Just over 90 miles southeast of Cullman, tucked into the town of Alpine in Talladega County, is a hunting preserve that boasts “Southern hospitality since 1834.” Selwood Farm began as a true family farm at that time, passed from one family to another more than 100 years later, and in the 1980s was transformed into a recreational site. That same second family still runs the property today, providing an outdoor getaway experience for families, private groups and corporate retreats.
“Dell and Carolyn Hill own Selwood Farm; it has a pretty rich history,” said Judith Jager. “My great-grandfather bought Selwood Farm in 1948 from the original settler named James Mallory. James Mallory founded the property in 1834 and named it Selwood, which means ‘The Kings Hunting Forest.’”
The advantages of being a family-owned business are plentiful, and that is reflected in the atmosphere and experience guests are provided.
“There are a lot of advantages when you have great owners,” Jager said. “My grandparents, and now my father who works full time at Selwood and will take over, bring their values into the work environment. We believe in working unto the Lord in everything we do, treating people with respect, giving people chances and offering everyone that enters through our doors the best customer service possible. We treat people like family. The best and worst thing about being family owned is probably the same – we all care. A LOT.”
Selwood Farm began offering hunting and wing shooting in 1984 and was the first sporting clay range in the state when the course opened in 1990. It has steadily increased its offerings and amenities, now hosting large corporate and nonprofit events, providing overnight accommodations, retail and luxury guns; and it was the first sporting clay group to offer Helice in Alabama. Helice (pronounced hell-ees) is a well-established game in Europe that is catching on quickly here. It’s a fast-paced, intuitive, simulated live bird game. Selwood Farm has the only Helice ring in Alabama.
“Anyone looking to have a great day in the outdoors, even if you are new to the hunting and sporting clay world, will have a blast. We offer sporting clay shooting lessons for shooters of all experience levels,” said Jager. “We have something for everyone.”
So what should you bring for a visit to Selwood?
“It depends on if you are planning to shoot sporting clays/Helice or if you are hunting,” said Jager. “For sporting clays, we can outfit you in our Pro Shop for pretty much anything you may need from safety glasses, shotgun shells, to a shotgun. For hunting in the fall and winter, you will want to plan on having some type of thick pants like jeans or brush pants. If you forgot your ‘orange,’ we’ve got you covered in our Pro Shop for that, too.”
Selwood Farm is a bit of a drive from Cullman County, but those who’ve made the trip say it’s worth it!
“I think what makes Selwood special are a few things,” said Jager. “The fact that it has been in our immediate family for over 75 years is pretty crazy! Most land changes hands, I feel like, especially when a business/hunting property is involved. Also, a lot of recreational hunting properties in the state are relatively new and were developed out of a want, not a need. When my grandfather and grandmother Dell and Carolyn Hill transformed the cattle and farming operation at Selwood into a hunting and sporting clay property, it was strictly out of survival mode ingenuity (see more of the property’s history at selwoodfarm.com/about-us.) God has certainly blessed our humble beginnings and allowed Selwood to turn into what it is today and what it will be in the years to come.”
Find out more about what Selwood Farm has to offer at www.selwoodfarm.com.
"God has certainly blessed our humble beginnings and allowed Selwood to turn into what it is today and what it will be in the years to come.” Judith Jager