WingShootingDestinations.com Online Season - Inseason Issue

WingShootingDestinations.com - 2009 Preseason Issue

Santa Rosa's La Campinia Lodge in Argentina
La Campinia Lodge i situated in La Pampa province – which is southwest of Buenos Aires. Our hunters are now situated very close to a huge roost, which I know is three-quarters of a mile wide and a mile and a half long.

The 2010 WSCA State Sporting Clays Championship
The 2010 WSCA State Sporting Clays Championship will be hosted by Whispering Emerald Ridge Game Farm & Sporting Clays August 4-8 2010.
This beautiful Game Farm is located at N3954 640th Street Menomonie, WI.
Look for upcoming Details about Title Sponsors and Event Sponsors by visiting their website at www.whisperingemeraldridge.com or contacting them at (715) 233-1281

Take the Woodcock Challenge
Hunting woodcock isn’t for everyone, but for true aficionados, nothing else can compare

Top Tactics for Taking Tough Turkeys
Perhaps it’s because I live on the sunny side of the Mason-Dixon Line that I seem to have gravitated to the southern reaches of several states when it comes to hunting wild turkeys. I’ve taken gobblers from south Florida to South Dakota; south Texas to south Alabama and if I’ve learned one thing, turkeys can be tough hombres no matter the section of the country they inhabit.

Five Classic Tips to Make You a Better Wingshooter!
If you’ve been wingshooting for any length of time, you’ve probably heard all this before, but some simple, basic advice might improve your wingshooting skills on the range or in the field. So, sit back, absorb and implement these steps to enhance your wingshooting skills so you can bust more targets or make cleaner kills to put more birds in your bag this season.

‘Gentleman Bob’ faces tough road to survival
Each fall, after frost whitens the fields, gentlemen sportsmen adorned in their finest shooting jackets follow enthusiastic dogs through thick brush in pursuit of King Bob, the most majestic of all native North American game birds.

South Dakota Flushed With Pheasants
Special outdoor moments register in memory, chosen tidbits that include times of action, beauty or even passion. The human brain is a remarkable computer-like organ capable of storing these moments for all time.

Stamina and quick reaction needed to take grouse
Hard flying, close-cover birds, ruffed grouse can be found in unobtrusive wood lots that separate subdivisions, but more likely thrive in the kind of rugged, up-and-down terrain that will likely send an out-of-condition hunter home early -- or possibly to the emergency room with chest pains!

When ducks don’t respond, change tactics
As they migrate across North America, ducks dodge a gauntlet of shotgun blasts. Quickly, veterans learn to recognize every type of blind, call, camouflage pattern and decoy spread imaginable.

Hunting time often begins with dove season
Numbering more than 475 million birds, mourning doves rank among the most numerous birds in the continental United States and the most popular game bird.

Exceptional shooting waits in South America
The land slopes from the Grande Mountains in the west, which rise to about 9,462 feet, eastward to the Pampa grasslands. Known for its rich agriculture and livestock operations, the province also harbors an enormous dove population.

Tough times for quail hunters, but some birds available
Across the Southeast, quail hunters face tough times with bird populations declining as quickly as habitat vanishes.

Arizona Pheasant and Quail Hunting - Hot gunning in the high desert
Situated on the Chauncey Ranch about 5,000-feet of elevation in central Arizona, the YMCA High Desert Hunt Club offers a variety of sporting activities, but specializes in providing outstanding Arizona pheasant hunting and chukar hunting.

Florida Quail Hunting - Baker Plantation returns to glory days of quail hunting
About 15 feathered rockets exploded into our faces as the English pointer jumped into entangling cover. Dodging birds that almost hit us, my son and I bagged two while missing others before the covey sailed into a thick bramble patch where neither dog nor human cared to follow. Where once common wild birds largely disappeared, the Baker Quail Plantation near Macclenny, Fla., about 35 miles west of Jacksonville, tries to recreate the glory days of Florida quail hunting in northern Florida.

2009 UFTA NATIONALS February 15 - 21

Join us at Doublehead Resort for the 2009 UFTA NATIONALS February 15-21, 2009

The United Field Trialer's Association provides a competitive venue for dog handlers who appreciate having a fair and consistent system for measuring their dogs' performance. The UFTA's scoring system for field events eliminates potential error or bias on the part of judges. This year, the 2009 UFTA Nationals will be held February 15-21 at Doublehead Resort situated on 1100 acres along the banks of Wilson Lake in North Alabama.

