World-Class Sporting Program Aims to Please Hunters of All Levels with New Experiences.
ADAIRSVILLE, GA – -(Ammoland.com)- As quail and pheasant season gets underway, award-winning Barnsley Resort in northwest Georgia offers sporting enthusiasts exciting new hunting experiences and an expanded Orvis merchandise line of gear and apparel at its on-site hunting preserve, SpringBank Plantation.
The 2,200-acre facility features guided hunts, a 12-station clay shooting course, membership options, and the only Caesar Guerini-sponsored Wings and Clay School in the United States.
Leading the charge this season is new Plantation Manager Lyle McClure, a certified NSCA Level I instructor and experienced guide. Most recently, he ran all aspects of operations for two hunting preserves. However, he began his career at Barnsley Resort where he honed his skills as a shooting instructor and quail guide. He is pleased to return to SpringBank Plantation, where he will manage the hunting operations.
For guests looking for the thrill of the hunt, Barnsley Resort’s SpringBank Plantation is the perfect setting for quail hunting, as well as pheasant and turkey treks. New this season will be a “Driven Pheasant Hunt,” consisting of a group of 12 going afield on a walk-up hunt. Dog handlers and blockers will be present to ensure that the birds cannot escape. The club will also host a number of “Continental Pheasant Releases” this season, where participants will be encouraged to don traditional hunting breeks and use side-by-side shotguns.
Taken by Jeep to the plantation, visitors are guided on half- or full-day, seasonal excursions. Quail and pheasant hunts are led from October to March, and turkey hunts are led from March to May. Both morning and afternoon hunts are offered and include bird dogs, expert guides, plantation vehicle, shotgun safety, hunting license, bird limit, cleaning and packaging. The courses are comprised of nine large areas that include rolling hills and flat lands planted with grasses that provide an excellent quail habitat. Adding an extra layer of challenge for participants are the tall Georgia plantation pines that provide an element of surprise as the hunting dogs flush the wild birds into the air. Rates vary and depend upon the target species. Quail half-day hunts start at $399 and include guides, dogs, 12 birds, transportation and cleaning. Pheasant half-day rates begin at $299 ($375 for group driven hunts) and include birds, dog handlers with retrievers, and a light meal. Turkey half-day hunts are $550 and include a guide and vehicle. All participants must obtain a Georgia Hunting License, available through SpringBank Sporting Club for $12. Corporate packages are also available.
For visitors seeking to ignite a sense of adventure or sharpen skills, the challenging clay shooting course provides thrills for all levels, from novice to seasoned shooters. The sporting clays course features 12 stations with a diverse layout of shots ranging from an open field to the forest as well as over reclaimed bauxite mine ponds. In addition to the sporting clays course, the shooting area also features a covered five-stand layout that allows participation in all weather conditions. Participants can book private instruction or partake in the one- or two-day Caesar Guerini Wings & Clays Schools. Gun enthusiasts can also enjoy discounted rates with private gun club membership packages.
Partnering with Caesar Guerini, a leading manufacturer of Italian made over and under shotguns, Barnsley Resort offers a world-class shooting school that caters to the guests’ needs. From a first-timer to the experienced hunter or target enthusiast, the exclusive program offers training with NSCA (National Sporting Clays Association) certified instructors who tailor their teaching style to each student. This exclusive school is led by Skip Smith, one of only a few Level III certified instructors in the United States, who brings unparalleled experience and technique to his classes. Sporting clay rates are $60 for 100 targets. Private shooting instruction is $135 per hour and includes gun rental. The one-day shooting school is $475 and the two-day is $950, with rates including equipment, guns, ammunition, lunch, and eye/ear protection.
In addition to SpringBank Plantation, Barnsley Resort boasts a world-class spa, award-winning golf course, and additional recreational choices such as horseback riding, tennis, paintball, kayaking, 12 miles of hiking trails and more. Designed in the style of an English country village, the luxury resort just north of Atlanta features upscale accommodation choices from guest rooms to suites and even multi-room cottages featuring living rooms for groups. Gourmet dining options include two restaurants and a Beer Garden that is open during warmer months. SpringBank Plantation hunters receive $100 off standard rates for rooms and suites.
To learn more about Barnsley Resort, SpringBank Plantation or to make a reservation, please call 877-773-2447 or visit www.barnsleyresort.com. To schedule a sporting time, please call 770-773-7480.
About Barnsley Resort:
In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just 60 miles north of Atlanta, Barnsley Resort welcomes guests into a storybook romantic setting of incomparable service. Encompassing 3,300 acres, the historic grounds offer a unique getaway experience. Originally built as an opulent estate in the 19th century, the grounds have been transformed into a world-class resort. All accommodations are in private rooms, suites or cottages, all luxuriously appointed with a mix of old-world charm and modern convenience. Whether looking for a relaxing weekend, strategic meeting or an elegant wedding, guests will discover a retreat of privacy and perfection. Amenities include gourmet dining, immaculate gardens, historic ruins, a European-style spa, and exciting recreational choices such as world-class golf, wing-shooting and hunting at SpringBank Plantation – Georgia’s most unique hunting preserve, and horseback riding along scenic trails. Barnsley Resort is also an inaugural member of the Southern Living Hotel Collection, a prestigious group of independent four-and five-star level properties spanning 18 Southern states. www.barnsleyresort.com.