The truth is, shooting preserves can be just as challenging as wild hunting grounds, if the operators are conscientious about delivering a fair chase hunt. As public land for hunting becomes harder to gain access to and landowners are less friendly to sportsmen, preserves provide valuable hunting opportunities.
Fewer Opportunities For Wild Game Birds
Few places demonstrate this better than the province of Ontario. Southern Ontario’s farm country was once a Mecca for upland gunners, with vast quantities of pheasant, gray partridge, Bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse and woodcock
But by the 1980s, everything had changed. New farming practices were not kind to wildlife, with vast, well-manicured fields replacing the small, patchwork plots lined with bush. An increased use of pesticides also contributed to the birds’ decline.
Today, wild pheasants are gone, Bobwhites are all but extinct and gray partridge cling on in a few fragmented populations.
Wild turkeys have made an incredible comeback and are thriving throughout the region. Yet for the hunter seeking the classic upland experience of autumn woods, wingshooting and a beloved gun dog, opportunities are scarce.
More Ethical Shooting Preserves
Mike Pallota has owned and operated Pine Ridge Hunting Preserve near Seagrave, Ontario since 1980. He offers pheasant hunting all fall and winter and partridge in spring and summer. He admits that in the old days, preserves were often a sham.
“Back then, your birds were all from pen-raised stock and they were usually fat and lazy. They flew really slowly. Sometimes, the dog snatched them off the ground. Now with the variety of strains available, we can breed birds that are fast, strong fliers,” he said.
Dozens of subspecies of the Ringneck pheasant exist, but the breed most popular on North American preserves is the Minnesota Blueback variety. Chukar, a partridge native to India, the Middle East and southern Europe, is also popular, usually in the summer months. A few preserves also offer quail and even wild turkey. When regular game seasons are open, most operators allow clients to shoot native quarry that they encounter, such as grouse and rabbits, at no extra cost.
“Our birds are the real deal,” said Pallota. “If you’re not a good shot, you’re not getting your birds.”
Longer Hunting Seasons
Most preserves operate several months longer than regular hunting seasons, and many are all year. Nearly all of them offer the use of their bird dogs for an additional fee. For the hunter who enjoys shooting over a well-trained dog, but isn’t able to own one, this is a great bonus. Some also pluck and clean birds for an additional charge.
In recent years, a number of bird farms have closed down, but Pallota says this is merely because time has separated the sheep from the goats.
“You had guys running them as a side gig on their farms, but they weren’t serious operations,” he said, adding that the preserves still running are the ones dedicated to the business.
Times are changing. For the modern hunter with busy work schedules and other commitments, fall traditions are not always an option. Preserves ensure that there are opportunities for great upland gunning close to home and readily available.
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