Hadn't been to an opening day dove shoot since moving from GA to SC in 2012, so decided to try a WMA management hunt near Clemson, SC. When I found the location vehicles were lining the roadway and the parking area was full. The fields were sunflower and millet, and there were check stations at the entry points to both fields. Thought the sunflower field with the power line near the wood line might be a good spot; but noticing 75-80 hunters already waiting at the gate figured it'd best to take a wait and see approach as I knew I couldn't outrun the mob. When the horn sounded at noon it was literally a 100 yard dash to the power lines, so I waited to see where everyone settled and took what appeared to be a safe spot near the road. Birds weren't flying in my patch of sunflowers; but with maybe 200 shooters scattered about, whenever a bird dared enter the field it sounded like a fire-fight and it wasn't uncommon to hear 30-45 shots at a single bird. Didn't see many escape the gauntlet; but it was clear a firearms forensic expert would be required to determine which shooter actually got the bird. Finally got tired of the heat and boredom of no birds about 4:PM and returned home with clean bores. The best thing about this experience was that no one had been shot when I left; and the second best thing is that this will be my first and last WMA shoot. One interesting aspect of the hunt was that biology students from Clemson University were there collecting wings for study; and also looking to find birds they'd trapped and banded this past spring. I do know of one banded bird shot near by.
