I was fortunate to be born into a family which held bird hunting as a tradition and a passion. When the days begin to shorten in August & September and the mornings become chilly, there is something that stirs within me that makes me start looking for subtle changes in the color of leaves (Maple trees start to turn first). These changes mean fall is not far off and I can start thinking about being in the woods and fields again, away from the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities and distractions.
For those who share this love, you know what I'm talking about. It may not be chasing birds behind a great dog, it may be the excitement of being in a tree stand waiting for that monster buck or sitting in a blind waiting for a flight of ducks. The feeling one gets of being a participant in nature is hard to explain to people who only know nature from Disney movies, where all the animals take on human personalitites. I believe a hunter is a part of nature not an outside human intrusion. Humans have always been a part of nature as long as we have been walking on the earth. We live in a time that offers us an option to go to the supermarket and buy the animals we consume, which is a very good thing because most modern day people would starve to death if the supermarket shelves were empty, LOL.
The efficiency of farming and the raising of cattle, hogs, and chickens has had a huge negative impact on many native game populations. Georgia was world-famous in bird hunting circles as the premiere location for Bobwhite quail. "Gentleman Bob" was sought after by generations of Georgians and those willing to make trip from other locations. The agricultural practices adopted in the 1960s has been responsible for a 70% decline in the Bobwhite quail population (see http://www.georgiawildlife.org/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=108).
For those of who still yearn to experience the thrill of a steady pointer, the excitement of the flush and gratefulness of a steady shot that produces a bird in the game bag, Georgia has become a disappointment. The coveys are scattered and usually located on lands that are inaccessible to hunters. The business of the "Plantation hunt" is firmly established in places around the state. Many of these "Plantations" are beautiful and offer fine lodging, fine dining, fine shooting at a fine price ($500 a day). I love to hunt the little buggers but unfortunately I am not in a financial position, at present, to make that leap. I had come to the conclusion that in order to hunt I would have to travel to another state. For $500 I could make a day drive to another state where I could spend 3 days in the field and have a real good chance of bringing home some birds and memories.
I was in Milledgeville GA doing an inspection and following the job I drove around the town looking for Real Estate offices to introduce myself and share some business cards when I came across this great little sporting goods store (I'm a sucker for a sporting goods store). I went in and looked around and struck up a conversation with the young man behind the counter. The conversation got around to the subject of Bobwhite quail and the lack of birds on public lands. He handed me a business card to a Quail Plantation and said to give Eric a call as his rates were reasonable. I thanked the young man, put the card in my wallet and forgot about it. I've made calls and searched the internet for Georgia quail hunts and have been disappointed with the going rates, I figured this was just another disappointment waiting to happen.
My lovely wife knows how much bird hunting means to me and wanted to get me a great Christmas gift, a hunting trip, anywhere I wanted to go. The idea blossomed into a shared hunt with my step-son who is going to college in Kansas. I looked into Kansas bird hunting (which is fabulous) and started picking dates, none of which worked for my step-son. I remembered the business card I received in Milledgeville and decided to give Eric a call....I was blown away! Black Creek Plantation offers an unguided all day hunt for $150. I checked availability and we offered to fly our son back to GA for the hunt and spend some quality time together over the holidays. To make this long story shorter I'm sharing the website with you: http://www.blackcreeklodge.com/Welcome/welcome.html
The hospitality at Black Creek Plantation is of true a southern style. Eric was very helpful and we enjoyed the hunt immensely. My wife got see her son over the holidays and we made memories together that will last a lifetime. If you or someone you know loves quail hunting, give Eric a call. You won't be disappointed.
Howard Tennyson
Ace Home Inspection, LLC
Comments(0)