Sykes Plantation
Contact Info
Carl Dooley (205) 799-1320
Phone: (205) 799-1320
Fax: (205) 345-5655
Additional Info
Public or Private Destination: Public, Member, Corp
Type of Shoots: Field, Tower, Driven
Game/Birds Offered: Dove, Quail, Pheasant, Chukar, Huns, Turkey
Gun Dogs: Guides & Dogs, Allow Hunters to Bring Their Dogs
Other Hunting/Sporting Opportunities: Dog Kennels, Stables
Lodging: Lodging, Meals
Thank you for your interest in our quail hunting experience. Recently, in an effort to build on the 35 year tradition, Sykes Place Plantation became a member of BlackHorse Properties, LLC. In so doing, the privately owned BlackHorse Lodge is available for upscale meals and overnight accommodations. Additionally, a BlackHorse property, Sloan's Run, provides another superior quail hunting habitat.
Both Sykes Place and Sloans Run are populated with early release coveys. When the season opens on October 1, the birds are flight and weather conditioned and make for a exciting day of wing-shooting. A hunter may choose a motorized or horse hunt and for an additional charge, mule-drawn wagons are available.
If you blink . . . you could very easily miss Brooksville Mississippi, and quite possibly some of the best hunting in the area. Just down State Road 388 a piece, lies Sykes Place Plantation and 8000 acres of prime habitat offering pheasant, turkey, trophy deer and outstanding quail hunting. Anyone in the Southern birddog world is well aware of Brooksville because it is located just a few miles south of the 7000 acre Black Prairie wildlife management area, home to some of the best dog training and trailing grounds anywhere. Under the management of the Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks Department, and is widely known as one of the best areas of its kind anywhere in the country.
Headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the owner/proprietor of the Sykes operation is Carl C. Dooley and he, along with lodge partner Bill Mitchell, are absolutely dedicated to having a high level of personal involvement with their guests. The lodge itself, known as The Black Horse Lodge, dates back to 1878 and was named after “Jeb” (James Ewell Brown) Stuart’s Black Horse Cavalry. Today that unit is still active in the U.S. Army; known as the 11th Armored Cavalry based in Ft. Irwin California, it has elements currently operating in Iraq. Dooley offered, “With history being rewritten left and right, we decided to retain the lodge’s name and preserve its rich heritage.”
Recently updated, the lodge does offer warm, comfortable surroundings for tired souls to put their feet up after a day of good hunting. Actually, if you selected a horseback hunt, it may not be your feet that need attention but, rest assured, their seating is up to that task as well. The great room houses the kitchen, dining area and seating around the fireplace all of which lends itself to swapping stories and trading a few more barbs after the day’s hunt. As you wander about the lodge you will notice beautiful artists renderings of setters painted by Bill Mitchell’s daughter that would rival some of Robert Abbett’s works, not to mention a great article where Sykes has also been featured in Covey Rise Magazine. No, I didn’t write it but it is nice to see that others agree with the good impression that I have of the operation.
It’s always a treat to see the relationships shared between fathers and sons, grandfathers and their grandsons or good close friends around the hunting camp table. It is especially so when the fare on the table can tame even the heartiest appetite as it did the night Bill Mitchell personally prepared dinner. Even more interesting was watching the departing guests thoroughly whetting the quail hunting appetites of the arriving crew. A condition that makes even the most seasoned hunters sleep like they’re a 7 year-old on the night before Christmas.
 
That’s exactly what happened when the boys from Austin arrived. Oscar Robinson, James Robinson and friend M.L. Butler had arrived as Alabama native Harold Blach (pronounced Black) and his grandson were spending their last night. From their conversation Harold Blach, a lifelong friend of NFL Hall of Famer Bart Starr, had obviously spent 2 days of quality time afield with his grandson Drew Weil. While the Austin guys were still toting their bags into the lodge, their interest in the two’s success was apparent. As we all convened around the fireplace to consume a beverage before dinner, the camaraderie grew and the stories flew! One of the special treats about this job has always been watching sportsmen swap tales as they get to know one and other. The bonus for me was that their exchange ostensibly conducted my interview for me! How good does it get?
While Sykes Place Plantation has an early release and supplemental feeding programs that are quite effective, they also have some large, actually very large, wild coveys of birds in residence on literally 8000 acres of huntable land. In fact, they love to treat guests to a furious thirty or forty bird covey rise that gives way to long hours of angst once these birds launch and leave you with nothing but holes shot in the air to show for it. Yes, a bird does get downed every now and then, but these very wild birds can rattle one’s nerves because they never let anything get to close before they check out of the county leaving one astonished at their blinding speed. A fitting testimonial to how Sykes habitat improvement program creates the types of cover and feed critical to the success wild quail.
There are new kennels on the property for you to house your dog(s) if you wish to bring them. However, the Sykes dogs work methodically, hold tight and respond to commands readily and that’s to be expected from a kennel that has produced champion setters like Thor’s Quail Way Star and Thor’s Black Shadow. Truthfully, I was impressed enough to buy a beautiful little chestnut and white setter pup from Mr. Dooley myself. Although, Carl made the mistake of asking what I was going to name the pup, I responded quickly off the cuff, “Dooley, of course!” Explaining that when Benny Baptist (Sykes Dog Master) calls while working him by saying, “Dooley! Get your butt over hea’, right now!” and should Carl question him, he can simply say, “Oh, Missah Carl, I was just talkin’ to the dog!”
Honestly, this experience for me was one of those that started off a bit slow and then blew me away. These are great people to visit with and if you’re lucky, they’ll even take you to the social hub of Brooksville, the Mennonite Bakery. They serve up some mighty tasty treats and loads of entertaining conversation with a delightful local flavor.
From the short time I spent with the folks at Sykes Place Plantation, I’d have to characterize them as warm friendly people who take a personal interest in your enjoyment. Perhaps this is one of the reasons this site has been chosen to host an inaugural hunt to be known initially as the Tri-state Commissioner’s Hunt (AL, MS, TN) commencing in late 2006 or early 2007 that will involve each member state as rotating hosts. Mr. Edwin Lloyd, Quail Unlimited’s Mississippi State Chairman, and Dr. William (Bill) Fox, retired Dean of the Mississippi State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, are working tirelessly with Mr. Dooley on this new hunt and I believe it should definitely be a good one!
Tom Mohrhauser
Freelance Writer
Home/Office 262-878-9005
- From Northport, AL: Get on 82 West
- Go 19 miles and take a left onto
- Highway 86 South to Carrollton
- 15 miles to Carrollton Court House (go half way around the court house)
- Then 10 miles to Pickensville Caution Light and Bridge
- Then 9.3 miles, you will see a store on right with two blue aboveground gas tanks, the Lodge is second driveway on left
Lodging
 
Quail Hunting
 
Full Day Motorized Hunt for One (1) Hunter $500.00
With 15 Bird Limit, each additional bird harvested is $8.00.
Full Day Hunt on Horseback for One (1) Hunter $550.00
With 15 Bird Limit, each additional bird harvested is $8.00.
Half-day Motorized Hunt for One (1) Hunter $300.00
With 10 Bird Limit, each additional bird harvested is $8.00.
Additional charge for mule-drawn wagon is $75.00 per hunter. Minimum of four (4) per party.
Overnight Lodging for One (1) Hunter $125.00 Including Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
Fifty Percent (50.0%) Required Upon Reservation
Rental Shotguns and Shells Available Upon Request
Airport Transportation Available Upon Request
All Major Credit Cards Honored
Rain Days Will Be Rescheduled at Clients Convenience
Stables
 
Dog Kennel
 
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