That’s the goal of husband and wife co-owners Dan and Lee Kubbe.

For more than 20 years, the Hubbard Lake-based hunting preserve has offered something for hunters and non-hunters alike. Hunters can hunt year-round and try their hand at bagging several different types of birds, including colorful ringneck pheasants, bobwhite quail, and black melanistic pheasants. Non-hunters can bring along a camera to shoot nature photos, tag along on a hunt, or kick back with a cup of coffee in the clubhouse.

But Rapid Wings is more than just a hunting preserve. For the Kubbes and their clients, it’s a place where memories are made; a place where husbands and wives, fathers and sons, old and new friends alike can bond and have memorable experiences. Successful hunts are always celebrated, but just as important are the good times spent and stories shared after a day in the field.

“It’s a real family atmosphere, absolutely. We’re (coining) the (phrase) ‘The best memories are made at Rapid Wings farm,'” Lee said.

News Photo by James Andersen With feathers flying, Drake, an English Springer Spaniel, chases after a pheasant during a recent hunt at Rapid Wings Farm in Hubbard Lake. The preserve offers year-round hunting and hunters can try their hand at bagging ringneck pheasants, chukar partridge, bobwhite quail, and black melanistic pheasants.

Clients who are lifelong hunters have spent money and time bird hunting across the nation, but say the cover and terrain at Rapid Wings is as good as what’s out West, according to Lee. It also offers hunters an affordable hunt close to home.

Lachine resident Arlee Barker is a frequent hunter at Rapid Wings, and said the Kubbes’ operation is one of the best he’s seen. During a recent hunt, Barker gave his English Springer Spaniel, Drake, the chance to do some fieldwork and Drake responded in kind, kicking up several birds.

“I really like being in the open field and getting to watch the dog work back and forth and spending time out hunting. It’s nice because you can do it year-round here,” Barker said. “(I enjoy the) hospitality, the fields are real nice, just a top-notch operation. I’ve been to a lot of other bird farms and I truly believe Lee does a great job.”

The property on which the preserve sits has been in the family for more than 100 years. It opened for shooting in 1998 and the preserve opened in 2003 under the supervision of Lee’s father, Leonard Bates.

Rapid Wings offers several different styles of bird hunts, including field hunts, where hunters can do a hunt with a bird dog. They can also do a European-style tower hunt where hunters are placed strategically at 18 different stations, which are positioned in a circle. In the center of that circle is a centrally-located stand, where birds are released, offering hunters a chance for passover shooting. Hunters are rotated from station to station to get a chance at each one. As they move, hunters are presented with some challenging shots as they rotate from wooded areas into open spaces.

News Photo by James Andersen Drake, an English Springer Spaniel, is congratulated by his owner Arlee Barker after retrieving a pheasant during a recent hunt at Rapid Wings Farm in Hubbard Lake.

After all the birds are released during a tower hunt, the fields are open to do a clean-up hunt to bag the birds that weren’t taken.

“It’s the most diverse tower hunt in the United States,” Dan Kubbe said. “It’s a nice form of entertainment. It brings a lot of older gentlemen back to their youth, almost.”

Once a month, Rapid Wings also holds a women’s hunt, which offers a chance for shooting practice, experience in the field, and clinics on topics like wilderness survival and gun cleaning.

Over the years, longtime Rapid Wings hunters have become like family and new visitors are quick to rave about the preserve’s offerings.

Longtime hunter Steve Chapman lives just a few minutes away from Rapid Wings but has spent so much time there, he’s now considered family. Chapman found Rapid Wings many years ago and brought along his young Setter, who instantly fell in love with working the fields.

News File Photo A hunter holds a pair of pheasants at Rapid Wings Farm in Hubbard Lake in this January 2022 News archive photo.

“In a Setter, one day they can’t hunt and the next day they hunt like they knew it their whole lives. The lights had just turned on, so I brought her over here, released some birds and let her watch. She loved it,” Chapman said.

Over the years, Chapman has been asked to run his dogs during hunts for other Rapid Wings clients, has helped Bates train dogs during the summer, and has sent friends and family to the preserve for hunts of their own.

“I brought my grandson over here for his first hunt; Lee filmed that and you can talk (hunting) safety, you can help kids shoot,” Chapman said. “They’ve been really friendly to me and I hope I’ve helped them some, too.”

Hunts are available by reservation only. Those interested can call 989-727-8880 or 989-916-8880 or visit rapidwingsfarm.com to inquire about pricing and reservations.

News Photo by James Andersen Arlee Barker directs Drake during a recent hunt. Barker, a Lachine resident, frequently hunts at Rapid Wings and said the reserve is a great spot for his dog to do some fieldwork.