Guided & Self-Guided · Oct–Mar
Pheasant, Quail & Chukar Hunting in Arkansas
Wing-shooting on a private Ozark preserve in Mount Pleasant, AR — hunt behind our dogs or bring your own.
Book a Bird HuntFrom October through March, Sanctuary Ranch Hunting Resort in Mount Pleasant, Arkansas is upland bird country. Our private preserve in the Ozark Mountains offers guided and self-guided hunts for pheasant, quail, and chukar across fields, meadows, and edge cover built for wing-shooting — with your own dogs or ours. Whether you’re chasing your first covey or running a seasoned string of pointers, the birds are here and the action is reliable.
Three Birds, Three Hunts — Pheasant, Quail & Chukar
Pheasant hunting
Hard-flushing and unmistakable on the wing, ringneck pheasant are the marquee upland bird — a rooster busting from cover is a rush every time. Our fields hold strong pheasant numbers through the season, making them a favorite for groups and first-timers who want action they can see and hear.
Quail hunting
Bobwhite quail are the classic Southern wing-shooting bird — fast, unpredictable coveys that reward good dog work and a quick swing. Wild quail have declined across Arkansas, but our managed preserve keeps the covey rises coming, so you get the traditional quail hunt that’s become hard to find on public ground.
Chukar hunting
Chukar add a different challenge — strong runners and flyers that test your shooting and your dogs. They round out a mixed-bag day and are a favorite of hunters looking to hunt something beyond the usual. Target one species or pursue all three in a single outing.
Hunt Behind Our Dogs — or Bring Your Own
Great dog work is the heart of an upland hunt, and we build the day around it. You’re always welcome — encouraged, even — to bring your own trained pointers or flushers and watch them do what they were bred for on fresh cover.
Don’t have a dog, or want an extra one in the field? Guided dog work is available on request, so you never walk an empty field wondering where the birds are. Just let us know when you book so we can plan your hunt around your dogs, ours, or both.
Arkansas Bird Season & When to Book
Our upland season runs October through March, and the calendar fills fast — holiday weekends and prime winter dates are the first to go. Because we’re a private preserve, you’re not tied to the ups and downs of wild-bird years; the hunting stays consistent all season. Book as early as you can to lock in your preferred dates and party size.
All hunts follow Arkansas Game & Fish Commission regulations, and every hunter needs a valid Arkansas hunting license. We’ll confirm exactly what you need when you book.
Guided vs. Self-Guided Bird Hunts
Guided hunts pair you with a Sanctuary Ranch guide and, if you’d like, trained dogs — ideal for newcomers, groups, and anyone who wants a polished day afield. Experienced wing-shooters can opt for self-guided access and hunt the preserve at their own pace. Both can be arranged for singles, big groups, and hunting clubs, and both pair perfectly with a stay on the ranch.
Shotguns, Loads & What to Bring
- 12- or 20-gauge shotgun with improved-cylinder or modified choke
- Upland loads: lighter shot for quail, a bit more reach for pheasant
- Blaze orange hat and/or vest (required in the field)
- A brush-facing upland vest with a game bag and shell pockets
- Sturdy boots for walking fields and edge cover
- Eye and ear protection, and water for you and your dog
New to Wing-Shooting? Youth & Groups Welcome
Upland hunting is one of the most social, approachable ways to get outdoors, and our guides love introducing new shooters to it. Youth hunters, mixed-skill groups, and first-timers are all welcome — we’ll match the pace and coaching to your party so everyone has a safe, successful day. It’s a great fit for corporate outings and hunting clubs, too.
Make It a Weekend — Lodging & Fishing
Turn your bird hunt into a getaway. Our on-site lodging sleeps everyone from a small party to a group of 38, so the whole camp stays together steps from the fields. Add a year-round hog hunt for a true mixed-bag trip, fish the stocked ponds between hunts, or ask about our private memberships for year-round access.
Bird Hunting Packages & Pricing
Bird Packages
| Package | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Package A | 40 Quail | $520 |
| Package B | 40 Quail, 10 Chukar, 5 Pheasant | $795 |
| Package C | 40 Chukar | $720 |
| Package D | 20 Pheasant | $595 |
Add-Ons & Guide Fee
Add-On Birds
Free fishing in our lake with any booked package. All hunts are conducted in accordance with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Sanctuary Ranch, upland bird hunting for pheasant, quail, and chukar runs from October through March. As a private preserve, we offer consistent birds and action throughout the season — but dates fill quickly, so book early.
Sanctuary Ranch is at 5685 Lafferty Road, Mount Pleasant, AR 72561, about 20 minutes from Batesville and roughly two hours north of Little Rock. Our private Ozark preserve is an easy drive for wing-shooters across North-Central Arkansas and neighboring states.
You can hunt quail on our private preserve in the Arkansas Ozarks near Batesville. Because our birds are managed on 2,200 acres of prime upland cover, you get reliable action even in years when wild quail numbers are down statewide.
Yes — we encourage it. Hunters are welcome to bring their own trained pointers or flushers. If you don't have a dog, we can arrange guided dog work on request so you never hunt a barren field.
We offer pheasant, quail, and chukar. You can target a single species or mix all three in one outing, and packages range from a 40-bird quail hunt to combination hunts across all three birds.
A 12- or 20-gauge shotgun with an improved-cylinder or modified choke covers pheasant, quail, and chukar well. Lighter 20-gauge loads are plenty for quail; a 12-gauge gives extra reach on hard-flushing pheasant. Bring blaze orange for the field.