Son of the South:Reminiscences of a Southern Sportsman follows the life of one of North Carolina’s most outstanding hunters and fishermen-conservationists Bob Gordon. At 82, the stories of his hunting adventures in North Carolina and way beyond take shape in a sort of autobiographical treatise of family heritage and numerous events ‘afield.’ To quote Bob, “All of the stories in this book are true. Some may be a wee bit exaggerated, but basically true, subject only to memory loss.”
Bob shares of the joy of joining his father in riding horses, training dogs, and his first quail hunt, all of which led to 60-plus years of trips to hunting and fishing lakes, ponds, rivers, and salt waters in the Carolinas, Texas, Alaska, Canada and beyond. He tells of his pride in being there when son Stewart, bagged his first quail, and their later adventures in fields and ponds until 2019, when he took his last hunt—with his son.
The joys in the woods and brambles, the sadness at the disappearance of birds, animals and habitats, and the realization that the loss of a lifestyle that helped shape his life would not be available to the children and grandchildren to come after him led to his transformative dedication to preservation of North Carolina’s natural resources. According to former NC Governor Jim Hunt, “I think I can say, truthfully, he presided over the most innovative and progressive Wildlife Commission the state has ever known.”
Bob’s story highlights the close connection between hunters and conservation, which is often overlooked in the twenty-first century. Hopefully, this book will inspire new generations and help others appreciate the role hunters have played in shaping the protection of North Carolina’s special places.
“I knew Bob’s deep interest in hunting, fishing, and conservation, so I appointed him to serve as my first Chairman of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, a position he held for my first two terms in office. I think I can say, truthfully, he presided over the most innovative and progressive Wildlife Commission the state has ever known. I certainly recommend Son of the South, not only for its contents, but because we are both sons of the South.” -FORMER NC GOVERNOR JAMES B. HUNT
“Bob and I finally met face to face at the Doc Henderson Dove Shoot where I attended with my father and mutual friend Graham Bennett, joining many others in a great shoot, great food, and wonderful fellowship. I have kept up with his leadership in Scotland County and his many conservation efforts across our beloved Old North State. Son of the South provides much insight into his true Southern heritage, his hunting adventures with a little taste of poetry.” -TERRY SANFORD, JR.
“It’s my privilege and, indeed an honor, to endorse this great work written by The Honorable J. Robert Gordon who was Chairman of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission from July 1977 until February 1985. Under his leadership, the Commission, as a team, worked closely together and accomplished more in eight years than it had in its entire history, dating back to 1947. The programs developed by Bob Gordon and our dear friend, the late Eddie Bridges, have generated more than $200 million, which the Commission has used to preserve and protect North Carolina’s natural resources for our children, grandchildren, and future generations to enjoy. Here, we can all create those special memories with friends and family like those you’ll read about in this book … I’d like to thank Bob Gordon and Eddie Bridges for providing all of us with a playground to enjoy and create our own memories into the future.”
-BOB TIMBERLAKE
Hardcover, 270 Pages.
Price: $49.95
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Bob’s story highlights the close connection between hunters and conservation, which is often overlooked in the twenty-first century. Hopefully, this book will inspire new generations and help others appreciate the role hunters have played in shaping the protection of North Carolina’s special places.