted over 90 of them were bucks. The irony of the story is that neither one of them harvested a deer. Everyone around here seems to think they are great hunters, but in my opinion I think I probably could have
picked one buck I liked out of 90! We were fortunate to have another consecutive year with a 150 class boone & crockett buck harvested on the plantation. He was caught munching on some acorns in one of our beautiful hardwood bottoms. There was also a 450lb. hog harvested toward the end of the season this year. He was enormous, and he smelled terrible, but he will make a beautiful mount.
There were a lot of fun things that went on this year, but I must say the last seven days of the season were the most remarkable. There were fourteen rack bucks harvested during that seven day period, but as the season ended, the true peak of our rut had yet to begin. The biologist for our region claimed the warmer weather delayed the breeding period by about two weeks. This may have been the reason that our harvest rate for our bucks was down by six this year from last year. I guess that leaves a few mature bucks to just get even bigger before we get after them next time.
It was great to see all of our old friends back hunting from years past, and we had the opportunity to make many new friends this season. There were certainly a lot of good times had, and the memories made with everyone will never be forgotten. I guess it is safe to say that all the extra pounds we put on from Ms. Mattie's cooking will not be forgotten either. I know I speak for all the guides when I say we hate that the season is over, but we are certainly glad it will be nine months before we have to wake up at 3:30a.m. Between now and then, we will keep you updated on how everything is going at the plantation. We hope your upcoming spring months are spent enjoying the beautiful outdoors, and we would love to have you come and visit with us during that time.
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Update: January 2004
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Ever Have Hunting Withdraws?
by Tony Erceg
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Our New York State hunting season just seems to always be too short, or I just never have enough spare time to spend in the woods hunting the elusive whitetail deer. I find it truly fascinating, addictive, and an art form that one hones year after year. You just always seem to learn something new within the solitude of the woods while deer hunting. 2002 was an extremely productive year due to my inability to control this addiction.
I usually hunt the southern zone with a group of approximately ten friends. A nasty ice and snowstorm passed through on opening day and made the remainder of the week tough on the best of hunters. A solid week of hunting and several weekends resulted in my sighting of 12 does and no bucks. The group harvested a few bucks and nine does. The season ended abruptly as it started.
In late December, I seemed to have withdraws and wanted to hunt again. I have hunted for many years, and have never seen the huge buck that people talk and dream about. I just wanted to see a large antlered buck in the wild. I have taken many basket-racked bucks during bow and rifle/shotgun seasons. All are trophies and accomplishments to me as I respect the animals and their environment. My quest was for the opportunity to just see a wide racked buck. 2002 ended up an extremely productive year due to my inability to control this addiction I have hunting this incredible animal.
Hunting seasons open earlier in northern states. As you move south, the seasons tend to be both longer and end later in the year. I started surfing the internet to preview locations within the southeastern states to possibly hunt the 2003-2004 season. I had never sought out an outfitter before, or paid for a hunting experience. I became more excited as I sifted through the many outfitters advertising and promoting their individual locations.
Prices for such a hunting experience may range from $1000 to $8000.00 for a three-day hunt with respected, experienced outfitters. Bottom line, the sky was not the limit with my personal budget. After a thorough search, I narrowed it down to a couple of outfitters located in Alabama. Due to the excitement, my thoughts now turned to hunting the 2002-2003 season if openings might still be available.
I ultimately chose an outfitter named Great Southern Outdoors, located 30 miles outside of Montgomery. The confidence that I secured, after conversing and communicating with GSO, was overwhelming. I also found that the Alabama rut kicks in just after the turn of the New Year; the best time to harvest a trophy buck in any state! I also was able to find out that this area of Alabama has an incredible deer population. The plane round trip plane flight cost just over $200.00.I narrowed it down, factoring in “fair chase” hunts, convenience, location, price structure, deer population, referrals, repeat business, success percentages, food, lodging, rut season, and ultimately, their helpful website, which was chalk filled with information, history, and photos. The $1400.00, 3-day deer-hunting package included all meals, snacks, soda, coffee, lodging, three does, one buck (eight point or better, with a minimum 16” outside spread), and one wild boar. Additional deer or animals could be taken for an additional fee. You could also pay penalties if you were to harvest smaller deer than their management policy allows. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the smaller racked bucks grow to be mature 4 ½-5-½ year olds possessing mature antlers. I found GSO’s pricing to be fair without breaking my wallet.
