As the sun crested the horizon, the sounds of leather being cinched and metal buckles being snapped quietly broke the silence of dawn. A team of horses stood calmly as they were saddled. The swish of a tail and jangle of bridles added to the ambiance of the peaceful morning. I rubbed the velvety soft nose of a beautiful bay as the sounds of creaking wood and the plodding of horseshoes on gravel reached my ears. For a moment, I was transported back in time as the wagon drawn by two large mules rolled past me. Their driver, reins held lightly between his hands, tipped his head to me in a silent “good morning.”
A pair of leather seats adorned the front of the wagon, while a large dog box with eight different stalls sat along the back. The wagon stopped in front of a kennel with multiple dog runs that were home to regal English pointers and setters. Recognizing the mule drawn hunting wagon for where it would take them, the dog runs erupted in barks of excitement. The noise broke the still silence, but as the handler took dogs from their kennels and loaded them into the dog box stalls, the barking ceased. They knew they had a task ahead and were saving their energy for the field.
The pack of bird dogs were on their way to locate coveys of wild bobwhite quail in the famed Red Hills of southern Georgia. A time-honored tradition of the South that dates back centuries, this pursuit honors the deep-rooted history of bird dogs and the hunting of Gentleman Bob.
Southern Quail Hunts A mule drawn wagon is tradition in the South and carries the most important part of the hunt party: the dogs. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) Between Thomasville, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida sits a slice of heaven. This region encompasses 436,000 acres of the richest bobwhite quail habitat in the country. Rolling hills, red clay soil, native grasses, hardwood hammocks, and miles of longleaf pine forests cover the area that is home to more than 135 quail hunting plantations.
Placed between the Ochlockonee and Aucilla Rivers, the Red Hills holds tradition in its rich soil. The landscape incases the scatted footprints of bobwhite coveys, the boot prints of hunters past and present, and of course, those of hard-charging bird dogs.
We were just a few miles outside of charming Thomasville on a plantation named Sinkola, a farm with a deep family history dedicated to the conservation of bobwhites. Purchased by the late Howard Melville Hanna in 1896, the plantation was originally part of the Melrose Plantation and consisted of 10,000 acres of prime quail habitat. Six generations later, the property has been divided amongst family, with 2,500 acres being dedicated to Sinkola—aptly named for the numerous sinkholes found on that section of land.
Bobwhite Quail Conservation in the South The Red Hills have been dedicated to quail conservations for decades, creating an ideal habitat for them to thrive. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) With dogs loaded, the head dog trainer, Mr. William Jones, donned his white guiding vest and red hat embellished with the Sinkola logo: An owl sitting handsomely atop a branch, staring wisely into the eyes of its onlookers. The scout, Hunter Carter, ensured the stirrups of our saddles were the proper length before swinging his leg over his own horse. With a gentle squeeze of his legs, Jones’ tall gray horse walked on, our horses falling in behind him. I heard reins snap lightly, and a subtle command issued from Mr. David, the seasoned wagon driver who had a gentle smile and quiet demeanor. The mules obeyed and pushed forward with their important load bringing up our rear.
The kennels faded behind us and our steeds walked us deep into the Red Hills. It was late January, but the skies were a bright blue above the pines, and the Spanish moss hanging from their limbs blew lightly in the wind.
Since the early 1900s, the Red Hills has been dedicated to wild bobwhite conservation, ensuring the species thrives in the region. How? By landowners that are passionate about conservation and managing the lands for the survival of Gentleman Bob.
Since 1958, a dedicated research station known as Tall Timbers has been helping the conservation efforts of the Red Hills. Over the last six decades, Tall Timbers has helped landowners and plantations such as Sinkola foster exemplary land stewardship through research, conservation, and education. The research done by Tall Timbers includes ecology and the management of fire-dependent ecosystems—like those of the Red Hills region.
“It has always been the goal of Tall Timbers to assist landowners that have dedicated themselves to their properties in the Red Hills,” said Shane Wellendorf, Tall Timbers’ Conservation Director. “We assist in helping them understand how their management influences wildlife populations.”
By maintaining large swaths of open landscapes, minimizing development, and utilizing prescribed burns, the Red Hills has managed to keep wild bobwhites in abundance. Additionally, Wellendorf explained how the generosity of multigenerational landowners dedicated to the conservation efforts in the region has led to almost 40 percent of hunting estates being protected through conservation easements.
“These landowners feel tied to the land and the unique history of the area,” said Wellendorf. “They recognize that to keep the Red Hills the Red Hills, it’s going to take a special effort, and landowners have graciously donated their lands for conservation easements.”
By conducting controlled burns every other year, ground cover is at its utmost productivity, explains Wellendorf. A quail’s life is spent on the ground and what matters to them is the herbaceous component at the ground level. If burns are not conducted, forests become undesirable for birds. Trees and shrubs begin to grow which shade out the thick herbaceous ground cover birds need for survival. With that shading, you get a forest that is nothing but leaf cover which doesn’t provide the plant diversity that is essential to bobwhite quail for both feed and cover.
