NATCHEZ &045; A little touch of fall has a big impact on a business that caters to hunters, fishermen and lovers of the outdoors.

Bowie Outfitters, 100 Main St., completes a year in business at its Natchez location on Nov. 11. And Peter Dale, store manager, has been there for all of it, including preparations before the store opened.

Going into a second fall season is exciting, Dale said. Racks filled with smart-looking khaki, fleece and camouflage clothing share the west room of the store with boots, waders, backpacks and small accessories for the fall and winter hunting seasons.

Even the customer who does not know the difference between Shadow Grass and Break-Up fabric patterns can appreciate the hunter-specific tones the store is assuming as fall takes hold.

Equipment for training dogs, game calls and scent killers are on display along with hats, flashlights and compasses. And one wall of the main room is devoted to rifles, shotguns and a line of bows Dale is especially pleased to carry.

&uot;The Mathews bow is a top quality one, a fast, quiet and smooth shooting bow,&uot; he said. Among those who enjoy bow hunting, it is highly regarded.

A good selection of guns, including handguns and primitive weapons, has boosted customer interest, as well. &uot;We are known to have the best prices around, and we have every line of gun you can imagine and all the accessories,&uot; Dale said.

The Natchez store is a branch of a much larger Bowie Outfitters in Baton Rouge, La. Having the big store within a couple of hours’ driving distance is helpful. &uot;It acts almost like my warehouse. I can make weekly runs to Baton Rouge to replenish my stock,&uot; Dale said.

He also can provide excellent service for his customers by drawing quickly from the larger inventory when the Natchez store does not have the requested item in stock.

&uot;This last month for us was a huge one,&uot; Dale said. &uot;It blew out any of my expectations.&uot;

Located in a handsome restored building where Main joins Broadway Street, Bowie Outfitters benefits from its location. &uot;The look and feel of the store has much to do with who we are,&uot; Dale said.

Patrons comment on how much they enjoy the rustic, natural look of the store, with its stained concrete floor, mahogany trim and original pressed-metal ceiling.

Still, Dale emphasized that the rich look of the store does not carry over into the pricing of items. &uot;We are a store for everyone. My tag line is that we are a mahogany store with plywood prices.&uot;

The store attracts tourists as well as local customers; and Dale has found loyal return customers coming from as far away as Jackson and Alexandria, La.

&uot;Tourists want to know all about what we hunt and what kinds of guns we use and when our hunting seasons are,&uot; he said.

Some hunters and fishermen stop by to swap stories, even on days when they don’t have a shopping list. &uot;People talk about the hunting season, where fish are being caught, successes and failures with the big buck. That’s all a part of it,&uot; Dale said.

An avid outdoorsman himself, Dale traces his heritage deep into Concordia Parish, La., history, where the Dale family for five to six generations has excelled in outdoors activities.

&uot;I grew up with my father teaching me about nature and the outdoors &045; to give more than you take and not just to be a hunter,&uot; he said.

In addition to Dale, avid sportsman Vernon Smith also works fulltime at the store. Part-time workers include Adam Lee, a bow technician, and Rena Van Buren, sales.

&uot;Rena’s strength is in merchandising. She brings an eye and some taste in display that Vern and I don’t have,&uot; Dale said.

&uot;And Vern has been a mainstay from the beginning. He is very personable and can talk to just about anybody.&uot;

With fall, lifestyles change for many in the Natchez area. That has been the case for generation, with the many deer and waterfowl hunters who prepare for the season.

&uot;It’s a part of who we are,&uot; Dale said. &uot;And anticipation of the season is almost more exciting than the season itself.&uot;

Bowie Outfitters is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Their telephone number is (601) 304-1101.