UP, UP AND AWAY, go several players as they scramble for a loose ball in Tuesday night’s Brevard-Reynolds basketball game here at the BHS gym. All eyes are skyward, including those of Brevard players James Duckett (31), Lionel Gash (32), and Turk Norman, who is just under the arm of Reynolds’ no. 34. The Blue Devils lost a thriller to the Rockets in overtime by a 54-49 score. (Times Staff Photo) Wildlife Afield Erupting Quail Covey Rattles Sure Shooters I don’t know how a large covey of quail ever arrives at a mutual decision — maybe they take a quick straw vote — but I do know one thing for f certain. Once they have decided to leave a place, they do it together and they do it quickly. One moment, Mike and I were moving boldly through the dense undergrowth and briers. Cindy was to our left standing high and proud. Then the birds were up and the air was full of partridges. One passed so close over my head that it nearly brushed my cap. I whirled around and snapped off a fleeting shot. It would have been an excellent piece of shooting had I been hunting pine trees. ->. I joined Mike who was still staring into the woods with his gun poised and both barrels smoking. “You get any?” I asked. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly. In mock anger, he snatched his hat off his head and pitched it to the ground. He was about to stomp on it when we both began to laugh uncontrollably. “I can’t believe it!” Mike shouted. “The only covey shot we’ve had today, and we both muffed it. We oughta go back to beanshooters.” “Your dogs deserve better than this,” I admitted. Of course, we could have exchanged dog-eared excuses for missing those birds, but the truth is inescapable. No matter how much we hunt, we are still awed and flustered by the noisy violence of a dozen or so quail blowing out of a peafield like the shards of a grenade. Sure, I know plenty of people who say that bobwhite quail are easy targets. I’m sure you’ve been told that many times. Have you noticed that these people are always dressed in street clothes? However, it is true that some quail are carter to Mt than others. Ironically, it is axiomatic that the difficulty of attaining a kill inert asaa in proportion to the number rt targets within shooting range at any given time. Or to pul it another way, the more birds you have in the covey, the less likely you are lo hit one. A scientist will tell you that this is ridiculous, and it is. But it’s still true. A novice might also expect an advance warning — a dog on point — would aid the hunter in achieving success. Not so. Your dog may hold a point on a covey for 30 minutes while you psyche yourself into readiness, but when those birds get up, your reflexes automatically turn to Jello. Most of the fine wingshots I know — and Mike is one of them — readily admit that they are more likely to miss an open field shot at a pointed covey of quail than a single bird that gets up wild in the middle of Dante’s Inferno. There is a good reason for this. Dante's Inferno is a peaceful and orderly place compared to the nucleus of a covey rise (from which there is rarely any fallout). Our own ex perience on this particular day furnishes typical proof. For various reasons I choose not to pursue at the moment, Mike and I spent most of the day in the thickets hunting singles from busted coveys, wc had six points and collected ux quail. At the risk vary well *V»ner. towards the end of ■fit* day when we were con fronted with the situation described earlier — an honest covey rise — our carefully honed talents fled as quickly as the quail I think I can speak for Mike — and certainly myself — if I simply say that we both hope that day never dawns when we have become so jaded that we can stifle a yawn routinely pick out and shoot a couple of cock birds from an erupting covey. If that day ever arrives, I’ll sell my shotguns and take up something less exciting like dismantling time bombs. Hawg Haulers Bass Club Begins New Year Jan. 18 —Continued from Page 8A caught each day. The annual Hawging Banquet was held on November 20 at Berry’s Restaurant. Following a delicious meal and a laugh filled session of listening to special guests from Swamp Gas Corners, U. S. A., an informative movie was shown on the life cycle of the black bass. The banquet