I was lucky to close out the last day of early teal season here in the lowcountry. I was also fortunate to get an invite to where the landowners father in the 1970s resurrected the growing of Carolina Gold rice. Carolina Gold was the finest rice grown in America 200 years ago in the lowcountry. It had not been grown commercially since the 1800s. This plantation is not far from the southernmost tip of South Carolinas high ground before it ends at the marshland and barrier islands. Irma pushed a tidal surge into this ricefield, knocking down acres of rice which attracted hundreds of Blue Wing Teal. Five guns that shot limited this morning. It was over fast. No doubles were used. I had 870 (Remington) reasons not to use my doubles chief of which was I had no legal shot for them. Where you see open water is where the rice was flattened by the tidal surge. A bird taken last Saturday was banded in Watrous, Saskatchewan, in August. Floyd cooked a helluva breakfast after the hunt.

Rice: