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.
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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
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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.
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beaver dam lake
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A well-preserved natural habitat for waterfowl
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bobo brake
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The mystical cypress brakes
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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
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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
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The Dunavants’ beloved Labrador, Atom Cat
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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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