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PLEASE NOTE: ALL
pictures of deer on this page are from the 2006 ONLY!!!
This shows the high quality deer that we have to offer....
OUR PROPERTY:
Thornbury
Plantation operates on appoximately 3000 acres of privately owned land, located in an
area of Northampton County known as Occoneechee Neck. Surrounded on
three sides by 15 miles of the Roanoke River, and accessible only by one
paved road, Occoneechee is locally regarded as one of the best places to
hunt in the county. Local landowners and adjacent lodge managers are
working together and have combined over 18,000 acres in one block, all of
which operate under some form of wildlife management.
Thornbury Plantation is located in the very heart of this
region. In addition, every year at Thornbury, we are aggressively
installing new food plots, and doing other beneficial Quality Deer
Management (QDM) practices on our many acres of diversified woodlands and
agricultural fields.
With the landowner, farmer, and timber consultant, all being
operators of Thornbury Hunting Lodge, it is assured that our property will
see continued growth in wildlife habitat. We truly feel that our
efforts are insuring that Thornbury is becoming the premier hunting location
in North Carolina.
OUR 2006 DEER OF THE YEAR
OUR PHLOSOPHY: We
have a very unique situation here at Thornbury Plantation which puts
things in our favor for excellent wildlife management opportunities.
The most important of which is the geographical advantage we naturally
have by being isolated on three sides by the Roanoke River. With
the landowner, farmer, and timber consultant all having interest in
the hunting operation, we have eliminated the barriers that would slow
the process of habitat improvement.
We are doing everything possible to improve the habitat--pine
thinning, prescribed burning, clover plots, winter wheat cover in the
agricultural fields, etc. The one thing that is out of our hands
is the harvest restrictions that must take place. That is in our
clients' hands.
Here are Thornbury Plantation, we truly are developing an incredible
place to hunt. This is why we ask our clients to HELP us by not
shooting the middle of the road, 2½ year old buck. We do
reserve the right to charge a fee of $250 for this violation. So
far, none of our clients have had a problem, or any confusion as to
what is expected, and have willingly helped us towards our goal.
Our repeat customers are testimony to how things are working.
The flip side to the buck restriction is unlimited doe harvest.
At least for now, our biologist has given us the "as many as you
can shoot" philosophy. This will be closely monitored as we
progress.
After your hunt, the guide will clean your deer and take the
necessary information. We will register your deer back at the
lodge. Your deer will then be weighed and the jawbone removed.
(We will need to do this even on a deer that will be mounted.
Have no fear, however, your guide is well skilled at doing this task
without cutting the lip.) We then evaluate the kidneys for fat
levels. This gives us a good idea of the nutrition of the
animal. This information combined with the location on the
property which the animal is harvested gives tremendous insight to
our efforts in habitat improvement.
Your guide will handle all of this for you
Your guide will also handle all of the
cleaning of your deer. Your venison will be allowed to
"age" in our walk-in cooler until the last day of your
stay. Then the animal will be quartered and placed in your cooler.
At Thornbury Plantation we cater to "hunters" not
"killers." Our clients are people who find more
enjoyment out of watching a 4-pointer feed under his stand walk on
rather than they would in killing him. This is what we expect.
We are creating a safe, private, quality oriented experience with a
better than average opportunity to see a nice buck. So far our
plan is working.
DEER HUNTING:
For the past several years Northampton
County has boasted the highest harvest rates for Whitetail Deer in North
Carolina. It is estimated by biologists that Northampton County has
a population of about 70 deer per square mile, with the Occoneechee region
estimated at 80-100 deer per square mile.
Thornbury Plantation is a member of the North
Carolina Deer Management Program, which consists of an aggressive doe
harvest, with restrictions on bucks. The harvest of doe on our
property is unlimited and we have doe tags to provide you. This is
great for those hunters who wish to return home with large quantities of
venison. We allow 2 bucks, with a spread of 14 inches or greater, to
be taken on any given trip.
As with all free range hunting there are no
guarantees of success. However, with the large number of deer that
we have on the property, guests have a realistic opportunity to harvest a
nice buck. Our season runs from mid-September through the first of
January, and we take a maximum of 12 hunters per trip.
With all of the seasons the basic order applies. Mornings start
with a hot pot of coffee and light snacks. We will have everybody on
his or her stand, or in the woods, before daylight. The morning hunt
lasts until 10 a.m., after which we return to the lodge for the largest
country breakfast you have ever enjoyed.
We return to the stand about 2 o'clock and hunt
until dark. A guide will pick up you and your game, then it is back
to the lodge for a great meal we are sure you will enjoy. (Many of
our clients say they return each year just for the food!)
Your guides will dress and clean the game at the lodge. This
is very important because we must keep accurate records of all animals
taken from the property. When it comes to the cleaning of your kill,
gratuity is appreciated.
ARCHERY SEASON:
We have one month of Archery, which typically begins in the middle of
September. The weather is warm to hot, (70 degrees to 95
degrees). We usually try to hunt trails that lead to and from
feeding and bedding areas. The deer are still predictable and
un-pressured, and many buck's antlers are still in velvet. We
provide a few lock-on stands, but encourage each hunter to bring
their own climber.
We love to bow hunt here at Thornbury, and
will work as hard as possible to help you succeed. The
mosquitoes are always something to prepare for. We find that
camouflage net suits work best and can offer full concealment.
We take a maxim of 6 hunters per trip, and have an archery range,
with an elevated deck, right at the lodge
MUZZLELOADER SEASON:
The muzzleloader season lasts for one week, just before rifle season, and
the dates are typically in early October. The deer are still very
un-pressured and success rates are high. We use more of our
permanent stands during black powder season than we do during archery
season, but we still strongly encourage you to bring your own climber.
Temperatures may still be in the 70-degree range, so come prepared for the
mosquitoes. Most shots will be from 5-150 yards. Have your
weapon sighted in and get ready for some great hunting.
 
RIFLE SEASON:
Mid-October brings in rifle season and
along with it some of the most productive hunting on the East Coast.
We use our permanent stands exclusively during this season. We
currently have over 80 stands in productive locations. The stands
are all very comfortable and range from metal ladders with large baskets
to free standing towers and tripods. All are safe, well-positioned,
and maintained. We move the stands from time to time as needed as an
aid in keeping them productive.
Shots can range from 75 yards to as far as you
feel comfortable. We strongly recommend a large caliber gun (.243 or
larger) with accurate scope as the distances of the average shot is about
150 yards. We do have a range on the property to check your weapon.
As with all of the seasons, please take the time before you arrive to
become confident with your weapon. All deer deserve a clean kill!
LODGING:
We have a
four-bedroom lodge, which sleeps 12. Two bedrooms sleep four, and
two sleep two, all of which are downstairs. The double occupancy
rooms are ideal for husband and wife, or father and son combinations.
We have a large, commercial kitchen and dining room. Downstairs
offers a game room with darts and a pool table.
If relaxing is on your mind, feel free to wander upstairs to the
trophy room and lounge. Satellite TV as well as a massage chair is
provided. We have a walk-in cooler where we are able to store your
harvest until you leave, and there is a spacious back deck. The
bathrooms always have fresh linens, and there is a washer and dryer
available for the guests to use. You need only bring personal
toiletries and hunting gear along.
THORNBURY
PLANTATION (added
6/1)
Thornbury Plantation Hunting Lodge
1087 Occoneechee Neck Rd
Jackson, North Carolina 27845
(252) 583-2842
email us: thornbury@ncol.net
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