I embarked on Montgomery in mid January. I was nervous about airport regulations and the transportation of a rifle, therefore, the outfitter offered to loan me, my choice, of one of their guide’s rifles at no expense. I was promptly greeted at the airport and offered transportation to any retail store if I need to purchase any supplies prior to our arrival in camp. I was introduced to all of the guides and given a tour. The guides transported me to one of two rifle/3D ranges to get acclimated with the loaned Remington .270.
There were of total of ten hunters for this three-day event, hunting over 5600 acres. Hunters drove and flew in from Maine, Florida, Georgia, New York, and Louisiana. We had the same interests, but from all walks of life; an extremely diverse, homogenized group of people that left all their work concerns to relax in the woods and tell stories. My three-day hunt started the next morning, so, prior to dinner there was a meeting to discuss the rules, regulations, and safety issues with the owner and guides. You were questioned on what you might have expected on you visit to Alabama. The hunt was individualized and customized to your concerns, needs, wants, or desires.
I couldn’t sleep due to the anticipation of just seeing a trophy racked white tail. Deer have been harvested a GSO, that score 125-175 Boone and Crockett with regularity. We were driven out and dropped off to designated locations throughout the property by Jeep at 5am. My first stand was a ladder stand that was approximately 100 yards off the dirt road we drove in on. During this morning hunt, I spotted two does and decided to pass on them. At approximately 11AM, everyone is than picked up (unless you preferred to hunt all day), and taken back to main lodge for an incredible southern breakfast. Stories are swapped and strategizing for the evening hunt started right after breakfast. Other hunters passed on some eight pointers as they were looking for a 140+ Class B &C Bucks only.
At 1:30PM, my guide drove me out to a beautiful location. I was shown an active scrape that had to be 7 feet in diameter. I was in a box blind by 2:00 and saw my first doe at 2:20. I counted a minimum of 10 does and 3 bucks through 4:30. The bucks were nice but did not meet the size limit. I figured that this might be the opportunity to take a doe, as the shadows were growing long. At 5:00, I picked a large doe at 100 yards and placed the crosshairs just behind the shoulder. After the recoil from the .270, I watched her take to the hardwoods through the scope. It was a well-placed shot and I was thrilled with my first afternoon. As the sun set, I unloaded my rifle to sit back and reflect on such a wonderful experience. I turned to peer out the window of the box blind, and to my amazement, I sighted a rack of tall white antlers at 150 yard dropping off the ridge, from the scrape area, and into the field. It was close to dark and I and I quickly fumbled to reload. It never occurred that a buck might show up just moments after the echo of the .270 that just brought down the doe. Seconds later, I saw the rack as the buck lifted his head from browsing 200 yards away. A tall 20-22 inch high eight pointer with 15-16 inch spread. The field sloped off, and at this distance, I could only glass his antlers and forehead. With several loud grunts, the deer managed to take a few steps towards me. The scope managed to collect enough light as I touched off the rifle sighted just behind the shoulder. He weighed in at 185 lbs and possessed an unusually tall and unique rack.
Morning came early as I took to a tripod stand on a dirt road within a huge pine plantation. As the sun rose, I noticed plenty of deer tracks on the road. I was up as high as the pines were tall so all I could see was up and down the road. An hour after sunrise, a doe passed over the road at 75 yards from one side of the plantation to the other. Over the next 30 minutes, 7 more does and two smaller bucks did the same. Ten minutes after seeing the last buck, I heard the crack of a branch in the general vicinity the deer were coming from. Suddenly, I could see just the tip of what had to be a large antler. Everything else was hidden for several minutes before the largest buck I have ever seen stepped out of the woods. A huge eight point with a massively wide rack. I did what came natural and slowly squeezed the trigger. After hearing him crash 30 yards into the woods, I knew I had just harvested the largest whitetail I had ever seen. He was green scored at 138 Boone & Crockett and weighed in at 190lbs. His inside spread was approximately 21.5 inches with 5.5-inch bases. The guides mentioned that this buck most probably weighed 20-25lbs more a month prior to the ongoing rut that we were currently in. This was the trip of a lifetime! Did I mention that I ended up with two more does that I had butchered and donated to a good cause? I was able to harvest two huge bucks and three does in three days. I managed to sight a total of 28 deer! Other hunters harvested additional does, one eight pointer, and a broken off, 18” spread, eight pointer. A 13/14 pointer was sighted twice by other hunters during my trip but was smart enough to outwit everyone. Again, many hunters passed on does and bucks that they did not consider “large enough.”
