In 2013, Wynfield Plantation reopened its doors to hunters, after the quail venue was closed to the public in 2009. The closure of Wynfield had been gloomy news for many hunters in the South, who fretted the loss of a plantation considered a jewel in the crown of Georgia quail properties.

The land, located in the heart of plantation country near Albany, Georgia, has hosted commercial hunting parties for years, but it did not truly develop into the plantation so many hunters have grown to know and love until the early 2000s. That was when Larry Ruis first became involved with the property. Once a partner at a large accounting firm, Ruis had retired and was looking to fulfill a Southern sportsman’s dream: to own a quail plantation.

After acquiring it, Ruis oversaw the renovations, improvements, and launch of the operation under the Wynfield name (which he chose in honor of his grandfather, whose middle name was Wynfield). Ruis set about improving the facilities by adding several guest cabins and state-of-the-art kennels, and extending the main lodge. Thus, Wynfield began to earn a reputation for getting the details right.