GRAVETTE -- As hunting seasons end in other states, quail and pheasant hunting are picking up in northwest Arkansas and guides in the area are getting busier. That's the word from Guy McKinzie, who books guided hunts for Bird Springs Resort southwest of Gravette. Hunters are looking for places to work their dogs and this 270-acre game preserve is a popular spot.
McKinzie hosted two hunts at Bird Springs on a recent Saturday and the participants brought home a good bagful of birds. Hunts will continue through March 31, and other hunters who want the opportunity can book a hunt by calling McKinzie at 787-5878. Morning or afternoon hunts are available. Morning hunts begin at 7:30 or 8 a.m., possibly a little later if no afternoon hunt is scheduled. Afternoon hunts begin at 12:30. Hunts last two to four hours, depending on how many are involved.
There is a 10-quail or six-pheasant minimum per gun, or hunters can choose to shoot a combination of birds. After they choose the number of birds they want, that number is released on the preserve. Of course, they have the chance to shoot more birds than they have purchased as there are often other birds that were not killed in previous hunts. Cost of hunts varies, but McKinzie says he tries to make them affordable for everybody.
Hunters provide their own guns and they can bring their own dogs or dogs will be provided. McKinzie is on hand after the hunt ends to help field dress and clean the birds.
One popular feature that can be incorporated in hunts at Bird Springs is a European tower that has been built on the property. Hunters sit in blinds surrounding the tower and pheasants are released from the top. After eight or more birds are released hunters rotate to another blind.
Hunts begin in October, and this is the second season for the sport at Bird Springs as they were first offered in the fall of 2013 when McKinzie went into partnership with the owners of the property. Guy trains his own dogs and operates a quail farm, Double Diamond Quail, at his home on Meadowlark Lane. He has two incubators, one holding 1,500 eggs and one holding 1,200, and raises many of the quail used in Bird Springs hunts. The pheasants and other quail are ordered from other growers.
McKinzie says he learned all he knows about raising quail from Harold Holt, a taxidermist at Decatur. He tries to provide about 6,000 a year but says quail are difficult to raise to maturity. They are ready to hunt at 12 weeks old, but Guy says they get sick easily and often die before reaching that age. Eggs are usually not available after the start of the season. Last year he ran out of birds on Jan. 12.
McKinzie donated a hunt last fall to an auction benefiting Benton County Quail Unlimited. The hunt was purchased by members of the Northwest Arkansas Turkey Federation who participated in one of the recent hunts. Other recent hunters were youth members of Big Spring Sporting Club, showing that the sport is popular with all ages. Guy says a falconer from Fort Smith plans to come up and hunt with his falcon soon.
Bird Springs Resort can be reached by driving west from Gravette on Highway 72. Go one mile past Beaty Road to Benson Road, then travel three miles south on Benson Road. Watch for signs. No alcohol is allowed on the property.
General News on 01/21/2015