Fall 2011 - Huff Creek Properties

Fall 2011
Huff Creek Properties
Newsletter
in this issue
P.1 Introducing Huff Creek Properties
P.2 Rules & Recipes
P.3-4 Arrowhead Ridge Tract
P.5 Our Sponsors
P.6 Critter Control
P.7-8 Essentials of a Successful Food Plot
P.9 Our Sponsors
P.10 Organizations We Support
a timber and recreational land division of
Page 1
Introducing Huff Creek Properties
By: Rusty Hamrick
NAI Earle Furman is proud to announce the addition of Huff Creek
Properties, a land division specializing in timber and recreational
properties. This division is a full service brokerage and property
management arm of NAI Earle Furman and in addition to representing
buyers and sellers in land transactions, we offer management plans
that include all aspects of the following topic areas: lease management,
wildlife management, and maintenance/upkeep. Our team works
diligently to provide the highest level of personal service and we are
proud to offer in-depth property valuations and outdoor resource
analysis for all of our clients.
NAI Earle Furman is recognized as the #1 Upstate South Carolina
Commercial Real Estate Company by the GSA Business Book of Lists
and retains the largest percentage of market share in the Upstate
year after year. Huff Creek Properties is dedicated to this level of
excellence and envisions a bright future as a dominant industry leader
in the timber and recreational land market. Operating under NAI
Earle Furman gives us access to state of the art technology, a full-time
marketing team, and access to the New America International (NAI)
global connection that consists of 5,000 brokers and 350 offices in 55
countries throughout the world. These capabilities allow us to provide
clients with unmatched exposure on a piece of property and truly set us
apart from other firms that focus on timber and recreational property.
This publication is our first newsletter that we will send out each quarter.
These newsletters will primarily consist of informative articles on
land management, wildlife management, market reports, recreational
pursuits, government policies, and conservation initiatives. When it
comes to timber and recreational properties there is always something
new to learn and the mission of our newsletter is to keep you up to date
on the latest developments.
We hope you enjoy this first issue – you can visit us at our new website:
www.huffcreekproperties.com
- RH
&Recipes
Rules
Page 2
South Carolina Rules and Regulation Changes for 2011
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has announced a special season for hog hunting with dogs on
all Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s) in Game Zone 1 & 2. This season runs from January 2nd to March 1st in
Game Zone 1 and includes the following restrictions – handguns only, daylight hours only, and no more than four
dogs per party. Game Zone 1 is north of the main line of the Norfolk Southern Railroad from the Georgia State
line to South Carolina Highway 183 in Westminister, SC. It also includes property located north of SC Highway
183 to the intersection of Highway 183 and the Norfolk Southern Railroad main line in Greenville and then north
of the main line of the Norfolk Southern Railroad to the Spartanburg County line.
This special season runs from February 1st to February 15th in Game Zone 2 with the same restrictions applying.
Game Zone 2 includes the following counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Chester, Cherokee, Edgefield, Fairfield,
Greenwood, Lancaster, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, York Counties. It also
includes property in Greenville, Oconee & Pickens Counties that is located south of the Game Zone 1 line.
Hunter’s Casserole
This recipe is a Huff Creek Properties favorite, especially after spending several long, cold hours in the deer stand or
duck blind. We suggest topping it off with sour cream or a ranch & hot sauce combo. Serve with a sofa and college
football game.
1 pound ground venison
3 slices bacon
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can tomato soup
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 16 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
6 stuffed green olives, sliced
Cornbread Mixture
1 cup white corn meal
¼ cup all purpose flour
1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¾ tablespoon sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk
FRY bacon in a black skillet. REMOVE and drain on paper towels. CRUMBLE. In the bacon drippings, BROWN the
ground meat, onion and garlic. STIR in tomato soup and chili powder. SIMMER for 10 minutes. In a deep casserole
dish layer the corn, bacon, olives, and meat mixture. MIX together cornbread ingredients and pour over the top.
BAKE 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees, or until cornbread is light brown on top. This is great served with greens on
a cold day during hunting season.
