Each fall at Brays brings with it the familiar scene of a covey of bobwhite quail flushing ahead of the guns. Brisk mornings watching the dogs work and birds fly are what quail hunting season is all about. With 3,500 acres and 14 well maintained hunt units, it is no wonder upland bird hunters are attracted to Brays.
October 15 marks the beginning of morning quail hunts. As one heads to the hunt fields, there’s a stillness in the air that’s filled with excitement, passion and eagerness. Once the dogs are on point and the signal is given, that’s when the fun starts. Said best by one of our owners in Forbes, “Therein lies the magic and allure of bobwhite quail hunting. How a four-ounce bird can electrify a man’s nerves, quicken his pulse and cause him to lose his coordination is one of the medical wonders of the hunting world. A classic case of quail fever with no known cure. And if there were one, who would want it?”
Until November 1, mornings are busy in the hunt fields with reserved times for families and hunters to get out and watch the dogs work. Once November hits and the cooler weather sets in, afternoon hunts begin. Through March 14, owners and dogs are happiest in the fields, and in February, we host our flushing and pointing dog trials, a friendly competition for owners and their talented canines.
For many owners, hunting quail is about spending time in the field with family and their own bird dogs. Others prefer to use one of our guides working with a team of Brays pointing and flushing dogs that are always ready, thanks to our full-time professional dog trainer, Scott Miller. Scott is a hall-of-fame dog trainer with more than ninety National Bird Hunter Association (NBHA) championships titles under his belt and we’re fortunate enough to have him here at Brays.
One of the most popular activities during the fall and winter are the covey hunts held throughout the season. So popular we now host them five days a week, and they’re fully booked the first day they become available. Covey hunts allow up to 10 owners to hop on a wagon in the morning and while only two shooters are on the ground at any time with a pointer and flusher, it’s a family affair that covers a lot of ground. Husband, wife, kids and grandkids, whether you hunt or not, it’s sublime time together outside.