Our family hunting camp, a.k.a. "The Boar’s Nest," is just minutes from Big Bend WMA in Taylor County, Florida. Bo, his dad, and uncle had hunted the Spring Creek Unit for many, many years. From the stories I have heard - they camped and roughed it, weekend after weekend, year after year. In August of 1999, the property and trailer were purchased just off of Hampton Springs Road, just minutes from the check station in Spring Creek. My father-in-law, Bob, has always said that the property was purchased because of its proximity to Spring Creek. This is an area that allows still-hunting and up until a few months ago, allowed deer dog hunting. Who would think that a day would come when deer dog hunting would be banned in one of our favorite places - Spring Creek?

Public Land

My understanding of it is this: Between the complaints from private leases that border the Spring Creek Unit and the lack of decent roads, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) decided in February of 2005 to put an end to deer dog hunting in Spring Creek. We have learned that part of a still-hunt WMA in another part of Taylor County may be converted to dog hunting. This means that those still-hunters will have to relocate, but they now have all of Spring Creek available to them if they so desire. And those of us who used to hunt with our dogs in Spring Creek will have the option to move elsewhere, if this gets approved. This is all subject to change, but as of the writing of this article – this is where things stand. For those of us who love Spring Creek, all the locals who have hunted this area for ages and for those of us who bought property to be close to this area, it's disappointing and sad. For me and for Bob, Bill, Joe and Danny – we made some great memories in Spring Creek. Some of the best weekends of my life with Bo were in Spring Creek and I know his dad and the others feel the same way. Running Dogs. I personally didn’t like to see it come down to this. The ban on deer dog hunting on public land is happening in other Florida counties too.

Private Land

A few years back, long before the ban in Spring Creek, we joined Three Rivers Hunting Club, also in Taylor County, and just a ten minute ride from our camp. Three Rivers is located in a beautiful area with nice roads and lots of game. It gives us an alternative to hunting Spring Creek, a place to ride our 4-wheelers all summer and a place to run dogs in the summer. However, due to the complaints of private landowners that border many of the private leases in Taylor County and other counties as well, in 2004, the FWC implemented a deer dog registration pilot program in certain Florida counties. The program was successful according to the FWC and the program has now been expanded state-wide.

Here’s how it works: Private hunting clubs that allow deer dog hunting have to register with the FWC. Each club is assigned a number. All club members are given that one number and are required to attach that number to all of their deer dogs’ collars and also to have the registration form in their possession when hunting deer with dogs in that club. The whole intent of the FWC is to cut back on the complaints of private landowners who are unhappy with dogs leaving the private clubs and trespassing on to their properties. The FWC also says that they understand that deer dog hunting is part of Florida’s heritage and have said they would like to work with Florida hunters to help preserve this tradition. Bob and I attended an informational meeting in Brooksville, Florida on May 17, 2005, about this issue. Though I wish that things could be like they used to be and that there was not a need for intervention or a program, I do agree with the premise that we have to help them (the FWC) to help us. There is no reason to fight it.

Only nine states, all located in the southeastern part of the United States, allow deer dog hunting. Florida and Mississippi are the only two states that allow deer dog hunting statewide. The other seven states have closed portions of their states. Dog hunting dates back to the early 1800's. It's a tradition - and one that must be preserved.

My husband did not live to see the ban in Spring Creek or the deer dog registration program go into effect, but he knew it was coming. He always cared about the politics of this controversial issue. In the months before his death, he showed an interest in becoming involved with the Florida Dog Hunters and Sportsman's Association. In Bo’s honor, and due to personal interest, I, along with several other family members, have become involved with this group as members. I am also the group’s webmaster. The mission? Working to protect the heritage of hunting with dogs in Florida. For more information about the bans on public land and the deer dog registration program on private land, please visit www.flhuntingdogs.org.

The Dogs

We hunt with Walker Hounds; loyal, graceful, friendly, energetic, smart, active, and confident hunting and trailing dogs. Our first two deer dogs were Smiley and Gypsie. Our "pack" grew when Smiley and Gypsie had pups. Out of that litter, we kept two males, Blue and 2-Bits. Bob and I decided last hunting season to give the two most energetic dogs, Smiley and 2-Bits, to a good friend, where the dogs would have the opportunity to exercise and hunt more frequently. In the meantime, Bob picked up another Walker, Ginger. Ginger and Blue recently had pups. Out of eleven, seven survived; six females and one male. We know that we will keep at least one of the puppies, a pretty female who I have been calling Daisy. These dogs are part of our family and everyday life. They hunt all season long and then come summer, much time is dedicated to running and exercising and training, in order to prepare them for the next hunting season. Our dogs are always fine-tuned, as are our tracking collars and CB radios - especially as hunting season nears. There is an incredible article on Walker Hounds on the ESPN Outdoors website by Ed Wall. Visit:  http://espn.go.com/outdoors/sportingdogs/s/2003/1117/1663958.html

Last Ride to the Boat Ramp

The last time I was in Perry with Bo was on Sunday, August 8, 2004. We had spent time in Tallahassee and in Perry that weekend. It would be the only time that Bo would meet my sister’s child, our niece, Ilana, who was just 10 days old at that time. On Sunday, we closed up the camp. We had one last stop before we hit the road to start our drive back to St. Petersburg. We were planning to stop at a friend’s house for a visit. Just before we pulled out of our driveway, Bo asked me if there was anything else I needed to do or wanted to do before we left town. I suggested that we take a quick ride down to the boat ramp. This is the boat ramp at the end of Spring Creek Road in the Spring Creek Unit.

We rode slowly and silently down Spring Creek Road, windows down, looking and listening. When we got to the boat ramp, we parked the truck and got out and walked around for a few minutes. Neenee, our house dog, was with us. We had to stop her from going in the water because as soon as she saw it, she was headed straight in to take a dip. After a few minutes, it was time to head out. That would be my last time in Spring Creek and my last time in "the woods" with Bo. I am so glad we took the time to take the ride. So many times, people forget to stop and smell the flowers. We always did.

In memory of Bo's Pop-Pop
Elmer "Elmer Cool" Brabson
Avid Fisherman and Outdoorsman

June 17, 1932 - July 8, 2005