Around 12 years ago, I was carrying out some research on the internet for content on my rather crude, DIY website I had created a couple of years previously around my experiences as a poultry keeper. The most popular part of the site was the blog section where I would write about the highs and lows of keeping poultry and my plights around keeping vermin at bay. The main source of traffic to the site was the hunting and vermin control aspect, so I was looking to add more content on that basis.
The website, as primitive as it was, took me on a journey that I would never have envisaged and will never forget.
My research that particular day took me to an article on MS-Sportsman.com called “WWW: Weather, wind and where to deer hunt.” It was a story about trophy deer hunter Gary Blakeney.
There were a few things that struck a chord with me reading the article, and I was eager to know more. After a little more Googling, it wasn’t long before I had Blakeney’s email address, so I dropped him a quick couple of lines hoping he would get back to me, and left the rest to fate.
A new pen pal
To my delight, a few days later he had replied. Owing to our similarities (we work in the same industry for one) and mutual interests, what ensued was an interesting and reliable electronic penpalship that spanned the next 10 years. Over the course of this time we’d spoken about how it would be nice to eventually meet in person, but things are often easier said than done, particularly given that I live in England, and coupled with the fact I have a fear of flying. The fear of flying never actually stopped me from flying, but as you can imagine it put me off to say the least. I only ever flew for the sake of family holidays and it was always a case of “feel the fear and do it anyway.” I had never flown alone and never had any intention of doing so.
In September of 2022, we were due to travel to Florida for a family holiday and would be staying with close friends who live out there. My friend, Andrew, was working near Hattiesburg at the time, which is around 1.5 hours away from Blakeney. Knowing an opportunity like this was never likely to present itself again, Blakeney and I arranged to meet for lunch. I drove out to Sully’s on the outskirts of Hattiesburg to meet Blakeney and his wife, Jodi, for lunch. It was all a bit surreal but a really, really pleasant experience and they were such a fantastic couple. Despite only being together for 1.5 hours, an impression was made and it solidified the 10 year penpalship. Blakeney said it was a shame I couldn’t spend more time with him and his family and that it would great if we could hunt together. He invited me back out.
A trip to Mississippi
Upon returning home the emails continued as they had before, but now with the seed planted of a return trip. The possibility of a full vacation with Blakeney and his family. It was a very kind offer indeed, and from a personal perspective quite possibly the chance of a lifetime. There was only really one thing stopping me. And that was me. I’ll readily admit that I’m a “home bird.” I like where I live (Bootle, Cumbria, England. Population 745) and spend most of my time in my own little bubble. But if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.
Blakeney had asked in a more recent email if I’d given any more thought to coming over. In an uncharacteristic fit of whimsy, I booked flights to Mississippi. It was time to put my big boy pants on and burst the bubble.
I landed in Jackson and it was great to see Blakeney again when he picked me up at the airport. The surrealness, along with 16 hours of travel, kicked in again as we drove to his home at around midnight. I was unable to see my surroundings properly until morning. It was a little strange walking in to someone’s house and going straight to bed. Imagine my surprise when I walked in to my room for the week to find the bed laid out with hunting gear and utility company apparel (see previous note about our similar work industries) for me to wear!
Blakeney had asked me what I was most interested in doing whilst in Mississippi. The three main things (apart from meeting and spending time with his family) were: hunting, fishing and watching a U.S. sport on U.S. soil.
Hunting and fishing
We spent three nights at the magnificent Willow Brake camp on the Mississippi/Louisiana border, hunting in Louisiana on Paw Paw Island and back over on Willow Brake itself. This was not before proving myself on the range, admittedly under slight self-induced pressure, but managing to put enough in the center from 80 yards with the .270. At least now Blakeney knew I was proficient enough to make the shot count.
Five outings were made in three days, early morning and early afternoon. As we travelled along the trails at times I could be forgiven for thinking I was back home in my beloved Lake District as the trees and overgrowth looked very similar, and at that point with weather not too dissimilar. Had it not been for the cardinals, red winged blackbirds and the seemingly unelusive woodpeckers (you hear them more than you see them back home) along with hardy palms I may well have been in Cumbria. But then there are the alligators and raccoons, which I knew about, and the coyotes, wild pigs, black bears and rattlesnakes that I didn’t! Maybe not so much research done there on my part!
The sunrises and sunsets were amazing. The Mississippi River was a sight to behold. One particular evening, I sat up in a blind and watched a tug boat sail past through the binoculars as the sun set to a slight haze of mist. The deer showed on every stand we took to, grazing on the corn shoots. By the last day, none of the bucks we had seen had met the criteria, so I had said I would take a doe. Typically, none that day had been of the correct size, so it wasn’t to be. I know that that is how it goes down sometimes, so I wasn’t disappointed. I still feel lucky to have been out there and seen what I have seen. The memories will stay fond. Two guys sat in a blind with a propane heater, sitting, watching and scanning. Hours of intelligent and interesting conversation. Being truly present in the moment I felt extremely lucky to be in such magnificent surroundings and in such good company.
Pete Lake was the venue for fishing, with this excursion guided by Blakeney’s son, Jeremy. It didn’t take long for me to realize he was an able skipper and a knowledgeable fisherman. With a competent guide and an abundance of gear, I felt like the odds were stacked in my favor and was hopeful I wouldn’t blank on this outing. Some nice crappie and largemouth bass were caught (and released) and I was delighted. I think Blakeney and Jeremy were almost as pleased as I was. Another bucket-list item completed.
More fun to be had
We also attended a basketball game. Mississippi State hosting Louisiana State. After looking at some stats on my phone, it looked like LSU were expected to take the win. It goes without saying that at that point I was a massive MSU fan. Reinforced by how blown away I was with the whole experience. I was in a 10,000 seat stadium that was practically sold out. My nearest professional league football (soccer) team doesn’t get anywhere near those attendance figures. The entertainment was amazing (I didn’t even think there would be any!) and the atmosphere was unreal, which was made better still that I sat there and watched (and shouted) as MSU were victorious. What an experience!
I can honestly say it felt like home from home. The people and the place are really what made the trip special. Yes, the activities were amazing and I feel lucky and immensely grateful to have been able to experience what I have, but it would not have been the same had it been somewhere else with someone else. I have met and spent time with some amazing people, have eaten some fantastic southern food and experienced the best southern hospitality. Gary, Jodi and family are truly flying the flag when it comes to that. It warms my heart to know that I am now known to them as “GB UK.”
This is probably a good time for me to tell you my name. It’s also Gary Blakeney.
I would specifically like to mention and thank – Gary and Jodi, Jeremy and Becca Blakeney, Michael and Trisha Wallis, Blake Summerlin, Kenneth and Rose Blakeney, Jolene and Bo, Rivers, Rylee-Claire, Brooks and Grace, Ken and Brien, and Andrew Coulton.
I would also like to thank Mississippi Sportsman because without you I’d have never met Gary Blakeney!
Last but not least – thank you Mississippi, I hope to see y’all again.
-Gary Blakeney (UK)
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