Explore a Southern Wild Bird Haven

Pineland Farm is a private spread of several thousand acres near the Santee lakes of South Carolina.

Bird dogs raring to go.

A hunting dog on the trail of wild quail.

Two pointers lock up on a scent trail.

From left, Toddy Smith, Edwin Cooper III, and Mac Stidham prepare to let the bird dogs loose.

Quail hunting at Pineland is done on horseback.

Horse handler Ervin Smith prepares for a day afield.

A dog on the hunt.

Stidham, left, and Cooper III on the hunt.

Horseback is the best way to get around Pineland.

A hunting dog points in the direction of the quail.

Stidham, left, and Cooper III take the shot.

A bird in the hand.

Smith greets a hunting dog.

The farm is home to some of the finest bird dogs in the South.

Retired collars and bridles.

Whistles at the ready.

Jack, a pointer, leads the hunters down the trail.

Smith, Cooper, and Stidham swap stories after a successful day.