A new year has begun, and most people are looking forward to the things this new year may bring. I believe many people are ready to turn the page to another chapter of their lives. With a new year beginning, new chapters are starting in all of our lives.
Here, in the Deep South, particularly for sportsmen, the page is being turned. Deer season is drawing to a close and there’s not a lot left to do. Many people turn to my beloved sport of quail hunting. The largest percentage of quail hunters in our state are pursuing farm raised birds due to the lack of wild native quail.
I am somewhat hard-headed in regards to quail and bird dogs, I still hunt wild birds. It’s not about the birds; it’s about the dogs and the camaraderie with good friends. I’m not interested in game bags full of birds, I’m interested in the challenge of finding wild birds not only locally, but in other parts of the country as well.
So, you see, January for me is all about pointers and bobwhites and I’ve had this page marked for the last 46 years. This month also brings visitors to our beloved Burke County for the same reason, bird dogs and quail. It differs from what I do, but it is steeped in tradition and has a rich history in our area.
The first week of January marks the beginning of the field trials held at a renowned WMA which is located near Waynesboro, Georgia. The Georgia Field Trials began here in Burke County in 1901. Waynesboro, the county seat, has been known for many years as “THE BIRD DOG CAPITAL OF THE WORLD”.
It could be said that so many people compete in field trials for plaques, trophies or bragging rights, but ultimately, in my opinion, it is for the love of the dogs. Although I don’t compete in field trials, over the years I have made many friends who do. We share the love of bird dogs and we all in our respective pursuits, do it for the love of dogs.
In the early 1950’s, a man from New York made his way down South to Burke County. He obviously had an affinity for bird dogs and quail as well because he went to great lengths to pursue his passion. He bought 8100 acres of land in Burke County with intentions of holding bird dog competitions.
I’ve read of his desire to groom the land and hold first-class bird dog competitions and he did just that. He began conducting annual field trials on his plantation which was formerly known as the Davis-Kilpatrick Plantation. A new era had begun.
His name was Mr. Henry Berol and his plantation was used for the training of dogs as well as the annual field trials. Mr. Berol died in 1976, but the field trials continued through 1978. After that year, the property was sold and the field trials were held on private property. A new era had begun.
He left his mark on the field trial world and also left his legacy on the plantation that he held for so many years. He had a bird dog cemetery with over a hundred dogs buried there as well as horses, mules, two cocker spaniels and a pet cat. I was a small boy when he died, and I never had the pleasure of meeting him. It is so obvious to me, I can feel it in my soul, that he did it all for the love of dogs. I like to think that we would have been friends.
The field trials returned to the plantation in 1988. Another era had begun. In 1992 the land was purchased by the federal government and leased to the State of Georgia to be managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Since that time, it has been operated as a Wildlife Management Area, and the field trials continue to be conducted there as well.
Since it became open to the public, I have had the good fortune to spend a fair amount of time there. I have hunted with friends during the quota quail hunts and had the distinct privilege of finding wild birds on this storied plantation. I have attended many field trials and other functions held there. I have also had the honor of photographing not only bird dogs, but the beautiful landscape as well.
I believe this plantation means so much, to so many, particularly in the bird dog world. It’s hallowed ground to me. Sometimes I just go there to ride around or stop and reflect on the many changes throughout the years, not only on the plantation, but my own life as well. Despite the many changes, for me, the feeling remains the same. I can feel the spirits of all those who have come before me when I am there.
It is a new year, things will inevitably change but embrace those changes because they are most likely just what you need. This special place has changed over the years, but it continues to carry on just like all of us. Even though things change, remember to act out of love and we will all leave the greatest legacy possible.
Mr. Berol had great love and compassion for his animals, but he obviously had great love for his family. His plantation was ultimately named after his two daughters, Diane and Elaine. His life, his legacy and his love for his animals and his family lives on amongst the pines and broomsedge at Di-Lane Plantation.
