When Amadeo Lopez-Castro III first visited Brays Island with a close friend and Brays owner, he knew this would be a special place for him and his family. “From the moment we drove in the front gate it was love at first sight. I remember like it was yesterday and get the same exact feeling every time I drive in the front gate.”
By the end of his first visit, he had placed a deposit to purchase a homesite, and to him, it was more than an investment in a second home. It was an investment in his family and the time they planned to spend together here at Brays. Just one weekend of bird hunting, fishing, horseback riding, poolside lounging, and classic Southern meals is all it took, and years later they built a custom home for extended family to visit and make memories.
“The eight hour car rides from Miami to Brays and back, with the entire family and our sons' friends in tow, are some of the best family stories and hold a very special place in our hearts.”
As a kid, Amadeo learned how to shoot targets, skeet, and trap with his dad, but it wasn’t until he came to Brays that he started hunting deer, birds, and turkey. It became a family affair with his kids being ages 4, 8 and 9. With the help of friends, fellow Brays owners, and the knowledgeable guides at the Hunt Department, the Lopez-Castro family started hunting together - safely and with a smile. “It was not uncommon for Vicky (a.k.a. mom), and the hunt department guides to help supervise a hunt and sit with one or two of our sons in a deer stand when they were not old enough to hunt by themselves. I can say without hesitation that without the Brays Island hunt guides, we could never have learned or become what I consider good, safe and ethical hunters.”
Amadeo and his sons are bow hunters and since moving to Brays, haven’t missed opening day of deer season - August 15. It’s an opportunity for the generations of the Lopez-Castro family to hunt together before school starts. What had previously been thought of as “too-hot, and long 3-4 hour sits,” has now become a welcome tradition. Now, we often see more than 20 hunters in the field on opening day.
“Brays is our home. By now, we know more about this special property than just about anywhere else on this earth.” While hunting is a dangerous activity by definition, at Brays, safety is the most important rule and non-negotiable. “I never have to worry, thanks to the hunt department staff, our friends and fellow Brays owners that my family will ever be in harm's way while hunting.”
Deer hunting has never been about the sport for the Lopez-Castro family. While it’s exciting and strategic, it really comes down to family time together that they’ve been able to pass along to generations. “It’s about the friendships we build, the stories we make, the adventures we plan together, the laughter, love, the life we share with each other, without the noise from everyday life.”