“A man”, the Old Man once said,” ain’t no built-in hero in the woods or on the water. He ain’t no hero to his dog if he shots bad, And he ain’t no hero to his friends if he hogs shots. You give me just one weekend in the woods or on a boat with a man, and I can tell you if he beats his wife or is likely to run off with the company’s money.” Robert Ruark, The Old Man’s Boy Grows Older
Winter 2024
By Tom Seegmueller
Photos by Jimmy Jacobs
Growing up in Southwest Georgia in what was then considered to be “The Quail Capital of the World”, I was fortunate to catch twilight of glory days of dropping a dog and the hunting wild birds in the manner Ruark captured during the era in his books and short stories. After more than half a century spent both as a hunter and guide in pursuit of what I still believe to be the Prince of Game Birds I can attest to the many lessons I have learned hunting with human “Hogs”.
For the uninitiated the traditions and customs revolving around the quail hunt might seem to be somewhat orchestrated for mere pomp and circumstance. However, many have their roots firmly planted in the realm of safety, conservation, and productivity.
The bobwhite is the “Prince of Game Birds.”
Many believe the restrictions sometimes placed on the shotguns allowed on a hunt are rooted in snobbishness. However, In the days when quail were pursed on foot a light, fast handling, small gauge gun was determined to be an asset over the heavier 12 gauge. Restriction to double barrels was a means to regulate the harvest on a covey rise. This offered opportunities to pursue single birds as well as ensure a covey was not shot down to an unhuntable number early in the season. Even in the early 1900s those who hunted quail for sport realized the need for leaving a breeding population on a property.
To ensure safety and shooting opportunities generally only two shooters should approach a point. However, if experience and conditions dictate it is acceptable to have three shooters. Shooters should approach the dog and handler from behind in an even line and not fire until they are even or past them. When the birds flush, the fields of fire for each hunter should be honored as if you were evenly dividing a half circle radiating from the pointing dog. This not only prevents dangerous crossing shots, but also ensures everyone does not shoot the same bird while the rest of the covey sails away.
At no time should a shot be taken at any bird that is not at least head high. Doing so can easily lead to a dog being shot. There are frequently more than one dog on the ground and it’s easy to lose sight of them in anticipation of the flushing covey or single.
Sadly, Hogs measure the hunt by the number of birds in their gamebag at the end of the day that they claim a retrieved bird even though they did not fire in its direction. Even worse I have seen those so fixated with this goal that a bird in the bag becomes more important than the safety of the dogs and other hunters in the party. As a result, I have seen dogs killed, hunting wagons damaged, and members of the hunting party peppered with shot. I have wiped blood and feathers from my face and pulled a few shot out of my hat and ear. Fortunately to date I have not had to attend the funeral of a guide or hunter. However, I have buried some fine dogs.
“I have buried some fine dogs.”
Ironically, many hogs in an attempt to be the first to drop a bird from the covey or a single fire so early the birds have not leveled off and reached a distance where their guns pattern is most effective. The results are either a missed shot or a bird being “vaporized” and inedible.
I have witnessed Hogs pressuring their host or guide to continue following singles after being directed to return to the Jeep or wagon. Displaying a total lack of concern for the effort and expense involved in maintaining healthy coveys on the property they are hunting.
Even more unforgiveable Hog is the one that takes it upon himself to try and direct other people’s dogs. Leave the dog handling to the dog’s owner or handler. Generally, the dogs know more than either. On a plantation where wild birds were already equipped with radio tracking tabs for habitat and management research the owner decided it would be interesting to see how the birds reacted when they encountered hunters. In doing so they soon realized that when handlers called off dogs thinking they were “not on birds” the dogs were right over 90 percent of the time.
You should always believe the bird dogs.
Interestingly, when it comes to first time hunters, I have found females and youth to be easier to instruct and safer to hunt with than the expert clay shooter wanting to become a wing shooter. Maybe both have better hearing or listen better than someone who has already fired a lot of shots.
Although the halcyon days of quail hunting are past. It is still possible to enjoy a day afield shooting birds with friends. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Quail Forever are working to help those with even small properties manage them for quail.
Commercial shooting preserves offer excellent hunting opportunities. Although the price tag might seem high it is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of managing a property for wild birds or preseason released birds.
A number of WMAs offer Bird Dog Training Areas.
Fortunately for Georgians, the DNR manages a number of Wildlife Management Areas to include dog-training areas where you can not only train dogs, but conduct your own put-and-take quail hunts.
You can find a list of those areas in the Hunting Regulations.
Tom Seegmueller writes for the Albany Herald newspaper in his hometown. He is a member and past president of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association. Tom can be contacted at tmseegmueller@gmail.com.