Prestige Hunting Lodge Gives Some Pointers On Bird Hunting Etiquette

1. P r e s t i g e H u n t i n g L o d g e G i v e s S o me P o i n t e r s O n B i r d H u n t i n g E t i q u e t t e Are you heading off to your first quail hunting trip and are a bit unclear about what the etiquette surrounding such a trip to the hunting field entails? The team at the Westervelt Lodge, one of the leading hunting grounds in Alabama gives some guidance and what is accepted and expected of any hunters visiting during the quail hunting season. Safety comes first in any situation. Therefore, if you are in doubt, don’t pull the trigger. Nobody minds a hunter that misses the shot, but you’ll raise everybody’s concerns when you act in an unsafe manner while out shooting. It might be that you are in close proximity to other hunters or hunting dogs and an accidental shot can be fatal to either. If you aren’t sure if the shot is safe to take, don’t take it. There will be more opportunities and many more birds to shoot. Another safety measure is the rule that you only shoot into blue skies. Often when out hunting quail or any other kind of fowl, the birds are flushed out from grasslands or other vegetation. Don’t ever shoot a bird in flight which are still near to the ground. It is only safe to pull your trigger when the bird is clearly visible against the blue sky. The danger of shooting a bird still near to the ground is that you might hit the head of another hunter or a dog. Experienced hunters spend months training their dogs. So does the team at Westervelt Lodge. Hunting dogs are valued partners on the hunting trip and there is a strong bond between a hunter and his or her dog. It is very much frowned upon if you step in and give another hunter’s dog instructions. Simply don’t do it. The Westervelt Lodge, like many other hunting hosts, have huge expenses in both time and money to maintain the hunting field in a perfect condition. They create a clean and healthy environment to be a flourishing bird habitat. Don’t litter while you are out hunting and remember to pick up your empty shells. Every hunter out in the field has a hunting zone. It is the area which is safe to shoot in and even though it usually overlaps slightly with the hunter next to you, you should have a clear idea at which point your zone ends. Don’t shoot into another hunter’s zone. Visualise your zone and take note of all that is in it such as hunters and dogs as well as any vehicles around. The best way to increase the size of your zone is to stay in a parallel line. Both guides and hunters will walk in a line during flushing hunts and this way any hunter can have the widest possible zone. Sometimes the terrain can make it challenging to maintain the line, yet even then you should always be aware of where everyone else is in the formation. If you miss, you miss.

2. Nobody minds, what does start to work on everyone’s nerves after a while is a hunter who makes constant excuses for the shots missed. It happens to all and the only thing you can do at this stage of the hunt is to try to improve your skills and maybe even ask for advice, but stop making excuses. Lastly, you don’t have to look like the perfect hunter in a glossy hunting magazine when you show up for your first hunting trip but do dress the part. If you don’t have camo’s it is perfectly fine, but do stick to earthy tones and not bright hues of any kind. Remember to have fun and as long as that everyone in your hunting party stays focused on the hunt and upholds etiquette, you are bound to enjoy this experience. About Us: Our hunting history at the Westervelt Lodge dates back as far as 1951 when we hosted our first deer hunting trip. On that day in November, 78 hunters and six dogs gathered and in total, they managed to take down three bucks. Yet, although we still remember the exact weight of these bucks, it wasn’t what stuck with us. No, it was the fun and the amazing experience we shared in the field out hunting. It is the same amazing hunting experience which we still offer today to our visiting hunters and it is what keeps them returning year after year. You can visit our website at https://westerveltlodge.com and explore more of our rich history stretching over almost 70 years and then maybe add your part to the story of hunting at the Westervelt Lodge.