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S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 9 5 Sporting Classics had worked a few fields that morning and our plan was to rendezvous and hunt together. Brian brought along Allie, his fine Brittany, and I was itching to put down Rebel, my wife's seven-month old setter. Rebel had cut his teeth on woodcock in the fall but he hadn't sharpened them on quail. I was looking to add bobs to his repertoire. We drove for a ways and stopped at a new field. Duncan and Russ sat out this round so Brian and I could work our dogs. Dogs sometimes don't cotton to one another, but for the Allie-Rebel brace, it was old home week. We walked and walked, and Rebel locked up on point. Allie honored. "Brian, I'd be pleased if you'd shoot the first quail over Rebel," I said. "Well, that'd be fine," he said. "I was thinking I could use a little pressure this morning." We left the cocker in the rig, and I walked out in front of the pup's point. The whirrr of wings came when about a dozen birds flushed. Brian picked a bird from the covey and dropped it so the pup could see it fall. "Guess you had a hand in selecting Hemingway for one of the Sporting Classics covers," I said. "Grace under pressure. Thanks for that." After a while we swapped dogs again, this time with a pair of athletic pair of big running pointers. What's nice about the Webb Farm is that you can ride or walk, and whichever way you prefer, you'll hunt over dogs perfectly suited to each style. And then there was the faint sound of beepers coming from over the hill. There was no telling how long they held that point, and when we rolled to a stop, Duncan and Russ got into position. Wade breeds Irish labs, and Finn got the nod. Finn has that wonderful square head, big shoulders and chest, and small rest of the body, and he wasted no time in putting the birds in the air. It was tough to tell if Duncan's Parker VH or Russ' cat-like reflexes were responsible for the downed birds, but when four were returned we had our answer. The next day Mike Gaddis joined us, accompanied by his English cocker and a pair of Boykin spaniels. One look at Mike and you know he's got his priorities straight. His face is weathered so you know he spends a lot of time outdoors, and his orange vest has more patches and repairs than original cloth. His dogs are impeccably mannered, obedient, and all business. They heel unleashed at his side while we walked, and when there was a point, he'd send 'em along. I'd hunted over cockers before but not Boykins, and boy was I impressed. The dogs are unphased by thick vines and briars, and they have a way of snaking their way through the tangles while moving at the speed of heat. I was a fan. I had hoped to see Mike's brace of young Shadow Oak Bo setters run, but he left them in the kennel. I look forward to a next time. A fter retiring as a culinary chef instructor, Bill's wife, Miss Debbie, took over the culinary portion of Webb Farm about three years ago. She hired Executive Chef Sam Richardson, and together they elevated the dining experience. Every meal is not only delicious but served in perfect-sized portions. They're enough to fill up my gas tank until the next meal but not so much that I overeat and need a nap. A breakfast might begin with free-range eggs to order, stone-ground grits with cream and three cheeses, and wood-smoked, thick-cut bacon and cathead biscuits with sourwood honey. After the hunt, cocktails and appetizers are served fireside, with buttermilk sautéed quail lollipops with pan gravy and house-prepared fig glaze. A relaxed dinner of grilled, beef tenderloin is carved tableside and accompanied by a horseradish au jus reduction. After coffee and a three-berry Napoleon fresh-whipped cream or Irish cream cheesecake with chocolate crumb crust, it's time to say goodnight. That menu covers but one day, and if you're like most guests at Webb Farm, you'll be curious as to what the next day might bring. Located a chip shot away from the farm is Pinehurst, the well-known and world-class golf retreat. There are a number of seasonal activities and events, so if you're traveling with an entourage of family and friends with diverse interests, then Richmond County has everyone covered. For me and my family, we'll stick to working the dogs and hanging out with Danny, Wade, Dick, Amanda, and the rest of the gang. C'mon to the Webb Farm. You'll be glad you did. A fine gun can make the quail hunting even more memorable at Webb Farm. This Holland & Hollland double is owned by Jeff Sztorc, owner of Covey and Nye and The Dutch River Club. chip laughton