DALMATIA — Harold Daub is typically most at home hunting in the solitude of predawn during spring gobbler season or silently stalking the woods during the post-Christmas flintlock deer season.
This spring, however, Daub stepped out of character in what could be described as “now for something completely different” in the words of the long-standing British comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Using a reference from the Brits for the hunt he organized is more than appropriate.
Years ago Daub participated in a continental hunt styled after those that have been held in the United Kingdom in general, and Scotland and Ireland in particular, since the days of flintlock fowlers. Even if one traveled abroad in hopes of participating in such a hunt today, those hopes would likely be dashed — unless receiving a personal invitation from Prince William — because of red tape.
Fortunately, there is no need to worry about a passport, firearms permits or permission to hunt the Old World for those interested in the experience and the unique aspects of a continental hunt. Each year Martz’s Gap View Preserve schedules a series of these hunts for both members and non-members from October through February. Registration sheets are in the clubhouse, while scheduled hunts for private groups can also be arranged by making advanced reservations.
“We plan our continental hunts as an all-day event that simulates driven pheasants hunts that consists of pass shooting, rather than our normal field pheasant hunts where the birds are flushed,” Mike Martz said. “Continental hunts are limited to a maximum of 33 shooters and a minimum of 11 shooters, and a round of hunting typically takes approximately three hours.
“Our blinds provide protection during inclement weather to help hunters stay warm and dry and all are roomy enough for two adults and some are even larger. These larger blinds are perfect for introducing someone to pheasant hunting and 1-on-1 coaching for up to two youngsters.
“Before being driven to the blinds, everyone tunes up with a round of clays and, after the hunt, lunch is served while the birds are being cleaned. Also included is a round of sporting clays after lunch, but many hunters who bring their dogs return to the fields and hunt escaped birds, which will also be cleaned and packaged for the return home.”
Daub showed the organizational skills he developed over the years as one of the movers and shakers behind the Lykens Valley Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation by putting the wheels in motion for a private continental hunt. He reached out to friends and family, and filling the hunt was not a problem. However, finding a date when everyone could participate was at times — even for the “Dauber” — akin to herding cats.
“Thank goodness for Facebook, because that was the only way I was able to sort things out and get everyone together on the same page,” Daub said. “Ever since I had done a continental hunt years ago, one of my goals was to put one together for friends because it was just too much of a good time not to do another.
“Continental hunts really bridge the gap between shooting and hunting, which is one of the reasons so many women seem to like them and really makes them ideal for those with limited mobility. Most of those on our outing knew about the hunts, and while few had actually participated in one, they were sold and we’ve already scheduled a hunt for next spring.
“I actually started getting calls about having another hunt the day after this year’s, and as more people learned about it through word of mouth, I started getting more calls and we may have an even larger group next year. And it sure didn’t break my heart when birds were missed and flew away because hunting the fields with the dogs after lunch was actually my favorite part of the event.”
That was also the feeling of the five other hunters who joined Daub for the afternoon field hunt. As for the three Labrador retrievers that hunted together for the first time, the day was a complete success as they found, flushed and retrieved not only the birds that had escaped the morning’s continental hunt, but several that had not been found previously.
This season Martz’s has scheduled five continental hunts on the following Saturdays: Oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 27, Jan. 24 and Feb. 21. To register for these hunts or to schedule a private event from September through April, call (800) 326-8442.