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Hunting with the "Powers" that be
by Rob Somerville
Most of you who read this column are already familiar with Kelley Powers, who is a WORLD OF WOODS AND WATER pro staff team member. He also happens to be current World Champion, and Champion of Champions on the goose calling circuit. Recently, I enjoyed a hunt with Kelley and his two brothers, Jon Ed and Tripp. It was an experience I won't soon forget, and a study in a family that enjoys the total outdoor experience together. We were duck and goose hunting on Power's Farms, located in Terrell bottoms. This wildlife wonderland is formed by a combination of agricultural fields and bottomland woods. The fields require little winter flooding to attract duck and geese from the local river flyways.
Moe, Larry and Curly?
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The personalities of these three brothers complement each other. Twenty-nine year old Jon Ed is the oldest and seems to be the most somber of the three. Tripp is, to say the least, the most animated of the trio, at age twenty-six. Kelley is the baby, at age twenty-two, and nothing seems to phase him, but he is a bundle of energy at all times. The elder brothers graduated from U.T. Martin, majoring in Agricultural Business, and Kelley is following their lead. I'll delve more into their personalities as we move on, but first let's go hunting with the Powers boys.
I arrived at the former Midway Grocery store, on Hwy 431, between Martin and Union City, at 5:15 AM. Even at this early hour, the place resembled a DU Convention. There were hunters gathered around coffee pots, calls being tuned, and hunting stories {some of them actually true], being exchanged.
The old store is the storage area for FINAL FLIGHT OUTFITTERS, the business the three brothers recently started with the help of their maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Meek Jr. This business was started to serve as a specialty store for waterfowlers. They weren't trying to compete with local retailers, but wanted to offer a full supply of the best waterfowling products for area hunters. From the response they have gotten, they have achieved just that.
Let's go hunting
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As the caffeine rush of the second cup of coffee kicked in, waders were being pulled on and calls were fine-tuned. Tripp loaded up his Black Lab "TAU", and we headed out. A five minute drive got us to the boat shed, where fellow hunters Gabe Sullivan, Rick Wilson, and Todd Hampton, joined myself and fellow pro staffer, Dylan Bondurant. We jumped into the boat and made Tau get in the back, because she was smelling a little "doggy". We arrived at the blind, and what a blind it was. Situated in a huge field, and expertly camouflaged on a forty-acre pool of water, was "home sweet home".
Their blind shoots ten hunters from an elevated platform, has a kitchen and eating area, and an enclosed boat shed. A separate "dog-run" housed Tau, who was anxiously scanning the lightening sky for birds. Positions were assigned, and shells were chambered as shooting time was eagerly anticipated. Jon Ed would call the shots. As eight mallards hooked to take a look at our set, some of the best calling I ever heard came out of our blind. I sheepishly tucked my call back in to my shirt and decided to let the pros talk to the ducks. The mallards pitched and soon the thunder of ten guns shot fire from their muzzles. Seven ducks were on the water, and soon in the blind, as Tau expertly retrieved them. There wasn't any wind to speak of, but two WONDERDUCKS and an interesting device, which was new to me, called THE MALLARD MACHINE seemed to pull the ducks right out of the sky.
The MALLARD MACHINE
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The MALLARD MACHINE is a decoy enhancer constructed on a lightweight frame. Two to four decoys are mounted on it. In the middle of the frame, and barely submerged under water, is a motor with blades similar to a trolling motor. On a pushbutton signal from the operator, the blades churn surface water and resemble a waterfowl feeding frenzy. The operator can opt for several different settings, from swimming, diving, shaking, sitting still, or thrashing the water. It runs off of a 12-volt rechargeable battery.
No more jerk strings or buying dozens of disposable batteries for me. This enhancer gave incredible life-like motion to our spread. The ducks hitting the water gave testimony.
Chow time.
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As the action began to slow around mid-morning, Kelley assumed kitchen duty. Soon we were treated to cinnamon baked buns, with maple icing, for appetizers. The main course consisted of eggs, sausage and homemade biscuits. Is it me, or do meals always taste better in the duck blind?
Sibling rivalry?
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The brothers clearly enjoyed each other's company, but not without some fraternal jabs. Kelley got on to Jon Ed for always conveniently "forgetting" to bring his cell phone to the pit, but somehow always needing to borrow younger brother's phone for some important {and lengthy} calls. Then they tag-teamed Tripp about how he loses his voice whenever he gets excited. I asked the two older brothers if it bothered them that Kelley had achieved "superstardom" in the waterfowl industry. Tripp just laughed and winked at me and said, "We love it. After all, we taught him everything he knows".
Throughout the day, in between action, the kidding continued. But underneath it all was the clear love and respect the three had for each other.
Building the tradition.
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I heard some quality calling that day. I discussed with the brothers how they got their start in the outdoors, and they all seemed to agree on several points. They feel they owe their interest in the outdoors to their father and grandfather, Burnie Powers Jr. and Sr.
They recalled many happy memories of family dove hunts on the farm, where friends and family gathered together for shooting and fellowship. These were days with the elder Powers men exhibiting patience and teaching stewardship of the outdoors while cementing in place solid family values. The Powers women also contributed with love and patience, allowing the men to enjoy this lifestyle unhindered.
What is important?
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The men also agreed that shooting waterfowl has become secondary to the actually tricking of ducks into their set by calling and decoying strategies. They were very adamant about the need for more of today's youth getting involved safely and ethically in the outdoors. Final Flight Outfitters takes a pro-active approach to this. Besides participating in our WEST TN YOUTH OUTDOOR JAMBOREE, they also host a group of kids on the special Youth Waterfowl Hunt each year.
Education in game management.
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Jon Ed, Tripp, and Kelley have used their Ag. Business education to enhance their lands for better big game, small game, and waterfowl management. They plant Japanese Millet and leave standing corn for ducks and geese, as well as leave resting areas for mini-refuges for these birds. They plant clover and other food plots for deer, turkey, quail, and rabbits also. Their deer management consists of selective mature buck harvests {one per hunter}, and ample doe harvests for meat. They only harvest mature Toms and never take a Jake turkey.
The future.
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As Kelley worked a lone goose, and it began to "oak-leaf" towards our set, Jon Ed whispered a variation of the words you see in this column time and time again. He said, "We've got to keep the kids of today involved in the outdoors. They are the future"
As our hunt came to an end, and I saw Tau proudly riding in the back of Tripp's truck with a duck in her mouth, a thought came to mind. Mom and Dad Powers must be pretty darn proud of their sons.
See ya,
Rob.
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