ames plantation partnership
During 2005 we were able to secure a partnership with Ames Plantation near Grand Junction, TN. This partnership is expected to highlight management objectives contributing to the recreational potential of Ames. Ames, which has had a long-standing relationship with The National Field Trial Championship and the University of Tennessee, is beginning to shift its interest to offer more guide and lodging services associated with fish and wildlife recreation. The Natural Resource Enterprises (NRE) Program became involved to assist with this conversion and offer financial support in the operational aspects of wildlife and fisheries management. Our intent is to provide Ames with cost-share incentives that will allow their wildlife management programs to flourish and assist with technical support issues dealing with specific wildlife and fisheries interests. Visit the Ames Plantation website to learn more.
Ames Plantation has a long-standing tradition of deer and turkey fee hunting but the revenues collected from these enterprises never reached their full potential. Several factors contributed to the disconnection between recreational income on the plantation and the quality of the hunting experiences offered there. In 2005, plantation staff with assistance from the NRE Program at Mississippi State University began to reconfigure the wildlife enterprise strategy for Ames Plantation. With implementation of this new approach came additional sources of revenue generated from wildlife and fisheries enterprises. These enterprises greatly enhanced the profitability of the plantation and provided new revenue streams to supplement their traditional agriculture and forestry income.
- Quality Deer Management
- Separate lease structure for deer and turkey hunters
- Bobwhite Quail Hunting Course
- Mourning Dove Hunting Fields
- Waterfowl Management Units
- Shooting Sports Course
Deer and turkey management at Ames Plantation
Prior to the 2002 hunting season total revenues generated by the plantation from wildlife related contributions equaled $20,000. This revenue came from visitors seeking deer and turkey hunting opportunities on the 6,475-hectares open to hunting on the plantation. Under the old system, hunters were only restricted by statewide seasons and bag limits regarding animals available for harvest and hunters were also allowed to hunt deer and turkey under the same membership. Prior to the 2002 season, plantation staff implemented mandatory antler restrictions for harvestable deer to 110 total inches. These restrictions increased from 110 inches to 120 inches prior to the 2006 season. During this transition hunter membership increased from 51 to 125, from 2002 to 2006 respectively. This transition also gave the plantation an opportunity to establish a new hunter membership type for eastern wild turkey. 30 new memberships were sold for the spring 2007 hunting season. Revenues from these changes increased wildlife proceeds for the plantation from $20,000 to $186,250.
Quail hunting courses
In 2006 Ames began a restoration project to convert portions of fallow farm ground, two riparian areas, and several patches of clear-cut timber ground into two bobwhite quail hunting courses. These courses occupy 60-hectares across the rolling hills of the plantation. This hunting venue fits nicely with existing plantation activities especially the quail rearing program operated to supplement the needs of the national field trial held, which has been held annually on plantation grounds since the early 1900’s. With the implementation of this new enterprise hunters are able to enjoy a nice hunting experience on foot or from horse drawn buggy. The primary focus of these areas is for hunting controlled release of bobwhite quail but they also offer additional small game hunting experiences for those interested. Although work continues on these areas, during the 2006-2007 hunting season these courses increased revenues by $10,000.
Mourning dove hunts
Mourning dove hunting is one of the most social hunting experiences attended by hunters. It also continues to be one of the best tools for recruiting new and young hunters to the sport of hunting. In the past Ames traditionally plants approximately 16.5-hectares of dove fields, which was used by plantation staff and invited guests. During the 2005 hunting season plantation staff changed their strategy for administering hunting on these fields to increase the revenue earned from this resource. Memberships were sold for $100 per person and as an amenity snacks and non-alcoholic beverages were made available to hunters in the field. Proceeds generated from this enterprise reached $4,000 and since the first hunt this enterprise has grown increasingly popular. In fact, hunters were commonly trying to reserve a place in the same field for subsequent years as they departed the hunting area. Plans for expanding the field size and adding additional fields are on the agenda for the plantation staff.
