“I ENJOY WATCHING THE DOGS
WORK. WHEN YOU SEE HOW SMART
THESE DOGS ARE AND HOW MAN AND
DOG COMMUNICATE, IT’S ALMOST
RELIGIOUS.” – D R . J O H N I M H O F F
Blessed with success, Gaskin is still as
humble as they come, making you feel welcome
the moment he meets you. For a man who has
created a hunter’s heaven, he hasn’t lost sight
of what truly matters, which are the guests.
“Anyone can build a pretty lodge and cook good
food, but not everyone truly appreciates the
fact that you’re here, every time you are here.”
At Dorchester, no matter if it’s your first visit,
or your hundredth, you’re treated like family.
WORLD-CLASS SPORTING CLAYS,
RIFLE AND PISTOL RANGE
At Dorchester, hearing the pop of gunshots
is as common as watching planes take off from
the airport. Aside from hunting, the preserve
also offers guests every opportunity to practice
their shooting prowess.
Versatile enough for the experienced or
Dorchester
Dogs
60
S OUT H M AGA ZI NE.C OM
After a long day’s hunt, guests can
cozy up in one of the 12 cottages at
Dorchester Shooting Preserve. When
you step inside, you feel as though
you’re right at home. The cottages
offer fireplaces, screen porches,
rustic decor, modern conveniences
and fully equipped kitchens. All of
the cottages are within walking
distance to the main lodge and dining
area, an outdoor cooking pavilion and
the pro shop. Guests can rent the
cottages year-round, and many come
in the summertime for a retreat
where they can roam the property,
enjoy a gourmet meal and practice
their shooting. If you’re interested in
building your own cottage,
Dorchester has several lots for sale.
GUEST ROOMS START AT $150 PER NIGHT
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
In 1999, Dorchester Shooting Preserve was
founded by Chuck Gaskin and his father, Char-
lie, and centered around their love of hunting,
fishing and fellowship. In the beginning, they
leased a small piece of land, a few miles away
from where Dorchester is now located, and
had one bird dog. The goal was to design a
members-only hunting club for the exclusive
gentleman.
Fast forward 18 years later, and it’s safe to
say that goal was exceeded tenfold. “We built
this from nothing,” said Chuck Gaskin. “It took
a lot of years of hard work and determination.
I truly believe it’s blessed.”
Over the years, the Gaskin family converted
a 5,000-acre pine plantation into a classic
southern hunting experience, which in turn
has been instrumental in the tremendous
growth they’ve witnessed. No longer are just
men allowed; Gaskin now employs 35 of some
of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet; and
in 2008, a 10,000-square-foot lodge was con-
structed near the preserve’s entrance. When
you step inside the lodge, striking shotguns
line the walls, a fireplace adorns the great
room, and you can smell the amazing aroma
of whatever is cooking in the kitchen. You can
hear laughter coming from the dining room as
hunters take a break to enjoy Southern fried
chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans
and warm brownies.
Sixty percent of Dorchester’s guests are
members who regularly hunt on the preserve.
In fact, membership is closed and currently a
wait list is inked with names. You don’t have
to be a member to hunt, though, anyone is
welcome on a non-member basis. Traveling
hunters come from all over the world to
experience what the preserve has to offer. An
average stay is around three days.
Dorchester
Cottages
Well-trained retrievers and
pointers are a source of pride at
Dorchester and staff work hard to
provide the best hunting dogs for
guests. Professional dog trainers
Tommy Hagan and Lacy Bauer
work full-time training and working
with the 70 dogs the preserve has.
It takes around three months to
train the dogs, and another three
months to ensure they are ready
to hunt. Hagan and Bauer train a
variety of gun dogs: the pointers;
German Shorthaired Pointers,
English Setters, English Pointers
and Brittanys; and the retrievers (or
flushers); English Cocker Spaniels
and Labrador Retrievers. Hagan
is also a professional dog handler
and takes the Dorchester dogs to
various field trials. The dogs have
racked up 150 placements, with
more than 50 of those first-place
awards. Dorchester maintains an
intensive English Cocker Spaniel
breeding program, which entails
periodically importing some of
the best from England, ensuring
they meet all of the standards
Dorchester has in place. Each year,
Dorchester averages two litters
of English Cocker Spaniels; the
puppies can be purchased.