By Bette Nunn, Reporter-Times
bnunn@reporter-times.com
MORGAN COUNTY - Sprawling across eastern Morgan County are two locations totaling about 900 acres with much to offer corporations, organizations, club members and individuals who love the outdoors. Kevin L. Presnell is founder and president of the larger location, Presnell Plantation, a working livestock farm, private hunting preserve and sporting area of about 640 acres off Old Morgantown Road. He and his wife, Sheila M. Presnell, live on the property.
The other property, Stotts Creek Hunting Preserve, includes 255 acres off Peavine Road and is operated by Ed King and Ken Gilenwater.
The three men are close friends. Although King and Gilenwater have their own bird hunting and fishing preserve, they also help manage property for Presnell, who has 26 companies, including a construction business. King is a retired heavy equipment salesman, and Gilenwater is a retired General Motors employee. Both are professional dog trainers.
Lou Feagans, retired Metropolitan School District of Martinsville principal, volunteers many of his waking hours at the plantation because he is so fond of the outdoors and he likes spending time with the three men. He takes pictures for them and transports hunters out in the fields.
Due to an illness of his wife, Connie, Feagans has decreased his hours away from home, but in the past he has often visited the plantation with his bird dog, "and I hardly ever carry a gun. I just enjoy seeing my dog interact with the wildlife there." He says his true passion is conservation and he is a member of the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District Board.
"I grew up in southern Indiana on a great, big farm and I have always had an interest in farming and conservation," he said.
Foundation operates plantation
The Presnell Family Foundation operates the plantation. The livestock, equestrian and recreational grounds, facilities and program afford guests, youth, the disabled, terminally ill and nonprofit organizations with a venue where they can enjoy a plethora of outdoor events and experiences.
The "Wheelin' Sportsmen" is a plantation program designed for disabled hunters. The guests may experience the thrill of hunting deer, turkey, upland game and waterfowl or simply fish at one of 10 well-stocked lakes.
Recently, Presnell hosted several wheelchair-bound hunters, including former Indiana University men's basketball player Landon Turner, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a single-car crash in 1981.
Turner and the other wheelchair hunters were helping test a portable platform designed by Kenny King, Ed King's brother, that will enable a hunter in a wheelchair to reach hunting spots that, up until now, would have been nearly impossible to reach.
The swiveling platform, which is pushed by a four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle, will keep the occupants level over ditches up to three feet deep.
"Outdoor Wish" is another foundation program. It affords the terminally ill an opportunity to enjoy an outdoor experience, perhaps as simple as observing the cattle or horse operations, or a fishing excursion on plantation watercraft. The foundation also hosts many events for nonprofit and fraternal organizations.
Some of the other amenities include equestrian activities, such as riding lessons.
The plantation boasts miles of scenic riding trails that meander through the fields, woodlands and streams where wildlife can be seen.
The plantation also offers training and marketing of quality quarter horses.
The foundation is a nonprofit organization. It is operated essentially as a ministry.
Kevin Presnell, in his company brochure, said, "God has richly blessed the Presnell companies, and it is the mission of Presnell Plantation to share those blessings with others, and especially with those that might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in an outdoors experience on the scale and magnitude the plantation can offer."
The plantation is the home of the Presnell Plantation Cattle Co. It is a cooperating partner with Express Angus Ranches in Yukon, Okla.
The partnership, known as Express Genetics, or EXG, is recognized throughout the beef cattle industry as a high-end Angus seed stock producer.
It offers cattle grooming and fitting, and a clinic for 4-H and Future Farmers of America members wanting to learn about daily care and show day preparation for their cattle. There are also livestock judging workouts and practices.
Cattle are for sale through private treaty.
The plantation hosts a wide range of invited guests for events such as seminars, fund raisers, meetings, tournaments, retreats and other social gatherings.
Bird hunting
Many hunters from far and near visit the plantation to take advantage of hunting pheasants, quail and chukars, a game bird that's a little bigger than a quail. Some hunters come by bus and hunt for several days.
The plantation offers lodging in an 1800s log cabin that was moved to the property and remodeled to house six occupants. Guests might also stay at local motels. They can even get in a round of golf at the Martinsville Country Club if desired.
The costs
The costs are determined by how long the guests want to stay, how much game they wish to take home, meals, guides, bird cleaning and use of sporting clay and bow ranges. There is also a hunting dog kennel on the plantation property.
Three generations of families have been hunting together at the two different locations, though only bird hunting, fishing, fly fishing, clay range, a 3D bow target course, hiking, and agricultural and wildlife tours are offered at Stotts Creek.
Recently, a 90-year-old grandfather brought his grandchildren for a hunt and was ecstatic over the fun they had, said Gilenwater.
A number of hunters use bows and arrows instead of guns, especially members of the Christian Bow Hunters Association. Women also participate in some hunts, particularly members of the Women of the Outdoors.
There are shelters on the grounds and places for picnicking and camping. The area is also a holding place for whooping cranes that pass through the area.
"The region is full of deer," said Gilenwater.
He said that families could have "a really neat day" by hunting or fishing together. He also remarked that caged animals are not shot at the two locations in Morgan County as has been reported at some other preserves across the U.S. He said that birds could even be ordered and taken home alive.
Gilenwater also said that he and King are very excited about the future of Stotts Creek and its ability to provide good hunting and outdoor activities for Morgan County and the surrounding area.
The plantation's phone number is 765-349-9331, and its Web site is www.presnellplantation.com.
The Stotts Creek preserve's phone number is the same, and its Web site is www.stottscreek.com.