Quail Hunting at Millbrook Plantation

By By Mikes Giles / outdoor writer
Jan. 31, 2003
Quail hunting may never return to the prominence it once enjoyed during the first half of last century. With the disappearance of small family farms and changing land practices, most of our quail vanished. However, for those hunters wanting to experience a taste of what it once was, there is an alternative. Millbrook Plantation located in nearby Stonewall is set up with the hunter in mind, as I discovered on a hunt last week.
Although the day was the coldest of the season, the birds were primed and flying erratically. Our hunt started shortly after noon. However, our hunting party first sat down and enjoyed some of the finest country cuisine in the world, compliments of our cook Lena McGowan. Scott Davis, Dennis Rolison, guide Ben Tubb and I joined plantation owner Ed Carruth for the feast.
It was truly a feast fit for a king, situated in a rustic camp house that could have served as a pioneer cabin in frontier days. Our meal consisted of fried chicken and pork chops, cream corn, peas, sweet potatoes, rice and gravy, and corn bread.
Safety first
Once we had polished off our meal, we loaded up on the back of a trailer that was towed by an all terrain vehicle. Before our hunt however, we stopped in the field for a safety talk. Ben Tubb was our guide for the day. Ben has been hunting quail and training dogs practically all of his life, so he knows a thing or two about quail hunting and the need for safety.
If you have ever seen or heard Jerry Clower, then you might have an idea about Ben. Now suffice it to say that Ben tells stories funny, much like Clower, but he's just the opposite in size, which he plays up for all it's worth! You might not be impressed by him at first glance, but looks are sometimes deceiving. Once he opens his mouth, you get a different picture. In short order, you will be aware of both his wit and intelligence concerning the outdoors.
As Tubb went through his normal safety talk he made it informative yet entertaining. "For those of you that have automatics and pumps, we only allow two shells in the gun at a time. Now the rest of you that have over and unders, and side by sides, we allow all the shells that you can get in those!" stated Tubb matter-of-factly.
Tubb went on to say that there was a $2,000.00 fine for shooting a dog and a $175.00 fine for shooting the guide. " Evidently Ed figures it's a lot harder to find a good dog than a guide," deadpanned Tubb!
The hunt begins
As we rode along on the cart it was a thing of beauty to see the pointers working the fields and thickets. After going only a short distance the dogs locked up tight on point. Dennis Rolison and I were first up to shoot. The birds were holding in the edge of a pine thicket.
As we got ready to shoot, Dr. Carruth let Barney loose. Instantly the little cross breed charged into the covey, flushing them wildly. Rolison emptied both barrels and the birds still kept flying. The covey had risen and flown almost directly at him, preventing my chance at a shot. Shortly thereafter we located another one and I got my first kill of the day.
On our second covey rise, Rolison and Davis shot again. This time both missed. Following up on the singles, Davis scored on his first bird. Watching the dogs work and the hunters shoot is truly a thing of beauty. Many youngsters and adults alike have never had the chance to see bird dogs work.
As our day progressed, all of the hunters took their turns at missing, and believe me there were plenty of misses. The wind was really whipping and the birds were really flying. In fact if you missed, then they just might fly slam out of sight!
Barney the jump dog!
As the dogs pointed on top of a ridge, the doc let Barney go once again. As she charged into the brush, quail erupted in all directions. There were so many flying it was hard to pick out one to shoot. This time however, both Rolison and I got a bird. It was to be our first double. "Barney Lynn" is a stray that came up a few years ago and became the "jump dog."
Once the bird dogs point, Barney runs in and flushes the birds. Most of the time the birds fly wildly in all directions. "I've hunted birds all over the state in many of the preserves," commented Scott Davis. " But this is the most exciting and challenging preserve I've ever been to!" Evidently, Barney is a large part of the reason.
Ed Carruth has put in the time and effort to provide a quality hunting experience. He has planted many grain fields and manages strictly for quail. "We want to make this a fun and challenging experience for both the beginners and seasoned hunters," stated Carruth. "We want to make it as close to old timey quail hunting as we can!"
If you're looking for a fun and challenging time, then you might want to give Ed Carruth a call at Millbrook Plantation, (601) 659-9922.