The 13th Annual Winter Dove Retreat is scheduled for 1/5/06 – 1/7/06 at Lee Ewald’s ranch near Dilley (in the south zone). The cost will be $25.00 per hunter per day. There is no discount for half days, guests, or children. You can hunt one or two days. Fellowship of Christian Sportsmen (FCS) membership is required in order to hunt. Members whose memberships expire in 1/06, or whose memberships have already expired, will be required to renew their memberships. Adult (age 18 and above, male and female) hunting guests will either need to join the Club (including pay a $20.00 membership due) or donate $20.00 to the Club's treasury if they do not wish to join the Club. Your female relatives, children, and significant other are welcome at the retreat. There is an enclosed restroom, including a shower, located in the barn for everyone’s use. Bring your tents, pop-ups, travel trailers, or motor homes to camp in. You also may be able to find a motel in Dilley or Pearsall.
The Retreat will feature Bible Studies on Friday and Saturday. Our primary focus is safety. Hunters will be required to sign a Hunting License (liability waver), pay, and sign in on the retreat log sheet before they are allowed to hunt on the properties. Hunters will also be given a copy of the FCS Field Rules, Camp Rules, and Game Law Clarifications for FCS Dove Retreats. Hunters will be expected to follow all rules.
The retreat officers will decide after we arrive if it is safe to shoot rifles and/or handguns at a designated location. Your hunting and other (non-violent) dogs are welcome. Be aware that Mr. Ewald has a few dogs and we'll be camping right next to his house. One of his dogs in particular is very territorial. We have had more than one dog fight over the years. Usually it's when our dogs go up to their house. Please keep your dogs on a rope or in a carrier. Also be aware that we will have several children who will want to run up and pet your dog(s). If your dog reacts badly to this please do not bring it. Participants are encouraged to look carefully where they walk. We have encountered rattlesnakes almost every year. Also Mr. Ewald was attacked by Killer Bees in 2003 when his tractor annoyed a hive that had made a fallen deer blind their home. Do not shoot around objects that can hold bees.
If you get there in the morning or the afternoon, and no one is there, that means that we're out hunting. Just follow the sound of the shots and come join us.
FCS Field Rules
Always be aware of where the muzzle of you gun is pointing. Never take a shot if you do not know what is beyond your target.
Do not shoot at low flying birds (#8 shot can travel 200 yards).
All adult hunters are requested to hunt with a partner as a safety precaution. If you bring a guest you are expected to hunt with him as well as to educate him on proper field conduct. Minors must hunt with an adult.
Always let the hunters around you know your position (especially when walking up on hunters who have their backs to you).
If you come to a fence that is open – leave it open. If you come to a fence that is closed – close it after you drive through.
Pick up your empty shells and any other empties you find in the field (empty hulls can kill livestock that eat them).
Pick up your trash in the field.
Be generous in your field conduct (e.g. if you see a dove heading directly for another hunter don’t shoot at it and cause it to veer away from him, permit a new hunter first shot at a bird, help other hunters find their downed dove).
Be an ethical hunter. Don’t shoot at un-wounded dove in trees, on lines (e.g. power, telephone, fence) or on the ground. Don’t shoot at dove outside of your effective gun range.
FCS Dove Hunt/Retreat Camp Rules
Guns in camp must be unloaded.
Pick up your trash at camp.
If you clean your dove at camp put the waste in trash bags so dogs do not get into it (dove waste in the field does not have to be bagged).
Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited at FCS events.
Unmarried couples are expected to sleep in separate quarters.
Mr. Ewald does not want .22’s shot on his property.
Mr. Ewald does not want a child to drive a four wheeler unless an adult in on it with him.
Game Law Clarifications for FCS Dove Hunts/Retreats
First Shot: 7:01 AM
Last Shot: 5:55 PM
The officers have the authority to educate and rebuke safety, game law, and retreat rule violators including the power to terminate violators hunting privileges for a specific hunt or expel the violator(s) from the lease. I, Randy Rowley, am in overall charge of the retreat.
Directions from Austin
Take IH 35 South through San Antonio
Go about 50 miles south of San Antonio to Dilley (about 15 miles south of Pearsall)
Take the Carrizo Springs, Hwy 85 West exit
Turn right onto Hwy 85 West
Go approximately 8 miles
Look for the Cober Chapel Cemetery (on both sides of the road)
Turn right immediately past the cemetery onto County Road 4843 (Urban Road)
We will put out a FCS sign right before Urban Road.
Go ½ mile down the dirt road and look for Lee Ewald’s name on his fence on the right side of the road (the first cattle guard on the right).
We will put out a FCS sign right before his gate.
Drive back to the brick house (we will be camping there)
My, Randy Rowley’s, cell number is 512-963-0003.
Derrich Pollock’s cell number is 512-517-5343.
Lee Ewald's phone number is 830-378-5463 (call only if you cannot reach me or Derrich).