Safe hunting means starting out right

I took my 6-year old grandson hunting last weekend. James and my son Jimmie were in from Atlanta and James had begged to go. I said okay but under two conditions. First, even though he was only armed with a BB gun, every gun safety rule would be observed or the hunt would end immediately. Second, it was imperative that James have a good time. Both goals were achieved.

For the hunt, I called my friend Ike Wright who operates 001 Outdoor Adventures, a hunting preserve near Esmont. Ike is a sheriff with Albemarle County and gun safety is always paramount. Jimmie and I booked a quail hunt and met Ike in mid-morning, about 3 miles from Scottsville.

I had told Ike about James and that he would be packing a Daisy Red Ryder. Ike set up some clay pigeons along the edge of the brush for a little practice but first emphasized gun safety.

"Don't ever point a gun at anything you don't intend to shoot," Ike instructed. Even though Jimmie and I had said the same thing, it really hit home when Mr. Wright, a real deputy sheriff, emphasized gun safety. This was not a game. Hunting is serious business. "We are going to practice muzzle safety," Ike continued. "If hunters never pointed their guns at people, no one would ever get shot."

James absorbed every word, then plunked a few practice shots at the stationary pigeons, actually breaking a few.

"Let's go hunting," Ike said.

We had a great bird hunt. The quail flew with authority, Jimmie and I shot pretty good, and James even got off a shot or two when the quail went airborne. We also witnessed some good dog work.

Interestingly, we hunted over two dogs—a pointing dog and a retriever. Jack, an American pointer, would locate the quail and hold on point. Then Ike brought Mr. Wrinkles, a retriever, up to the point until the hunters moved into position.

"Shooters Ready?" Ike asked. When we said yes, he released Mr. Wrinkles who immediately nosed in front of the pointer and flushed the quail. The benefits are several. First, not having a guide in the way of scattering quail is better for the shooters. Second, it's safer. The guide stays back and out of the way so hunters can concentrate on the flying quail. Mr. Wrinkles, by the way, is an excellent retriever, allowing Jack the luxury of moving on to find the next quail.

Ike's 001 Outdoor Adventures is a perfect way to introduce new hunters—young and old—to the sport. Ike is a Master Instructor for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Working with young people and introducing new hunters to the sport is one of his true love

A great way to get started in hunting is to attend one of Ike's circle hunts for ringneck pheasants.

At a circle hunt, 24 hunters are safely positioned at 12 different stations. When hunters are ready, the pheasants are released from an elevated site and hunters get pass shots, with the big birds speeding along at 35 miles per hour and up to 40 yards high. Hunters then rotate positions and everyone is assured of good shooting.

Ike has his first circle hunt of the year scheduled for December 13th. It's an all day affair including a continental breakfast and practice shots at sporting clays. The hunt includes a 200-bird release followed by a pig roast, then a follow up hunt behind dogs to locate the birds that "got away."

Ike also has some "covey shoots" planned for January. This is a special hunt for coveys of quail, not singles. This is bird hunting like it used to be in the good old days.

To find out more about the circle hunt, the covey shoots or to book a solo hunt on a beautiful piece of property in southern Albemarle County, call Ike Wright at 434-286-2656 or 434-566-2164. Ike's e-mail address is .

Contact Jim Brewer at 434-295-5100 or