October 1994, Jasper County, South Carolina.  At the stunningly beautiful Cypress Creek Plantation.  This is the proud face of an 11 year old that just killed his first deer after painfully missing several going back to 1993.  As you can tell, I’ve always preferred a full brimmed hat while in the field.  I can’t tell you what was planted in Mr. John Carswell’s field that evening, but I vividly remember watching the largest doe bolt for the edge not knowing if I missed again.  Just as it reached the tall vegetation my father and I watched it flip and expire.  A Remington .243 to the vitals.  A walnut stock family heirloom that would later help me kill a 140” buck at the same land 3 years later.  

As long as I can remember, John Carswell has been someone I’ve admired and respected.  A world class land steward that shared his land with many people throughout the Lowcountry.  In 2022 he was awarded the Conservationist of the Year by the Jasper County Soil & Water District.  He was a client of my father, a family friend, mentor and generous host.  Mr. Carswell hosted Friday afternoon hunts inviting friends, family and various guests.  The lessons I received at those hunts directly shaped me as a host at our family farm.  

“Manners will open doors that money cannot”.  That was a familiar saying that Mr. Carswell would tell young hunters.  It’s a practice that is fading away.  Manners are not innate.  You’re either taught it or savvy enough to witness it first hand and incorporate it into your life.  Showing gratitude and being respectful to landowners is a surefire way to be invited back.  

Below are tips for hunters to consider when accepting hunting invitations.  

–  Arrive prepared with a zeroed-in rifle that has been shot prior or during the season.  

–  Have a firm understanding as to what the host wants you to shoot or not shoot.  If you’re unsure, ask.  

–  It’s ok to pass a buck if you are not 100% sure of the age or antler size.  I’ve shot bucks that were too small without thinking and I’ve let some pass that were likely of age and size.  Respect is earned with restraint. 

–  Educate yourself to quickly and effectively differentiate between a doe and a button buck.  Females have elongated “water bottle like” snouts.  Bucks of any age have significantly shorter snouts.  Fawn bucks are usually the first to enter a field.  If you’re unsure, keep the safety on.   

–  Don’t ever shoot earlier than 30 minutes prior to sunrise or 30 minutes after sunset.  I’ve seen many spikes and immature bucks killed because the hunter could either not see the antlers or thought they were much larger.  

–  Everyone makes mistakes; it’s part of life and I’ve made plenty.  Should you do so, own it.  No factor or element controls the trigger other than the hunter.  Check your ego at the gate.  

–  Never leave meat hanging for the host to deal with.  Should you not want the venison or can only take a portion of it, tell the host in advance and they can likely place it for you.   

–  Lethal and ethical shot placements are either the shoulders or vitals.  I’ve personally been on many tracking jobs from head shots that drew blood but never recovered.  If you fancy yourself a practice range sniper, that’s great.  Just remember to check your ego at the gate.

–  Always keep your rifle bolt open and shotgun barrels either broken or the actions open.  “Unloaded” guns kill.  

Bad hunters will make mistakes and not ask themselves “why did it happen?”.  Good hunters will make mistakes, learn, understand why it happened and change their approach going forward.   

Deer are often taken for granted.  With an abundance on the landscape and a culture of heavy antlerless harvests, quite often hunters view does as expendable and not worthy of detailed tracking jobs should the target not fall within 30 yards of impact.  Treat every deer as if it’s the largest buck you’ve ever seen.  

Whitetails are the most hunted species in America.  They bring hunters together and build lifelong friendships.  Enjoy your time afield.  You never know when your last hunt will be.  

“The privilege of hunting is about as fine a heritage as we have, and it needs to be passed on unsullied from father to son”.  – Archibald Rutledge