HUNTING COUNTRY ASSOCIATION
A 501-C3 Zoning Association for the Preservation of Historic Hunting Country
HUNTING COUNTRY ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2026
A 501-C3 Zoning Association for the Preservation of Historic Hunting Country
Welcome to the Hunting Country Association's Summer 2026 Newsletter. We appreciate your continued support and involvement in preserving the character and heritage of our community.
Our Website: huntingcountry.org Email us at huntingcountrya@aol.com
HCA NEWS
Steve Cowgur, who owns the Block House and Scott Trees, HC Trails, have officially joined the HCA Board at our June meeting. We are delighted to have them and appreciate their willingness to serve. Their Bios are on the HCA website under “Directors”.
The Gathering is October 4th at FENCE this year from 4:00 pm to 6pm…we had a wonderful crowd last year and our promise to you is to make it even bigger and better this year!! Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. Also, please RSVP when you receive the Invitation…really helps us plan with food!
The HCA Board will have its next meeting will be in August, at Fence.
Always check the HCA website for the latest information, urgent updates, etc.
The Board reviewed our financial accounts and thanks to contributions from HC residents, our Defense Fund continues to grow. Your membership and participation keeps HCA strong!
We continue to update our mailing lists (thanks to Kim and Libbie). Check your name and address and if they are not correct, just send us an email and we will get it corrected. Please, just let us know. If you would like to join our email mailing list, please send your email address to .
Planning Board Votes 5-2 Not Change Our Zoning
A Resident paid for a Text Amendment to change our zoning to allow “short term rentals” of less than 90 days. This is the same Amendment applied for last year and that went before the Planning Board, losing 5-0; then the Commissioners for a Public Hearing, losing 4-1.
On June 11, the Planning Board heard this request along with a huge turnout of HC residents and voted 5-2 against any change to our zoning. Hunting Country residents turned out in force with many speaking against this change. The meeting lasted about 3 hours. We always appreciate R-1, RE-5, and Mocking Bird Hill residents turning out to support Hunting Country and the Hunting Country Association.
Why Hunting Country Zoning is Important to Me
First, thank you to everyone who attended the June 11 Planning Board meeting and especially to those who spoke in support of preserving Hunting Country's zoning. Your participation makes a tremendous difference whenever our community faces challenges.
The Planning Board listened carefully to residents and voted 5-2 against changing RE-5 zoning to allow short-term vacation rentals. The strong turnout demonstrated the commitment of Hunting Country residents to preserving the character of our community.
The Hunting Country Association exists because residents care deeply about protecting the unique qualities that make this area special. Our community's rural character, open spaces, low-density residential setting, privacy, and stability did not happen by accident. They are the result of thoughtful planning, sound zoning, and decades of stewardship by residents.
Over the past several years, the Association has worked to address a number of zoning challenges. Most recently, we helped oppose a cluster-home development on New Market Road and twice defended existing zoning provisions regarding short-term vacation rentals. In each case, residents came together to support the long-term vision for Hunting Country.
Many residents purchased homes and land here with the expectation that Hunting Country would remain a low-density residential community. Zoning helps protect those expectations while balancing the property rights of all residents.
Allowing Short Term Rentals would change the character of HC. HC exists to preserve low density residential and rural character, stability, privacy, quite and the expectations of property owners. Residents purchased homes and land in HC with the understanding that they were not buying next door to a vacation rental.
Guest houses remain permitted under existing regulations, and property owners may rent them for periods of 90 days or longer.
The greatest strength of the Hunting Country Association is not its Board—it is the residents who stay informed, attend meetings, and participate when important decisions are being made. Your involvement helps preserve the qualities that make Hunting Country such a special place to live.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support of the Hunting Country Association. Our success depends on residents who care about preserving the unique character of this community. We look forward to seeing many of you at The Gathering on October 4!
Sincerely,
Phil Burrus
President
HCA Recent Zoning Accomplishments to Protect the Hunting Country
A Major Property was purchased by an NC eastern development company in HC with plans to make it a wedding venue, music venue, rental home. The HCA worked with residents and county officials to address concerns regarding this proposal. Ultimately, the property was sold to residents who now call it home.
Stopped the "Cluster Home" development on New Market Road. A Miami Developer was going to build cluster homes on New Market. This would have had a long range threat for the Old Block House and the other properties, as it would have allowed cluster homes there.
The HCA again acted quickly over an 8 month period and the developer dropped the project and went back to Miami.
In May of 2025, there was a challenge to our "short term vacation rental" zoning. With the support of residents, once again, the HCA blocked this challenge. The Polk Planning Board voted 5-0 against this applicant and Commissioners voted 4-1 against.
In June of 2026, there was a repeated challenge to our not allowing short term rentals. After a Planning Board hearing, with a large turnout of HC residents, the Board voted 5-2 against any change to our zoning.
Your Board is now awaiting a possible public hearing on this issue in July or August with the Polk Commissioners. We will be there to defend our zoning.
HCA Membership!
To join or renew your membership in the Hunting Country Association, please complete the form below and mail it with your $45 annual dues to: HC, P.O. Box 896, Tryon, NC 28782
Yes, I want to join and/or renew my membership for 2026 in HCA!
