Florida Quail Hunting

Quail hunting is not only a tradition, but a family tradition in Florida. You don't need to be an avid hunter or a lot of money to get started. All you need is spirit and a great hunting location. At Watermelon Pond Plantation located near Gainesville in North Florida, highly trained bird dogs along with hunting guides are available for both seasoned and new hunters.

Florida's mild weather makes a great hunting destination for year round quail hunts. A great place to visit in the wintertime when there is nothing but snow on the ground. Rent a cabin and stay onsite for the weekend. Lodge is also available with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, great room, patio and more.

There is nothing quite like Quail Hunting n North Florida and Watermelon Pond Plantation is the BEST hunting location to visit.

Merry Christmas!

Wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas this year! We hope everyone has a great day, filled with love and joy. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the time away from work with loved ones. Have a very Merry Christmas Eve and Day! :)

Next year, book a trip to Watermelon Pond and spend time in the great cabins. Enjoy the outdoors, camping, and hunting. Lodge offers 2 bedrooms, complete kitchen, patio, great room with large HD flat screen & Direct TV, central AC & Heat. 5 stand sporting clays just beyond the patio will get your aim sharpened up before your quail hunt.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

Great Gifts for Hunters.

Trying to figure out what to give the hunter in your life? Here's a few ideas for gifts:

1 - Hunting gear: Many new and improved hunting gear is hitting the stores daily. Look for quality, as well as comfort when shopping for new gear. Lightweight items are ideal, and will be easy for your hunter to carry around when out and about.

2 - A companion. English Setters are perfect companions, and great hunting dogs. Smart, and reliable, they're sure to improve the hunting experience.

3 - A trip to Watermelon Pond. Enjoy a day quail hunting in Florida with great professionally trained bird dogs, experienced guides and a variety of game animals. Hunt for quails, turkeys, and even deer at Watermelon Pond.

Perks of Deer Hunting.

Love hunting, but haven't ventured further than turkey or quails? Maybe it's time for you to try your luck with deer hunting.

Some of the benefits of deer hunting include:

A great meal. This "gamey" animal is sure to help make a great meal. Deer meat is not only tasty, but healthy. Capturing your own meal also ensures you know what's going onto your plate. No worries of added hormones or steroids. Use deer meat in stews, burgers, etc.

Use all parts. One perk of deer hunting is that each piece can be used. Use the meat for food, the fur for cloth, and even the bones can be used.

Get out and deer hunt over at the Watermelon Pond. Make your reservations today.

All wishing to take part in deer hunting must have qualifying licenses.

Turkey Hunting in North Florida

Calling all hunters in North Florida, come to the beautiful Watermelon Pond hunting grounds. For those in Gainesville, Archer, Newberry, Ocala, Lake City, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, it's less than 2 hours to get to Watermelon Pond.

We offer some of the best Osceola wild turkey hunting to be found. Florida turkey hunting is a challenge but also extremely rewarding. Year round food plots and supplemental feeding of quality high protein, high fat feeds such as sunflowers, chufas, and sorghum, tend to make our wild turkeys a bit more predictable. Spring food plots produce an abundance of insects to meet the protein needs of pults, which in turn grow into large, beautiful Osceola gobblers.

We offer Fall turkey hunting, and Spring turkey hunting.

Our grounds encompass over 800 acres, and are surrounded by over 5,500 acres of non hunted land. Your turkey hunt will be private, quiet, and secluded.

Turkey hunting is extrememly limited. First come, first served.

Incorporate Hunting into your Vacation!

Don't have time to get all you want done in a week? Wishing you had more time for hunting? There's no reason you and your family can't have a relaxing vacation and incorporate hunting into your trip.

Check out the North Florida Watermelon Pond for your next vacation. A great hunting spot with a unique "Old Florida" outdoor adventure feeling. Take your family out camping and enjoy the great cabins that the pond has to offer, while also enjoying hunting (turkey, quail, or deer hunting), horseback riding, or just the great outdoors. This is sure to be a vacation your family will remember!

Get a good light's sleep, catch a nap or just relax in the available cabin rentals.
Lodge offers 2 bedrooms, complete kitchen, great room, patio, a large flat screen TV with DirectTV, AC, wood stove & heat

Lodge Rental $70.00 night with hunt package
$75.00 per night without hunt

Tips for preparing your dog for hunting season.

Going out hunting during the season, and bringing your dog along? Here are some tips to prepare your dog for the season:

Ensure your pup has the proper training. During hunting, your dog will run ahead of you, and take on tasks that require a strict obedience plan. For this reason, you're going to want to make sure your dog responds to the necessary commands.

Run drills with your dog. The best way to train your dog is to run drills similar to what will happen in the field. True to life activities will prepare your dog for the best possible outcome in the actual event.

Always practice safety. It's important for you to be safe, as well as for your dog to be safe. So invest in the proper gear before hitting the field. Any gear that your dog may wear, place on them beforehand so they can get used to it without it being a distraction.

For other tips and training, contact Kate Boulos of Cedar Ridge Setters.