Page 3
Arrowhead Ridge - A Turkey Hunter’s Paradise
For the past two turkey seasons,
I have had the privilege of hunting an
incredible 264 acre tract located just
over a mile below the North Saluda
Reservoir along the North Saluda River
in northern Greenville County. The
property, nicknamed Arrowhead Ridge,
consists entirely of mature hardwoods
that stretch from the base of Chestnut
Mountain to its 1,720’ peak. Hunting
in the mountains was a relatively new
experience for me, especially in a big
woods setting like the one on Chestnut
Mountain. Although I had high hopes
for success – the property had not been
hunted in several years and I had seen
turkeys on several prior occasions – I
was well aware of the old adage that
turkey hunting in the mountains could
be very frustrating for newcomers.
My first and only hunt of 2010
took place in late April. I was joined
that morning by a good friend and by
the time we reached the peak it was still
very dark and the wind was howling
at thirty to forty miles-per-hour. We
hunkered down next to a giant white oak
at a T-intersection on the three-quartermile ridge road and put the box calls to
work. After an hour of the wind, below
freezing temperature, and no turkeys we
decided to make the long walk down the
mountain to a large, protected bottom
area. We set up in the bottom and called
for about two hours without seeing or
hearing anything - frustration had set
in. We started back up the mountain
and stopped half way up at the truck - it
was almost noon by now and another
walk up to the ridge was not very
enticing. By now the wind had finally
died down so we reluctantly headed back
up the mountain for one more try. After
another long walk we made it to the peak
and made a few short yelps and loud
cuts that were immediately answered by
a gobble. The bird sounded like he was
at least three hundred yards away so we
quickly headed in his direction down
the ridge road. Before we had made it
one hundred yards he gobbled again,
this time on his own and much closer to
us, so we sat down just off the road. We
called again and were cut off a second
time. The gobbler sounded like he had
gone another one hundred yards in the
opposite direction so we got up and
started towards him. We walked a quick
fifty yards then slowed down in fear of
bumping him. As soon as we slowed
our pace I heard the sound of leaves
crunching that sounded very close - too
loud and steady for a squirrel or small
bird. We immediately dropped to the
ground in the middle of the ridge road
and shouldered our guns. About thirty
seconds later my buddy ended the hunt
and brought a whopper home with him
– twenty and a half pounds, eleven and a
half inch beard, and one and one quarter
inch spurs.
The next time I hunted the
property was on the last Saturday in
March of 2011. My friend’s eleven-yearold cousin had shot a long beard a few
years before and he was very eager to
get a second one. We were more than
happy to take him because that allowed
us to hunt a week before the April 1st
opener on youth day. The morning of
the hunt rolled around and the plan was
to ease up to the ridge road and set up
a ground blind with decoys in the road.
We had been talking up the chances
of shooting a bird, so of course things
immediately starting going wrong. As
soon as we started up the mountain in
the golf cart the bottom dropped out.
Two minutes later the golf cart broke
down. Carrying the blind and decoys up
the mountain in the pouring rain was
out of the question so we unhooked the
trailer from the truck and drove directly
to the spot where we wanted to set up
the blind. The rain was hard enough
that we were convinced driving to our
spot wouldn’t hurt anything – three
hours later we were second guessing
ourselves after not seeing or hearing a
thing. By nine o’clock we were wet, cold,
and ready to call it a day. We decided
to call one last time, as loud as possible,
on the box call. About fifteen minutes
later our young shooter saw the bird
three hundred yards away at the end
of the ridge road. With a quick look
through the glasses we confirmed that
it was a turkey and he was headed our
way – quickly. In less than ten minutes
the bird cut the distance in half and we
were able to identify him as a long beard.
About the same time the gobbler must
have seen our decoys because he broke
into a dead sprint. He slowed down once
for a quick half strut but never stopped
his approach.
By: Rusty Hamrick
A few clucks at twenty yards got the
tom to stop and the junior marksman
made his shot count. I will never forget
the commotion and excitement that
ensued as we flipped the blind over and
ran through the pouring rain to claim
his trophy. The bird weighed twenty
and a half pounds, wore an eleven and
half inch beard, and sported one and
a quarter inch spurs … two for two
on Arrowhead Ridge, both of them
tremendous mountain toms.
Ten days later we were a group
of four hunting so we paired off, each
group heading toward opposite ends
of the ridge road. A vocal longbeard
had given us the slip a few days before
on the south end of the ridge so one
of our two pairs set out to try him
again. I barely heard the shot from their
direction at a little after eight but I was
pretty confident it was them. The bird
had gobbled on the roost and ground
gobbled at every call they made. The
shooter needed three shots and took a
tumble down the mountain but, after
seeing the size of the longbeard, I’m sure
he would do it all over again. The trophy
bird had the longest spurs I have ever
witnessed – a full one and half inches
– and weighed twenty pounds with an
eleven and a quarter inch beard.
