I have never shot a shotgun before.  Can I still come on a Joy of Hunting program?

Yes, that's what we're here for: we'd rather you came to us for expert coaching than straight out into the field with no prior experience (as so many of us have done).
However, try to get some experience shooting a gun before you come - ideally, take a lesson at your local range from a qualified instructor. Tell them you want to learn to hunt and they can gear your lesson(s) towards the skills you need for that (low gun mount, for example).

I've shot a lot of clay targets but have never been bird hunting.  How long do I need to come for?

The longer you can spend here, the more your ability to hunt will advance!  That's because there's a lot more to hunting than the shooting part!  2 days is recommended; 3 days is ideal.

Will I definitely shoot a bird on a Joy of Hunting hunt?

You will definitely have loads of opportunities, and we will give you as much coaching as we can to make it possible.  However, there are no guarantees.  It can take new hunters a couple of years before they truly connect with their first pheasant. It's a process and all the elements need to be learned until they become unconscious skills. But even a miss can get you hooked, believe me - there's nothing like the "rush of the flush"!

Can you take a group of experienced and new hunters at the same time?

Yes.  We can split you up between Anne and Andrea, or, the experienced person can help to mentor their friend, if that works for everyone.

What is your safety policy?

Safety is our #1 priority, and the goal of our program is to introduce new hunters to the sport safely.  We have safety rules, which we require you to read and sign before you start. We start the program with a comprehensive safety briefing, which is reinforced by a mock hunt carrying empty guns. If there are any safety concerns we address them right away and reserve the right to ask someone to step away from the class / hunt until the issue is resolved. No one is even taken on a hunt if there's a question-mark about their safety.

What qualifications do you have?

Anne and Andrea are both NSCA Level 1 instructors (NSCA - National Sporting Clays Association).  This means they have passed a course qualifying them to teach beginner and novice shotgun shooters, with the emphasis on safety.  They also have met the shooting competency requirement. Andrea has worked at a premier hunting establishment for over 10 years and guided hunters professionally. Anne is a very experienced bird-hunter and teacher.

Do you teach other types of hunting besides bird hunting?

We can get you started in the basics of shooting a rifle and shooting a handgun, though we are not qualified in these areas. We can teach you how to go about hunting deer and elk, and other types of game, big and small.  Bruce is an expert bow-hunter, shooting instinctively, and can supervise a beginner student.  We have loaner guns and bows available.

Do you allow clients to hunt other animals, besides birds?

We share our property with varying numbers of mule deer and white-tailed deer. A non-trophy hunt with the appropriate license could be included at an additional cost, as long as deer numbers permit. Contact us to find out.
We do not have elk, antelope, moose or other big game on our property. We have rabbits and squirrel, coyotes and other non-game species aplenty.
We allow / encourage frog-gigging while there's open water! Fishing for yellow perch, bluegill, black crappie and largemouth bass is also available at certain times of year at no additional cost.

Do I need to bring my own gun?

Ideally, you will have a well-fitting gun that you love to shoot that you can transport here easily by car or plane.  One of our services is to check your gun fit. It is possible to actually mail a gun to yourself c/- Joy of Hunting for your own use if you don't want to transport it.
If you don't own a gun, please let us know in advance so we can arrange a suitable loaner gun for you.

Do your birds flush wild or are they planted just before the hunt?

We release birds in groups so they get acclimated to the property, and hunt them before they get too wild and sporty.  We also have true wild birds. We always have the option of planting birds if desirable.