J H Rowland Memorial Classic field Trial to be held at Buckeye Plantation

The trial date is February 7, 2008 and is a walking trial with open participation. Accommodation are available. For more information or registration, please contact Travis Gellhaus at 478.299.1055

Covey Rise Magazine visits Buckeye Plantation

In December, 2007, Tim and Kim Price, editors of Covey Rise magazine, visited Buckeye Plantation for a field visit. To read Tim's editorial opinion, please click on the magazine icon, which shows Kim shooting at Buckeye. Note the photo below for a comparison of how rich the habitat is becoming. While you are at the Covey Rise site, please subscribe to the magazine.

Buckeye wildlife habitat expansion going exceptionally well

Thanks to the Herculean effort of the Buckeye field staff, led by Travis Gellhaus, Buckeye's wildlife addition of over 1000 acres to the lands currently managed for Bobwhite Quail is going exceptionally well. After thinning over 1000 acres of plantation pine and thus far clearing over 250 acres of hardwood drains, over 100 food and cover plots for Bobwhite quail were planted this summer with a multitude of tall sorghum species. Lespedeza and Partridge Pea, essential quail habitat species, are being planted on the same plots in February, 2008 and we expect the species to volunteer across the Plantation. Six quail hunting courses of approximately 325 acres each have been identified and a winding, 5 mile feed/wagon trail has been cut through them to replace many of the old "straight line" agricultural roads as the access roads into the quail courses. We are already hunting the the areas logged in 2007 and are finding lots of quail in the piney woods.

In September, 2006 Buckeye retained the services of American Wildlife Enterprises of Montecello, Florida, one of the southeast's most reputable wildlife land development consultants, to devise and implement a management plan designed exclusively for the Buckeye Plantation. The objective is to maximize the property's quail, deer and turkey potential. Most notably, AWE identified the over 100 food/cover plots and quail release sites and directed the aesthetic thinning of the pine and hardwood forests to the classic pine and grassland savannah most desired by Bobwhite Quail.

Shown above is a photo of the Plantation's Lodge Course, which holds two historic cabins, developing a beautiful understory of native grasses only months after the thinning of pine trees.

Travis Gellhaus named Buckeye Plantation's director of habitat and kennel development

Travis Gellhaus, dog trainer, dog breeder, field trial competitor and guide, joins the Buckeye team as director of habitat and kennel development.

Travis brings to Buckeye a lifetime of experience. Travis' father, a veterinarian, introduced Travis to field trialing and breeding over 20 years ago before he was 10 years old. Travis has a master's degree in forestry and has worked as a professional forester and hunting guide. Travis currently works as a professional dog trainer and field trial participant. As Travis works to develop the Buckeye habitat he will continue to trial as he aggressively develops the Buckeye kennel of pointers, setters and labs.

Shown with Travis is English Setter "Punch" after winning the U.S. Complete Northwest Regional Championship in April of 2007.