Any of you SC guys planning on hunting the archery hunt at Belfast WMA in Clinton this year? I hunted there a few times the year before last saw a few deer. I may hunt there a few evenings this year just for a change of scenery. Perhaps could meet up there.
I'd be up for that. I'm going to try McCalla as well.
Count me in Mike! Forgot all about Belfast. How long will it be open to bowhunting?
It's open for archery from 9/15 to 9/30. After that it's draw only, which closed in August.
I just rode over there. It's only about 30 minutes from me. I did walk in a couple of spots found a ton of fresh sign. I'll be there at 5 am on Tuesday. They have some trail cam pics of some absolute monsters. I think I'll ride back over there tonight and check out a couple of more spots.
I will only be able to go in the evenings after work. This week I can make any evening except Thursday. I will be going in blind without scouting but i do know where some good oak ridges are so would be heading there. Looper, were there any acorns?
Doug, we never did get together this summer, it was so hot I didn't do much of anything. Only went scouting for the first time this year on Saturday. Sure am glad to see this cooler weather.
I will only be able to go in the evenings after work. This week I can make any evening except Thursday. I will be going in blind without scouting but i do know where some good oak ridges are so would be heading there. Looper, were there any acorns?
Doug, we never did get together this summer, it was so hot I didn't do much of anything. Only went scouting for the first time this year on Saturday. Sure am glad to see this cooler weather.
I didn't see any, but I really didn't get to scout much. It looks like they are still feeding on grass and browse. I didn't get back over there this evening.
I'll send you a PM.
Mike, it will be good to get together and get out. I was laid up with a 3rd degree sprain ankle and fractured bone in my foot towards the beginning of summer. Just really getting back on my feet. Belfast is a great hunt!
I ended up hunting Belfast a couple of times. The first time was last week in the pouring rain. Found a ton of rubs, scrapes, and my buddy put a stalk on a really nice 8 point. He was within 25 yards and spooked it by stepping on a stick. I didn't see anything that day, but did have deer blow at me 3 separate times. I couldn't see what they were due to the dense undergrowth.
This morning, though was a different story. I saw 8 does, half a dozen turkeys, a couple of young bucks, and one monster. He was a huge 10 point. I watched him working his way up the edge of a stand of pines from about 75 yards away. He eventually crossed my scent stream and snuck off through a thick stand of young pines.
I'll be back there during small game season, for sure. I think it's a place worth hunting every chance I can next year.
Sounds like you did good. I didn't get to go to Belfast any, only been in the woods 3 times so far. Seems so much was going on as soon as the season opened.
Maybe next year.