pheasant clubs--Hastings Island, Quail Point, Camanche hills

[alameda]

Anyone been to all three? I've been going to hastings since the 80's but wanted to try something new. I've also hunted Suisun, and a couple in Nevada that may no longer be open--Little Mondeaux in Genoa, Red Hills. Probably like most folks, like as much of a natural cover situation as possible. Anyone have a favorite among the three above? I hunt mainly weekends. They are different as far as the commitment--here is what I know:

Quail Point--never been. Day Use no bird commitment needed Sporting Clays range. Good Rental dog selection (I've been to their kennel: Olive Hill)

Hastings Island--You have to have a membership (about $35/bird) big, flat, water around it. Sort of crowded and prone to fogging in. Decent clubhouse with food. Good flying birds for the most part. Every man for himself as far as no dedicated fields or anything. they release birds throughout the day. As far as others I've been to I would say its a 7 or 8 out of 10.

Camanche Hills--never been. Seems to have a nice clubhouse sporting clays etc. Hows the cover and field situations? the membership is steep but I know they have public hunts where I could try it out.

Thinking about trying out somewhere new and wondering if anyone has thoughts on all three?

[Arrieta578]

Done all three.

Quail Point suffers from a lack of cover. Where the club is located just doesn't get enough rain normally and as a result --in general-- the cover is thin and sparse. On the north side of the club there are some areas with thicker cover, but still not real "natural".

Comanche Hills is nice and I like it. You have to buy a pre-existing membership before you can become a member. The initial membership fees are around $3000 last time I was in the loop. They have a great sporting clays range, a reputable gun smith (Dale Tate) and an awesome gun engraver (Charles E. Lee) on premise. Some people find it strange hunting pheasants in tall grass on rolling hills underneath the oaks. Not real typical pheasant habitat, but it's fun nonetheless IMHO.

Hastings is where I like to take my dog (Disneyland for Pointers). I have been a regular at the field trials and hunt tests there. I know most the guys and have been in trouble more than once --lol. I like the place and get along great with everyone.

When I actually want to "hunt" pheasants, I head to other spots to make the dog work for her birds. Been slim pickens the last few years but there are still some birds around.

[Bull Elk]

If you like hunting pheasants in 6" tall grass, Quail Point is for you! I believe that QP is a punch and release operation. If they pre-punch 5 birds and you kill two, it's five birds off your card. I belong to Hastings but previously belonged to Birds Landing. Of those clubs you mentioned, I would clearly put Hastings at the top followed by Birds Landing, Camanche and then Quail Point. Hunted them all.

[alameda]

Nice thanks guys any other spots to try? A long time ago we got permission to go on some sunflower fields which was fun--all day for a shot or three. I just got a GSP pup last month so I'm excited about next season. Training should be interesting it's my first time as a pointer owner. I may go that Rick Smith seminar coming up at Quail Point so I get going in the right direction. Thanks for all the info so far. Heading to Hastings tomorrow....


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[Bull Elk]

Good luck! Nothing but hens that won't fly. I have 4 birds left on my second card and I may call it a season. It was packed yesterday. No fun.

[gc44]

Wilderness Unlimited has spots up between I5 and Colusa- might be a nice change.

[Arrieta578]

A GSP???? Please PM me...!!!!

[ghostrider]

A GSP???? Please PM me...!!!!

German Shorthaired Pointer

[JagerDog]

I recently hunted Jim Garcia's property up by Lincoln. This was obviosuly late season and it was primarily to get a newbie on some birds and let the dog do his thing. Success on both accounts.

During the main part of the season they appear to have a lot of rice. Now they're knocked down and just mud. We hunted (Chukar) in a more pasture setting. I really liked Jim's personality and feel it could be a rewarding club hunt whn the rice is up. Coon Creek is very close if you want to incorporate some clay targets.