MEET TEAM BENELLI SHARPSHOOTER TIM BRADLEY. Kick-off Event for the 2009 UFTA Nationals will be Saturday, February 14 at 2:00pm with an exhibition shoot by sharpshooter, Tim Bradley from Team Benelli USA. For more information on Tim and Team Benelli please visit their website  at www.benelliusa.com/team_benelli.

This exciting event is open to the public and free of charge! A Benelli shotgun will be given away following the show. Everyone is invited to come out and show our local support for these dog handlers and our great sponsors! For more information, please contact Tracy Jackson 800-685-9267. You may also visit United Field Trialers Association website at www.ufta-online.com.

More information at www.doublehead.com

Events Schedule:
• Kick-off Event Saturday February 14, 2:00 pm
Exhibition Shoot by sharpshooter
Tim Bradley from Team Benelli USA
• Sunday Feb 15 and Monday Feb 16:
Amateur Pointing Dog Qualifying
• Tuesday Feb 17: Amateur Pointing Dog Finals
Senior Pointing Dog Division Begins
• Wednesday Feb 18: Doubles Pointing Dog
and Senior Division
• Thurdsay Feb 19 and Friday Feb 20: Open Pointing
Dog & Open Flushing Qualifying
• Saturday Feb 21: Open Pointing & Open
Flushing Finals

If you have any questions, please contact Laylon Cox at 205-590-0273 or via e-mail at layloncox@bellsouth.net or Tracy Jackson at 1-800-685-9267 or tracy@doublehead.com.

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Publishers Note:  I have personally visited Doublehead Resort.  They have an incredible staff, incredible facility and the hunts are terrific.  This is a destination everyone should visit.

Kenny Wright
Publisher
WingshootingDestinations.com

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North Carolina Duck Hunting and Quail Hunting Valentine Land and Timber
The states of North Carolina and Virginia and the wildlife habitats within them are a little better these days thanks to the aggressive wildlife management approaches that are being employed by Valentine Land & Timber. Owner Val Valentine acted on his vision of investing in timberlands located in key wildlife corridors within the states—a vision that was driven by witnessing the rapid decline of wildlife populations. Since 1990, he has watched his efforts greatly enhance the populations of various wildlife on these properties, and his company offers its clients the opportunity to not only enjoy the fruits of his labor, but to also be a part of contributing to the preservation and conservation of these highly valued resources. 

   One of the properties with available lots through Valentine is Bent River Plantation. Owned by Skip Valentine (Val’s son) and located on the Roanoke River in northeastern North Carolina, Bent River offers lots and properties to clients that ensure endless quality hunting and fishing opportunities. With a full-time wildlife manager on staff, prime upland game bird and whitetail deer populations are maximized to the highest levels. “One of the main things that sets Bent River Plantation apart is location. Bent River sits right on the Roanoke River and right along the natural Atlantic Flyway,” says Ben Fisher, a wildlife manager and representative of Valentine. “When a person buys a house, they want to fix it up to look nice. We do the same thing with our land through the implementation of conservation easements, food plots, and timber.” 

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting at Bird Down Lodge!
Located in Bowdle, South Dakota, is a pheasant hunting outfitter whose packages are, in the truest sense of the phrase, all inclusive. It is an outfitter who picks its clients up from the airport, brings them to the lodge, provides them with all the shells they need, guides them through their hunt, cleans their birds, and enjoys a cold drink with them while they tell stories about the day’s harvest before dinner. Bird Down Lodge has been in business for over three years, and they offer more than a “good hunt” for the pheasant hunter…they offer the ultimate wingshooting experience for the American outdoorsman. 

   Situated near Lake Oahe on the Missouri River, the lodge has a history that sets Bird Down Lodge apart from most other outfitters. What was first a hospital in downtown Bowdle during the early 1900s is now a full-scale lodge with 4,700 square feet of room for enjoyment. The facility houses eight bedrooms and five bathrooms, a lower level with a steakhouse and bar/lounge, and a main level lounge, not to mention a rear deck with plenty of room to relax outside.

Pheasant Hunting and Quail Hunting at Harpole's Heartland Lodge
Harpole’s Heartland Lodge, nestled in wildlife-famed Pike County, Illinois, is an outfitter whose tradition-oriented presentation and irresistible lodging facilities set it far apart from the competition. The lodging is unbelievable, complete with solid oak floors, a two-story fireplace, themed bedrooms with private baths, and the constant sense of family heritage and outdoor customs. 