Name____________________________Phone #____________
Address: ____________________________________________
City: ________________________ State________ Zip______________
Phone _________________________
$45.00 Dues _____ Legal Defense Fund _____Renewal ______ New_____
I am interested in serving on the HCA Board_____________________________________
I
The Value of the Hunting Country Association
As you undoubtedly know by now, Tryon's Hunting Country is a very, very special place. Those of us who live here have our spirits lifted daily by views of carefully tended rolling pasturelands and the misted Blue Ridge Mountains beyond, and the pleasure of living in such beauty that never abates. We have much in common: whether we came originally for horses, the trail system and the equestrian life offered here, or are simply nature enthusiasts, all of us appreciate the rare experience of living in an area where the land still dominates.
Hunting Country! Property Owners Association is an association (founded in 1984) to which residents of Hunting Country belong, and which works in their behalf to preserve Hunting Country for current and future residents. We work to maintain the beauty of this area.
We have a volunteer Board made up of Hunting Country residents. We sponsor events, hold open bi-monthly meetings at which members are invited to share their interests and concerns, publish a newsletter which updates residents on matters affecting our area, represent Hunting Country at zoning hearings or city or county venues considering actions which may affect our interests, maintain a legal Defense Fund, and in other ways serve the common good of Hunting Country property owners.
This is a necessary and important function, for Hunting Country is no accident; it is the result of decades of commitment to preservation and smart planning. The Association had 2 acre zoning passed in the 90's and 5 acre zoning several years after that. We supported the Polk county 7 acre zoning. We have helped protect major properties by keeping them from being divided.
Thats why, we invite you to join your Hunting Country Neighbors as a Member of Hunting Country!
Membership includes: 1) Newsletters with timely updates on matters of importance related to Hunting Country. 2) Representation before government and other groups considering actions which the HC! Board feels will have an impact on you and your fellow residents. 3) If there is an issue that arises, we are totally prepared to meet it head on. 4) Open bi-monthly meetings of the HCA.
We are a 501-C3 Non-Profit Association, non-political Association, made up of residents of Hunting Country.
HCA Membership!
To join the Hunting Country! Association, just complete and mail along with your check for $45 dollars to: Hunting Country! Association, P. O. Box 896, Tryon, NC 28782
Yes, I want to join and/or renew my membership for 2025 in HCA!
Name__________________________________________Phone #________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
City: ________________________ State________ Zip______________
Home Phone _________________________Cell Phone _________________________
$38.00 Dues ___________ Legal Defense Fund __________ Renewal ______ New_____
I am interested in serving on the HCA Board__________________
Historic Home Series in the Hunting Country
The Hunting Country has many historic homes and is itself a historic area. Beginning at our western entrance, the “Old Block House Barn” is a historic landmark. Hunting Country is also the home to four Carter Brown homes, the River House, Little Orchard and others….
In this Newsletter, we are featuring “the Gate House & T-Barn at the Cotton Patch on Hunting Country Road. Hope you enjoy the articles.
The Cotton Patch Gate House – from the National Register of Historical Places
The Cotton Patch is a rural estate in Polk County located in the Hunting Country on South River Road. The associated buildings on the property were designed by architect Russell S. Walcott in 1938 and built for James and Katrine Perkins as a summer estate and retirement home.
The property purchased was purchased in 1948 by Willis and Jacquelyn Kuhn of Indiana, who further developed the property as one of the premier equestrian estates in Polk County. When my family moved to Hunting Country, we knew the Kuhn's well. Both were involved in the Olympic equestrian program that was held on the property.
Gate House, built in 1941 – from The National Register of Historical Places
The one-story L-shaped dwelling is located near the entrance to the property and adjacent to the horse stables and barns. Resting on a brick foundation, the house has an asphalt-shingle gable roof, exposed rafter tails, waney edge siding, two exterior stone chimneys, and an exterior brick chimney. Windows are typically six-over-six double-hung sash or picture windows with a large central light flanked by four-over-four double-hung sash. An attached wood deck was added around 2005 and provides access to the two single-leaf entry doors located in the interior angle of the “L.” The door into the east wing is sheltered by an attached gable-roof hood supported on metal brackets. The interior contains two bedrooms, living and dining rooms, and an office. A gable-roof screened porch extends to the rear (south).
Originally built in the 1930s, the residence served as the home of Elbert Nanney, James Perkins' caretaker and farm manager. Nanney's house was destroyed by fire in May 1941, although Nanney and his family survived unharmed. The Nanney's lived in the main house during the summer while the Gate House was built.
Barn (“T Barn”), Built in 1945 – from The National Register of Historic Places
The main barn, known as the “T Barn” because of its shape, consists of two wings connected by an open breezeway located between the top and the stem of the “T.” The west wing, forming the top of the “T,” is a two-story gambrel-roof building with waney edge siding, a pyramidal-roof cupola, and six-over-six double-hung windows. It contains an office, kitchen, bathroom, and tack room, with two horse stalls located on the north side.
The east wing is a long gable-roof building containing four stalls and a work room at the east end. The overhanging roof on the south side is supported by wooden posts and shelters a brick walkway. The stalls, which extend the full depth of the wing, are accessed by Dutch doors. Robert Wallace, a later owner, converted three stalls to work rooms and a kitchen in the 1990s.
Hunting Country is no accident; it is the result of decades of commitment to preservation and smart planning. We invite you to join your Hunting Country Neighbors as a Member of Hunting Country!
The HCA is at the ready should anything arise to cause zoning problems and issues with our beautiful area. For $38 dollars a calendar year, an association like the Hunting Country's Association is priceless.