By PHIL POTTER, Courier & Press staff writer
January 25, 2004

Hal Wolford was tossing three cock pheasants into his truck when Glenn York pulled in beside him.

"Welcome to Iowa," said Wolford.

"Iowa? This is my South Dakota field of dreams," quipped York.

The two Evansville hunters started laughing and for good reason - they were standing in southern Indiana, at the Meyer Farm Game Preserve.

The cover and terrain mimics that of Iowa and South Dakota.But this hunting land is only 45 minutes from downtown Evansville.

Wolford found Meyer's place four years ago when he spotted a small sign staked out on the backroads that the former television personality loves to prowl.

Being a true investigative reporter, he drove in and asked what it took to hunt there. And it was so good that he kept his discovery to himself.

"For years I drove to the real Iowa. I spent almost $100 for an out-of-state license and a couple of gamebird stamps, but that was just the start," said Wolford.

There also were meals and lodging, plus trip expenses and a very long drive.

"In Iowa, most trips I bagged a total of three to six pheasants but one year I only got a single bird. I tallied what each of my pheasants cost and came up with about $150 per bird," he said.

That caused Wolford to check out what was available closer to home. When he found Meyer Farm, he looked no farther.

"For less than $40 I can bag three pheasants and be home in time for dinner," said Wolford.

York agreed. "I still work so I don't have long-range trip options," he said. "I can come up here and have the chance to shoot eight quail and see great dog work."

Neither of these two men own a bird dog. Wolford bums his son's setter while York chooses to rent one or two of Meyer's dogs.

"I like Hercules. He's a solid pointer that never fails to get me game," said York. "When I bring my son along we usually ask Gene (Meyer) to be our guide. Gene always brings a second dog too, so we thoroughly cover most of the area."

That can be a long day because Meyer Game Preserve covers 410 acres of tailor-made habitat east of Evansville near Dale.

"There's everything from warm-season grasses to milo with a whole lot of overgrown fencerows," said Wolford.

Meyer stocks numerous birds to ensure great hunting.

"It's not a fish-in-a-barrel type of preserve," said York. "The birds often are wilder than native ones."

Another big plus is the lack of a daily gun fee or surtax imposed at most other game preserves.

"I can get another bird or two for what I'd have to pay just to get to hunt at other preserves," said Wolford.

Meyer has hunt packages at very reasonable prices. To book a guide and his dogs costs $15 per hour with a two-hour minimum.

"That's a bargain," said York. "I figure the money I save by not owning a dog lets me hunt at Meyer's all season."

Non-resident hunters may get a full season Indiana preserve license for less than $10 while residents need only their regular hunting license and habitat stamp to hunt at all Indiana game-bird preserves.

Meyer's Game Preserve is open Oct. 1 through April 1. For reservations, directions, pricing or details call Gene Meyer at 812-536-3708.

MORE POTTER COLUMNS »