Brookfair Plantation
Baker County, Georgia⁞2069.796± ACRES
Legacy Wild Quail and Trophy Deer Property in the Famed Albany Area Plantation Belt
- 2,102 +/- acre Baker County wild quail plantation
- Albany Area Plantation Belt
- “Who’s Who” neighborhood of other top wild bird properties
- Management history going back over a century of stewardship by prominent landowners
- Four horseback wild bird courses
- Habitat is a balance of Wiregrass and Longleaf and old field ground and loblolly
- Exceptional ecotones with cypress ponds strategically spaced throughout
- Planted fruit trees and live oaks landscaped throughout
- Professionally designed for entertaining friends and family
- Main lodge (2,136 sq ft): 4 bedroom 2.5 bath
- Guest Cabin/Annex (3,380 sq ft): 8 bedroom 8 bath (4 bedrooms added 2024)
- Game room (2,370 sq ft): Pool table and seating, 2 bathrooms with attached garage
- Manager’s House (1,670 sq ft): 3 bedroom 2 bath with attached garage
- 13+ acre managed bass lake with dock, feeders, 12X12 gazebo
- (5) 4 inch wells and (1) 6 inch well
- Exceptionally well managed for trophy whitetail deer with feeding programs, planted food plots, planted fruit trees
- Bucks consistently score in the 140’s to 150 B&C
- Year-round protein feeding program for deer, food plots, and condo stands in place
- Exceptional wild turkey population
- 3-4 acre floodable duck pond w/ 4 inch well
- Excellent soils
- Equipment Barn and shop
- Equipment included (equipment list available upon request)
- Shooting range
- Four horse stables
- 16-run kennel
- 5-stall barn
- Manager's office/bathroom
- (2) 3,500 bushel Grain bins
- 1.13 miles approx. frontage on Hwy 37
- 55 miles to Thomasville; 37 miles to Bainbridge, GA; 33 miles to Albany, GA
- There is currently not a conservation easement on this property
- Exceptional Social Storm Property ™
Highly respected historical shooting property renown today for its high populations of wild game, habitat diversity and amenities.
Historic and Well-Capitalized property in one of the most coveted quail hunting regions in the Country; With its exceptional habitat, top-tier facilities, and rich sporting tradition, it stands as a turnkey legacy plantation
Brookfair, a 2,102 acre legacy wild quail plantation, is located in the famed Albany Plantation belt in Baker County, Georgia in a “Who’s Who” neighborhood of other top whitetail and wild bird properties. It has been managed for wild quail for generations, resulting in consistently good wild quail numbers alongside a thriving population of trophy whitetail deer and turkey. This SWGA property is a classic example of a well-run, well-capitalized, high-quality recreational property with all the “bells and whistles” that one would expect.
The property has an exceptional management history going back over a century of stewardship by prominent landowners. Historically, the property was heavily focused exclusively on bobwhite quail but over time, like a lot of places today, trophy whitetail deer began to increase on a more equal footing. Because of the habitat diversity found here and consistently good management property excels at both. They are able to consistently harvest bucks that have a gross score in the 140 to 150’s B&C while continuing to hunt four horseback quail courses. There is also an exceptional wild turkey population.
"Brookfair Plantation is a historic hunting property situated in Baker County, located in the southwest region of Georgia. It is a property with historical significance and enduring value, passed down through generations." - Walter Hatchett
Famed wildlife artist David Lanier perfectly captures the thrill of hunting in the Red Hills in his painting, “Deep South Pointers.”
“The highest count I’ve had is 22 coveys in a half day hunt. That’s certainly not the norm but my personal record. The birds are here. The issue to me is how many am I going to find per hunt and conditions.” - John Melvin, Brookfair Manager
“We currently run 55 live traps, the heavy duty ones, in addition to outside trappers coming in seasonally. We feed as Tall Timber’s prescribes. We are on a two year burn rotation. We could probably take some extra timber off but that’s up to the next owner.” - John Melvin, Manager
There is a year-round feeding program for deer and quail. The habitat is a balance of wiregrass and longleaf and old field ground and loblolly. There are exceptional ecotones here with cypress ponds strategically spaced throughout. Over 100 acres are in food plots.
“One of the things I like about Brookfair is the ecotones that give increased habitat diversity. The scattered cypress ponds throughout provide exceptional habitat for deer and turkey that they wouldn’t otherwise have, thus increasing both the amount of use and time they spend on the property.” - Jon Kohler
“We really co-manage this place today for both trophy deer and wild quail. Both are going to have enough feed. That’s not questionable. Quail are fed hear round via a 3,500 bushel grain bin dedicated just to them and the deer with another of equal size. Furthermore, in the spring the deer have 40-50 acres in spring/summer planing and slightly less for dedicated winter feed plantings. In the summer they also go through about 2 pallets of 4S premium protein a week!” - John Melvin, Brookfair manager
The landscape features gently rolling topography, great soils, and a diverse, productive understory. A well-established road system, complete with picturesque live oak allees, ensures seamless access throughout the property. There are planted fruit trees and live oaks throughout.
