Bardrochat Pheasant Farm is operated by Ian and Jan Chapman and 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.

Bardrochat also has a Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) registered kennel for Labrador retrievers. The intention is to produce high quality working Labradors for the enthusiastic hunter. We train our own dogs and offer this service, on a select basis, to purchasers of our Labradors.

All our Pheasants are raised on the farm and come as day olds from a reputable local game breeder. We have expanded our existing 10,000 sq ft flight pen with a new addition to provide more space for out young birds to grow with less competition at the feeders.

Our Chukar are bought in and can be located 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 (5/6 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 and after being briefed on the format for the day the first drive would begin. 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 15 main drives during the day with some additional smaller ones as blanking maneuvers

There is a break for "elevenses" and after several more drives a hot lunch is provided in the lunchroom. The afternoon drives take place at the north end of the farm around the pond and hardwood bush with the day closing between 4.00 and 4.30pm. You will find this a unique experience in terms of Pheasant and Chukar game shooting.

While we normally cater for groups of 5/6 hunters smaller days can be arranged on a walked up basis to suit individual needs usually during the week. Individuals can also be accommodated in our regular groups 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 September 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.

There are excellent accommodations available within 5 minutes of the farm at www.pikelake.com and now 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. They are working on their website at www.meiklejohnhouse.ca and hope to have it live soon. As well there are numerous local restaurants within easy driving distance providing good food.

Ammunition and hunting licence applications for non-residents can be obtained conveniently at the farm.

Memberships: Ontario Game Bird Breeders Association, the North American Game Bird Association Inc, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, The Canadian Kennel Club 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 being asked to leave the field. We recommend individuals carry liability insurance such as offered by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.