“The beauty of the South is that you have well established perennial plants and spectacular growing environments,” explained Wellendorf. “In a matter of weeks after a burn, habitat can be ankle deep, which is great for quail.”
Wild bobwhite populations have thrived in the region thanks to the 436,000 continuous acres run by passionate landowners who believe in the timeless tradition of hunting and conserving wild bobwhite quail. With the help of organizations such as Tall Timbers, the plantations in the Red Hills, including Sinkola, are protecting bobwhite populations for the next turn of the century.
Southern Plantation Hunting Dogs Southern quail hunts are traditionally done with pointing dogs, followed by flushing dogs after a point. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) As quail are to the South, so are well-bred bird dogs to plantations. We stayed horseback as Jones dropped two liver and white pointers from the wagon. The dogs quivered in anticipation, but stood tall, paws cemented to the Earth. When ready, Jones issued an “okay” and the dogs darted for the cover without hesitation. I saw streaks of white through the thick brush as the dogs quartered the terrain in front of us, nose down searching for the scent of quail.
Some of the best bird dogs in history have been produced in the South, with pointers the primary breed of choice to run the Red Hills. Of course, there are no lack of setters to tackle the terrain, as well as Labs, and the beloved cocker to root out King Bob from under the thick briar brush.
But pointing breeds rule the roost, per se, and running bird dogs is not just conducted through the hunting months. Field Trialing is a sport that runs deep in the Red Hills region. Many trials are held across the state, including the renowned Georgia-Florida Shooting Dog Handlers Club trial held the first Monday of March since 1981.
Jones is a member of the club and participates in the trial every year with dogs he has trained from the Sinkola kennels. He began his career 27 years ago as a Scout for the Sinkola Plantation, working under and learning from legendary dog trainer Neal Carter Jr., the co-founder of the Georgia-Florida Shooting Dog Handlers Club. Upon Carter’s retirement, Jones took the reins as head trainer at Sinkola and prides himself on producing hard-driven bird dogs.
Jones explained how he focuses on breeding dogs made to hunt the close confinement of quail habitat. Called “pleasure hunting” dogs, they are bred to hunt close rather than big-running dogs you hunt over in the West. In the long leaf pine forests of the Red Hills, dogs can disappear and risk busting birds before the hunting party is able to catch up. “Part of the appeal of hunting the Red Hills,” says Jones, “is being able to watch the dogs work.”
“When we’re out hunting, and I come over a hill and see a dog doing what he was bred for and what I helped train him for...it’s a good feeling to see that,” said Jones. “I love watching a dog work and seeing him posted up and waiting on you. When you go in and flush and see that covey rise...that’s beautiful.”
Hunting for the King of the South: Bobwhite Quail Wild bobwhite quail are an icon of upland hunters in the south. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) Our horses ambled on behind the pointers, the wagon staying a good distance away to cut down on the noise that could spook a wary covey of quail. My heart skipped when Jones reined his horse to a stop and removed his red Sinkola hat. He raised the red “flag” high in the air above his head—the indication that one of the dogs was on point.
Quickly dismounting, I pulled a 20-gauge Chapuis over/under from the leather scabbard of my saddle and dropped two B&P shells into the barrels before meeting Jones at the front of the string of horses. We pushed toward the dog who stood tall and still, his nose pointing to a dense patch of brush in front of him. I flanked Jones to the left and we walked forward while he swatted at the brushy undergrowth with a long leather flushing whip. It was seconds before the covey erupted in front of us, 10 or more birds exploding from the red soil. Instincts took over, and my barrel focused on one bird out of the covey. I watched it fall between the long leaf pines—my first wild Georgia bobwhite qail.
The bird was small in my hand, but it’s meaning was larger. Through dedicated conservation, this wild bobwhite was the epitome of blood, sweat, and passion from the folks dedicated to the species and sport in the Red Hills region.
Shotguns and Shells for Quail Hunting Chapuis shotgun with B&P shot shells. (Photo courtesy of Kali Parmley) Fine shotguns and quality shells are as deeply rooted in the south as wild quail and bird dogs. A hand-crafted masterpiece such as those from Chapuis are commonplace to hunt the Red Hills. The Faisan over/under features striking Circassian walnut paired with hand-engraved receivers depicting detailed scroll work and upland game scenes.
Baschieri & Pellagri , better known as B&P, is a European ammo manufacturer that is making its way to the states thanks to its innovative shells and focus on biodegradable components. Their Heavy Dove & Quail loads proved powerful in the Red Hills. Available in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge, as well as .410, the loads push 1,210 to 1,300 fps with lead, and 1,375 fps in steel loads.
