Upland · Southwest
Mearns' Quail in the Sky Islands — 3 Days
About this hunt
Walking hunts for Mearns' in the Sonoran sky islands.
Hunt type
Walk-up wild bird hunting over pointing dogs
Method
Walk-up over dogs
Group size
2–4 guns
Season
November – February
Gallery
Where you will hunt
Territory
Mosaic of native warm-season grass, sorghum strips, and longleaf pine savanna actively managed for wild bird production. Habitat work is rotated annually with prescribed fire and disking on a three-year cycle. You hunt from foot behind seasoned pointing dogs across rolling cover with generous shooting lanes.
Where you will stay
The Plantation Lodge
Restored 1920s plantation main house with eight private rooms, en-suite baths, a wood-paneled gun room, and a wraparound porch overlooking the kennels. Chef-prepared southern menus three times daily with regional wines.
How to get there
Detailed driving directions and an arrival packet are sent with your booking confirmation. Pickup from the regional airport is available on request.
- Nearest airport
- Atlanta Hartsfield (ATL)
- Distance from airport
- 45 miles
- Transfer from airport
- Yes
- Transfer from railway
- No
Other information
- Gun rental
- Yes
- Vaccination required
- No
- Minimum hunter age
- 12+
- Guided
- Yes
Packages
Three-Day Sky Island
Includes: Lodging · All meals · Guide · Dogs
$2,950
Terms
Price includes
- Professional guide and pointing dogs
- Daily field lunches and refreshments
- Bird cleaning and freezing
- Lodging in the on-property guest house
- All meals during your stay
- Use of practice clays before the hunt
Price does NOT include
- Travel to and from the lodge
- Hunting license and stamps
- Shotgun shells (available for purchase)
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic beverages beyond house wine
- Trip insurance
Cancellation
A 50% deposit holds your dates. Cancellations more than 90 days from arrival receive a full deposit refund less a $250 administrative fee. Inside 90 days the deposit is non-refundable but transferable to another date within the same season subject to availability. Inside 30 days the full booking is due regardless of arrival.
Wounding
A bird that is hit and falls is counted toward the daily bag whether or not recovered. Guides will work hard to recover every downed bird. There is no wounding penalty beyond the standard daily bag count.
Payment
Deposit
50% based on trip price
50% deposit due at booking, balance due 30 days before arrival.
Final payment
Paid onsite
Methods accepted
Tags & licenses
Documents needed
- · Government-issued photo ID
- · State hunting license and required stamps
- · Proof of hunter education (if required by state)
Twelve-month availability
May 26
limited
Jun 26
limited
Jul 26
open
Aug 26
open
Sep 26
open
Oct 26
full
Nov 26
full
Dec 26
open
Jan 27
open
Feb 27
open
Mar 27
limited
Apr 27
limited
Reviews from 3 hunters
Brought my son for his first hunt
David P. · Verified · Hunted 2025-01-08
They went out of their way to make sure my 14 year old had a memorable first wild-bird hunt. Patient guides, great instruction.
Top-shelf operation
Robert K. · Verified · Hunted 2024-12-03
Exactly what was advertised. Habitat is real, dogs hunted hard, and the staff treated us like family.
All around great experience
James M. · Verified · Hunted 2024-11-12
Toni was an awesome host and the cook was outstanding. Birds were plentiful, dogs were sharp, and the lodge felt like home. Already booking next year.
Trip on the map
Approximate region · Exact directions provided after booking.