One of America’s most intriguing wingshooting lodges is Michigan’s Meemo’s Farm. Although many consider Meemo’s to be the crown jewel of the Wolverine State’s wingshooting lodges, far fewer wingshooters are familiar with Michigan’s bird-hunting scene than they are with those of popular destinations like South Dakota and Georgia. Because of this, there are a lot of questions about what’s in store for someone interested in a trip to the farm. General Manager Simon Leach answered some of the questions most commonly asked by first-time Meemo’s visitors.
Where is your lodge located?
We are in a little town called Evart, which is roughly halfway between Grand Rapids and Traverse City. The lodge is conveniently situated within 1.5 hours of either city. Our immediate area features classic Michigan forest with a sprinkling of agriculture. The Muskegon River runs adjacent to our region too. All of this results in a mix of habitats that supports a variety of upland bird species.
What bird species do you offer, and what is the limit?
We consider ourselves a “wingshooter’s paradise” for many reasons, not the least of which is the incredible diversity of the species we hunt. On the lodge property we hunt pheasants, quail and chukar (both walk-up and Continental), and these hunts have no limit. We also do all-wild grouse and woodcock hunts just a short drive from our property for which the daily limit is five and three birds, respectively.
What is your hunter-to-guide ratio?
For our hunts behind dogs we like a 1:1 to 4:1 ratio. Under the right circumstances we can go up to 6:1 if our guests want to do that. There is no shortage of resources here in terms of land, guides and dogs, which means that even large parties of 8 to 20 shooters can be divided into small groups.
What are the terrain and cover like?
The walk-up hunts for pheasants, quail and chukar are conducted in fields amidst the forest that contain sorghum for food and shelter. Our ruffed grouse and woodcock hunts take place in early-growth forest and the edges of natural and agricultural clearings. In both cases the terrain is a mix of flat and rolling hill country, making it easy for us to tailor a hunt to the hunter’s physical abilities.
Do you hunt with pointing or flushing dogs? Can a hunter bring and hunt with his/her dog—and if so, where will the dog stay?
We use both pointers and flushers. Our mix leans a little more toward German shorthairs and griffons, both of which are extremely adept for the kind of hunting we offer. Guests are welcome to bring their own dogs, as well, which can be housed in our on-site kennel. Our only requirement is that guests provide us with all the necessary vaccination paperwork.
Do you welcome non-hunting spouses—and if so, what is there for them to do?
Not only are non-hunters welcome, but there’s a good chance that they'll enjoy their visit even more than the hunters! This is because Meemo’s offers an incredibly long and diverse list of non-shooting activities on-site. Hiking, ATV riding, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, massage, wellness activities . . . the list goes on. We even have an on-site bowling alley! It might sound cliché to say “there’s something for everyone,” but in our case it's 100-percent true.
How is your lodging managed? Single or double occupancy? Main lodge or cabins?
We offer just about every type of lodging option imaginable: main lodge, lake house and cabins as well as single occupancy, double occupancy and family occupancy. And then there’s our private-chef or main-lodge dining. All of the aforementioned include very nicely appointed accommodations and world-class service and hospitality.
Meemo’s Farm is a full-service Shooting Sportsman Endorsed Lodge. To learn more or make a reservation, call 231-734-9066, email info@meemosfarm.com or visit meemosfarm.com.
Photographs courtesy of Meemo’s Farm.
