The author and Chuck Leavell discuss the hunt in front of the 1835 vintage Bullard House at Charlane Plantation. Photo by Polly Dean

The grass was wet with morning dew, the sun shining brightly off the pine needles, the dogs were chomping at the bit to flush quail. The possibilities of the day in the bobwhite woods were unfolding for our group. There are not many things that beat a day in the field on Charlane Plantation.

Quail hunting on Charlane Plantation takes a page right out of the history books. A Jeep rather than mules may draw the wagon, but as you roll through the acres and acres of beautiful longleaf forest, it hearkens back to a bygone era when much of Georgia's landscape was blanketed in this productive habitat. Deer, quail, wild turkeys and other wildlife are plentiful here compliments of knowledgeable forestry and wildlife management employed by owners Rose Lane and Chuck Leavell.

Excuse me -- did I forget to mention this is the Chuck Leavell who is keyboardist for the legendary rock band the Rolling Stones? The same guy who played with the Allman Brothers and Eric Clapton? That guy who was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2004? Yep, one and the same!

For a Southerner who grew up listening to the Allman Brothers and the Rolling Stones, it was a bit of a shock to discover that this talented keyboardist has an additional passion -- forest and wildlife stewardship. To say that everything this man touches turns to gold is, in this case, an understatement. The walls of the plantation lodge and Bullard House are covered with the gold and platinum albums from musical pursuits, but he and wife, Rose Lane, have managed to turn the 2,200 acres of Charlane into a gold nugget, as well.

Located in Twiggs County in the community of Dry Branch, Charlane sits mostly on property that has been in Rose Lane's family for generations. The Leavells inherited the property from grandmother, Miss Julia, in 1982. It was a huge learning curve for both of them.

"Once we got there we said, 'Wow, what do we do now,' " Chuck Leavell explained. "I was pursuing my musical career and I couldn't just stop, though, I did consider it."

Rather than quitting music, he decided it was time to learn about and branch out into land management. While he focused his efforts on learning about forest and wildlife management, Rose Lane began restoring her grandparent's 1820s farmhouse.

CHARLANE TODAY
Our hunting party was composed of Polly and Ed Dean, Georgia Sportsman editor Jimmy Jacobs and myself. We arrived the night before the hunt to be greeted by Chuck and several border collies and Jack Russell terriers. With the dogs leading the way, he took us over to the 1835 Bullard House, where we spent the night. Completely refurbished with rustic furniture and comfortable, quilted beds, the Bullard House sets the standard for accommodations on the plantation. We were also treated to a tour of the new lodge, built completely with lumber harvested on Charlane. The building features a huge stone fireplace, pool table and can accommodate up to 18 guests for a hunting trip. Later, the Leavells joined us for a plantation dinner of quail and homegrown vegetables.

The next morning, after we finally broke away from a huge breakfast spread of eggs, bacon, grits, homemade biscuits and jams, we eventually made our way up on the hunt wagon and headed off. The bird dogs made short work of locating the first covey of quail and we quickly downed a few birds.

The Leavells maintain a kennel, affectionately called "Chateau des Chiens," with about 20 dogs, including American pointers, Brittanys, English setters and a rare French breed called a Braque. A friend who is a Pittsburg developer gave the dog to Chuck. After some contemplation they named the dog Bonaparte, but call him "Bones" for short.