ended with president Don Howell presenting awards for 1974. The Mr. Bass award, for top man of the year, went to Dwight Howell. Scored on the best seven out of ten tour naments, Dwight placed first in four, second in one, and third in two. Don Howell finished second in the final standings with one first place finish, five second place finishes, and one third pjace finish. Third {dace for 1974 went to Renaud Pelletier with two first place finishes, one second place, one third place, and three fifth place finishes. Fourth as an entrance fee for any bass tournament (other than a club tournament) of their choice. The lunker award was was won by Wiley Bingham, who caught the largest tournament bass of the year last March at Clark Hill. The 8 lb. 4 oz. hawg was taken on a Gay-Balde plug, and helped the Hawg Haulers win an inter - club tournament against the Greenwood Bassmasters. The Sportsmanship award, considered by all the club members to be the highest ^dividual honor of the year, was received by Loydd Bailey. Loydd was an almost unanimous choice by secret ballot, and he certainly deserved recognition for his perseverance and unselfish participation in 1974. The Most Improved trophy was won by Bud Cothran. Bud finished way down the list in 1973, but fished hard and well in 1974 to finish fourth place overall for the year. The final award presented is one which holds special reverence iu the hearts of all bass clubbers. The man who received it is the guy, who throughout the year, most often gets asked that em barrassing question ‘‘Hey, Mack, what weren’t they hitting today?” This year the urtptent of the Preposterous Pedestal of Pegasus, known in the inner circles of the bass club as the Horses Tail, was none other than smiling Lynn Bullock. The 1975 tournament year promises to be the best yet for the Hawg Haulers. The schedule mixes some old favorite lakes with several new ones, which should provide an exciting challenge in locating and outsmarting Mr. Bucketmouth. The 1975 Tournament Schedule: Jan. 18, Clark Hill, Soap Creek Landing; Feb. 15, Hartwell, Martin Creek landing; Mar. 15, Jocassee, Jocasse Dam Ramp; Apr. 12, 13, Fontana, Almond’s Boat Park. May 10, Greenwood, Floyd’s Landing; June 19, Wylie, (not selected); July 8, Hartwell (night) Martin Creek Lan ding; Aug. 19, James, Mimosa Landing; Sept. 27, Murray, (not selected); Oct. 25, 26, Classic, Location picked by drawing. If you enjoy bass fishing, good fellowship, pounds of humor, and ounces of bass, then come see what the Hawg Haulers are all about. We are always anxious to welcome new members into the club. WPNF PROUDLY PRESENTS University Of North Carolina Thursday, January 9thf 8:45 P. M. From Chapel Hill UIVC vs. CLEMSON Thursday, January 15th, 7:45 P. M. From Winston Salem UNC vs. WAKE FOREST -*- / These Games Are Brought To You By ★ CHARLIE’S RECAPPING ★ PISGAH FISH CAMP / ★ NORRIS HARDWARE ★ PABST BLUE RIBBON BEER Keep Your Radio Dialed To 1240 And Follow The Nationally Ranked Tar Heels Of North Carolina! Stay Tuned To Your Local Radio Station For The Best Entertainment And Sports 1240 ON YOUR DIAL a A Summertime Breakfast! Summertime English Ironstone dinnerware from Northwestern really brightens up a breakfast table. Start with yellow or green placemats topped with place settings of Summertime. Pile omelets and bacon high on the big 12 inch platter. Add a good hot cup of coffee and toast. Summertime fruit or soup dishes double for cereal bowls. Then for that extra special touch, include a fresh, yellow daisy. At Northwestern, you can get a complete set of Summertime when you save. Start by saving $25 or more and get your first place setting free. Then pick up an accessory piece, or additional place settings, each time you save $25 or more. You’ll get the highest legal interest rates on your savings and beautiful Summertime dinnerware! Accessory Pieces Price 4-Fruit Dishes 4-Soup Dishes 4-Salad Dishes 1-Open Vegetable Dish 1-Gravy Boat 1-Sugar & Creamer 1-12” Platter 1-14” Platter 1-Covered Casserole Additional 4-Piece Place Setting $3.50 $4.95 $4.25 $3.95 $5.25 $5.50 $5.75 $7.50 $9.50 $3.95 Plus North Carolina Sales Tax. THE NORTHWESTERN BANK One free place setting per family. Free offer ends February 28. ' FDIC insurance has been increased to $40,000. Member FDIC
