Experience a premier game bird shooting preserve in Jacksonville, North Carolina—designed for hunters who value polished service, well-managed grounds. Horse Swamp offers guided and self-guided hunts with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and a refined sporting tradition.
Nestled in the heart of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Horse Swamp Hunting Preserve & Kennels offers a premier destination for those who appreciate the finer points of the sporting life. We specialize in high-caliber game bird shooting—including quail, chukar, pheasant, and woodcock—set against meticulously managed grounds designed for safety and stewardship. Whether you are navigating the fields on a guided or self-guided hunt or seeking professional training for your retriever or bird dog, our mission is to provide a seamless, high-quality outdoor experience rooted in refined tradition.
To confirm your reservation, a deposit is required at the time of booking. Deposits are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another available date at the outfitter’s discretion. Hunters wishing to reserve dates for the following season must place a rebooking deposit equal to at least 10% of the total hunt cost before departure or by the deadline provided by the outfitter.
Gratuity is not included in hunt pricing. For guests who feel their guide and staff provided exceptional service, gratuities are always appreciated.
Tyler Greer grew up surrounded by dogs, land, and the traditions of hunting. Raised on his family’s homestead—the same property where Horse Swamp Kennels and Horse Swamp Hunting Preserve now operate—he spent his childhood on the farm learning the rhythms of the outdoors and developing a deep respect for working animals. His passion for bird dogs started early, chasing quail behind his dad’s Brittany Spaniel. From that point on, hunting without a bird dog was never an option. That early experience sparked a lifelong connection to bird dogs and upland hunting that continues to shape his work today. Since 2021, Tyler has worked as a bird hunting guide, guiding hundreds of clients at multiple preserves and working thousands of birds in the field. Over the past six years, he has also built and operated his kennel, training bird dogs and continuing his lifelong commitment to working dogs and the people who hunt with them. Today, Tyler continues to grow Horse Swamp Kennels and Horse Swamp Hunting Preserve while pursuing his assistant guide license in Alaska, expanding his experience in the guiding world. Through it all, his focus remains the same: providing exceptional experiences for hunters and dedicated care and training for the dogs that make those hunts possible.
Tyler’s Dad, Rob, is not only our assistant guide on big weekends or special hunts, but he’s also a grill master and an incredible cook. With over 30 years of bird dog experience behind him, he rejoined the bird dog world alongside me. But where he truly shines is at the table. He’s the heart of every meal we serve—grilling, smoking, and crafting meals that hunters rave about. Whether it’s a hearty post-hunt feast or breakfast after a duck hunt he’s the one who turns every bite into part of the experience. When he’s here, you’re in for a meal that’s as memorable as the hunt itself.
Carl Freeman is our lead skeet and clay shooting guide, bringing decades of experience to the preserve. Since the 1980s, Carl has guided fly fishing, wing shooting, and skeet shooting throughout North Carolina. After Hurricane Helene impacted his mountain trout streams, Carl returned to his coastal roots, shifting from fishing and bird dog guiding to his passion for clay shooting. Today, we subcontract Carl and his mobile service, Coastal Clays, to give our clients a top-tier skeet shooting experience right on the preserve. Carl’s skill and dedication make every clay shoot an unforgettable part of what we offer.
At our preserve, habitat management is at the heart of what we do. We’re working to recreate the high-quality quail habitat reminiscent of the 1950s—a landscape where wild quail were plentiful. To achieve that, we intensely manage the land—whether it’s planting food plots, conducting prescribed burns, or maintaining native grasses. We foster an environment where quail—whether pen-raised or wild—can thrive.
Secure your place in the field by contacting Horse Swamp Hunting Preserve & Kennels to schedule your next adventure or training session. Because we maintain strictly managed grounds and prioritize a high-quality experience for every guest, our calendar fills up quickly throughout the season. To confirm your reservation, a deposit is required at the time of booking. While all deposits are non-refundable, we understand that professional and personal schedules can shift; therefore, we offer the flexibility to transfer your deposit to another available date at the outfitter’s discretion. Reach out today to discuss our current availability and let us help you plan a premier sporting day in the North Carolina coastal plain.