Doves, Camaraderie and Camouflage
The Alamo City Chapter hosted two epic dove hunts recently to celebrate first responders and veterans.
The first hunt was held on Sept. 27, and the second was on Oct. 4.
During the September event with Frontline Heroes Outdoors and Intrepid Care, the 60 hunters attending the event showed more resilience than a pair of well-worn boots. Guided hunts, BBQ and sunset banter made for bonding as much as bird-bagging.
The Alamo City Chapter actively promotes wildlife conservation, outdoor education, honors service, and community engagement through direct, hands-on involvement. Frontline Heroes Outdoors gets service members and first responders outside for a dose of nature therapy. And Intrepid Care brings heart, helping hands, and hero advocacy to those who’ve served. These folks don’t just treat and honor heroes, they celebrate them.
“These appreciation dove hunts have become a meaningful tradition for our chapter, bringing together those who serve and those who support them in a spirit of camaraderie and gratitude,” said Alamo City Chapter President Dawna Larson.
While Larson and others were hosting first responders with Intrepid Care and Frontline Heroes, former President Trae Willoughby and others were hosting Disabled Outdoorsman USA and Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association.
Special thanks to Kent and Jan Schwartz for lending their beautiful ranch in Jourdanton, Texas, yet again.
The Oct. 4 hunt was designed to host 30 hunters, including 15 hunters from the Texas Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and Disabled Outdoorsmen USA.
In addition to the hunters, 35 amazing volunteers made this event run flawlessly from beginning to end. They included the Alamo Chapter, DOUSA, Southwest Texas College, TPVA and the Agape Ranch, which made the drive out to Uvalde.
The event kicked off at 2 p.m. with shooting instruction led by two instructors who regularly teach at the NSCA facility in San Antonio. An amazing BBQ lunch was served at 3 p.m., and then hunters and volunteers spread out over seven stock tanks on the south Texas ranch for some high-quality dove shooting, further assisted by amazing retrievers and their skilled handlers.
The event ended with everyone pitching in to prepare the doves so that they could be taken home and enjoyed by the hunters. It was an amazing afternoon spent with old and new friends, enjoying nature, and the bounty that it provided on this amazing October afternoon.