Extend Your Experience
Hunt The
Wild Uplands
Of Virginia
We're offering two exclusive weekends for guests of Fetching Feathers to extend their experience with hands-on training and field work hunting wild grouse and woodcock with the state's leading upland hunting lodge and guide team.
All-Inclusive Stay
These weekends are uniquely tailored to our group and a weekend full of upland hunting with your dog. From the time you arrive until the time we head home, everything is taken care of, everything is considered.
Hands-On training
With your dog's training fresh from the program, we'll start with some handling around quail on Wes' private property, followed by hands-on hunting experience working directly with professional guides and dog handlers.
Wild Gamelands
We'll be testing you and your dogs against the rugged and wild uplands of Central and Western Virginia. From ridgelines to creek bottoms, you'll be working hand-in-hand with your dog to point, flush, and get a shot.
Wild Birds
Wes is the only operation in the state that focuses solely on hunting wild birds on Virginia's Game Lands. With a National Forest Permit and decades of experience hunting these hills, Wes and his dogs are here to show us the way.
Real Training // Real Hunting
The Full Plumage Package
Much like when an upland bird is at its best each year, we want to provide the best opportunity to work directly with professionals in a wild environment. This package is uniquely tailored to bird hunters looking for the full hunting experience with their dog. It's more than just pointing and flushing; it's a hands-on immersion in working with your new hunting partner.
A Fetching Feathers Exclusive
All-Inclusive Stay With Wesley Hodges
Nestled in Virginia's Blue Ridge along the banks of the James River, Wes' lodge sits on 13 acres and is our home base for the weekend. This remodeled rustic farmhouse has amenities custom-tailored to upland hunting and bird dogs, including private indoor kennels, ample room to run and train, and an outdoor pen with dog houses.
Hands-On Training
Work Your Dog In The Field With Us
Your dog coming fresh out of the program is the best time to get them out in the field and on wild birds. There is no better transition from the training to the practice than to get you and your dog out in the woods.
Wild Birds On Wild Gamelands
Test Yourself Against Virginia's Uplands
It's no longer training, you're in the game now. With confidence in your dog, your commands, and your handling, we head out into the woods for two wild upland bird hunts with Wesley. You're going to be put into scenarios that will jumpstart your journey of wild bird hunting with your dog.
Weekend Itinerary
Hunt With The Pros
Meet Your Guides
Wesley
Hodges
The first time I ever had a fly fishing rod in my hand was in Colorado at a Boy Scout Camp, and that moment stuck with me. Ever since that time, I've been in love with the outdoors to the extent that it fully consumes me. My life has taken some unexpected turns, serving in the military, going to university, and eventually winding up getting involved with Project Healing Waters. I started guiding fly fishing for Project Healing Waters and that started my guiding career.
I've been an avid hunter my entire life and run the only wild-focused upland lodge in Virginia. For over a decade, we've been hosting clients in Virginia's Blue Ridge, getting them on wild grouse and woodcock with our team of professionally trained upland hunting dogs.
I love guiding and I love teaching clients something new and something better that maybe they've never done before to land that trophy fish or upland bird. Also, I love guiding because people get so consumed by everyday life and just basic living that I love giving them a chance to get back outside and get in touch with what they are really passionate about.
Lee
Browne
A man of process, Lee has always gravitated to pursuits whereby a raw product is forged through a specific recipe/game plan, effort, and attention into an effective finished product. Such attention to process has led Lee down a unique path. Time spent playing collegiate football, distilling craft spirits, and farming have meshed with a lifelong passion for the outdoors, creating a wealth of experience to draw from in his operation of Fetching Feathers Virginia.
In September of 2012, Lee’s life changed in a big way. No, it was not from recent college graduation; rather, this is when he picked up a small, female, black Labrador puppy from the late, great Robert Milner of Duckhill Kennels. He named her Fiji in respect to Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, of which Lee is a member.
Fiji and Lee were inseparable as he set out to learn the process of training his first gun dog. Growing up, Lee had experienced multiple terrific gun dogs, all labs. However, Fiji was Lee’s “maiden voyage” in the dog training world. Throwing himself into the process, he based most of her training on Robert Milner’s ‘positive reinforcement’ approach discussed in his book Retriever Training: A Back to Basics Approach. Somehow, through much effort, grit, failure, learning, and attention, both Lee and Fiji became a highly effective combo over the next twelve years.
While living and working in South Dakota, Lee stoked a fire within himself for the uplands and added a four legged companion, his pointer, Charley. It is during his time in South Dakota that he and Fetching Feathers founder, Anthony, forged their partnership 'kickin’ dirt' in pursuit of sharpies and chickens amongst the fabled golden grasses of Fort Pierre Grassland. Their shared passion of chasing birds with gun dogs sparked the idea for Fetching Feathers Virginia. Their partnership turned to brotherhood when it was discovered that both men are members of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), truly bringing things full circle.
I'll See You Down River
What To Expect
This trip is custom-tailored to your group. From the time we meet until the time I drop you off, absolutely everything is taken care of, and everything is considered. All gear is provided and we use only the highest-quality equipment both in and out of the woods.
Join Us In The Woods
Let's Plan Your Hunt
Fill out the form below or give us a call and let's talk about your goals as a hunter and an upland dog owner.
