*FEATURE quail trail 94-101

HUNTING
Courtesy of Alabama Wildlife Federation
A GOOD TIME
Picture this: Walking in a wide-open field, your breath catches in
your throat as a bobwhite quail takes to the air, silhouetted against
fall’s brilliantly blue sky. You take your shot, and maybe you miss.
But you don’t even care. You’ve already had a picture-perfect day
joking with your buddies, marveling at skilled dogs, learning from
expert guides. And a home-cooked meal that’s the stuff of
Southern food legends is waiting for you back at the quaint lodge.
Welcome to quail hunting in Alabama and the Alabama Quail Trail.
From the coastal plains to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains,
our state is a sportsman’s paradise. Quail hunting is no exception. For the
novice bird hunter or the expert wing shooter, the opportunities to bag a
bobwhite in Alabama are bountiful. In 2002, quail-hunting properties
and lodges across the state loosely banded together to form the Alabama
Quail Trail.
A group of private individuals, business and conservation organizations
that are passionate about quail and quail hunting formed the Trail with
several purposes in mind as Tim Gothard, executive director of the
Alabama Wildlife Federation, explained. “The Alabama Quail Trail was
begun to focus interest and resources on quail hunting, quail research and
quail conservation,” said Gothard. “The purpose is to increase the spending of recreational dollars in rural Alabama that is associated with quail
and quail hunting, improve quail habitats across the landscape and ultimately improve quail numbers.”
Autumn in Alabama beckons many out of doors. Shadows move
across gently sloping hills, cool breezes rustle leaves ablaze with everchanging hues. Quail hunters revel in this scenery. “I think that one of
quail hunting’s greatest appeals is the camaraderie among hunters, the
working of good bird dogs and the mobile and scenic nature of this type
hunting experience,” Gothard said.
And the excitement of the hunt never wanes, whether it’s your first
or fiftieth time afield. “The thrill of a covey rise, the beauty of a pointing dog, or the tranquility of riding a horse or walking through gorgeous
stands of timber are just a few of the reasons I love quail hunting,” local
hunter Morgan Bell said. “There are no gadgets to help you hunt and
no tricks to fool the birds. It is a way to go back in time and really enjoy
the outdoors.”
For many hunters, a quail hunt represents one of the more social shooting sports they enjoy, as Bell observed. “When quail hunting, you get to
spend more time with your hunting partners in contrast to the isolation
of deer hunting. Usually after the hunt, your group gathers for drinks
around a fire or a traditional Southern meal.”
Another Montgomery outdoorsman, Chad Cross, who often hunts with
his wife Lindsey, agreed with Bell. “I think we enjoy the social aspect of quail
HIT THE TRAIL
There are over 50 hunting
properties that are a part
of the Alabama Quail Trail.
We’ve listed a few here,
but you can find a complete list and map as well
as other information at
www.alabamaquailtrail.org.
BEAR CREEK HUNTING
PRESERVE
Autaugaville, AL
334-365-9277
www.bearcreekhunting.com
Bear Creek Hunting Preserve
offers sportsmen the opportunity to hunt thousands of
acres of prime hunting land in
the heart of the famed Black
Belt region of Alabama. Prior
to the 2000/2001 seasons,
Bear Creek Hunting Preserve
had never been commercially
hunted. The commitment to
quality wildlife management
is evident in the rich fields
and timberland at Bear
Creek.They employ a yearround supplemental feeding
program to further enhance
the quality of their coveys,
flocks and herds.
CROOKED OAKS /AUBURN
OAKS HUNTING PRESERVE
Notasulga, AL
334-549-1260
www.crookedoaks.com
Crooked Oaks Hunting
Lodge is a six-bedroom, fourbath guesthouse. Two porches, with swings and plenty of
OCTOBER 2008
95
rocking chairs, overlook a
large pond. The dining area
can seat 24, and the large
kitchen is fully stocked.
DOUBLEHEAD RESORT
Town Creek, AL
256-685-9267
www.doublehead.com
Doublehead Resort specializes
in professionally guided quail
hunts catered to the specific
requests of the hunter.
Sharpen your shooting technique on its super 5-stand
sporting clay range, which
includes seven fully automatic, electronically controlled
traps and tower. Professional
guides along with trained, registered pointers lead guests
through the 1,100-acre private hunting preserve.
Courtesy of Westervelt Lodge
hunting,” he said. “We
have two young children,
and our one-on-one time is
limited. Being out in
nature with no distractions
and the ‘strolling’ that
occurs during quail hunting
gives us a great opportunity
to reconnect and really
enjoy one another’s company. Plus, you get to bring
home dinner!”
