1. 32 Sporting Clays
I
’ve read exciting articles about hunting pheasants in Big
Sky country, decoying mallards in Prairie Potholes, chas-
ing doves south of the equator, and calling geese in the
Great North. But it was finally time to get in the field for
my own “blast and cast”—to the Wild East to witness streak-
ing clay pigeons and shooting stars reflected in sparkling
creeks below. I was headed to experience the amazing natural
beauty of southwestern Virginia among the 12,000 pristine
acres encompassing Primland.
Spectacular undulating hills, crystal-clear springs, and fresh
mountain air create the ideal outdoorsman’s paradise just a
two-hour drive from Charlotte, North Carolina. The vast and
varied terrain abounds with well-managed wildlife plus an
Orvis-endorsed wingshooting lodge established since 1990.
Quality guided upland hunts for pheasant, bobwhite quail,
and chukar can be enjoyed with your own dog or one of the
kennel’s trained pointers. Approximately 25,000 pheasants are
released here annually, and traditional European-style driven
shoots also offer wild flurries over mighty Virginia pines and
towering ridges, across steep ravines into sorghum fields and
native grasses.
Careful habitat management efforts have also provided a
perfect environment for nesting and brooding eastern wild
turkeys. Due to spring-only hunting strategies, gobbler popu-
lations are large, with ample opportunities for trophy long-
beards. During winter, the semi-guided fair chase whitetail
Cosmic Blast
And Cast
Clays and stars perfectly aligned one spring day
above Virginia s Blue Ridge Mountains
at a pristine paradise called Primland.
By John Steinhorst
Cosmic 5/28/13 3:38 PM Page 32