“I have to admit that when I first toured Brookfair I was so impressed with the fruit and wildlife trees planted throughout that I got on the phone with my manager and we ordered even more to plant at my place.” - Jon Kohler
The property has a 13+ acre lake with gazebo and feeders. There are three (3) wells at the lake one (1) 6 inch and two (2) 4 inch. There is also a 3-4 acre floodable duck pond with a 4 inch dedicated well. In addition to that, there are two wells at the lodge, and one at the mobile home.
The lodge has been recently expanded, offering a blend of historic charm and modern convenience. The original main lodge (4BR/2.5BA) includes a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, with a newly added wing designed for guest with privacy and flexibility (8 Br, 8 Ba). The accommodations consist of private rooms with private doorways opening to the outdoors – thoughtfully designed to allow guests to come and go without disturbing others. There are 12 bedrooms so room for extended family and guests in not an issue. This design enhances the experience and privacy for larger gatherings, whether guests prefer to turn in early for a morning hunt or stay up late to enjoy the camaraderie of the sporting lifestyle. A spacious game room and entertainment pavilion serve as the central feature gathering space, overlooking the scenic 13-acre lake.
“It's not surprising to see the recent need to expand the lodging to 10 bedrooms. What we are seeing is that with diverse properties like Brookfair, that have multiple hunting, fishing and recreational activities is that it appeals to multi-generational guests across the spectrum.” - Jon Kohler
The property has a 16- run kennel as well as a 5-stall horse barn. There is manager's office and bathroom near the kennel facilities. There is also a shooting range, equipment Barn and shop, a mobile home and two 3,500 bushel grain bins. Equipment included in the sale (equipment list available upon request). New survey to be completed soon.
“The habitat here is as good as it gets. The icing on the cake are great improvements, places where friends and family can come together to enjoy God’s great outdoors with each other. Brookfair certainly has that as well. In fact, the new addition to the lodge make it even more inviting for multigenerational guests, something that’s becoming increasingly important.” - Jon Kohler
In addition to the incredible wing shooting, this region is noted for producing exceptional whitetail genetics. But it wasn’t always that way. In 1927, a north Georgia Forest Ranger, Aurthur Woody, with his own money, began releasing deer in what would later expand into a formal statewide restocking program funded by the Pittman Robertson Act. In 1962, things ramped up and 10 deer from Babcock, Wisconsin were released which founded the basis for much of today’s great “Georgia” genetics.
READ ON our article about how Georgia came to have some of the best Trophy deer in America.
“As fate would have it, they picked Wood County Wisconsin as the basis for the new genetics. The #1 Boone & Crockett county in America today is just one county west of where much of this part of Georgia’s foundation stock came from.” - Jon Kohler
“Sixty-three years ago when they paid only $35 per head for these genetically improved deer they had no idea it would lead to the enormous financial benefits that these deer would add to the land today.” - Jon Kohler
“I can't say enough about the quality of the trophy deer hunting here as well. Few people realize the premium properties are bringing that consistently produce large whitetails. Its no longer just wild quail properties that bring top dollar but trophy whitetail place are getting equal, if not more billing. We recently closed 1,300 acres on the Flint River north of Albany for $8,100 per acre because of the B&C caliber deer. We know of other landowners who have turned down $9,000 per acre.There is a reason we say that while the bobwhite quail may be the “prince of gamebirds” it’s the trophy whitetail deer that reins king.” - Jon Kohler
It should be noted that the Social Storm Properties ™ score here is outstanding. This additional benefit makes this a great investment in both good times and bad.
Learn More About Social Storm™ Properties HERE
It has 1.13 miles of frontage on Hwy 37 and is located just 33 miles to Albany, 37 miles to Bainbridge, 55 mile to Thomasville, Georgia.
Brookfair Plantation represents a rare opportunity to own a historic and well-capitalized property in one of the most coveted quail hunting regions in the country. With its exceptional habitat, top-tier facilities, and rich sporting tradition, it stands as a turnkey legacy plantation, ready to provide world-class hunting and recreation for generations to come.
