Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    Hi, I was there yesterday (10/10). I had won a free 4 pheasant hunt
    there at a recent Ducks Unlimited dinner. I brought my own dog there
    and called the guy in advance to let him know I'd be using this hunt a 
    training experience for my Lab. When we got there, he had coffee ready
    and said he had stocked the field appropriately for a training
    experience. This guy was very friendly and helpful all morning, he
    insisted on carrying the dead birds. This place is really pristine, he
    raises his birds elsewhere so that the place looks - JUST PERFECT. He
    has a canvas tent with a porch on the property overlooking the above
    mentioned trout pond. It was a wonderful experience guided by a person
    who wanted to make sure you enjoyed it. I'd highly recommend the place.
    
    I've also hunted at Hedgerow Kennels, in fact the owner of Hedgerow
    came with me yesterday, He's an old "Deccie" (Pat Perry). Pat and I
    agreed that both places are different and that there is room in the
    business for both. I think Pat has a dog training specialty that
    Lissivigeen doesn't but Lissivigeen is much more pristeen and
    "New-England-ish".
    
    Don

    Can you give us more info. I called and got the answering machine.
    
    What is the cost ?
    
    Thanks
    Jim

    Hi, I really can't say what the cost is because my hunt was free. I'm
    not sure but I think Hedgerow is a little cheaper. If your looking for
    a round about figure for a 4 pheasant hunt as a non member I'd say
    somerwhere around $190. You must have a dog or they will insist on
    guiding you with one for xtra $. The reason is because they have had
    experiences where they've stocked birds for a hunt and dog-less hunters
    found no birds and accused them of cheating. this is expensive but if
    you have a rooky hunter or new dog you can teach them hunting and
    shooting without the pressure you'd find at  Wildlife Mgt area. It was
    a great confidence builder for me because I had the time to think about
    my shots before pulling up usually I'm so busy worrying about the
    competition of several other hunters that I miss - just because.
    
    Hope this helps. Don

    Thanks Don !
    
    I called Hedgerow yesterday. I find the hunts to be expensive.
    
    Membership is $150.00
     2 hr 6 bird hunt is $120.00
     4 hr 12 bird hunt is $190.00
    
    I don't like the time limit, but I can understand the reason.
    
    I do like the idea that they will let members  plant their own birds if
    they would like to do so. On a young dog, this would be a great benifit. 
    And also, you can hunt  from Sept. to March. 
    
    Jim

    Hi Jim, I was a little concerned about the time limit too but they all
    have that kind of arrangement. I did find that we were able to complete
    our hunt in about 2 and a half hours though, so it really turned out to
    be ok. Even though I stopped at 4 birds I easily heard another 3 or 4
    crow so I dont think limiting out would be too difficult.
    
    Don

    
    As a member of Hedgerow's Hunt Club and Bird Dog Training 
    Club, I would like to say that in the past three years, I 
    have never been in a situation where I ran out of time before
    being dead tired, or at least locating the number of birds
    planted for my hunts. Usually, on the weekdays, there are not 
    two hunts (4 hour) booked for the same day, so the time limit
    very seldom is a factor. At my last hunt of last year's season,
    we had another party scheduled after us. However, we had 14 finds
    in two and a half hours for a 12 bird hunt. 
    	Some of the benefits not yet mentioned (re Hedgerow) are;
    1) you extend your bird hunting season from Sept 15 - Mar 31
    2) as a member you pay less for your birds, 3) you are eligible
    for 'cleanup' (no birds planted) hunts at a fixed rate, no charge
    for the birds you take, 4) you don't pay for extra birds taken 
    during your hunts (if a six bird hunt is planted and you shoot 
    eight birds, you still only pay for six), 5) you're hunting in
    a much more controlled area, safer for you and your dog, and you
    can set up situations for you and your dog.
    	The Bird Dog Training Club offers tremendous facilities to
    those folks who are serious about keeping their dogs in tiptop
    condition all year long. Although I really think that those folks
    with pointing dogs stand to gain the most from the use of the 
    facilities and equipment, folks with flushing and retrieving dogs
    can certainly take advantage of the benefits as well.
    
    	Jim is right when he says 'you gotta love it'. It can appear
    to be a bit on the expensive side. But the reward and enjoyment
    of working with a dog(s) all year long is worth it. At least to me.

    Dave, you made some good points that I wasn't able to. Even the
    flushing dogs benefit in that there are usually plenty of birds left
    over from hunts, etc. that your dog has a real chance to flush live birds
    instead of always chasing after dummies you've hidden. I agree the
    price seems high but I think you eventually get your money's worth.
    After all I've been out to local WMA's twice since the season opened as
    saw ZIP !
    
    Don