I joined three other veterans and one emergency responder from the Ft Leonard Wood area for an opening day dove hunt near Roby, Missouri. All are members of Mo Vets Outdoors.

Mo Vets Outdoors, Inc. is a 501C3 organization dedicated to providing a community that connects veterans to the outdoors and to each other. Their goal is to provide that single ray of hope that has a direct impact on the 22 veteran suicides that occur daily. They are devoted to veteran mental health awareness and suicide prevention. 

Dove shooting hours begin 30 minutes prior to sunrise, so it is an early morning activity. We met at retired Marine Corp Sgt. Glenn Prather’s home in rural Roby. Others included active duty Army Sgt. Emanuel Ambriz, USAF Sgt. Aaron Graham, and first responder Josh Hagar. 

I chuckled as I pulled into the driveway. I could hear bird dogs yipping and rustling around in dog carriers inside the scattering of vehicles. The dogs were as excited to be getting out for a hunt as the participants.

Sgt. Prather graciously met me outside and invited me inside. His was a home of a bird hunter. Three dogs met us at the door; Hannah, a Deutsch Drahthaar, an American Stafforshire Terrier, Yadi, named after the STL Catcher, and puppy, Knute, a Deutsch Drahthaar, which we all fell in love with immediately.  

Once again, I was amazed at how effective well trained dogs are at placing humans at ease. 

The other dove hunt attendees quickly introduced themselves, as did Sgt. Prather’s wife, Courtney. She provided a fabulous breakfast of hot sandwiches, fruit and rolls. The atmosphere of food, friends, and friendly bird dogs provided a sense of belonging and immediate camaraderie.  

Laughter, dog talk, memories of past bird hunts, and a bit of military lingo about duty stations ate up our early morning vigil quickly. It was time to caravan to the dove hunting spot.

Josh Hagor, his dog, Victra, and Sgt. Graham, and his dog, Boone, rode with me. Crammed into the cab of my truck, we laughed and became closer acquainted. I recalled many such early morning travels with fellow hunters and smelly bird dogs. 

Sgt. Prather had acquired permission to hunt a private farm in the Roby area. It consisted of high ridge pastures and hay fields. In his earlier scouting sessions, doves had concentrated along the pasture fields and gravel road leading into the farm headquarters. It appeared to be an idyllic setup.

On arriving, we immediately began gathering our gear. Too, the guys let their dogs stretch their legs a bit. Bird dogs have an exuberance that is contagious. Each had to make their rounds to every individual hunter, as if to say good morning and let’s go. The electricity of the excitement of both men and dogs permeated the early morning heat. We were all excited and ready to begin the hunt.

Dove hunters like gear and each of us carried an array of equipment, including our favorite shotgun, a stool, or chair, shot shells, water for man and dogs, and dove decoys. Additionally, I carried three cameras and tripods. We looked like a small army ready for action, as we moved out in the fading darkness.

Early mornings are especially gorgeous when a hunt is involved. The early morning sun began to cast pink rays over the Eastern horizon. I glanced left and right and watched as each hunter and their dog nestled into weed clumps ,and against giant round bales of hay. You could read the excitement in the expressions of hunters and the body language of the young hunting dogs. 

Someone yelled, “doves behind you!” Too, late. The trio of birds had already cleared the treetops over Sgt. Prather’s right shoulder and swung towards farm buildings, so it was a don’t shoot situation.

Moments later, a single dove came from right to left past Sgt. Prather.  He yelled, “Shoot!” He fired and missed, followed by a shot and miss by Josh Hager. Both shooters apologized to their dogs, which were more than ready to make a retrieve. 

I sat within shotgun range of the passing dove, but became caught up in watching the shooters, their dogs, and the interactions among them. Dogs broke to look for a downed bird, which did not exist. Handlers called them back and offered a bit of instruction about holding in place until they were released to retrieve. Conversations with the dogs became a matter of intense interest for me. The serious tones, but obvious love and attachment to their dogs shone through the instructions like strong beacons. Those guys love their dogs immensely and put a lot of time, effort and expense into caring for and training them. 

Dove flights proved sporadic and each of us got caught off guard as birds slipped through us. Several more shots echoed across the hills, before the first bird tumbled out of the sky. Hagor released his dog, Victor, and she soon bounded back to present the bird prize she had retrieved. Hagor poured on the praise. Dog and master relished their moment  of success together.

Flights remained slow and conversations picked up. And more birds slipped through the line. Shortly, 1Sgt. Ambriz shot to our left and missed. The bird flew down the fence line towards me, Hager and Sgt. Prather. We all shot…twice. Simultaneously, we all yelled, “I got it!” After glaring at one another, we all broke into laughter. 

I was extremely impressed with the work and dedication of these members of Mo Vets Outdoors. I will return. Please support our veterans. Check them out at www.movetsoutdoors.org.