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Bruce Ratliff is a retired elected official (Property Appraiser Taylor County). Bruce brings years of experience in ad valorem tax knowledge. His property tax background gives JKA Associates & clients a unique insight into the complicated tax process. Bruce held several positions in the Florida Association of Property Appraisers, including member of the Board of Directors, President, Vice-President and Secretary, and served on the Agricultural & Legislative Committees for the Association. The real estate business has been part of Bruce’s life since childhood. His mother, Shirley Ratliff owned Professional Realty of Perry, Florida and his father, Buster owned Ratliff Land Surveying which Bruce was General Manager of before his political career.
From murky farm ponds to pristine glacier-cut lakes and everything in between, Knox Daniels’ expertise stems from a lifelong fascination of water and the creatures that live in and around it. He recognizes and helps clients appreciate the value water features bring to a property. “My goal is to help buyers realize and sellers maximize the value different water bodies bring to a property, not only in a recreational sense, but also for social storm reasons.” After extensively traveling the country for collegiate BASS fishing tournaments, Knox graduated and worked for the Southeast’s finest fisheries and wildlife biologist, Greg Grimes. With Grimes’ company, AES, Knox managed many of the southeast’s finest private lake estate/impoundment properties, and learned the intricacies of upscale property management. Learning from Greg and other biologists, Knox honed in on the specific conditions and habitat needed for optimal gamefish growth in private lakes. He has also worked as a property manager on several thousand acres and for a commercial developer, facilitating the dirt work and builds of several apartment complexes, but his true passion has always been in the outdoors. “I’ve always had an insatiable fascination with ponds/lakes and am grateful to be able to help to place clients on the properties of their dreams and make their personal fisheries/wildlife goals reality with JKA.” – Knox Daniels
As a landowner of his own family farm, Lick Skillet, along with family land that has been passed down and enjoyed together at Keaton Beach for 40 years, Jon knows what it means to be a steward of the last best places. As a third-generation land broker with more than 30 years of experience in advising landowners in this niche, Jon is known for his innate ability to harvest a land’s unique intrinsic value. Touting several notable sales under his belt, Jon personally closed Rock Creek/Molpus – 124,000 acres of premium timberland at $142,000,000 – which was known as the largest timberland land sale in the Southeast for eight years running. He is a co-founding member of LandLeader and achieved the real estate industry’s highest honor, “2022 National Broker of the Year – Recreational Land Sales,” by the Realtors® Land Institute.
Prior to joining Jon Kohler & Associates, Walter Hatchett served for 30 years as a land manager to several of the south’s most esteemed properties, including Rock Creek. As a former property manager himself, and a consistently ranked “Top Sales Producer” nationwide and achieved “APEX Top 20 Land Broker” multiple times, Walter has a keen eye for the best in habitat management.
With Madison County roots, Lori grew up on her family farm at Pettis Springs along the historic Aucilla River. A love of the land was instilled in Lori very early on by her father who was a local farmer. Lori understands the importance of good land stewardship and has witnessed first-hand how her own father, a former 2-term member of the Florida House of Representatives whose district encompassed many rural counties of the Red Hills Plantation Region, with a little bit of sweat equity, so lovingly worked their own family land. These are core values she carries with her today, and nothing gives her more personal satisfaction than to represent some of the south’s best land stewards.
Hailing from a long line of outdoorsmen, Tim learned a great deal from his father and grandfather. He saw first-hand what it means to be a good land steward. He believes land is so much more than a place to hunt, fish, and grow timber or crops. “It’s an identity, a resting place, a safe haven and a way of life, said Tim.” Tim’s family ties to Alabama run deep. During his grandfather’s first term, Governor James was responsible for signing into law Alabama’s first state duck stamp which helped to ensure funding for the procurement, development, and preservation of wetlands for migratory waterfowl habitat. He also established Alabama’s lifetime hunting license, so it is no surprise that Tim is an avid outdoorsman with a keen eye as to how best to improve habitat for the greater good of its wildlife.
Jason has been assisting landowners for the last 28 years in Georgia and South Carolina obtain achievements the owners did not realize were possible. His degree in Biology from Georgia Southern stemmed from the desire to know how things in nature work. His plantation roots began at just 16 years old outside of Albany, GA and the last 20 years were spent in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. His entire career has been spent developing a global approach to plantation management. That plan included sales. Sales is in Jason’s blood- his mom had a 45-year career as a real estate broker. After college, he chose to pursue his passion of making properties great. In 2011, Jason sold his first plantation. Since then, he has assisted buyers and sellers with over $20 million in sales while most of that time working as a full-time General Manager of a large Lowcountry plantation. Today, he is committed to using his unique skill set and experience to guide landowners through the many challenges of plantation ownership.
wild quail, but also has excellent turkey, deer, and duck hunting as well. For
the bass fisherman, the approx. 13-acre lake has been professionally managed to offer a high-quality
fishing experience.