Towards the end of the 2011
season, I took a turn as the trigger
man with a good friend backing me
up. We ended up on the ridge road in
a heavy downpour for the second time
this season. Unfortunately, sitting in the
ground blind all morning did not keep
us from getting soaked. The rain finally
let up so we set out down the ridge road,
stopping every few hundred yards to hit
a call. Our box calls were damp so my
Page 4
buddy went to work on his aluminum
slate call. After a few series of long,
loud yelps a gobbler rang out and we
walked quickly downhill in his direction.
We made it one hundred-fifty yards
before stopping in the woods next to a
power line and he rang our ears when
he gobbled at seventy yards. We hit the
deck and after crawling to the closest
tree we could find I quietly eased a shell
into the chamber. Less than two minutes
later I picked his head out – glowing red
and white and the size of a softball - as
he rounded a mountain laurel thicket
and drew a bead on him at thirty-five
yards. Two quick clucks got him to pick
his head up. The loud “CLICK” that my
gun made when I pulled the trigger sent
him running off. Everyone has their
moments and on this day mine was
Ridge that have not been hunted in
years. It could be the long, isolated road
that stretches just under one mile along
the ridge of Chestnut Mountain that
draws so many trophy birds. I have an
opinion that the narrow portion of the
North Saluda River bordered by large
open strawberry fields below Arrowhead
Ridge are not the most favorable habitat
for turkeys and therefore the birds in this
area prefer to reside on the mountain.
Of course there’s a strong possibility that
the main reason for the quality turkey
hunting on this property is the 18,000
acres of undeveloped mountain forest
surrounding the North Saluda Reservoir
located just a over a mile to the north.
Whatever the reason may be, Chestnut
Mountain is without question a turkey
hunter’s paradise – and it looks like
shucking the chamber shut and rolling
the gobbler at forty yards as he hit full
stride. I kept the trophy streak alive: a
twenty-one pounder with an eleven inch
beard and one and three-eighths inch
spurs.
Over the past two years, chasing
longbeards on Arrowhead Ridge has been
nothing short of world class. Maybe it’s
the adjacent 406 acres just below Arrow
it will remain that way for a very long
time.
Arrowhead Ridge is without question
a crown jewel of the area and has
exceptional investment potential
and recreational value. The price on
Arrowhead Ridge has undergone another
price reduction and is now priced to sell
at $1,650,000. Now is the time to take
advantage of this unique opportunity!
Page 5
Fixed Rate Financing!
FOR YOUR LONG -TERM INVESTMENT
FIN AN C IN G FO R :
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JOHN LIVINGSTON
10/6
Regional Vice President
jlivingston@agsouthfc.com
306 Hillcrest Drive, Laurens, SC
864-984-3379 or 800-521-6697
agsouthfc.com
Marketing, Printing, Mailing Services
Integrated Solutions
for Business
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864-241-0644
Page 6
Critter Control
By: The Critter Company
South Carolina’s wild animals are fascinating and beautiful, but when a wild animal becomes a threat to your
investment, a hazard to your home or commercial space and damages your property, give us a call at Critter
Company LLC and we will help solve your problem. Critter Company is a full service, licensed and insured
nuisance wildlife control company that is locally owned and operated serving the Upstate of South Carolina.
Wildlife damage problems are currently on the rise in the upstate due to urbanization and population growth.
A decreasing trend in hunting and fur trapping are also factors in the conflict between people and wildlife. The
staff at Critter Company are here for you to resolve the conflict between wildlife and your investment in the most
effective and professional manner.
With the summer’s extreme heat nearing an end and the cooler days of fall just around the corner, comes
an increase in wildlife activity and movement. Bats and squirrels and birds will soon invade residential and
commercial structures to stay for the fall and winter. These animals not only pose a threat to your health but they
can also cause costly damage to the building’s exterior and interior. These nuisance animals will cause leaks and
chew wiring causing fires and possibly the complete loss of your investment. Critter Company will professionally
inspect the structure to determine the best method of exclusion and prevention of future occurrences. After the
problem has been stopped, we will remove all bird/bat droppings and insulation contaminated by droppings and
urine, decontaminate the area and replace any contaminated insulation.