Courtesy of Alabama Wildlife Federation
Although he often
hunts on private preserves, Bell has experienced several properties on the Trail. “I have hunted PAKo, Enon Plantation and Old Springhill Plantation,” he said. “Every location
has its own perks, but they all specialize in traditional Southern hospitality, good
food and the ability to make you want to come back again.”
He also stressed why he believes the Trail is such a good idea. “I think the idea
of the Quail Trail is great and will encourage people that do not have their own
land and dogs to try quail hunting and get the full experience. My advice to
those wanting to try quail hunting is to book a trip and ask a lot of questions
when you get there. I’ve always felt the guides at pay plantations are as excited
about new hunters as they are the seasoned ones.”
The Crosses have also hunted some of the Trail properties. “We have hunted Old Spring Hill Plantation, White Oak, The Briar Patch and Selwood, and
I think there is a common theme to all of these places: Southern hospitality,”
he said. “We have really been impressed with the service at every one of these
destinations. Also, places like Selwood have a sporting clays course on site.
96 MONTGOMERY LIVING
ENON PLANTATION
Hurtsboro, AL
334-253-2100
www.enon.com
Enon Plantation, one of the
South’s most prestigious
hunting preserves, offers true
plantation-style bobwhite
quail hunting. Enon’s over
10,000 acres have been
intensively managed for the
past 11 years in an effort to
ensure a quality hunt. Enon
offers old-fashioned horseback quail hunting with a
mule drawn wagon for wild
bird hunts and jeeps for liberated bird hunts. Guests stay
at Enon’s Big House, which
was built in the early 1900’s
and has been decorated for
the comfort of each guest.
Each bedroom has its own
bathroom and fireplace.
SELWOOD FARM
Alpine, AL
256-362-3961
www.selwoodfarm.com
Selwood Hunting Preserve
and Sporting Clays offers
wing shooting and sporting
Protect
what means the most to you
SILENT
SENTRY
ELECTRONIC SECURITY, INC
334.272.4535
OCTOBER 2008
97
clays. Selwood’s fully automated Sporting Clays course,
both challenging and fun,
meets the needs of all levels
of shooters. Selwood’s 1,000
acres of natural habitat provide an ideal setting for hunting bobwhite, and its country
house offers the ultimate in
accommodations from private rooms to spacious decks
and porches.
SWEETWATER PRESERVE
Fitzpatrick, AL
334-584-7223
www.bucktrails.com
Courtesy of Alabama Wildlife Federation
This is great because you
can get there a little early
and fine-tune your shooting skills before going out
on a hunt.”
Cross offered some sage
advice for those thinking
about taking up the sport.
“I would suggest taking a
gun safety course, and
always be sure you know
where every person (and
Courtesy of Alabama Wildlife Federation
dog) is when you are in a
ready-to–shoot situation,” he said. “You don’t want to Dick Cheney anybody!
Also, go to the sporting clays course and brush up on your shooting skills. That
will make your hunt much more enjoyable.”
He threw out a hint to husbands though. “Don’t let your wife practice too
much,” he said. “There is nothing worse than driving back from a quail hunt listening to your wife go on and on about how she out-shot you. Not that this has
ever happened to me, of course.”
Coach Pat Dye, (of Auburn football fame), owns and operates two hunting
properties that are a part of the Trail, Crooked Oaks and Auburn Oaks, both
located in Notasulga. He was quick to reveal the reasons behind his love of quail
hunting. “First, I like to eat quail,” he laughed. “And I enjoy the people that
enjoy quail hunting. It is a great way to spend quality time with your friends and
make new friends. The kill is the least important part actually.”
For animal lovers, quail hunting has one more draw—getting to know and
work with bird dogs. “I love working with dogs and watching them,” Dye said.
“It is a treat watching a young dog learn and go through the process.”
98 MONTGOMERY LIVING
Sweetwater Preserve offers
some of the finest quail hunting in the Montgomery area.
Less than 25 miles to the
southeast of the capital city,
it features a cozy lodge in a
country setting, good guides
and handlers, quality dogs
and
personal
service.
Sweetwater Preserve is part
of the original Pickett
Plantation established in the
1820’s. It features planted
fields with fox tail millet,
hybrid grain sorghum, hybrid
pearl millet, Egyptian Wheat
and other free growing small
grain bird feeds. All of the
fields are accessible by
mechanical transport (i.e. 2seater mules and the equivalent).
WESTERVELT LODGE
Aliceville, AL
205-373-8212
www.westervelt.com
Westervelt Lodge provides
exceptional wing shooting
hunts, fully guided, during
the October 1 to March 31
season. The Lodge offers
quail-only hunts along with
mixed bag hunts including
quail, chukar and pheasant.
The scenic landscapes and
fair challenge you’ll find at
Weservelt make great hunting partners.
