Chances are only a few hunters know the Pintail Pass Game Production Area in South Dakota by its official name. Pheasants Forever File Photo It's been my experience bird hunters attach a nickname to their very favorite spots. Most of us don't use official state-designated names like "Mud Lake WMA" or "Stan Musial WPA." Instead, we invent colorful names like "Scotch Double Rooster Hill" or "The Red Zone." As a self-diagnosed obsessive compulsive organizer, I thought it'd be fun to categorize the naming conventions used most often in titling a bird hunter's favorite spots. I've come up with three primary categories:

Descriptors

The most obvious nicknames are derived by the geographic or topographic attributes of a piece of property. These names are descriptive enough for insiders to know exactly the property being referenced, but also vague enough to keep outsiders away from favored covers. Examples include; "The Triangle," "Big Bluestem," "The Berry Patch," "Circle Slough," "The Horseshoe," or "The High Line."

The Former Owner

My radio partner, "The Captain" Billy Hildebrand, is notorious for naming his favorite spots in reference to the land's previous owner. In most cases, these spots are now officially-named public Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in the central Minnesota county where Billy grew up. However, during Billy's youth, these same spots were privately owned by family, friends and acquaintances. Consequently, the Green Lake WPA is simply known by Billy and his hunting pals as "Schuler's."

Historical Happening

These places earned their name as a result of a classic event taking place amongst friends, family or bird dogs. Over time, these pieces of property are the ones we hold dearest because of their link to loved ones and memories. Examples include, "Nester's Hallow," "Trammell's Triple-double," "The Opener," "Miracle Shot," "Numero Uno," and "The Chicken Ranch."

Does the name of your favorite hunting honey hole fit into one of these three categories? What's the nickname of your all-time favorite spot?

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre and listen to Bob and Billy Hildebrand every Saturday morning on FAN Outdoors radio on KFAN FM100.3.