One of the most destructive nuisance wildlife animals in the country is the beaver. Millions of dollars of
damage are done by residential, commercial and agricultural real estate every year by beavers. These animals can
destroy timber investments, block waterways causing flooding eventually leading to erosion problems. Critter
Company’s experienced staff uses the most effective methods to control nuisance beavers and prevent them from
damaging your property.
Critter Company protects your property from other animals such as
raccoons, pigeons, skunks, swallows, chipmunks, mice, snakes, opossums, feral
cats, feral hogs, coyotes, foxes, etc. We specialize in both urban and suburban
wildlife damage management for residential, commercial and agricultural
properties. Give us a call at 864-444-5881 or email us at crittercompanysc@
gmail.com and we will discuss your nuisance wildlife problem and schedule an
appointment to solve it. We look forward to hearing from you!
Page 7
The Essentials of a Successful Food Plot
One of the most common
the food plot much more effective.
questions asked by sportsmen is “What
will last 3-4 weeks depending on the
amount of rain so a second application
is the secret to a great food plot?” The
Archery and muzzle loading
might be necessary. Doves are selective
answer to this question is simple - there
season are great opportunities to get a
foragers and prefer to have bare soil
is no secret. A quality food plot requires
jump on the game that you are pursuing
under any type of forage.
extensive research, planning, and hard
and warm season food plots work best
your crops have clean dirt at ground
work. The first step in planting a food
for this time of year. Soybeans, iron and
level the application of herbicide is very
plot is selecting a seed. Determine the
clay peas, and lab-lab are great warm
important. Incorporating these methods
animals you want to attract and select a
season seeds that provide excellent
to your crop production will increase
seed based on this determination. The
forage for early season hunts. During
your overall yield and provide doves
second step is selecting the location
the winter months of deer season sugar
with an abundance of food throughout
and method of implementing the food
beets, brassicas, and Austrian winter
the season.
plot. The final step is not only the most
peas provide a sweet, sugar based plant
simple but can prove to be the most time
“A quality food plot
requires extensive
research, planning,
and hard work.”
consuming - doing the work. Following
these three steps will ensure that you are
successful with the growth of your food
plot which will put the odds of attracting
the trophy animals we all dream of
harvesting in your favor.
Incorporating a plan of action
for each food plot is vital to a smooth
planting season.
Several important
aspects to consider when planting a food
plot on your property are site selection,
soil acidity, and equipment selection.
Site selection is the first and most
important step.
To ensure
Road beds, inclines,
While many seeds will benefit
that the deer will love. It is imperative
and rocky soils are sites that you should
all types of wildlife, there are a few that
that you select the right type of seed for
stay away from.
target a specific game species. Chufa,
the right species of game that you are
compacted to the extent that no seed will
an example of one of these plants, is
targeting.
grow effectively. Hills and inclines are
the seed of choice for the wild turkey.
Most road beds are
poor selections for food plots because of
Crimson clover is a very close second
For wing shooters looking to
water drainage and erosion problems.
for attracting turkeys. Crimson clover,
plant a dove field, the most common
Rocky soils are poor sites due to the
a favorite among sportsmen, is a
seeds include white millet, sorghum,
wear and tear on equipment and most
more economical choice because it is
and sunflowers (the most popular seed
rocky soils are not favorable for plant
inexpensive and it provides excellent
for a dove field).
growth.
forage for both deer and turkeys.
leaves of a young sunflower plant are a
Deciding what to plant for deer can
favorite of deer so, in order to prevent
In order to achieve optimum levels of
be difficult due to all of the different
serious harm to your crop, consider
acidity in your soil, you must be sure
options available. For most hunters, the
using electric fencing if you are in an
to apply the appropriate amounts of
most basic mix of wheat, oats, and rye is
area with a high deer density. A more
fertilizer and lime.
favored. This mix can be planted in the
affordable method to keeping deer
of acidity can be done through a soil
early fall months and it creates a great
from feeding on growing sunflowers is
sample and this very simple task will
base crop that can be supplemented
poconite.
determine how much fertilizer and lime
with other types of seed. Adding in a
deer that is spread the same way as
few pounds of crimson clover, purple
fertilizer and should be spread at 100
top turnips, rape, or chicory will make
pounds/acre. The smell of the poconite
Unfortunately, the
Poconite is a deterrent for
Testing the level
a food plot site needs. The desired PH
Page 8
level (the measure of acidity) is 6.3
schedule is important. These schedules
addition to implementing a schedule,
– 7 and in most cases the application
should consist of designated dates for
constantly monitoring the condition of
of lime will be necessary.
