Meet The Quail Men

Colby and Jacob grew up playing Little League baseball and soccer together throughout their childhoods, but didn’t reconnect until years later. One evening while hanging out swapping stories (and a few cold beverages), Colby shared his idea of raising quail and other game birds to sell to hunting preserves. During their first season raising birds their largest client unfortunately went out of business, so they found some nearby land to hunt on and South Fork Hunting Preserve was born.

Our Passion:
Hunting

Now entering its eleventh season, South Fork Hunting Preserve has changed a lot from its humble beginnings hunting in former cow pastures and the dirt floor office that they started with in 2013. Come experience the welcoming environment and comradery from staff and members alike that will make you not want to leave, and also enjoy the stunning 3 story clubhouse that greets you as you pull into the parking lot. No visit is complete to South Fork without a trip to the “crows nest” which features breathtaking views of dogs on point in the hunting fields below, and also the Appalachian Trail in the nearby Carolina mountains.

The gentle rolling hills of their multiple fields are accented on their edges with wood lines that create a perfect habitat for quail, and are all planted in a variety of different cover including sorghum, millet, and many other native grasses. Many of the fields are open and fairly flat for easy walking, and all have manicured lanes cut throughout for ease of hunting. The fields are spacious and the cover is thick, but some of the more experienced hunters prefer the challenging hardwoods courses as a change of pace from field hunting. These wooded courses place a premium on well-timed, quick shots and superior dog work as hunters and dogs work their way through virgin white oak bottoms and into the field. 

Owned and operated by Colby Phillips and Jacob Nash, South Fork Hunting Preserve is the perfect escape from your daily routine. It is their passion to share their beautiful property with you, and to keep seeing you year after year.

FAQ's

Most Asked Questions

View some of the most frequently asked questions about South Fork Preserve

A Shooting Preserve License is required to hunt at South Fork. These must be purchased BEFORE your hunt from the DNR website, or a retailer that sells other hunting licenses (Walmart, Academy Sports, ect).
At least 1 item of safety orange is required, a hat or vest is sufficient. A comfortable pair of walking boots, and a hunting vest to carry shells. Briar pants/chaps are not necessary but are nice to have. 
Bird cleaning is available after the hunt for $1/breasted bird and $2/whole bird. Remember to take care of your bird cleaner too!
We have a ice available free of charge, so make sure to bring a small cooler to pack your dressed birds. 
Arrive no more than 30 minutes before your hunt. It is also very helpful if you call us about an hour before your hunt to let us know your ETA. This will help us get your field prepared and hopefully minimize waiting time. 

After arriving please head inside the lodge to sign-in and meet your guide. 
• Shotgun Rentals: $35
• Shotgun Shells: $25-Bird Shot, $50-Steel
• Please reserve shotguns ahead of time. 
We suggest bringing 2 boxes of shells per shooter for half day hunts, and 4 boxes per shooter for full day hunts.
• No Shot Bigger than #7.5 Shot for Upland Hunts*
• Nothing bigger than #6 shot for tower shoots. 
We permit any gauge shotgun for hunts, but prefer 20 or smaller gauges. Breached guns are encouraged but not required. Plugs are required for any automatic shotguns. No tactical/assault style shotguns are allowed. 
Additional birds may be added to any guided hunt!
$15/Quail
$25/Chukar
$30/Hen Pheasant
$35/Rooster Pheasant 
We offer morning, afternoon, and "twilight" starting times. Morning hunts typically begin between 9-10am, afternoon between noon-1pm, and twilight from 3-4pm. 
Yes, we offer clays warm-up: $20/ 25 clays.

We are open for upland and duck hunts 7 days a week from October 1st-March 31st. Weekends fill up fast so book your hunts ahead of time! 

Hunt. Enjoy. Live.

Hunt without the hassle…

South Fork Hunting Preserve

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