Instructors

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Stuart Cochran is the Head Biologist here at the South Carolina Waterfowl Association and a recipient of a prestigious biology degree focusing on fisheries and wildlife management from Michigan State University. He comes over to the camp every week and takes the campers through Waterfowl identification and the ecology of all the different types of waterfowl species. He also speaks about the different flyways for migratory birds, and explains why some are greater than others because of the food sources that are present in these different habitats. Lastly, he takes the campers on a tour of the wood duck nest boxes that we have here on the premises and demonstrates how they are used by the wood duck and how they have reconstructed the wood duck population here in South Carolina.

James Owens who is the chairman for the South Carolina Waterfowl’s Spartanburg chapter is a professional shooting instructor for the camp. He has many years of experience being an active law enforcement officer in Spartanburg. He brings to the table many years of expertise in the shooting world, and promotes gun safety at all times. He demonstrates many situations of firearm control and target identification, and keeps the experience on a continuing fun and learning scale.

Larry Shontere who has been a renowned shooting Instructor for Camp Woodie comes back every year to share his wisdom with the campers. He has been a DNR volunteer since 1975 and a professional shooting instructor all across the United States. He has been a shooting Instructor for Camp Woodie for 7 years and a volunteer for SC DNR for 8 years. He comes in every Monday during Camp and takes all of the campers through a thorough gun safety program before they continue their day shooting in a safe environment. He then teaches the Hunters Safety classes every week here at camp which is a program required by the state of SC to have completed before you turn the age of 16 so that you can successfully purchase your SC hunting license. He is a true asset to Camp Woodie and really makes the experience very pleasant for the campers because of his experience and teaching tactics that are extremely effective with all of our campers.

Matt Baxley who is a former Camp Woodie director comes out each summer to be a professional shooting Instructor. He is currently a science teacher at Williamsburg Academy, and a football coach there as well. He is very gifted at working with youth, and provides a safe teaching method that really gets through to all of the campers. Being a former director, Matt possesses a passion for the outdoors and for Camp Woodie and all that we strive to have.

Champion Callers, Call Makers, Waterfowl Biologists, Well Known Outfitters, and Shooting Instructors come to camp every summer to influence and entertain kids not only with their expertise on hunting and fishing, but also with positive experiences in their own lives.

During a camp week in moments other than duck call lessons, waterfowl ecology, sporting clays tournaments and decoy placements these caring professionals can be seen helping a few campers prepare a wild game dinner or explaining the value and importance of school even for a career in the outdoors.

To fully appreciate the impact Camp Woodie has on young outdoor enthusiast, just look at the impact the camp has on the professionals. The outdoor experts have a great time when they visit Camp Woodie. The experience leaves them with a good feeling knowing the future of these great outdoor sports has such ardent and interested young people.

Scott Sanders of Primos Game Calls prostaff and SCWA member and Camp Woodie volunteer Tripp Mitchum covers all areas of game calling including turkey, deer, elk, and waterfowl. Mr. Scott has been a great asset to Camp Woodie, and has donated much of his time and efforts to teaching Camp Woodie’s youth all about the outdoor language. Tripp Mitchum brings to the table his special ways of connecting with the wild turkey. He is truly one of the best turkey hunters out there and gladly shares his wisdom and experience with the campers.

Buck Gardner with Buck Gardner Game Calls makes the mallard calls that we have here at camp. Mr. Buck has won the world championship duck calling contest held in Stuttgart, AK and has also won the champion of champions witch retires him in the duck calling word. He has nothing more to prove, but he does enjoy coming over to Camp Woodie from his resident state Tennessee and teaching the campers how to use their calls effectively and efficiently.

Professional Instructors At Camp Woodie