I been selected for a gun hunt Feb. 2 thru the 5.
I have heard good things but does anyone have any insight on what to expect that time of the season?
Any help will be appreciated

It’s a zoo. Lots of pigs. I actually saw a small alligator in one of the little swampy areas. It joins the river so not too surprised but he was a good mile from the river.

If someone wants to take me I got the hotel or cabin lol. I have never been selected to it and I always wanted to go

I was over in that neck of the woods today for work. The cool weather had them moving... like cockroaches.

I am hearing that week is rut down there. I think 2 weeks before is peak. You want to go. There’s deer there and big ones and pigs. Swampy and thick in places other places have some clear long shots. It’s worth the trip.

I shot and missed the biggest eight point I’ve ever seen on that side place. I’m still sick about that one. I started to throw the gun in the creek and give up on whitetail deer

You will see pigs.

I’ll be there a couple weeks before you on MLK weekend. PM me and I can give you some real recent scouting info

I will be there Jan 19th-22nd. Would love to talk to folks who are on the property before and share information with folks after me.

You're going to hit the dead peak absolute middle of the rut there at Portland. It'll be an absolute zoo down there mid January. Find a spot where you can see a good ways and sit back and watch the show. You should be able to afford to be pretty picky on bucks unless the weather is just terrible.

HUnted it before it was a SOA. Nice bucks and hunt the acorns if there are any in your area. Watch out for the alligators around water. Lots of bobcats too.

I hunted that place Feb 2nd-5th last year. It was awesome. We both tagged out. Pray for unit 17. We found out about halfway thru the hunt that we did not need tree stands. Hunted the roads with a comfortable chair. Bucks were just trolling all day. Saw 8 shooters and cant even count the doe and smaller bucks. One shooter walked up and watched
us from a pine thicket while we were having lunch at noon. He took off as I got my scope on him. Great experience overall. Pigs were there but not a problem.

I went there for a mentored hunt last year (Does) only. Everything everyone else is saying positive is true.

Thanks for the help. I will definitely contact you before the hunt

Me and dad will be there the same weekend. Let me know what unit you get and don't hesitate to reach out if you want help dragging one out

It always seems to rain in that part of the state late-jan to early feb so have your cold rain gear in order.

I got drawn for the same hunt, Feb 2-5. Any idea if they allow ATV/UTV's? Haven't received my email outlining the rules, but appreciate any advice from people who have been chosen previously. Thanks!

3 years ago they let me drive my Jeep on the roads. And some of them roads bordering sections were too swampy to get through lifted on 33” AT’s. Doubt MT’s would have made it either. I got lucky to back out before having to call for a pull.

Yes, all the SOAs I have been on have encouraged the use of an ATV/UTV

Portland is Prime time rut on those dates