Attaining
clearing and breaking ground on site
a food plot is essential to achieving year
proper PH levels is vital to the success
areas, fertilizing and liming dates,
round success. Keeping a journal or
of a food plot because plants cannot
and herbicide application dates.
log book is a great tool for documenting
In
absorb more than 25% of any fertilizer
this information and can help your
unless the soil PH is at an optimum
food plots and the wildlife they support
level.
maintain good health throughout the
Fertilizers provide plants with
much needed nutrients that boost a
year.
plant’s growth and ensure a healthy
and long lasting crop so make sure to
For more information on food plots or
test the acidity of your soil.
to place an order contact
Will Montgomery at 864-585-0935,
The next step in food plot
implementation
is
choosing
the
appropriate equipment. Knowing what
limitations you are faced with in terms
of equipment is important to your
preparation. Food plots can be planted
with tractors, four wheelers, and hand
tools depending on conditions. Heavy
equipment works best for large food
plots (minimum 1-2 acres) with easy
access and maneuverability.
Smaller
food plots (less than 1 acre) might be
difficult to reach with a large tractor
so using a four-wheeler is a good
alternative. For open areas inside of a
wood lot that are suitable for a food plot
use a rake and hand held spreader and
sprayer.
The money, time, and effort
required for a successful food plot should
not be underestimated.
Hard work
and dedication are vital to achieving a
high success rate and if done properly
they will be rewarded in the form of
healthy wildlife populations. Managing
several food plots can be very time
consuming so having a well-planned
info@carolinafarm.net, or visit
www.carolinafarm.net
Page 9
Please join your local Foothills Branch in celebrating
several recent national accomplishments!
• Chosen as Best New Fundraising Branch of the Year for our
successful 2010 Season Banquet
• Branch Sponsor Stu Lewis honored as Al Brothers Deer Manager of
the Year for his work at Cedar Ridge Plantation
• Life Member Ron Fleming selected to sit on Whitetail Musings Panel
at the QDMA National Convention
Watch for announcements regarding the following upcoming branch events:
• Dr. Perry DeLoach Memorial Youth Hunt - December 2011
• Food Plot Seminar and Field Day with Ron Fleming - Spring 2012
• Fundraising Banquet in Greenville - August 2012
For more information or to join the branch, please email us at FOOTHILLSQDMA@GMAIL.COM
or contact Branch President, Everett McMillian, at 864-991-1004.
QDMA... Ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat, and our hunting heritage.
Page 10
Organizations
We support
Contact Us
Rusty Hamrick
email: rhamrick@naiearlefurman.com
phone: 864-678-5999
Drew Stamm
email: drews@naiearlefurman.com
phone: 864-678-5996
Stay Connected to
Huff Creek Properties
www.huffcreekproperties.com
huffcreekproperties.com/blog
www.naiearlefurman.com
101 East Washington Street, Suite 400
Greenville, South Carolina 29601
Our Properties
+758 Acres Lake Greenwood Tract
Riverfork Road
Waterloo SC
Priced at $3,775,000
+105 Acres Chestnut Mountain
(Arrowhead Ridge)
Chestnut Mountain Road
Travelers Rest SC
Priced at $1,350,000
+368 Acres Burns Road Tract
302 Burns Road
Travelers Rest SC
Priced at $2,758,125
+444 Acres Waterloo Tract
Waterloo SC
Priced at $1,175,000
+190 Acres Blackwell Farm
Bulls & Keller Road
Taylors SC
Priced at $2,100,000
+106 Acres Augusta Road Tract
Pelzer SC
Priced at $975,000
+264 Acres Chestnut Mountain
(Arrowhead Ridge)
Chestnut Mountain Rd.
Travelers Rest SC
Priced at $1,821,600
Lake Greenwood Lots Stillwater Road &
Pemberton Road
Waterloo SC
Priced at $135,000