Needless to say, I plan to make the trip to Alabama again in 2004. If interested, view their website at www.greatsouthernoutdoors.com. They are just one of many you can consider. Just remember, if you get the itch or have withdraws after our NYS season is over, great whitetail hunting can be just a plane flight away.
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Update: October 2003
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Great Southern Outdoors prides itself in southern hospitality and manners. One way we try to prove this is with our annual ladies first bow hunt. This event takes place on the first day of bow season each year. This allows our women guests to be the first in the woods with the beginning of each deer season. What a successful weekend it was this year. The ladies saw 31 bucks and 29 does during their stay at Great Southern Outdoors. 11 of the bucks were 8 points or better ranging anywhere from 128-140 (bc) class deer. The story of the weekend goes to those who killed their very first deer. There is nothing greater than taking part in someone having that first experience of harvesting a whitetail. From the results of the event, Great Southern Outdoors has high hopes for the upcoming season. Some of our young bucks from last year have matured to become great trophies this year. The updates should be filled with some exciting deer photos and stories throughout the next few months.
Update: October 2003
Great Southern Outdoors has played host to several sporting clay events this year. One of our first of the fall was the Wheelin Sportsman/National Wild Turkey Federation Classic. This was exciting day for all who participated. There was a one hundred round shoot on Great Southern's 12 station course in the morning, and there were over 4,000 in prizes and gifts awarded to the participants. After lunch, the afternoon included an auction sponsored by National Wild Turkey Federation to help raise money for Wheelin Sportsman. This is an organization dedicated to helping disabled children and adults take part in the outdoors. When the day was complete, everybody headed to the stage to enjoy a concert featuring country music singer Blake Weldon. This was a day packed full of fun for all who were a part.
Another big event at Great Southern Outdoors this fall was our annual Burn the Barrels shoot. For a shooter, this is the perfect event. It begins with one hundred rounds on Great Southern Outdoors 12 station sporting clay course, and when everybody has completed, we head to the fields for an afternoon of dove hunting. By five o'clock, there is no doubt why we call this day Burn the Barrels. This year, there were not as many birds as there have been in the past, but that did not stop everybody from having a great time. This is a tradition that Great Southern will continue on into the future, so if you are a avid bird hunter or just like to see how many you can miss, keep in contact for information on this shoot next year.
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Update: October 2003
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Great Southern Outdoors finished our 1-Day Hog Hunt Special October 4th. All in all it was a big success. We ended with an 80% kill ratio of all groups that came. Only two groups left without a hog. The largest Hog taken weighed 318 lbs. Average weight taken was 119 lbs....good eating size. One hunter killed 5 at one time. A big thanks to all who participated for helping us with our Hog management problem. We plan to do it again starting February.
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Update: October 2003
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Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not capture his traditional win this spring at Talladega that did not stop him from carrying on with other traditions he has established in Alabama. After each Talladega race,Dale Jr. boards his plane and travels to Great Southern Outdoors Wildlife plantation in Union Springs, Al. Dale Jr. loves the outdoors, and he gets to partake in just that at Great Southern.
Dale Jr. first visited Great Southern Outdoors on a deer hunt with his sponsor Remington Firearms. Since then, he makes the trip to Alabama about four times a year. Dale Jr's relationship with Great Southern Outdoors goes farther than just the outdoors. He has made a strong friendship with the employees of Great Southern Outdoors. "This is a place where he can go and clear his mind from stress and pressure and do a little hunting says, Rex Pritchett, owner of Great Southern Outdoors. "After each spring race he turkey hunts and in the fall he dove hunts." Dale Jr's love for Alabama's outdoors was inspired from early childhood hunts with his late father Dale Earnhardt Sr.
The Earnhardts hunted just outside of Birmingham for many years, but since his fathers passing, Dale Jr. does all of his hunting at Great Southern Outdoors. "North Carolina is where I live, but coming toAlabama is like coming home," says Dale Jr. Dale Jr. has returned the favor to Great Southern Outdoors on many occasions by bringing the employees to visit his home and be with him at the races. There is no question where Dale Jr's bond with Alabama comes from. He has an appreciation and love for many of the same things that the people of Alabama do.
