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Continued from page 7 quite well. When they decided to close in the late 70s, I took In 1980, he moved his family and his fledgling business to its current site in Seagrave. The location offered ideal conditions for game-bird hunting: gently rolling hills, with a stream (the Nonquon River) meandering through wooded areas. After obtaining the necessary governmental approvals, Pineridge became BOARDING 905-985-8824 Initially, Mike raised the birds from ose = for his purpose, but also for the Ministry of Natural Resources, which released them in other regions. The process, which he has since discontinued, required a year-round commitment and demanded almost half his working time. So Mike sold his breeding stock to a producer in southwestern Ontario, from whom he now purchases the “wild strain” of bird he developed. He keeps no less than 1,000 birds at his hunting preserve at all times. The process of hunting on a game preserve, as Mike explains it, does justify its comparison to a round of golf. “We accept reservations from hunters seven days a week. When they book, they pick out a ‘package,’ meaning how many birds, and of what kind, they want released, and they can choose among our seven different fields. There can be as many as 30-40 hunters on the property in a given day.” 10 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2010 The popularity of the hunts is evident when Mike reveals that they go through between 4,000 and 6,000 birds a year. Safety, naturally, is paramount. “Definitely,” Mike agrees. “All hunters need a valid small game hunting license and must wear an orange vest out in the field. In my experience, hunters are sensible people who respect the need for everyone's safety. We've never had an accident on this range.” Admitting my own inexperience with the sport, Mike gladly explains the process of game-bird hunting. “We drive the birds out to the appropriate field with an ATV, and gently place them into cover — a bush or clump of trees — an hour or two before the hunters’ scheduled arrival. Pheasants prefer open fields, while partridge hunting’s done in underbrush. The birds will start to wander a bit after they’re released, but basically stay in the same area. They are able to fly, but prefer to stay on the ground unless they’re distracted. “That's where a hunting dog becomes important. You need one of two kinds of dog for this kind of hunt: either a pointer to guide you in the right direction, or a breed such as a labrador or springer spaniel, whose job it is to flush the birds from their cover. Your dog will also locate and retrieve any downed birds. It sounds easy, but believe me, it’s not