First Shooting Light

first shooting light

a pho t o g r a ph ic jou r na l r e v e a l s t h e l e g ac y a n d lu r e of h u n t i ng c lu b s i n t h e m is sis si ppi f ly way

F I R ST SHOOT I NG L IGH T

was photographed by Murray Riss

published by ArtsMemphis executive editor Susan Schadt text by Anne Cunningham O’Neill

Opposite: 713

Sunrise at 713

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713

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

713

t h e story of 7 13 be gi ns n i n e y e a r s ag o

The first year the members were temporarily housed in

when Terry McFarland was dining in West Memphis and

portable trailers, but a clubhouse of significant

overheard a conversation at an adjacent table about “some

proportions and amenities was part of the plan. Lengthy

great hunting near Marianna.” Ears pricked, he listened

and lively discussions were held on whether they would

FOUNDED 1999

closely for the directions. “Turn right, go three miles and

build their club on a mound or on pilings to protect

LEE COUNT Y, ARK ANSAS

you will see a bridge in the middle of nowhere. Head

against potential flooding. McKee thought pilings were a

straight and you will see more ducks than you have ever

bad idea, because even in the trailers “you could feel the

seen.” This was good enough for McFarland. With a claim

pilings shaking.” Ultimately he was able to convince the

jumper’s alacrity, he telephoned his friend, Mac McKee,

membership to build on what is now known as “Mac’s

and said cryptically “meet me in Marianna.”

Mound,” which is three feet above the highest water level ever recorded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Not long afterwards, section 713 came into being as a duck hunting club of 1,280 acres in Lee County, Arkansas. It is

It was also understood that the clubhouse must be

perfectly located on the L’Anguille River and the St.

comfortable and female-friendly so that wives would want

Francis Floodway near the north end of the St. Francis

to come. And it was always intended to be an enjoyable

National Forest, which is historically one of the greatest

experience for those people who do not hunt. Gillespie was

hunting areas in the Mississippi Flyway.

designated as a design review committee of one, and he was determined that the clubhouse would not be a

The plan was that the club would consist of 10 members.

dumping ground for unused items from members’ homes.

Everyone approached – to the man – understandably

Mostly these rules are heeded, though a serious breach

wanted in on the deal, and in addition to McFarland and

occurred once when a mounted marlin mysteriously

McKee, the group now includes: Casey Bowlin, Jimmy

appeared on the wall.

Dobbs, John C. Dobbs, Trow Gillespie, Steve Morrow, Lewis Williamson, and Phil and Philip Zanone. What’s more, the award-winning logo of 713 has been spotted on baseball caps worn by perfect strangers throughout the South – surely testament to the club’s outstanding reputation.

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

713

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Opposite: Steve Morrow and Mark Cook lure ducks from the blind Above: Mac McKee and Annie stand proud FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

713

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Davis Owen Jr. exhibits keen concentration in anticipating the day

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beaver dam lake

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

Beaver Dam Lake (t w i n b l i n d )

man y duck hunting clubs have long

Buckingham’s father was one of the original members of the

and colorful histories, but when it comes to legacy and

Beaver Dam Ducking Club, and Nash wrote extensively in

tradition, Beaver Dam just might be the Granddaddy of

newspapers and magazines about his experiences hunting

them all. One half mile wide and seven miles long, Beaver

here and considered it his special duck-hunting spot.

Dam Lake is located in Tunica County, Mississippi, FOUNDED 1882

near Evansville, some 43 miles south of Memphis. This

In more recent years, the land was farmed by Davis Owen’s

TUNICA COUNT Y, MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi River oxbow lake and much of the surrounding

father, who was not himself an avid hunter. In fact, it

land have been in the Owen family ever since the Civil War.

was their farm manager who had taken Davis hunting as a boy and taught him to shoot. Over the past 20 years,

The coming of the railroad between Memphis and New

Owen has enjoyed hunting with his good friend Hal Boyd

Orleans increased the area’s accessibility to hunters, and Dr.

III of Memphis. As Boyd tells the story, when he and

R.W. Owen agreed to lease his land to the founders of the

Owen were looking for a place to hunt, Davis famously

Beaver Dam Ducking Club, which was formally organized in

said, “Daddy’s got some land,” which could perhaps

1882. Since ducks have come here from time immemorial, it

be one of the colossal understatements of all time.

is not surprising that the duck hunting club considered to be the Mid-South’s oldest, and the second oldest in the nation,

Once upon a time, the friends went to Beaver Dam every

was established in this very special place. Over the course

Saturday and Sunday during hunting season, but family

of its long history, the club has gone through a few different

considerations have now made planning a bit more difficult.

incarnations and is presently operated by R.W.’s descendants.

