When it comes to enjoying the outdoors few things are like a covey flush. There’s nothing better than the beauty of the woods, working dogs, sporting camaraderie, and a fair test of one’s shooting abilities. Hitting the woods with friends and like-minded enthusiasts following closely by horse, wagon, or on foot.
What is it that makes quail hunting so addictive? Why do we strain our budgets training bird dogs, spending free time burning quail woods, and contracting forestry professionals to thin timber to a desired basil area? All of these steps are done as a commitment to the outdoors, prior to investing lots of time with boots on the ground on your favorite quail course.
An entire niche has been developed since 1888 at Jon Kohler and Associates. Real estate values that were already strong, now can run into the millions. Tall Timbers completed an economic impact study from both Albany and Red Hills showing astronomical dollar amounts spent annually just in those two belts. That study does not reflect the six-figure economic impact that Kohler and Associates see on a weekly basis.
We won’t just focus on Uber plantations though, because whether you are a high-net-worth individual or not, we understand small landowners across the fruited plain seek this same rush.
Why do they do this? Addiction to the quail is not much different from the addiction to birdwatching, or other outdoor pursuits. The quail addict always comes back to the covey rise.
One such quail addict is Kenny Barker, Regional Representative for Quail Forever (QF) in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. “When it comes to small private landowners our members have access to Farm Bill biologists that can come for a site visit and complete an assessment,” said Barker. “This will help landowners to understand how to do good things for quail habitat, which oh by the way is good for everything else in the woods too. The QF model has volunteers raising dollars, which they can spend on habitat projects, or outreach events like Field Days or Shooting Workshops.”
When the covey rises, dopamine and adrenaline rush through the body like a drug … God’s drug. The uncertainty that follows the sound of beating feathers, heading away at full speed on a mercurial and twisting flight path, produces a resounding sensory experience. “The landscape level quail management that is already in place with large landowners keeping prime habitat for decades is a wonderful example of what works,” said Barker. “Now QF is helping to fill in the habitat gaps between them, and I oversee 22 QF Chapters working hard towards that goal.”
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Greenwood Plantation, Conservation Deal of the Year
Type A personalities can certainly take it to the extreme. Jock Whitney’s quail hunting budget in 1964 was $4M a year across 18,000 acres. It had been handed down inside the family for so many generations, that when Kohler and Associates sold it, this was the first time it changed hands in 183 years. The property sale of Greenwood Plantation was so significant, that it named the “Conservation Deal of the Year.” Today’s colleagues like Paul Tudor Jones, and Mason Hawkins, work hard and spend fortunes to have the wildest coveys per hour on a consistent basis.
“The industry is growing. From managers, dog trainers, and new landowners the combination of the rush and addictiveness of a covey flush to the wholesome, really Biblical tenant of being a land steward there is something satisfying to a person’s core,” said Jon Kohler.
Shooting preserves can serve as the gateway drug to promote the sport of quail hunting and to grow the number of wingshooters. No one today knows more about doing things in a big way than Tim Smith at Southwind Plantation. “We offer wingshooters hunting in longleaf pines with lots of Southern traditions included,” said Smith. “We have a nearly 90-percent return business each year, partly because we know many of them on a first-name basis, but mainly because there may be more wild quail now than ever.”
Southwind Plantation is a 6000-acre Orvis-endorsed facility that offers 12 lodges and a 5-star restaurant. “We have 22 years of history offering quail hunts by mule wagon, horseback, and Jeep,” said Smith. “Our business went up by 25 percent during Covid, especially since Southwind could offer private lodging and dining, and really business has never dropped back off. We practice early release of 10,000-quail per year and manage our woods year-round.”
The Covid era led lots of folks to invest in bird dogs. It seemed like everyone bought a dog, including lots of English Cockers. Now those same folks not only want to hunt, but they need to hunt their dogs and they rely on the dog’s instincts to lead them towards many years of memorable quail hunting.
Dirt Road Dog Company in Climax, Georgia is well-known for their 15 years of experience breeding bird dogs. Owners Jessica and Derry Cannon share that Covid was a pivotal point in their timeline since demand for English Cockers went way up because customers wanted a hunting dog that was also a great family dog. A unique thing about the days of Covid is that it gave families the time required to spend with a puppy or started dog that is crucial to their outcome.
“Today what we are seeing in the progression of the puppies that went out during Covid and it brings us great joy,” said Jessica Cannon. “These dogs are people pleasers and they offer loyalty to everyone, including all the ladies that are going afield to hunt these days. Our kids live in a different world than the one we grew up in, and a bird dog in the house can keep them tuned in for good clean fun or even lessons in life. Lastly, even retirees have come into the fold looking for a dog like cockers that averages only 20 to 30 pounds.”
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Proper upland clothing is essential for ladies today
Few people represent the upland lifestyle better than Kevin and Kathleen Kelly of Kevin’s Outdoor Gear and Apparel in Thomasville. Quail hunting comes with its own fashion and at Jon Kohler and Associates, this is our year-round uniform, except maybe for the Cowboy Hat. “I’m not sure where Jon found his cowboy hat, but I know he wears a vest from Kevin’s to go with it,” said Kathleen Kelly. “Whether it’s a vest, shooting shirt, or briar pants our in-house design team works hard to make our products unique. We just completed a new lady’s shirt for Fall of ’24 and our new men’s shirt, a British khaki quail design with orange shooting patch is flying off the shelves.”
“Our poplin shooting jacket is super lightweight, because nobody really wants heavy clothing much anymore, and the trend is towards performance fabrics too,” said Kelly. “Our 5-pocket pant for men is a daily standard for many, and we offer it from slim to husky so they can all look good in them too. Gokey boots and American-made and are new to Kevin’s this year, and they offer a great value for customers.” Don’t forget to visit Kevin’s Game Fair in the Fall, with the proceeds to benefit Tall Timbers.
A lot of things in this country have seen their best days come and go, but for quail hunting, the best days in the present, and they are only getting better. “It’s all about a 6-ounce bird that is as addictive to a recreational upland hunter, and those who love God’s great outdoors, as any man-made drug ever created,” said Kohler. “If this current rush of quail hunting fever results in restoring heritage and adding more habitat to the landscape, then it’s a win for sportsmen and for bobwhites.”