Recent News September 2010
September 8th, 2010
September 9, 2010 –
I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, a holiday that was created in 1882 to honor workers, mostly immigrants, who were beginning to organize themselves against unfair wages and employment conditions.
We all need time, whether it be an extended weekend like the past one, or a vacation trip to an exciting destination, in order to replinish our drained batteries that are a consequence of our hectic pace.
Labor Day weekend is special to me in other ways, as well. Friday night lights, camo clad dove hunters permeating our rural towns, first cool fronts of the year, and the savory smell of something on the pit. Ah yes, it does not get much better than that.
Here at WSI, we have officially switched into our fall routine. Dove season opened on September 1, and we have hosted a few dove hunts already, which you can check out on the Play By Play page of our website, or through our Facebook. We are in the process of wraping up some preseason chores and getting prepared for our intense fall big game schedule. Things could not be looking better. Our first few helicopter surveys are confirming that antler quality is above average, just like we anticipated. It’s going to be a great season.
As you will see below, we hired a seasonal tech to run our camera equipment in preparation for our new website video series, “WSI Real Hunts with Real Hunters,” which will hit your computer screen in October. Our first clip will be an intro type piece, and it should be posted around October 1 on a new page of our website titled “Videos.”
Our first cool front of the season arrived last Friday. Nice! My, how something as simple as a little change in weather can inject new enthusiasm for life. Fall is here, and so is our fall hunting season. So, get out your popcorn, and prepare for a fun, entertaining ride over the next few months. We will try to keep you updated on a regular basis through our Play By Play, as well as our new “WSI Real Hunts with Real Hunters,” on our new video page.
Video Tech - James Mongold…a.k.a. “Ben”
Ben comes to us from the Concord, NC. and fortunately brings a wealth of video experience. Holding a degree in Motion Picture and Television Production he has paid his dues putting together quite a resume of internships and projects across the southeastern United States. Now he is now ready to try his hand at more “in-the-field” video capture. And we are glad to give him that opportunity.
Ben has just the right level of knowledge that will prove him to be a big asset to WSI. Although not a seasoned hunter, he has spent plenty of time outdoors and we believe he will mesh in quite nicely with the WSI staff and hunters.
Best Antler Growth in Years
This is the year to hunt the Lone Star State for white-tailed deer. Stars have lined up and quality of antlers may prove to be the best they have been in several years. And, it is not too late to schedule your deer hunt with WSI. We still have openings on several properties, so please feel free to check in with us on availability. Here are a few photos of bucks we have recently captured on film from trail cams and during our helicopter surveys.
Dove Hunts are Going Well…
Our dove hunts in the northern zone of Texas began last week. Hunts have gone well, especially over the weekend with some intense white-wing shooting. Mourning dove shooting on our grain fields outside of San Angelo has been fair.
South zone dove season begins on September 17, and we have a couple of options to consider should you be interested. These are 3-day, 2 night packages with lodging, bird boys, meals, and packaging of birds. Cost varies from $595 - $750 per hunter depending upon location and group size. There is a group minimum of 6 hunters and a maximum of 12, but if you commit to 8 hunters, then you will have exclusive use of the camp unless otherwise understood. Hunting takes place over cultivated sunflowers, grain fields, and water holes. Call us ASAP if you are interested.
WSI In-Service Meeting
Our WSI annual in-service meeting was recently held in Kerrville at the Y.O. Resort and Conference Center. A total of 25 individuals were in attendance, primarily representing those who serve as guides and cooks on our hunts. This two day event was once again a fun and productive time, beginning with our Friday evening social and 2-man washer pitching competition, which was won my Mike Messman and Cade Bonn. Saturday’s program covered an assortment of important topics such as company policies, standard operational procedures, company service philosophies, risk management, harvest photography, and standard first aid. Justin Bryan provided a detailed overview of our new video series project, “WSI Real Hunts with Real Hunters,” and how our camp staff can best facilitate this activity to ensure its success.
Though she was not present, Alice Ayers, who retired earlier this year as our office manager of 11 years, was recognized for her outstanding service to our organization. She was presented with a plaque last month at a party at WSI owner Greg Simons’ house. Ed Elmore traveled all the way from Georgia to attend this event. Thanks to all who attended.
