Poteet Dove Club is situated in a flat valley at the end of a long, county road surrounded by never-ending Tennessee farmland. You know you’re getting close when greeted with yellow bands of sunflowers stretching as far as the eye can see, and volleys of gunshots bouncing off the distant mountains, all aimed at the small gray birds darting wildly in the sky. It was among these fertile fields about four years ago that an idea took root with Davenport. Seeking access to prime dove country, the now 32-year-old entrepreneur had formed the Poteet club with 30 friends. Its success spurred more clubs, and pretty soon a lifelong passion – some might even say obsession – had blossomed into a business.
Elliott Davenport“Options for a bird hunter can be limited,” explains Davenport. “Typically, you either own your own ground, which is a costly proposition, or you’re an invitee of someone that does. The purpose of these dove clubs is to provide a hunter access to a well-managed property without spending the time or money to do it on their own.”
Today he manages numerous recreational properties as owner of The Wings Group, and wears a lot more hats than the camouflaged one he’s accustomed to, including land broker, entrepreneur, conservationist, farmer, consultant. Ironically, the workload from his growing company has prevented him from hunting very much these days, but his clients will tell you it’s paid off.
“I find what Elliott offers on turkey and dove is about as good as you’ll find in the U.S.,” says Tom Rowland, member of the Poteet Dove Club and Meadow Creek Farm lease. With 20 years in the guiding business and two top-rated fishing television shows, Rowland has hunted and fished all over the world. Last year he recalls dove hunting in the snow at Poteet – a first-time experience.
“Growing up here we hunted doves the first couple weeks in September and that was it,” says Rowland. “But what Elliott has done, by managing the property year-round with the farmer, we’re able to hunt all the way into December. That’s very special for this part of the country.”