James HeathDecember 2024
★★★★★When you are a twelve-year-old boy, and you have gone quail hunting with your Uncles and Aunts every single day of the week after Christmas in Camden, South Carolina where she lived during the winter, you haven’t the slightest thought but that your life now included quail hunting in Camden for the week after Christmas, forever. In fact, those trips came to an end three years later.
Back in Connecticut, on and off, mostly on, until I retired to Arizona, which is to say for many years, I chased Ruffed Grouse, duck and geese. At no time, however, did I let go of my first love, quail and my desire to hunt them again. I’ve been wishing and hoping, thinking and praying since at least1960 .
This year, early in November, I did it. I traveled with my non-hunting wife to Jeffersonville, Georgia. My wife is particular about travel. She suggested, insistently, that we arrive a day early, relax, perhaps shoot some clay birds by way of refreshing my shooting skills, hunt for the next three days, then drive back to Atlanta the following day. Would that be possible?
Ellen and Chuck Duggan run Hollywood Farms on land that has been in the Duggan family for generations. I had queried a handful of quail hunting outfits, most all of them in Georgia. Chuck responded with a call the next day. We spoke. Chuck told me our travel plan would be fine. Before we traveled, both Edie and I spoke and emailed with both Chuck and Ellen a number of times, always pleasant and reassuring.
Included in our time at Hollywood Farms were: clay targets and ammunition; lovely accommodations in the Duggan’s restored, 1850 antebellum home; table served breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Chuck and Ellen; and all libations, wine, and spirits.
My shooting skills were a tad rusty, but with Chuck’s coaching and encouragement, the rust came off quickly. The hunting exceeded my hopes: abundant birds, enthusiastic, superbly trained dogs, wonderful weather – one rainy afternoon, perfect for napping - and Chuck’s savvy, generous, entertaining companionship.
Ellen took my wife, Edie, under her wing, ensuring Edie’s time was, well, perhaps not as rewarding as mine (in my opinion), but certainly a great pleasure.
When we left Hollywood Farms, we were bidding farewell to new, good friends. Will we go back? If the good Lord wills, you bet!
★★★★★
