Woodside Plantation: An Experience Like No Other

Of all the places to which wingshooters make pilgrimages, America’s Deep South is amongst the most popular. The reasons for this are varied and numerous. For starters, the featured gamebird, the bobwhite quail, is one of the sportiest in existence. And for the poor souls who have to endure winter seasons in places like Michigan and New York, the opportunity to swap snow and freezing temperatures for sunny, short-sleeve weather is practically worth the trip in and of itself. Add the fact that a good Southern quail hunt includes excellent accommodations, dining and hospitality, and it’s easy to understand why legions of wingshooters are willing to travel across the country on an annual basis to partake in a classic plantation quail hunt. Not surprisingly, there are dozens of quail lodges scattered throughout the region that offer all-inclusive hunts. Most do a good job, others do an exceptional job, and then there are a few that offer experiences that transcend everything else—places where guests enjoy the finest wingshooting trip to be had not just in the South, but anywhere. Woodside Plantation, in Estill, South Carolina, is one such place. From the moment one pulls into the long driveway lined with 100-year-old live oaks, it becomes apparent that time spent at Woodside is going to be special. As they can at most great quail lodges, guests at Woodside can expect excellent shooting, wonderful meals and attentive service, but what truly sets the lodge apart is an additional set of unique attributes that puts it into a category of its own. 

Private, Non-Commercial Atmosphere

It’s important to understand that, unlike larger quail lodges that simultaneously host multiple groups of hunters, Woodside hosts only one party at a time, allowing it to provide a private, intimate experience. For starters, guests have exclusive use of the 19th Century Colonial Revival house, in which they enjoy elegant, luxurious and remarkably comfortable accommodations and amenities. They also are provided with the services of a personal chef who designs each meal based on the preferences of the group. Similarly, instead of having to juggle the needs of multiple parties at the lodge, Woodside’s hospitality and hunting staff is able to devote 100 percent of its attention to the wants and needs of a single group. All of this combined results in an environment that gives guests the special feeling that they’re kicking back at their own plantation.   

Wagon Hunting

Of all the bucket-list bird hunts in North America, the Southern mule-drawn-wagon quail hunt is probably the most popular. Hunting from a wagon is a true wingshooting classic—an opportunity to relive the glory days of quail hunting from a century ago. It also is an extremely agreeable way to hunt, offering guests the ability to survey the bird cover and dogwork from an elevated position and also the chance to enjoy an amazingly tranquil atmosphere in which the rhythmic clip-clopping of the mules’ hooves and the whispering pines make everything else in the world melt away. Wagon hunting is one of the rarest forms of wingshooting in America, with only a handful of quail lodges offering it. Woodside Plantation is one of those places, and in keeping with its commitment to provide a private, exclusive experience, it runs only a single wagon on the entire property. The wagon can accommodate four to five guests, and there’s the option to accompany the wagon on horseback. Add expert guides and world-class dogs to the mix, and the result is what many consider the pinnacle of wingshooting.

Real Bird Cover

Those lucky enough to find themselves on a private quail plantation will notice that the bird cover is different from that of commercial operations. With the focus of most private plantations being the propagation of wild birds, the habitat tends toward the thicker and taller cover that native bobwhites prefer. This is exactly how Woodside manages its habitat. While still easy for hunters to negotiate on foot, it produces a less-manicured, more “real deal” style of hunting. And, of course, the birds absolutely thrive in this type of cover. They survive better and fly better, which makes for a more elevated, authentic shooting experience. Creating such habitat is a costly and painstaking process, but it plays a large role in setting Woodside apart as a unique and special place.

Tons of Non-Hunting Fun

Although wingshooting is the main attraction for most Woodside guests, there are numerous non-hunting activities in which visitors can partake. On the plantation there is clay shooting, fishing, horseback riding, cooking and wine-pairing classes, in-house massage services and access to the beautiful mansion. The famous Lowcountry coast is nearby, as well, making trips to Charleston, Savannah and Hilton Head an option. World-class golfing can be easily arranged too. Woodside even owns saltwater-fishing boats that are available to charter. To say that one can enjoy the trip of a lifetime without ever pulling a trigger would be a statement to which any past non-hunting guest could attest. 

Authenticity at Every Turn

What strikes first-time Woodside visitors is the authenticity of every aspect of the operation. From a main lodge that dates to the late 1800s, to the traditional style of hunting, to the privacy afforded by hosting only one party at a time, it all coalesces to make guests feel like they’ve stepped back into the golden era of plantation hunting. More than anything else, it’s what separates Woodside from typical commercial lodges and makes for a truly one-of-a-kind experience that has almost everyone coming back.

Woodside is just as perfect a place for veteran quail hunters as it is for first-timers looking to check a fabled wagon hunt off their bucket list. In either case, the experience will be unforgettable. For those partial to pursuing doves, ducks, turkeys, deer and/or hogs, the plantation offers hunts for those species as well. Seasons run from October through March. For a list of open dates, visit the plantation’s website, call 803-625-0744 or email info@woodsideplantationsc.com.