Osceola Public Turkey Hunting

[chmcpherson]

Anyone had any luck hunting Osceola's on public land?

[g8rvet]

Lots of friends down south that kill their two every year.  Some on the first weekend.  Then the aggravating dudes come up here and hunt MY easterns! 

[guesswho]

Killed them regular from 1965 to about 2000.   I don't go back much anymore.   I can say it's a bit more crowded now vs late 60's and 70's.   

[ddturkeyhunter]

Yes you can, not the easest because your hunting for the spot to hunt to kill that bird in. Been there in 2009 first year no bird. in 2010 got first Osceola, then in 2013 got one. In 2016 got two and going back down again this year, have to learn the land. Very crowed in 2016 187 huters through gate open day 7 birds shot,second day 144 hunters 3 birds shot one was mine. then tappers off during week by next sat 88 hunters two birds, still the birds are pressured. so you have to hunt pressured birds. This is just one of a bunch of managements. But I hear all get hit hard, there birds there but hard to get to come out of the thick swamps. I going back down there this year again not only to hunt turkeys but because of a great bunch of people down there, there nice to you when they figure out there are some nice Yankie's from the north out there.