Ramblings of a Lowcountry Game Warden
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Moise was born in Florence, only because the doctor and the vet in his hometown of Bishopville were away when his mother went into labor. Moise's family remained in Bishopville until he was ten, and then moved to Sumter.
Trying to adjust to living in rural Sumter after being part of Bishopville society proved tough on Ben. He was eventually sent to Carlisle Youth School. His father said it was to improve his map reading skills since he seemed to have lost his way.
Before becoming a game warden, Moise tried many occupations. He did some catering, calling his company the Moveable Feast; wrote for several papers and magazines; painted; worked as a stevedore; invented an award winning taped tour of Charleston; and operated a very successful bike rental operation.
His stint as a game warden earned him a reputation as a fair but strict interpreter of the game laws of South Carolina and a diligent steward of the state's abundant wildlife.
Moise loved to share tales with friends after the badge was put away and was encouraged to write the book his friends knew was inside him.
Moise retired the day after duck season ended in 2002 and began a four- year process to transfer his experiences from memory to page. The book writing process took four years. The publishing process proved much easier.
Moise sent ten email queries out late one evening and had a positive reply in 12 hours. USC Press was very interested in Ramblings and got busy making Moise's collection of stories into a book.
Ramblings of a Lowcountry Game Warden is preparing for a third printing as word spreads about the book. Moise is currently editing stories by famed outdoor writer Henry E. Davis. The collection has been in storage for four decades, and USC Press wants Moise to add his touch to the stories.
Moise says he hopes his book will be enjoyed by the state's sportsmen and would like for it to follow in the tradition of writers like Davis, Harry Hampton, William Elliott, Havilah Babcock, Archibald Rutledge, and Jim Casada. He does point out his perspective is different from the others.
Ramblings of a Lowcountry Game Warden is available in many local bookstores. Moise will be in Columbia in late July for a private book signing and will return in October for a signing at The Happy Bookseller.