I've hunted Raahauge's (the one by Dixon) a few times. Terry was a great guy, but cover was lacking. Very accomodating though and they do what they can with the landscape. Quail Point is the same area, same (grassland) cover. I used to hunt Susuin when it was around. Cover was better than most, but still not "classic". It was close and required less time committment.

Willows Elks and Willows pheasant Assoc are pretty good for the "real" experience with wild bird rules and not quite the goat F as the refuges.

[alameda]

Great day. We were able to get 16 for 8 guys with two labs. Had more shots but you know how that goes. Some of them were pretty long as the dogs got excited and worked pretty far away. I'd say 16 of the 22 or so we saw were good fliers. It was really crowded with guys trying to finish up their cards by March 13th which is I think their closing. We did have a private field (#13) because we had enough members and it was a memorial hunt for a fallen hunter who was a former member of the club. All hens though a couple guys saw one cagey rooster that evaded us. Thanks for the recommendations on new placesto explore--happy hunting...

[Bull Elk]

I recently hunted Jim Garcia's property up by Lincoln. This was obviosuly late season and it was primarily to get a newbie on some birds and let the dog do his thing. Success on both accounts.

During the main part of the season they appear to have a lot of rice. Now they're knocked down and just mud. We hunted (Chukar) in a more pasture setting. I really liked Jim's personality and feel it could be a rewarding club hunt whn the rice is up. Coon Creek is very close if you want to incorporate some clay targets.

I've hunted Raahauge's (the one by Dixon) a few times. Terry was a great guy, but cover was lacking. Very accomodating though and they do what they can with the landscape. Quail Point is the same area, same (grassland) cover. I used to hunt Susuin when it was around. Cover was better than most, but still not "classic". It was close and required less time committment.

Willows Elks and Willows pheasant Assoc are pretty good for the "real" experience with wild bird rules and not quite the goat F as the refuges.

Raahaugas near Dixon? Where near Dixon? Lived in Vacaville for 23 years and the closest Raahauges was about 40+ miles away. Near Vacaville you have Birds Landing and Hastings Island. What do you know that I do not?

[JagerDog]

Raahaugas near Dixon? Where near Dixon? Lived in Vacaville for 23 years and the closest Raahauges was about 40+ miles away. Near Vacaville you have Birds Landing and Hastings Island. What do you know that I do not?

OK...Dunnigan. One of those D towns up there. Ya...almost 40 miles.

[roostersgt]

Raahauges in the North Cali is in Dunnigan. Been of member of most f those mentioned, and a few more. By far the best is Cammanche Hills. Had my membership there for the past 18 years. Meberships has been sold out/closed for the past couple of years and Charles moved back to England to work for Holland and Holland again. Cammanche has two public shoots coming uo in March that would definately be worth your while. Dog w/handler rental is available. Check their website for details.

[Arrieta578]

Raahauges in the North Cali is in Dunnigan. Been of member of most f those mentioned, and a few more. By far the best is Cammanche Hills. Had my membership there for the past 18 years. Meberships has been sold out/closed for the past couple of years and Charles moved back to England to work for Holland and Holland again. Cammanche has two public shoots coming uo in March that would definately be worth your while. Dog w/handler rental is available. Check their website for details.

Did not know that Charles moved back to England. That is a HUGE loss for us locally for sure. Charles was a trip, but a first class guy! Precision gun engraver who smoked like a chimney and ate M&Ms and drank coffee all day. His hands trembled every time he reached for a cigarette.

[stonefly-2]

[QUOTE=Arrieta578;17759085]Did not know that Charles moved back to England. That is a HUGE loss for us locally for sure. Charles was a trip, but a first class guy! Precision gun engraver who smoked like a chimney and ate M&Ms and drank coffee all day. His hands trembled every time he reached for a cigarette.[/QUOTE


So you didn't find charles standoffish then?
I was chatting with him one day and the piece he happened to be fondling (like he does) was for Norman schwartzkoff.