Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

Staff Sgt. Daniel Cole, 364th Training Squadron instructor, points his shotgun at a dove passing by during the dove hunt portion of the Clay County Dove Salute in Henrietta, Texas, Sept. 12, 2015. Airmen were invited to the Birdwell and Clark Ranch to participate in dove hunt and a Texas-style steak dinner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)

Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

First Lt. Jordan Gegner, 80th Training Wing student pilot, fires his shotgun at a dove passing during the 11th Annual Clay County Dove Salute, Sept. 12, 2015. Each year, the several Clay County ranches host the Dove Salute as a thank you to service members stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for their service. Airmen were invited to the Birdwell and Clark Ranch to participate in dove hunt and a Texas-style steak dinner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)

Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

Tech. Sgt. Mike Meares, 82nd Training Wing photojournalist, returns to his hunting spot with a dove during the 11th Annual Clay County Dove Salute in Henrietta, Texas, Sept. 12, 2015. Meares, and more than 140 other Airmen, were invited to the Birdwell and Clark Ranch to participate in dove hunt and a Texas-style steak dinner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)

Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

Tech. Sgt. Mike Meares, 82nd Training Wing photojournalist, loads a shotgun shell to his weapon during the 11th Annual Dove Salute in Henrietta, Texas, Sept. 12, 2015. The Dove Salute welcomed Airmen to the community with a hunt and Texas-style steak feast on the Birdwell and Clark Ranch, with a closing thank you from the ranchers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)

Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

Tech. Sgt. Mike Meares, 82nd Training Wing photojournalist, waits for a flock of dove to get closer during the 11th Annual Clay County Dove Salute in Henrietta, Texas, Sept. 12, 2015. The Dove Salute provided Airmen with shotguns, ammunition, hunting grounds and closed with a Texas-style steak dinner on the Birdwell and Clark Ranch. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)

Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

Senior Airman Danielle Baumann, 82nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace physiology technician, cleans dove after the 11th Annual Clay County Dove Salute on the Birdwell and Clark Ranch in Henrietta, Texas, Sept. 12, 2015. The Dove Salute welcomed Airmen to the community with a hunt and Texas-style steak feast on the Birdwell and Clark Ranch, with a closing thank you from the ranchers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)

Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

Deborah Clark and Brig. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 82nd Training Wing commander, provide closing comments at the 11th Annual Dove Salute in Henrietta, Texas, Sept. 12, 2015. The Dove Salute welcomed Airmen to the community with a hunt and Texas-style steak feast on the Birdwell and Clark Ranch, with a closing thank you from the ranchers and 82nd Training Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)

Sheppard Airmen invited to hunt dove in Clay County

Published Sept. 15, 2015
By Senior Airman Kyle Gese
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Nearly 175 Sheppard hunters prowled the fields of Birdwell and Clark Ranch during the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015.

Each year, Birdwell and Clark Ranch host a Dove Salute to welcome Sheppard's active duty military to the community and show them their North Texas culture. This year marked the 11th annual dove hunt that provided Airmen with guns, ammunition, hunting grounds and a Texas sized feast to close out the night.

"The Dove Salute is our community's way of saying, 'Thank you,' to the men and women who serve this country and have the good fortune of being stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base," said Deborah Clark from the ranch.

"This was my first time to participate in the Dove Salute," said Senior Airman Danielle Baumann. "I really enjoyed how everyone could come together to enjoy a shared hobby."

"It's a chance for unity," she said, continuing to elaborate about the importance of the event. "A chance to feel like a part of the team, and it's a chance to leave all your worries behind and have some fun with great company."

Baumann was new to the hunting culture and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the event.

"My biggest take away was the chance to see how much the community showed their appreciation," she said. "There are people who love and support us for the work we do every day ... I will be bringing more people next year."

After a long day of hunting dove and filling empty stomachs with the palatable feast, it was time to turn in for the night. The Airmen retreated home with a catch, and smile ... till next time Clay County.