Bardrochat Pheasant Farm is located a convenient 90 minutes by car north west of Toronto's Pearson Airport. Both Ian and Jan are keen hunters and run their own Labrador retrievers on hunting days.

Bardrochat is a century old farm and, in addition to the hunting activities, the owners are actively farming the arable ground to accommodate the shooting. The farm is set in the rolling land of North Wellington and consists of small fields (usually stubble and hay) bordered with old hedgerows containing the original cedar rail fences. Suitable strips of corn have been laid out as well as conifer plantations to provide good cover for the birds. These and the hedgerows provide excellent "drives" from which the birds can be flushed. An active feeding program encourages residual birds to remain on the farm.

All our Pheasants are raised on the farm and come as day olds from a reputable local game breeder. Currently we have approximately 17,000 sq ft of flight pens which allows lots of space for our young birds to grow with less competition at the feeders. In addition we have 2 open topped release pens on the farm. We plan to again raise poults in these pens for the coming season. These birds eventually fly over the pen as they develop flight capability and in essence grow up as "wild" birds. The advantage of this approach to releasing birds is that they are wilder and stronger flyers compared to the usual flight pen reared birds.

Our Chukar are bought in as day olds and are raised in "covey" pens located in hedgerows or game cover crops. These pens provide an anchor for the Chukar which tend to "explode" when flushed and make challenging targets when mixed with pheasants.

Unlike most game farm formats where hunters are often left to find birds on their own, we provide English style guided days with challenging driven and crossing birds to parties of standing and walking guns (5/7 guns). Wingshooting at it's best, these birds provide above average challenge, compared to the usual "going away" game farm variety. Only one group at a time will be accommodated so you will have exclusive use of the farm on your day.

A typical day would see the guns arrive between 9:00 and 9.30am. After the detailed safety review, a briefing on the format for the day and drawing peg numbers we are ready for the first drive. Some guns would be lined up as standing guns and others as walking guns. The beaters and dogs would form a line and drive the birds towards the standing guns. Guns rotate between walking and standing so that everyone shares in the sport. There are 17 main drives generally available of which 10 will usually be incorporated into the day with some additional smaller ones as blanking maneuvers.

There is a break for "elevenses" and after two more drives a hot lunch is provided in the new lunchroom. The afternoon drives take place at the north end of the farm around the pond and hardwood bush with the day closing about 4.00pm to allow the residual birds to go to roost. You will find this a unique experience in terms of Pheasant and Chukar game shooting.

While we specialize in providing fast, driven birds in the English style suitable for teams of 5 to 7 guns smaller days can be arranged on a walked up basis to suit individual needs usually during the week. Individuals can sometimes be accommodated in our regular groups for a driven day by prior arrangement. Guns are welcome to bring their own canine hunting companions by prior arrangement. Break type shotguns are preferable for this type of shooting and in fact 20 gauge guns are frequently the hunters choice.

Shooting normally begins in October and closes in January.

The ground and cover is suitable for those interested in training their dogs and this can be accommodated by prior arrangement.

In 2009 we added a new 500sq ft lunchroom for the enjoyment of our guests. This allows us to greet and brief our guests in comfortable surroundings as well as serve a delicious lunch at the large dinning table. In addition to washroom facilities there is a warming woodstove sitting in the specially constructed hearth area and an inviting chesterfield to relax in after the days shooting is over.

There are excellent accommodations available within 5 minutes of the farm at the Pike Lake Motel. See their website at www.pikelake.com for details. Also the Meiklejohn House in Harriston provides excellent B&B accommodations in delightful surroundings. An excellent dinner can also be provided by prior arrangement. Contact Ralph Drost at 519-338-2671 for more information and bookings or check their excellent website at www.meiklejohnhouse.ca As well there are numerous local restaurants within easy driving distance providing good food.

Ammunition for 12 and 20 gauge guns as well as hunting licence applications for non-residents can be obtained conveniently at the farm.

Memberships: Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA), and Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

One cannot emphasize enough the importance of safety in the shooting field. Any unsafe activities will be addressed immediately and could result in a gun or the group being asked to leave the field. Individuals are required to carry personal liability insurance such as that offered by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters or CSSA to comply with our insurance arrangements.