BABY BOOMERS LOOK TOWARD RETIREMENT
Over the next two decades, the most chronicled generation in America
will gradually enter retirement. At that point, each wave of baby boomers
will quickly discover if their retirement plans, Social Security, and personal savings will be sufficient to maintain their existing lifestyles and needs.
Baby boomers—a name given to those born from 1946 to 1965—have been
noted for their creation of the “computer age,” quest for physical fitness, and
expectations for living long and full lives. Now, as the boomers pass into
middle age, many are beginning to focus their attention on retirement.
Unlike the previous Great Depression-to-World War II generation, many
baby boomers believe they cannot depend on receiving Social Security
benefits during their retirement years. In fact, many economists question
the future “security” of the Social Security trust funds.
To further compound concern, many employed boomers may not have
employer-funded retirement plans. Since, in today’s work world,
employees, rather than employers, generally assume full responsibility
for funding their retirement plans, it is no surprise that uncertainty and
worry occupy the minds of many of those without guaranteed pensions.
BROADENING PERSPECTIVES
What can boomers do to determine if their savings and assets will sufficiently fund their retirement years? Definitive answers are often elusive.
After all, life is often filled with many variables, and no one really knows for
sure what the future holds. However, even with these constraints,
boomers can gain much insight by estimating and analyzing the following:
• Potential income sources (e.g., income-producing real estate,
inheritances, etc.)
found that only 24% of Americans are very confident they will have
enough money to live comfortably in retirement. In addition, 14% of current workers believe they will need less than 50% of pre-retirement earnings to maintain their standards of living in retirement, and an additional
36% project their needs will be 50%–70% of their current incomes.
However, 62% of current retirees report that their needs equate over 70%
of their pre-retirement incomes.
As is true of every generation facing the retirement planning process,
baby boomers should have a disciplined savings program in place. If
you’re a baby boomer, keep in mind that periodic or haphazard deposits
may be counterproductive. With a commitment to success and a scheduled plan, you can work toward building the necessary retirement funds
to secure your own financial future.
* Source: Retirement Confidence Survey, Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2006.
Pursuant to IRS Circular 230, MetLife is providing you with the following notification:
The information contained in this brochure is not intended to (and cannot) be used
by anyone to avoid IRS penalties. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
This article appears courtesy of J. Render Thomas. Render is a Registered
Representative with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and MetLife Securities, Inc.
He focuses on meeting the individual insurance and financial services needs of people
in the River Region. You can reach Render at the office at (334)272-6740 ext 178.
Copyright © 2008 Liberty Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. L12079189 (exp1208)
(All States).
• Projected balances of retirement and savings plans
• Costs of future health care needs
• Annualized rate of inflation over retirement years
• Amount of Social Security income to be received
• Percentage of present income required during retirement years
• Length of years retirement may last or life expectancy
SURVEY SAYS. . .
A 2006 survey conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute*
J. Render Thomas
Financial Services Representative
3170 Parliament Circle
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 272-6740 ext. 178
(334) 462-3540 Cell
Westervelt Lodge
Kevin McKinstry, the manager of Westervelt Lodge echoed Dye. “What
I love about quail hunting is working as a team with well trained bird dogs
like hard-running English pointers that would rather look for quail than
eat, or faithful black Labrador retrievers that walk with the hunters and
move in to flush the birds that our pointer, frozen in a stiff legged point,
has discovered,” he said.
Dye highlighted the perks of his properties, reeling off amenities and
activities like outstanding guides, good dogs, excellent cooks and natural
splendor. And then there are the intangibles that bring hunters back. “We
always have good conversation around the breakfast, lunch and dinner
table and around the fire,” Dye said. “It’s just a great place to get away and
relax. Both properties are beautiful—They have hills and lots of little
creeks and streams.”
Crooked Oaks has a rustic, hunting lodge feel, and comes complete with a room full
of Dye’s football memorabilia. Auburn Oaks is a 100-year-old restored Greek revivalstyle house that was moved out into the country.
Located in Aliceville, to the west of Tuscaloosa, Westervelt Lodge rests amid scenic
bottomlands and is one of the few remaining large, tract-based hunting plantations in
the South. The 10,000-acre property provides fully guided wing shooting hunts,
including quail-only hunts or mixed bag hunts with quail, chukar and pheasant.
McKinstry outlined the aspects of the sport and of Westervelt that polish his passion. “I like the challenge of swinging my shotgun on a flush of hard-flying bobwhite,” he said. “But most of all I quail hunt to be able to share this experience with
my son and family and to hopefully pass down the Southern tradition of bird hunting. Quail hunting at Westervelt Lodge embraces the tradition that has been passed
down through the decades and offers hunting in upland pine forest or fencerow style
hunting in open fields. Westervelt is one of the few remaining large tract-based
hunting plantations in the South.”
100 MONTGOMERY LIVING
Crooked Oaks
Coach Pat Dye