Tony Kinton hunting in pines.

Passing through the gates of Millbrook Plantation in Stonewall is like traveling back to a much simpler place and time.

My anticipation soared as I caught a glimpse of a quail flushing out back in the old-style, southern plantation. I shouldered my Remington shotgun and promptly missed my first shot but followed up and knocked him down on the second.

A quail hunt at Millbrook was on my Christmas wish list and it had been fulfilled in grand fashion.

I met author Tony Kinton, of Carthage on an old style quail hunt near Stonewall with guides Randy Freeman and Bill Carruth during a late season hunt earlier this year. Lance Brent and Larkin Kennedy completed our hunting party as we enjoyed an action packed quail hunt together.

Quail hunts are almost a thing of the past in the south now but there are still a few places where the birds flush quick and fly fast and provide excellent shooting opportunities. Bill Carruth was our host for the day and he was knowledgeable and worked hard at getting us lined up for good shots.

Lance Brent and Tony Kinton started off our hunt in grand fashion and got a taste of the fast and furious Millbrook quail action. Millbrook is comprised of beautiful fields, rolling hills, pine ridges and even has a few briar thickets. There’s just nothing quite like seeing quail flush from a cornfield or briar thicket as the dogs charge in.

At Millbrook the hunting is challenging but not physically demanding as hunters ride along on a cart, while watching the dogs work until they point. For safety’s sake, only two hunters get out and shoot at a time, while the rest of the party get to observe how good a shot the other hunters are- or not.

If you ever get the opportunity to hunt at Millbrook you better be ready for a little good-natured ribbing when you miss, because you will surely miss sooner or later and guide and dog handler Randy Freeman is sure to let you know about it. It’s all in good fun of course, but if you have a big ego, then prepare to be humbled.

I’ve seen quite a few hunters shoot a few pine trees on the course and that’s not too hard to do when the birds flush in tight quarters and sail through pine trees like fighter jets buzzing overhead. Yes, they are just that quick.

As the hunt progressed we took our turns at shooting and missing more than a few quail. In between we reminisced about bygone days and memorable hunts of the past. Larkin Kennedy grew up in Inverness in the Delta hunting ducks, quail and pheasants.

“Birds fly here as well or better than most places I’ve ever been,” said Kennedy. “This is a beautiful place and I love that you can hunt in the trees and out in the open fields. It’s got a little of everything.”

Kinton grew up in a time when hunting was a way of life and he maneuvered the course at ease, even busting a few quail with a side by side double barrel shotgun and he harvested his share of birds as well.

On a few occasions we doubled up on birds and looked like we knew what we were doing but then there were a few times when we felt pretty silly when trying to shoot an errant quail that flew the wrong way- directly back towards us. It’s pretty easy to miss under those circumstances.

Dr. Ed Carruth joined us before our hunt was over and we swapped a few more hunting tales and shared a few memories with him and Kinton. At the end of the hunt, we were treated to a fine country style meal fit for a king. It was the perfect ending to an exciting action packed quail hunt. If you’re looking for a taste of old down home southern quail hunting from days gone by, then give Ed Carruth a call at 601-659-9922 and find out for yourself.

Call Mike Giles at 601-917-3898 or email mikegiles18@comcast.net.