Highland Hills Will Host the "Best of the British" Driven Pheasant Hunt

Well-known wingshooting instructor Chris Batha will host three days of technique and tradition to guests of Highland Hills Ranch. HHR offers a picturesque setting and rolling terrain similar to Scotland. The perfect habitat provides cover for Pheasant, Chukar, Hungarian Partridge and Valley Quail. HHR provides warm hospitality to match the Driven Hunt tradition.

The pheasants are high-flying birds that demand a greater degree of wingshooting skills than the traditional upland bird. With this in mind, it was decided to include a Wing Shooting Clinic dedicated to British Driven Wing Shooting Techniques. Chris Batha will share expert knowledge on guns, gunfitting and techniques necessary to tackle the most challenging and exciting of wingshooting birds.

The traditional style hunting will be complimented by the fine lodging, gourmet meals prepared by our chefs, fine wines and spirits. Each evening guests will gather in the great room for a cocktail reception and appetizers, followed by a specially prepared dinner.

The Highland traditions will be found from the field to lodge. To add to the atmosphere, one evening we have invited Scottish pipers and a traditional meal of Haggis, tatties and neeps. In the lodge, Chris will have fine guns on display from many of the world’s finest gun makes. Traditional dress is encouraged as is the use of a pair of guns.

Driven Pheasant Shoot Dates
January 7th – 12th, 2009 (6 day/ 5 nights lodging, 4 days hunting)
January 12th – 17th, 2009 (6 day/ 5 nights lodging, 4 days hunting)

Day One – Wing Shooting School (Chris Batha)
They will cover both Churchill Instinctive and Stanbury Swing-Through Wing Shooting Techniques. Each guest will have an opportunity to test their new skills on clay targets. The clay targets will be thrown from traps over 100 feet high to simulate the unique flight characteristics of the Driven Pheasant.

Day Two & Three – The British Driven Pheasant Shoot
A drawing of pegs will assign the shooting stations. Chris will act as Shoot Captains and assist each hunter in the field with shoot and loading throughout the day. (A loader can be provided if you are shooting a pair of guns.)

There will be 3 drives of 300 pheasant per drive, for a total bag of 900 pheasants. After the first drive, there will be the traditional break for a “Bull Shot”; during which the shot birds are collected. After the second drive, there will be a break for lunch at the lodge and shooting will conclude after the end of the third drive.

The evening of the second day will conclude with a Display of Fine Guns featuring the Tate Hammerguns, Chris Batha’s Charles Boswell Shotguns and the shotguns of FAMARS di Abbiatico & Salvinelli.

Day Four– Traditional Upland Bird Shoot over Pointing Dogs
Given the challenging shooting during the High Driven Pheasant hunt, it is possible that a team of guns will average one in three pheasants shot. This means that there will be some 400 pheasant scattered throughout the cover, offering fantastic and exciting shooting over some of the best pointing dogs in the United States.

The cost of the 6 day/5 night “Best of the British” Driven Pheasant Hunt is $8,000.00 and includes: lodging (double occupancy* with private bath), chef prepared gourmet meals, wine and alcoholic beverages, guides, hunting dogs, 12 and 20-gauge cartridges**, clay targets***, licenses, permits, and packaging of game harvest.

* Single occupancy guests add $350.00 per person, per day.
** 16, 28 and .410 cartridges can be shipped by guests, or ordered in advance for an additional charge.
*** An additional charge for a loader for shooting clays with a pair of guns.

The cost does not include: air travel, shipping of game meat, or coolers. (Transportation to and from the airport can be arranged for an additional charge.) Gratuities for guides and lodging staff not included.

A deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking to secure your reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to your arrival date. Deposits are non-refundable.