CLICK HERE FOR OUR MAY CALENDAR!
May Turkey reservations must be done with 3 days advance notice.
To reserve email us at: reservations@whalebackfarm.com
 
"What could be better than good weather for opening day for  of New York States Wild Turkey Season?"    Well You wont have to go far to ask 17 year old Ben who shot his first Turkey ever a 9" long Beard at 6:00 AM or His hunting Partner 13 year Old Brandon who Shot his second Turkey ever an 8" Long Beard at 6:20 AM today May First!  With a "Turnneresque" misty pink sky at sunset April 30th, the boys helped Bill Hall grill Steak and Portablo Mushrooms on the Owner's Cabin deck while listening to 4 Turkey gobble before roosting! Then after dinner they scouted to hear the birds settle in for the night then off to bed for sleepless night. Bill Father of Brandon and Uncle to Ben is an expert hunter skilled in Bird Dog training and pheasant hunting, White Tail deer hunting and is one of the areas finest Wild Turkey callers. Just before dawn the boys were set up in the lake woods with a decoy far below the roosting birds. The first bird flew down hill and walked directly to the decoy, Bang! A second bird long bread flew back up into a near by tree. It could have flapped its wings and flown a mile toward Canandaigua lake below and been gone. Patience and experience saved the day. Slowly, quietly, purring father Bill encouraged the second bird to the ground. It flew up hill and returned from behind the tree. Branond using last years experience and a cool head allowed the Tom to come to him from behind and circle he tree. Bang 2 for two! What Great Start to a Whaleback Wild Turkey Season, no wounded birds and no  startled birds trained about hunters either! Back at the Cabin, the boys admired their Trophies. We at Whaleback could not be more pleased then to see young new hunters have success and become good sportsmen! Then from the Cabin deck a sound wow. The Boys heard two more gobbles from the woods they had just left.

We are waiting for your call to sign up to hunt! Reservations@whalebackfarm.com

CLICK HERE FOR MAY 14 UPDATE
Here is a wonderful sky view of Whaleback Farm!!
 

Photograph was compliments of Kip Hale
WHALEBACK FARM
HIKING HOW TO TIPS April 30th 2003
Freeman/Footprint Press updated to Whalebach Farm Site
 
 Spring Hiking & Mountain Biking & SUV Guidelines   
The Month of May is Wild Turkey Season one hour before sun rise until noon daily. Hunters will be out in full camoflage on adjoining Hi Tor Game Management area and on Farm land through out the State. Hikers, pick-nickers, and Bird watchers should plan their out door activities with safety and these facts in mind. In the interest of privacy for whaleback hunters and your safety, we ask that you not schedule a hike during morning hours at whaleback Preserve until June. Thank you.
 
"Spring is mud season at Whaleback Farm and other areas arround the Bristol Hills. No SUV's should be driven through the farm on our dirt or grass roads in May. Every year some fool thinks he is the exception and gets off road and stuck up to his axcles. This is a problem for everyone and it hurts the land. Please use our designated parking areas for land access and walk. Walking is good for you. Please select the trails you use this time of year carefully to avoid adding to erosion and causing irreparable damage. Be sure to sign in at Whaleback Clubhouse upon arrival in our outfitter room and to log your visit and comments prior to leaving the property.   Be aware of your impact and set a good example by avoiding wet, poorly drained trails. Even light hiking use during this period causes severe damage to the trail and the surrounding natural resource. Particularly avoid hilly dirt trails where the steepness and thin soils are susceptible to hiker and biker impact if wet.
 
"During mud season, southern exposed trails that are well drained when possible. It is a good time to check out trails by olunteering to help trail mark and clear debree from this winter and the April 6th ice strom.  When ever you hike Whaleback, wear proper boots so you can walk through muddy spots rather than around them..    
~Trail Update May First 2003~
  • The Trail Head to Wiskey Point From the Clubhouse: (1350 vertical and 3 miles round trip) This is one of our most beautiful trails. It drops down from Staition 8 on the Blue or Station 12 on the Red Sporting Clays Course into hardwoods and sharply north and west to the smal falls and ravene at the point behind Dr. Kamiles property. Crossing the Stream it continues to desend Stream and Ravine side to Canandaigua Lake! Views are out of this world. It is challenging but not difficult. Enjoy seeing deer, owls, hawks, turkey vulture, wood peckers, woodland birds such as roughed grouse, wild turkey and songbirds, possibility of black bear. With luck on a summer day a swim completes the descent! We need help clearing and remarking this 200 year old trail this spring.
  • Clubhouse to Hang-gliderlookout (300 verticle 1 mile round trip) A favorite hike for all. Easy to navigate and not possible to get lost. Picknick table and fire place and Trash container at site. 1400 verticle feet strait down to the lake. Possibility of seeing deer, wild tukey, bald eagle, turkey vulture, raccon, many field birds. Conects to main farm center trail south (2 Miles), South farm western trail Steep descent ( 3 Miles), and "franscico Lake trail" a 1400 foot to lake level very steep trail which requires a guide. Volunteers welcome to mark trails this spring.
  • Trout Pond Trail to Viewboard Road returning through Apples and Alders and Dog C trailing area. (1Mile) Wet in Spring time. Please do not drive SUV to Pond if wet. Picknick area at pond and firelace with trash container. Trout fishing is on and rainbows often rise to surface! enjoy seeing pheasants, ducks, great blue heron, hawks, swallows, and field birds. Deer, fox, wild turkey and as well on occation.
  • South Hill Rd Parking Lot after Red Gate: This is the perfect starting point for Hiking Hi Tor from Whaleback through the Clark's Stream Gulley to the West River going south off Whaleback Land (5 Miles 1,100 verticle down) or going North into Whaleback land past the new trout pond up hill (1 mile 400 vereticle) and back to the Hang-glider Lookout!  See wild turkey, deer, fish, song birds, coyote, possible black bear and waterfalls where Indian Maidens were reportedly Sacrifced. In the valley below find arrow heads in vinyards if lucky!
  • Want more? An organized horse back trail ride, a morning walk with catered breakfast in the out doors "A la Africa Safari", perhaps start a Hot Air Baoon ride from mountain top, What's your adventure look like? Call Bruce for guided hikes or your groups reservation wish to hike, pick-nick or create an event envirornmentally friendly to Nature and enjoy the most beautiful hill top in the finger lakes! Whaleback Farm Preserve. (add link here for Reservations@whalebackfarm.com  
  • Remember: Walking or Mountain bicycling on the side of a trail causes trampling to trail-side vegetation and causes trail widening. Use your best judgment. If you know or hear a trail is muddy give it an opportunity to dry and plan to take an alternative route." Step on rock  or stone surfaces when  practical/available.
 
CLICK HERE FOR MAY 14 UPDATE
 
  For More Summer data check out our SOCIAL LEASE
Click on Pheasant for Home Page!