Florida Quail Hunting

Love to hunt quail? Watermelon Pond Plantation is the B E S T place to hunt for quail in Florida.

Quail hunting in Florida was once a common pastime attracting many visitors from up north. Due to suburban sprawl and loss of habitat, quail hunting in Florida and quail populations in general have drastically declined in the past 20 years.

Watermelon Pond Plantation offers the best quail habitats in North Florida. Guide dogs, cabins, and the best hunting are all available when you reserve with us. Call today to reserve your weekend at 352-514-4282. Great southern hospitality awaits you.

Tips for training your setter.

Just adopted your very own english setter? These great, gentle, family oriented pets are not only fantastic hunting dogs, but are also very smart and friendly! If you're looking for a new addition to your family, or a companion when hunting, english setters are a great option!

Here are some tips for training your english setter:

1 - English setters are great to train, but can sometimes get easily distracted. Therefore it's important to find a method that will keep your pets attention. Some dogs are food oriented, and respond well to treats. Others are attention oriented and respond best to praise.

2 - Repetition is key! It may grow tedious, but in order to get your point across, repeat repeat repeat.

3 - Rewards. Reward your setter for good behavior, or when they respond appropriately to what you were asking. Reward positive behavior with a treat, praise, or maybe just a game of fetch. :)

To train your setter professional, Kate Boulos can help. Check here for additional information.

Tips for hunting quails.

Deciding to do some late-season quail hunting? Here are some great tips to help you snag the best catch!

Take the path less taken. Many quail hunting facilities have paths set up for quail hunting. Problem is, often times the quails say away from this path as it can be crowded. Break away from the path, but be sure to stay safe. Breaking away from the path allows you to explore areas outside.

Check the weather. If the weather is bad, the hunting may be just as bad. Would you want to be out and about in a rainstorm? Chances are the quails may be in hiding during this horrible weather as well.

Hide yourself. Camouflage yourself. Blending in to the surroundings allows you to watch, without being seen. Hide in the bushes, or on the ground, and remain still!

Invest in hunting dogs. For those really serious, hunting dogs can be a huge asset! They can sniff out the birds before they even come close.

Meet Jewel

English Setters are fantastic, loyal dogs, and companions. If you and your family are thinking of adopting, or if you are looking for a companion to join you on hunting trips, English Setters are the way to go.

Meet Jewel
Jewel was a loving and gorgeous setter. We love our setters, and we're sure you will too!

English Setters may be the best kept secret in the dog world. I have been breeding, raising and training English Setters for 30 years. Cedar Ridge Setters is known as one of the top English Setters breeders in the USA.

Quail Season!

Looking to get involved this season with hunting quail? Look no further! Cedar Ridge Setters offers great options for quail hunting. Private and secluded area at the Watermelon Pond Plantation. Come enjoy a day in our farm hunting quality quails.

Quail season is starting this October. Are you ready? Book now!

Half Day Quail Hunt:

$300 per person

Hunting Rules:

*Only two gunners may shoot over a point.

* Orange vest, hat or shirt is required.

*No alcoholic beverages before or during hunts.

*No loaded guns on hunting vehicle.

Full Day Quail Hunt:

$500 per person

For more information, and to find out what is included in these prices, visit our website.

Quail Hunting in Florida

Enjoy a day quail hunting in Florida with great professionally trained bird dogs, experienced guides and fast flying quail! We offer some of the best quail habitat and upland bird hunting in North Central Florida.

Florida quail hunting is great due to the mild winter weather. Quail hunting Florida was once a common pastime attracating many visitors from up north. Due to suburban sprawl and loss of habitat, quail hunting in Florida and quail populations in general have drastically declined in the past 20 years. We hope to bridge the gap by offering you, the hunter, excellent grounds and good, fast flying birds.

We are not a commercial quail hunting preserve with multiple parties hunting the same properties.We are a small family run operation. You will have unlimited access to your own private area and one on one attention from our guides.

We can also provide pheasant hunting for a change of pace.

Add a little good ol' southern hospitaility & some home cookin'and your trip is sure to be memorable, enjoyable & productive. Bring your own dogs or use ours and one of our guides.

Train Your English Setter

Although Cedar Ridge Setters possess an extraordinary amount of natural talent, results such as those seen here are only accomplished through development and training. Kate Boulos brings to you over 30 years experience and has trained countless gun dogs and field trial winners.

I offer training for gun dogs, horseback field trial dogs and AKC Hunt Tests. No heavy handed training methods and very limited use of the shock collar. I am "old school" and never skip the most important elements of training which are yard work and bird work. Proper exposure to birds is a key element to producing a finished and trusted hunting companion you will be proud to own.

Training rates are $500.00 per month plus birds, medicines and flea/tick preventative.

Getting Started with your English Setter

My English Setters are placed in homes where they quickly become beloved family members. They are easy to housebreak, eager to please and form strong lasting bonds with their owners.

Cedar Ridge English Setters possess a strong natural pointing desire which is manifested at a very young age.

All English Setter puppies are raised in our household and are very well socialized. Vaccinations and wormings are strictly scheduled and maintained. Pups are started on Heartgaurd heartworm preventative when 6 weeks old.