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Earnhardt Escapes to Great Southern Outdoors
Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove from his home in North Carolina last week to come and enjoy a few days of hunting in Alabama. Earnhardt, who does not have to go back to his Nascar duties until February 3, chose to spend his time off at Great Southern Outdoors Wildlife Plantation in Union Springs, Al. "He was simply looking for a few days to come and have a good time, and we all know that Alabama has a reputation of being a place to come and relax and enjoy the outdoors", said Rex Pritchett owner of Great Southern Outdoors. In his early years, Dale had spent some time hunting in Alabama with his father, but this was his first trip back to Alabama and the tree stand since the passing of his legendary father Dale Earnhardt Sr. Dale said "This trip was exactly what I needed to clear my head before the start of the season, and I saw more deer than I have ever seen in my life." While Jr. did have the opportunity to pull the trigger on 5 rack bucks that were 8 points or better, he simply wanted to be out there and enjoy everything around him.
At the conclusion of the week, there were a lot of good stories and some great memories; apparently, Dale did a little more than hunting on his trip to Alabama. Dale said, "I have been a lot of places and done a lot of things, but these guys I met here showed me a great time. If everybody in Alabama is like them, then the boys up in North Carolina are missing out. I can not wait to come back in January."His guide for the week, Hal Hepburn said, "He is down to earth and a great friend. He has countless fans and supporters in Alabama, and each one of them are right on track about the way they feel towards Dale." Everybody knows that Dale Jr. races great at Talladega, and that people all over the state love him, but many might find it interesting that he feels the same way towards us. "Talladega is my favorite place to race, and I think I have more supporters in Alabama than any other state. I loved riding around this week and seeing the number 8 on the back of cars." Rex Pritchett said, Dale is a common man with a big name, and it was an honor to host him. We look forward to having him back next month."
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Opening Week Review 2002-2003 Deer Season
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Those of you who keep up with our newsletter, or often check up on our web site, have heard promises of a great hunting season this year. Well, when the sun rose on opening morning, November 23, the deer went to moving. Great Southern Outdoors had 9 guest total for the first 3 day weekend of the season, and there were 101 bucks and 166 does spotted from the stand. Of these, there were 6 nice bucks harvested and many does. What a great buck to doe ratio it was for our opening weekend.One of the neatest experiences of the weekend, was for Russ Vanover Sr. to bring his son and grandson down for the weekend. Russ sr. has been on two previous trips to Great Southern where he has harvested a nice 8 point each trip. This time, his son Russ jr. and his nine year old grandson Nick Vanover both harvested beautiful 9 points. It was Nick's very first deer. What a trophy it was, and Great Southern Outdoors wishes him a congratulations. Nothing excites us more than good times with family and new friends. All we need now is for Russ Sr. to come and show the rest of us how to harvest that trophy we need. This is just one of what we hope to be many good stories of a great 2002-2003 hunting season. Keep up with us to find out more details, or better yet, come visit us personally and have your own story and memories to share.
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Great Southern Outdoors Top Hunters for 2001-2002
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Largest Points (14 point buck) Owen Bingham, Florida
Largest Doe (156 lbs.) Sam Scott, Louisianna
Overall winner with 100% kill each trip made (2 trips...2 nice 8 points)- Russ Vanover, Jr., Kentucky
Overall couple winners (each took a nice 8 point) Jim & Joy Phillips,Alabama
Overall yearly Winner (two trips in one year...two trophy bucks taken) -Tony McDaniel, Georgia
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Update: November 2002
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Jimmy Sutton of Birmingham (pictured below) took his first deer ever on opening weekend at Great Southern Outdoors...a nice doe and got his "blood initiation" from owner/manager, Rex Pritchett
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Update: December 2002
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Observational Planting
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Great Southern Outdoors took three observational pictures of our feeding process (pictured below). This way you could have a small idea of how we do some of our preparation for the hunting season. In the first picture, you can see the field full of iron clay peas. These peas are planted in the summer months and used as one way of giving our deer herd protein and antler development. In the second picture, you see as we prepare the land for planting our winter food source. When the field has been thoroughly prepared, then the third step in planting the rye. Once it is planted, we pray that God will provide for us everything we need to have a successful year for our crops. You can see in the third picture what our field looks like after just a little rain and time. It is now completely ready for you our hunters, to come and enjoy a beautiful field and a chance at that trophy.
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GSO Guides
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The articles below are in Adobe Acrobat Format. Click the Adobe Acrobat Logo to the right to download the free reader if you don’t already have it installed
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