SC Quail Forever closes largest land deal in QF History

Photographer: Matthew Fowler

The Sundown Covey

Written by Tim Askins

Quail Forever Biologist and SCDNR Small Game meeting at BWH

August rolls into South Carolina with record heat, humidity and the fresh smell of cut grass. In his coaching days Mooney Player, the iconic South Carolina football coach, would be wrapping up Oakridge Camp and planning the annual trip to Lake Jocassee for football camp. The Oakridge Day Camp was a family affair run during the summer months. Mooney enlisted star football players and cheerleaders to mentor younger children.  It also provided an opportunity for Mooney to keep a watchful eye on his stars while encouraging the ‘city kids to get their hands dirty.”

This August has been different. The years may have slowed Mooney’s reflexes but have not diminished his desire to protect ‘bird huntin’ in South Carolina. For the past thirty years he has searched for ways to maintain and improve the quail habitat on his family property in Sumter County know as Bobwhite Hills. He hoped that over the coming years the property would provide public ‘bird huntin’ to South Carolinians. He assured me “Only an outsider or some of the city folks would call it quail hunting”.

Jake McClain SC Quail Forever biologist, Matt Holland of Quail Forever Development office, Michael Hook Director of SCDNR Small Game observe habitat at BWH

Mooney recounted how his father ‘gave’ him bird huntin’, a declining sport practiced around the southeast. The ultimate test of man and dog working with (or against) the elements, terrain and the gamest of wild birds, the Bobwhite Quail. Bird huntin’ is not for the meat hunters, shooters, or gunners. It is the noble triumvirate of game bird, dog, and man. Not just for a thrill of killing but a glorious dance through magnificent countrysides of grass and briars as the dog and man challenge the ‘prince of gamebirds’.

“There are not many real bird hunters around these days” Mooney said.” Today’s economics and environment have produced plenty of deer hunters and dove shooters and they are fine outdoorsmen, but they are not bird hunters and will never understand bird huntin’. We are a different breed.”

After generations of farmers dating back to the big war (of northern aggression) Bobwhite Hills presented a dilemma. Bobwhite Hills had no heir apparent.  Mooney’s two girls and their families have little interest in bird huntin’. Mooney had a burning vision for success on the football field and in his business dealings, however Bobwhite Hills was more of a passion propelled by a lifetime of bird huntin’. When he approached the crossroads of preserving the legacy of his family farm, he had some ideas but no clear vision. As the 21st century rolled along he became aware of the diminishing market to sell the farm as bird hunters became fewer and fewer. His options to pass his legacy property to future generations of ‘bird hunters’ diminished as their numbers waned.

Fortunately, the folks at Quail Forever came along with a plan that helped Mooney renew his focus on preserving a piece of bird huntin’ in our state. The Habitat Organization has created more than 200,000 acres of permanently protected and publicly accessible upland wildlife habitat. Now, through the ambitious goals of the Call of the Uplands®, they aim to increase this total by 40 percent. In the first-ever comprehensive, national campaign: a $500 million effort to cultivate the next generation of conservationists by providing over 1.5 million Americans with outdoor experiences and designed to enhance over 9 million acres of upland habitat. Habitat protection, enhancement and public access is the core mission, and these key activities are at the heart of their “Build a Wildlife Area” program and Call of the Uplands® campaign.

On August 1 Mooney Player, answered the “Call of the Uplands” when he reached an agreement to transfer ownership of Bobwhite Hills to Quail Forever. This landmark project marks the first property Quail Forever has acquired east of the Mississippi and south of Missouri.

Tim Askins and Mooney Player (pictured right) bird huntin’ at BWH

“Bobwhite Hills and the people who made it happen represent the heart of Quail Forever’s mission – helping to conserve quality wildlife habitat and public access for future generations,” said Matt Kucharski, national board chair, Quail Forever.  “This land project will help attract new supporters in the Southeast as we propel our signature acquisition program – Build a Wildlife Area – in new and exciting directions.” 

South Carolina Quail Forever is now focused to raise funds to acquire this critical wildlife habitat and open it to public recreation. As Mooney hunts his ‘Sundown Coveys’ over the next few years he will walk the tall grass with the knowledge that his Bobwhite Hills will be preserved for generations to come and forever foster ‘bird huntin’ in South Carolina. 

Visit www.scquailforever.org to become a member or to make a donation. Follow us on social media @scquailforever