On December 20, SCWF held a POWR+ Quail Hunt at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe in McCormick, South Carolina. POWR stands for our Palmetto Outdoors Women Retreat, and POWR+ classes like these are one-day workshops held across the state to help women build upon the skills learned at the retreat.

We were thrilled that our Board Member Hunter Morton and his wife Hope Morton were able to lead this hunt for us. Hunter and Hope are experienced, avid quail hunters. They are the owners of ALL IN Kennels, where they train bird dogs and offer obedience training, so we were lucky to have such knowledgeable instructors. Their friend, Colby, also joined us as a guide.

Ten women joined us for this hunt, and it was the first quail hunt for most participants. After a lunch of delicious venison burgers, a SCDNR Game Warden delivered a safety talk and answered questions. Then Hunter, Hope, and Colby demonstrated the quail hunting procedures so that everyone would feel safe and comfortable in the woods. While the birds were being placed, Hope shared her experiences growing up hunting with her family and talked about being a woman in the upland hunting space.

The group then divided up into two groups of five and headed into the woods for the hunt! It was a joy to get to watch the dogs find the quail. The teamwork with the dogs, all German Shorthaired Pointers, was a special part of the day.

At the end of the hunt, the groups met back up to share stories from their experience and Hunter showed the participants how to clean their harvest before everyone headed home.

We are grateful to our sponsor, the National Shooting Sports Foundation! Because of their support, all participants received an orange/camo Richardson hat, a safety vest, and Ear/eye protection.