September 1st. The opening day of dove season kicked off five straight months of activity for hunters across the state, starting with upland game, and then waterfowl.

I took the field for my 68th time this year. I was hoping it would be with two of my sons and two grandsons, but it was not to be. Steve was called to work by the railroad, and both grandkids are now in school.

Ken Barnes is a record setting shooter and longtime outdoorsman from Kern County. Email him at ken.barnes@aol.com with comments or column ideas.