Family, Fellowship & Heritage

There’s something special about dove season in the Southeast. Sure, it marks the official kickoff of hunting season but around here, it’s so much more than that. It’s the sound of football games echoing from tailgates, the smell of grilled wild game in the air, the first hints of cooler fall temps rolling in, and the laughter of family and friends reuniting in the dove field.

For me, dove season has always been about tradition and togetherness. Every year, I hunt with the Final Flight Outfitters Hunt Club in northwest Tennessee. It’s where we shake off the dust from the offseason, reconnect with our hunting family, and begin preparing for the heart of what’s to come: waterfowl season. It’s a reunion that feels like coming home.

But it’s not just about the hunt, it’s about who you share it with. My wife Heather and our daughters, Lucy and River, join us in the field, soaking in the sights and sounds and learning what this lifestyle is all about. Their presence reminds me why we pass these moments down because this isn’t just sport, it’s heritage.

Partnering with HEVI-Shot brings another layer of meaning to the experience. Every pull of the trigger with HEVI-Shot in the chamber feels like a nod to the legacy I get to carry forward not just as a hunter, but as a father, a husband, and an ambassador for the traditions that shaped me.

At the end of the day, it’s not about how full the game bag is. It’s about the conversations, the sunrises, the slow moments, and the shared memories. Dove season may start with a shotgun, but it ends with full hearts. Here's to the traditions that define us and the next generation who will carry them on.