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.

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.

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.