Quail Hunting at Buckeyes Plantation

The weather here in Georgia, and the rest of the country for that matter, has been downright nice this year.  It's been unseasonably warm, and forecasters always predict a miserable summer after such a pleasant winter.  According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) January 2012 was the fourth warmest January on record in the United States.  In addition, several states have had very little snowfall, and this threatens them with a dry Summer.  Nevertheless, getting out in the outdoors is a lot more pleasant when the temps are this comfortable.  Today I went on my first ever Quail Hunt. Along with my friends Jon Gissendaner and Mark Jeffries, and a friend of Mark's called "Paw Pat," I hunted quail and chukkar at Buckeyes Plantation in Jersey, GA.

Buckeyes Plantation

Buckeyes Plantation is located in Jersey, GA, east of Atlanta.  The plantation has been owned by the McGarity family since the mid 1800's, and Tom McGarity is the current owner.  The family has taken great pride in developing one of the finest hunting plantations in the South. Buckeyes Plantation is managed by Tom Bruce to provide guests with the ultimate in Duck, Pheasant, Quail, Dove, Deer and Turkey Hunting.  

 A few Chukkar

A little after noon, Jon and I met Mark and Paw Pat at Buckeyes Restaurant in Jersey.  After a good southern style lunch we headed down the road to the Plantation.  Once there, we met Tom Bruce, the manager, and our guide for the day, Barry Venable.  

Some of our Quail

The afternoon started out slightly overcast and breezy, and those are ideal conditions for most types of hunting and fishing.  We followed the dogs around the fields for several hours and harvested a mixed bag of 18 quail and 6 chukkar between the three of us shooting.  I'm hardly an upland bird hunter, so I was carrying my trusty Remington 870 Bone Collector 12 Gauge, but it did the job.  I definitely have some work to do to really become a proficient wing shooter.  I've decided to look into some local skeet shooting opportunities to hone my shotgunning skills.  Barry was very helpful and was able to watch my shots and give me pointers to help me connect with more birds.

Guide Barry Venable getting his dogs ready

One of the most intriguing parts of the hunt to me was watching the bird dogs work.  An assortment of German Shorthairs, spaniels and pointers named Lucy, Casey, Elvis, Football and a few others combed the fields for birds.  Watching them lock on a bird and point was a real treat to someone who has never been around these dogs at work. Barry trains his own dogs, and his dogs will hunt!

After the hunt I got to tour the lodge where overnight hunters and guests stay.  I can truly say I was impressed with the accommodations.  The Buckeyes Plantation crew is top notch, and do everything in their power to make sure you have a good time and a productive trip.  Our guide Barry was great guy and a pleasure to work with.  This was one of the bets hunts I've been on and I will definitely be going back again soon!