LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — Avery Davis died in a hunting accident in Orangeburg County in November.
The 6-year-old spent his free time fishing and hunting. On Saturday, his family and friends celebrated him with a memorial fishing tournament at Dreher Island State Park.
Tournament director Tony Gray said the turnout shows how much Avery meant to the community.
“This is honor of Avery. He loved hunting and fishing and that’s why we’re here. Our first annual one of many to come," said Gray. “The bottom line, they all care and this day and time I think we need more positive than we need negative in the world and these people have poured out to this family and this young man.”
RELATED: 6-year-old Avery Davis honored with donations to youth hunting organizations during Grand American
The event included a free youth fishing clinic for kids ages 3 to 15.
“We live here on beautiful Lake Murray we have a lot of resources and waterways around our area and it’s a great sport that you can actually get in and a skill they can learn in any age from 2 to 92 it’s something they can do for the rest of their life.”
Kate Hough-Borne is a certified fishing instructor with SCDNR and said fishing is a skill these kids can keep forever. Hough-Borne said water safety should be a priority.
“It is wonderful to be out here by the water but most important thing is safety first we want to be safe around the water," said Hough-Borne. "We want to be safe when we are handling fish, hooks and being protective to our environment.”
Avery’s 11-year-old sister, Annabelle Davis, said she misses having him around.
“He was kind, funny aggravating and very outdoorsy,” said Davis.
The money raised from the tournament will be donated to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for youth hunting and fishing safety programs.
For details on SCDNR's hunting and fishing programs, head to their website, dnr.sc.gov.
