kingkilla
01-23-2006, 03:08 PM
MARION - Thieves broke into a pair of goose pits at the Tim Grounds Hunting Club, located on Little Grassy Blacktop in rural Williamson County, earlier this week.
Grounds said he left the club shortly before sunset Sunday and returned about 4:30 a.m. Monday to set up decoys for a morning hunt. He discovered the theft at that time.
The thieves made off with five shotguns, including three Benellis and a Beretta, 200-300 rounds of Heavy Shot shells, a digital camera and hunting bags containing 10 to 15 calls belonging to Grounds and his son, Hunter.
Both Tim and Hunter Grounds are world championship callers.
"The big thing is, they got all his (Hunter's) bands," Grounds said. "My Benelli, the old one, and the bands, that's what really got me. I can't replace them.
"All his bands, including the one he killed when he was 7 years old. There were probably 25 to 30 bands."
Grounds estimated the loss at between $8,000 to $10,000.
There was no damage done to any of the pits, or the clubhouse. Several motorized decoys were scattered about, but were untouched.
"They came after the guns," Grounds said. "I don't think the calls mean anything to them.
Grounds said the thieves entered the club through an adjacent field.
He is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the thieves and the return of the stolen items.
The Williamson County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the theft.
Anyone with information concerning the thefts is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff's Office at 997-6541 or the Williamson County Crimestoppers at (800) 414-TIPS.
Information which leads to an arrest could make the caller eligible for a cash reward. Those who contact the Crimestoppers are not required to leave a name or phone number.
Grounds said he left the club shortly before sunset Sunday and returned about 4:30 a.m. Monday to set up decoys for a morning hunt. He discovered the theft at that time.
The thieves made off with five shotguns, including three Benellis and a Beretta, 200-300 rounds of Heavy Shot shells, a digital camera and hunting bags containing 10 to 15 calls belonging to Grounds and his son, Hunter.
Both Tim and Hunter Grounds are world championship callers.
"The big thing is, they got all his (Hunter's) bands," Grounds said. "My Benelli, the old one, and the bands, that's what really got me. I can't replace them.
"All his bands, including the one he killed when he was 7 years old. There were probably 25 to 30 bands."
Grounds estimated the loss at between $8,000 to $10,000.
There was no damage done to any of the pits, or the clubhouse. Several motorized decoys were scattered about, but were untouched.
"They came after the guns," Grounds said. "I don't think the calls mean anything to them.
Grounds said the thieves entered the club through an adjacent field.
He is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the thieves and the return of the stolen items.
The Williamson County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the theft.
Anyone with information concerning the thefts is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff's Office at 997-6541 or the Williamson County Crimestoppers at (800) 414-TIPS.
Information which leads to an arrest could make the caller eligible for a cash reward. Those who contact the Crimestoppers are not required to leave a name or phone number.