There is no guarantee, however, each hunter
being responsible for his own performance of his
own dog or dogs, in case a hunter prefers to bring
his own dogs with him. If so, it should be kept
in mind that the operators of the area cannot be
blamed for birds "spooked” by untrained dogs.
Therefore, hunters should be expected to cooper
ate with the operators in this regard.
Six times 288 hunter-days is 1728 birds, which
is the number they will require. But the shoot
ing area undoubtedly will not operate up to ca
pacity at all times, so they plan on 1500 pheasants.
Their prospectus, therefore, reads as follows:
Revenue: 288 hunters at $25 a day equals
$7200.
Expenses: 1500 pheasants at $2 each equals
$3000.
Earning Potential: $4200, or $2100 apiece, less
incidentals.
"Incidentals” include the annual fee- required
for the operation of a controlled shooting area;
the cost of feeding two or more dogs; small equip
ment for converting a farm wagon into a shoot
ing wagon. A flat charge can be made for a
"hunter’s lunch” cooked family style by the farm
ers’ wives, or sandwiches, pie and coffee sold a la
carte to those shooters desiring them.
Ability of intelligent operators to produce ma
ture pheasants for $2, all costs included, has been
verified by expert technicians, provided no labor
costs are involved. Current prices for day-old
chicks are from 35 to 40 cents, depending upon
numbers purchased. As the birds approach ma
turity, up to 90% of their feed can be grown on
the average farm in the form of field corn and
other small grain. Total costs per bird, exclusive
of amortization of equipment, should not exceed
$1.75. The additional 25 cents should amortize
all necessary pens and brooders, especially if con
struction work is done by the farmers themselves.
Assuming that "Farmer Smith” and "Farm'Sr
Jones” themselves will construct the necessary
holding pens for pheasants and the smaller brood
ing pen, only material costs are included in the
initial -expenditure required to raise and hold birds
for controlled shooting. If 1500 birds, are liberated
each year, with an allowance of 25 cents per bird
for amoritization of original investment, $375
can be charged off each year, or a total of $3750
in ten years.
LefA' The ultimate thrill in
pheasant hunting! '^Mr.
Chips!’ a Brittany spaniel, is
pointing a pheasant while
standing knee-deep in water.
"Doc,” a pointer, honors his
bracemate’s find in lordly
fashion. Needless to say,
bird was added to the bag.
Right: At the Nilo Kennels
on the Nilo Farms, National
Retriever Champion King
Buck is head of the stdng of
Labradors, Brittany spaniels,
Weimeraners, pointers and
setters that are used for
pheasant and duck shooting,
in addition to competing in
many variou.s field trials.
' V ' * -r € ;
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