Imagine a morning spent afield featuring your host putting a warm mug of coffee in your hand as you watch the sunrise and prepare to work a field with a trained bird dog. The frosted grass glints like rainbow colored diamonds from the newly risen sun making it appear as if you’ve transported to heaven for bird hunters.
When all is prepared it’s time to watch the dogs do what their ancient instincts compel them to do – trace the fields for the scent of pheasants or quail, stop and “point” them until you, the hunter can dispatch them.
The magic happens quickly when you get a solid point, strong flush, good shot and an enthusiastic t retreive. Repeat this scene over and over again and you have what you can expect at Virginia’s newest upland shooting venue.
If you are one of the many Virginians that enjoys the hunting traditions, especially upland hunting and visiting the various hunting preserves operating around the state you know that it’s always enjoyable to visit a new venue. This season, Commonwealth bird hunters have a new hunting preserve to enjoy – War’s End located in Appomattox and operated by Dakota Blanks.
Blanks, 39, is a cattle farmer with a heritage farm that wanted to figure out a way to utilize his land in the winter months when the herd is moved to different pastures.
“We’ve always farmed with cattle and nature in mind, and with our large areas of native grasses it seemed like a good fit,” Blanks told W2. “The farm we operate on was part of my mother-in-law’s homeplace. Originally operating as a dairy for decades, my wife Ruth and I began running South Poll beef cattle here about 15 years ago. Since then, we’ve added a large amount of native grasses to our farm creating a great hunting environment.”
The Virginia native noted that raising cattle in a regenerative mindset, always keeping nature in mind has prepared him to operate a unique hunting preserve.
“We do things a bit differently. Here you’ll find brushy fence rows, patches of blackberries and tall grass. It gives cattle feed and wildlife cover and habitat. They just seem to work together.”
Currently Blanks maintains over 200 acres for just the preserve. Within that there are seven hunting areas that are all very diverse in terrain so visiting hunters will always have something new to experience.
“We have the Upper Flats along a creek with tall native grasses making for an easy walk. We have the Highlands, a mostly open terraced field that seems to always have a good wind. Once the birds are up you have to be on them quick or they’re gone! One of my favorites is our High Pines. This is a block of tall, thinned pines that make for fun and challenging shots.”
Blanks cites his wife’s father, affectionately known by his family as “Doc” for inspiring him.
“The man lived and breathed bird dogs. He would constantly recall times of the ‘good ol’ days’ in the 1940s and 50s when quail were in their prime. I could only imagine what those days were like.”
We also asked about the meaning behind the name of War’s End.
“Simply put, Appomattox is home to the end of the civil war. The place where we reunited as a nation. We wanted to recognize our county’s history and build off of it.”
Bird hunting tends to be a passion among those that pursue the tradition. We asked what Blank’s interest was in the pursuit and how it started.
“It’s the shooting challenge and the style of the dogs. It’s always fun to watch a dog do its job well. Fast-flying birds just add to the excitement. Growing up in a largely big game hunting home, upland hunting came much later on. Deer and turkey hunts turn more to rabbit hunting, then to duck hunting. Upland was the rational next step. My brother really helped introduce the rest of us when he got his first setter years ago to chase grouse.”
Blank and his family are English setter fans. They use only setters bred and trained by Punto Blanco Gun Dogs.
“We love their style and laid-back demeanor at home. They’re just great dogs. Now our guides have a large variety of dogs, including flushing English cocker and Boykin spaniels to pointing dogs like English pointers, Brittanys and German shorthaired pointers. They’re all great and fun to watch work.”
While some hunters may have experienced a less than sporty visit to preserves from time to time that’s not the case at War’s End says Blank.
“We set each hunter’s birds the day they arrive. Their main goal is to get away as fast as possible. With that said lots of groups end up with ‘extra’ birds left over from previous hunts. These birds are flighty, flush early, and are fast!”
So, what’s the key to ensure strong flying birds for War’s End?
“The growers that raise them. We tried birds from over a dozen suppliers last year to find the best birds we could. We think we’ve found them.”
A typical morning bird hunt at War’s End sees hunters arrive at the barn around 8:15 am. Hot coffee and breakfast snacks are waiting. If needed this is when guests meet their guide for the day. After a safety briefing and signing a waiver, guests are invited to grab a few drinks and snacks for the hunt. Hunts will typically last 3 to 3.5 hours in the field. Guests then return to the barn where they can clean their birds using the preserve bird cleaning station and packaging supplies or have one of the staff clean their quarry for them. In the mid-day hours there are snacks, drinks, fresh popcorn and hotdogs waiting. Guests are then able to throw horseshoes, sit by the fire pits, and just gather together.
Guided and unguided hunts are available at War’s End. Blanks keeps hunters in groups of one to four and can hunt up to four groups each morning and each afternoon. They never mix groups with folks who are unfamiliar with each other. For corporate events they can accommodate more.
The preserve has a relationship with the locally owned and operated Appomattox Inn and Suites.
“This is a fantastic hotel with a great breakfast! There is a discounted rate for anyone in town to hunt at Wars End Upland,” noted Blanks.
We asked Blanks what is his favorite part of running a hunting preserve?
“It’s a combination of the land, the dogs, the birds, and most importantly meeting all the people that spend their time and hard-earned money to come hunt with us. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to help make some memories that will last.”
The lasting impression Blanks wants his hunters to take with them – warm hospitality.
“We want everyone to come and feel welcome. We love the landscape we get to steward and want to share it with others. We feel some of the best parts of the hunt come afterwards. Sitting around a fire, ragging on each other for missing, and just fellowshipping together. The best hunts I’ve ever been on revolved around the people I was with.”