The good news is that history is repeating itself, and Owen and Boyd have the great pleasure of hunting with their young

Davis Owen’s particular parcel of this duck hunting

sons, who are both twelve years old and are themselves

paradise, Twin Blind, is located at the southern end of

good friends. Davis Owen Jr. began hunting at age eight and

Beaver Dam Lake. A Tunica resident, Owen hunts every

according to his father, he is a good shot and getting better

chance he gets with family and friends from Memphis,

all the time. The son is fascinated by all things connected

Birmingham, Atlanta and all over. He points with pride to

with the hunt, and he routinely examines each duck with

the old, hand-drawn map of the club that marks the locations

surgical precision to pinpoint exactly where it was shot

of duck blinds going back to the earliest days. In fact, the

and to check for the prized duck band. He will learn to call

blinds used by Owen were made famous by the nationally

next year, but in the meantime his dad is the family caller.

renowned and locally revered sportsman, Nash Buckingham.

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

beaver dam lake

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A well-preserved natural habitat for waterfowl

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bobo brake

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

The mystical cypress brakes

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

bobo brake

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I

n the belief that “day in and day out,

Guides take the hunters out to their designated locations in

timber and wildlife biologist, Jody Pagan, for whom it is

nobody has hunting like we have in the State of

five Suburban vehicles. While these guides have day jobs

quite simply “all about the ducks.” The aim of this

Arkansas,” the Dunklin family bought the lodge in

and do not work full time for him, Dunklin says they

program is to help landowners develop their properties to

1983, renamed it Five Oaks and began to develop

contribute so much to the Five Oaks experience because of

their highest and best use and to improve or restore

their vision of offering this unique hunting experience to

their expertise and spirit. The enthusiasm of these guides

wetland habitat for waterfowl. Five Oaks has developed a

people from all over the country. Luck shined again when

for duck hunting even extends to their families. Shelby

special type of patented millet along with reforestation

their first, and long-serving manager, Cecil Kagebein, who

Free, the daughter of Bill Free, a longtime guide at the

practices and is working with other clubs “to spread the

according to George, “had a little bit of duck in him,”

lodge, puts her heart and soul into duck calling and in

gospel.” There is also a 600-acre rest area at Five Oaks, and

became an intrinsic part of the place from the outset. The

2006 won the women’s world championship. According to

Dunklin feels that “we must be doing something right in

Dunklin family also received a great deal of help in this

Dunklin she comes out in the evening to entertain the

enhancing the habitat.” For instance, for the past 15 years

enterprise by Herman Taylor, an experienced hunter and

guests with her duck calling skills.

there has been a nesting pair of bald eagles, which is

past president of Ducks Unlimited, who helped build a model for what they hoped to accomplish.

considered to be an indicator of success.

For the Dunklin family, duck hunting is not about “the kill,” and they see their lodge as a gateway that leads family

Dunklin and his sister, Deborah, both believe they have a

While the lodge was already a nice facility, the family

and guests to a connection with the land and an

deep responsibility to their land, and they are working at

enhanced it by building several additions, adding a lake and

appreciation of its resources. As a consequence, the family

Five Oaks so that “everything we do today will determine

under Deborah’s direction redecorating from top to bottom.

works steadfastly every day to improve and conserve this

how the land will look 100 years from now.” They agree that

Dunklin says that “the remodeling has taken our lodge to

precious environment, and Dunklin is proud to be both a

this mission “makes our decisions to continue to improve

another level of comfort for our guests,” and accomplished

volunteer with the Arkansas Game Commission as a

the land very easy indeed” and in their view, “good things

chef, Brian Hargis, is in charge of the outstanding cuisine.

governor-appointed commissioner and a senior vice-

happen when you have the proper spirit and dedication.” v

Deborah says too that she is especially proud of the state-of-

president of conservation with Ducks Unlimited. Dunklin

the-art skeet shooting range, which has five stands and has

and Livia, his wife, live across the road from the lodge, and

greatly enhanced the lodge’s range of activities. Their

though she does not hunt, she is “a good sport” about her

outdoor fireplace is another very special gathering place, and

husband’s passion for waterfowl and conservation, and

it is lit every afternoon at 4:00 p.m. According to Dunklin,

their three daughters like to go out dove hunting. Likewise

guests started coming to Five Oaks Duck Lodge from the

Deborah and her son and daughter frequently visit Five

very beginning, and many of the same people, including

Oaks and enjoy the many outdoor activities offered at the

groups from Louisiana, Ohio, Delaware, Tennessee and

lodge. There is a family tradition of having a hunt on

South Carolina, return year after year. The only day that they

Thanksgiving morning with “the cousins.”

do not have anyone staying in the lodge is Christmas Day. Dunklin has founded the unique Five Oaks Wildlife Services, which has been headed up since 2005 by green

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five oaks

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

Hunting culture pure and simple with guide Harlan Patterson and dog, Chester

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five oaks

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Opposite: Mr. Olin’s bench holds a unique place in both location and lore Above: Some believe the .410 gauge “builds character”

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

greenbriar

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Backlit through overcast skies, Mikoma blind awaits the hunters

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mallard rest

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

The Dunavants’ beloved Labrador, Atom Cat

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

mallard rest

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Opposite: The #26 blind is the centerpiece in “a sea of blue” Above: Nearly 300 years old, a giant cypress tree reigns over Mink Lake

FIRST SHOOTING LIGHT

menasha

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