FIELD TO TABLE HIGHPOINT HUNTING PRESERVE
ANDIE RENNIE
Owner & Guide, Highpoint Hunting Preserve 238222 4 Line NE, Melancthon, ON Facebook: @highpointhuntingpreserve (226) 974-0759 This is an article about pheasant hunting. If you’re still with me, you should know that I’m a relatively new hunter and this was my first time hunting pheasant. As the publisher of your favourite, little local magazine and the co-host of Canada’s Cast & Blast Podcast, I felt it fitting to include this feature in our Food & Drink edition, as well as tape a show about the experience with my good buddy, hunting partner, and host of Canada’s Cast & Blast podcast, Brian Glassey. In pursuit of the noble quarry, it doesn’t get much better than pheasant hunting. The civilized nature of the sport avoids the calamity of freezing in a winter duck blind or sitting solo for hours on end in a tree stand waiting patiently for a deer to saunter by, something seasoned hunters may well appreciate. For myself, a newbie hunter, I sought out Highpoint Hunting Preserve in Dufferin County, just outside of Dundalk. Owner & Guide, Andie Rennie, was gracious
to have Brian and I visit the Preserve and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to meet him and hunt on his land. He spent a good deal of time with us sharing stories of legendary moose hunts in Northern Ontario; the kind of intangible benefits of hunting with an experienced guide like Rennie who spent his formative years living in the South Etobicoke neighbourhood of Long Branch - a place near and dear to my heart. Now, it should be known that hunting pheasant without the help of dogs is next to impossible. Rennie supplied two dogs for our hunt. Both Llewellin Setters from the same litter; first was Bruno who did the lion’s share of the work and then Molly came into the game as the day became hotter and Bruno began to tire. Without their skill and perseverance, Brian and I would still be out there walking aimlessly through the scenic acreage with our 12-gauges. It’s an amazing experience watching the dogs as they sniff out the hidden quarry and
Bruno at rest 18
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
Molly in action
