With great anticipation, the opening day of Fall Dove season begins on Thursday, September 1st and will run through November 9th. However, the start of a dove season is far more than that to many hunters around Southeast Missouri. Dove season marks the time for hunting buddies to get together, swap stories, and simply enjoy hanging out with each other.

Special events can be found all over as dove season begins. Many hunters are up early to catch a breakfast at one of their hunting buddy's houses. Others will grab a quick snack at local convenience store or a local restaurant. More than just an event, it's a tradition.

Many waterfowl hunters are very interested in dove season as it is the first opportunity to sharpen their shooting skills. Dove season is considered the mark of the beginning of all hunting seasons. It is the chance for many hunters to get their gear together and get prepared for a great season.

This past weekend offered area friends and buddies a chance to come together for the annual Mills' Hunting Season Kickoff. Complete with a full-blown skeet shooting contest, a BBQ whole hog and BBQ nachos, a crowds of friends was on hand to enjoy a beautiful afternoon of just hanging out.

The T-Shirt of the day outlined the feeling of the group with the slogan of “Good Friends, Good Food and Poor Shoot’in”. And that would pretty much sum up the day as the practice session ended and the groups were divided up into the a contest of “knockout” using skeet.

Of course, the shooters are important but nothing happens at this event without the pure stamina of the skeet throwing team. Head coach of the team is Kent Essner, who never brings a gun to the event. He leads a bullpen of arms better than the St. Louis Cardinals. Jim Rhodes, Shannon Lusk, Royce Snider and others all toss skeet at a feverish pace to empty every single skeet box.

The true spirit of hunting was shared among this group as everyone got together to laugh, have fun, and eat a great meal. This is the true value of a hunting experience as sometimes it's with old friends, sometimes with new friends, and often with family members. It stretches the boundaries of age from young to old - everyone enjoys a good hunt.

Jason Comfort offered his cooking expertise with a Cajun Microwave BBQ Whole Hog and BBQ Nachos complete with all the trimmings to top off a great day.

So the wish for everyone this season is for good times with good friends .... and the hope that your shooting will improve by the end of the season.

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A large number of area hunting buddies gathered at the farm of Matt Mills for the annual skeet shooting event this past Saturday. It was easy to see the complete concentration on the faces and feel the spirit of good competition at the event. The winner of the day received a World Wrestling Federation Championship belt purchased by Matt at the past 18 Fore Life golf auction.

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