   Heartland boasts 7,500 acres of some of the finest and most productive hunting land in the state, including ideal habitats made up of native prairie grasses and milo fields for wild quail and pheasant hunting. On guided hunts, the long tradition of wild quail hunting is accompanied by friendly guides who work the dogs, carry the birds, and dress the game after the hunt while the clients enjoy the benefits of relaxation beside the stone fireplace or shooting a game of pool. Topping it off are three homecooked meals per day to provide even more of the down-home feel that’s offered at Heartland. 

Bent River Plantation

Treasures in Vidalia, Georgia NOT THE ONIONS Quail Hunting in Georgia
Rose Allen Plantation, Vidalia, Georgia - Quail Hunting in Georgia

The Trip
In January, I met up with Kenny Wright and Ryan Bradley to venture out on a road trip to Vidalia, Georgia’s RoseAllen Plantation. We had been bitten by the wingshooting bug, and while the usual prescription for a fever is “more cowbell”, this time our medicine would lie in the smell of burned gunpowder and good fellowship.

South Dakota Wingshooting - Spearfish South Dakota Awaits

Perhaps the biggest attraction to hunters is one of the country’s best-kept secrets.  Just north of Spearfish, in Lawrence County lies the national grasslands, where, Grouse, Prarie Chickens and Stage Hens co-exist in their natural habitat.  Lawrence County is one two locations in nationwide where all three exist in their natural habitat.

“As a rule they do not exist in the same habitat area,” notes Gaskey of the arrangement.  “We have everything for outdoor recreation from fly-fishing to Cross-Country skiing, downhill skiing, hiking, mountain biking bird watching, nature photography, camping, [and] hunting.   [We have] all types of hunting.  Everything from wild turkeys to pretty much anything else you can imagine for South Dakota Wingshooting.

2008 UFTA Nationals at Doublehead Resort in Alabama

Join us at Doublehead Resort for the
2008 UFTA NATIONALS
February 10-16, 2008

The United Field Trialer's Association provides a competitive venue for dog handlers who appreciate
having a fair and consistent system for measuring their dogs' performance. The UFTA's scoring system
for field events eliminates potential error or bias on the part of judges.

This year, the 2008 UFTA Nationals will be held February 10-16 at Doublehead Resort situated on 1100 acres along the banks of Wilson Lake in North Alabama.

MEET TOM KNAPP

Tom Knapp is recognized as the greatest exhibition shooter of modern times. With TV appearances and more than 100 live shows a year in the United States and Europe, Tom has thrilled countless shooters with his seemingly impossible feats with Benelli shotguns. A Tom Knapp Exhibition Show is open to the public on
February 16th at 2:00 PM and is FREE of charge! YOU COULD WIN A BENELLI
SHOTGUN!

Marinated Pheasant Recipe - This Weeks Wingshooting Recipe

We know you love to shoot Pheasant but the best part is having you pheasant on the kitchen table.  Use this quick Marinated Pheasant Recipe for you next pheasant meal.

Tresspassin Hurts Hunters - Kansas

Trespassers bag stiff fines, damage landowner-hunter relations. In Kansas, it is illegal to hunt, fish, shoot, or trap on private land without the owner's permission. Hunting from public roads and railroads requires permission of landowners on both sides of the road or railway. Railroad rights-of-way also require permission from the railroad. Written permission is required to enter land posted with hunting and/or trapping "by Written Permission Only" signs or having trees, fence posts or other landmarks painted purple.

Just The Facts on Pheasant Hunting

Stick with these tried-and-true tactics to score on ringnecks right now and throughout the winter season.

Did you know there are actually three distinct species of ring-necked pheasants in the Midwest? Yes, we have "early-season pheasants," an almost mythical species that are very hunter-friendly. This breed of ringneck allegedly runs to the gun. Hop out of your truck, load up the scattergun and just walk absent-mindedly into the field. In no time, these early- season roosters will notice you are there, come a-running and spring into flight once they get within 10 or 15 yards of you as though they are on some sort of kamikaze mission.

Quail Unlimited Now in Seventh Quail Habitat Initiative
By Jim Low - Coveys are multiplying on participants' farms.

Hunters of the Popular Game Bird Work to Preserve their Sport.

Des Moines, Iowa

Joe Gonsior is an avid pheasant hunter and says there's nothing more satisfying than walking through the Minnesota countryside with his springer spaniel, Gracie, and spotting the small, colorful game birds.

"When you get out in the field, all your work and everything else just gets left in the vehicle. It's a great escape," said Gonsior, a 42-year-old sales representative from Minneapolis who's been hunting for nearly a quarter century.