It is important to note: All English Setter puppies have complete physical examinations performed and health certificates issued by a licensed veterinarian. No puppies are sold under eight (8) weeks of age. I breed sparingly; deposits are recommended.
This is not a "puppy mill"!

English Setter puppies...

What could be more adorable? English Setters are excellent hunting dogs but are often overlooked as house pets and wonderful family members. Their soft coat and loving personalites make them a great fit for any active family. They are, by far, the sweetest member of the hunting dog breeds and are as affectionate and loyal as they come. An English Setter puppy would be a welcome addition to any outdoor family.

Cedar Ridge Setters... The English Setter puppy you've been searching for!

Talented hunters and cherished family companions.

Cedar Ridge Puppies

As are all our puppies, these English Setter puppies will be raised in my house and yard and will be properly socialized and introduced to a variety of stimuli through my unique puppy development program which includes temperament and mental stability tests, coordination and agility exercises, swimming, exposure to collar & leash,

exposure to live quail, noise and gunfire.

These pups will make excellent companions and hunters as well as great house pets!

If you are interested in adopting your own English Setter Puppy, check us out today!

Hunting Tips for Beginners

First time hunting? Or perhaps you've hunted before, but are still very new to the experience. Below are some helpful hints for those beginners looking to grasp and enjoy all that hunting has to offer, including great home cooked meals from fresh catches.

First, always be safe. Depending on the type of hunting you will be doing, it is always wise to have some form of protective gear on. A bright orange vest is usually ideal, but can sometimes be a distraction to the animals you are hunting.

Second, your equipment is essential. Binoculars, a proper rifle, and even a hunting knife are all key components to a successful hunt.

Lastly, knowledge on the animal you are hunting is a great advantage to have, even if only minor knowledge.

To learn more or to see some of the great items we have to offer, visit our website today, www.cedarridgesetters.com/

Have a great Fourth of July!

Tips for Successful Quail Hunting

Hunting quails can be fun, exciting, and some even find it relaxing. For those not too familiar with the sport, may find it a bit challenging at first. Below are a few little helpful tips for those thinking of hunting quail for the first time, or even for those more advanced.

First, quail are typically hunted in the fall. Usually a hunting dog or “bird dog” is brought along with the group to help sniff out quails. These dogs will bring the birds out of hiding, and hunters will use this commotion to their advantage.

When hunting quail it is recommended to do so in pairs, with a pair of trained dogs. This will help when covering a larger space, as well as be a good safety procedure. If something were to happen to you, it’s best that another person be around.

For safety reasons, be sure to wear bright colored clothing. With this sport, it is not necessary to wear camouflage. This will ensure not only your safety, but the safety of those around you. It may even be a good idea to put some form of brightly colored item on your dog.

English Setter Puppy Training Florida

Thinking about an English Setter Puppy? Not only is Kate Boulos a well known breeder of these beautiful dogs located in Florida, she also has 30+ years of training experience. Whether you are planning on using your English Setter for hunting, field trials or as a loving pet and companion, consider professional training so that you and your dog have a wonderful life together.

Cedar Ridge's English Setter Training includes gun dogs, horseback field trial dogs and AKC Hunt Tests. No heavy handed training methods and very limited use of the shock collar. I am "old school" and never skip the most important elements of training which are yard work and bird work. Proper exposure to birds is a key element to producing a finished and trusted hunting companion you will be proud to own. Training rates are $500.00 per month plus birds, medicines and flea/tick prevention.

English Setter Puppies For Sale Field Dogs

Adorable and smart - that's what the English Setter puppies at Cedar Ridge Setters in Newberry Florida are.

Located in North Central Florida, outside of Gainesville. Cedar Ridge Setters breeds only field English Setters. Cedar Ridge Setter dogs are FDSB registered, which means they are field English Setters, not AKC show English Setters. In short, my English Setters are gun dogs, not show dogs. These are hunting English Setters or Field English Setters, as they are called.

Cedar Ridge English Setter puppies are raised in the home of owner, Kate Boulos. Each puppy is socialized and introduced to a variety of stimuli through Kate's unique puppy development program. For further information, please call Kate at 352-472-4282.

Florida Hunting Turkey Spring Gobbler

Florida hunting is enjoyable all year round but turkey hunters especially love to hunt during the Spring Gobbler! Spring gobbler runs from March 19 to April 24 and Watermelon Pond Plantation offers the best Florida turkey hunting.

Located in beautiful north Florida near Gainesville, Watermelon Pond Plantation offers cabins with 2 beds, bathroom/shower, kitchenette, screened porch, and a loft with an additional bed. Our grounds offer the best Osceola Wild Turkey hunting where we feed year round high quality, high fat feeds such as sunflowers, chufahs, and sorghum.

Turkey hunting at Watermelon Pond Plantation is enjoyed by seasoned hunters and well as youth hunters new to turkey hunting. Call 352-514-4282 or email Kate at crzip@bellsouth.net to reserve your hunting cabin for the 2011 Spring Gobbler Turkey Hunt.