Not something I would typically do, but I have a group of work colleagues that are looking to book an Osceola hunt for 2025. I am looking for recommendations that can house about 8 hunters at once. Accommodations must be nice with good meals provided.
I'm interested in a lodge, not a show up and hunt with minimal land. Any recommendations from actual experience would be appreciated. Feel free to reply or PM.
Thanks
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Osceola Dreams... They did a great job getting me on a bird last year.
I'd reach out to Mike Tussey at Osceola Outdoors.
Thanks for the replies. All are appreciated.
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Swamp Gobbler Outfitters they work hard to get you a bird and are fun to hunt with.
Quote from: hipp2412 on February 09, 2024, 11:31:26 AM
Osceola Dreams... They did a great job getting me on a bird last year.
Thank Ya Bud!!!!! We enjoyed having you.
I don't offer any lodging but you're welcome to give me a call and I will do my best to take care of you
Blake Crawford 3525049116
All I can say make sure you get concrete information on the hunt and rock solid pricing.
Does swamp gobbler offer lodging and meals?
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Quote from: slicksbeagles1 on February 09, 2024, 08:48:37 PM
All I can say make sure you get concrete information on the hunt and rock solid pricing.
Amen to that! Of course, that applies anywhere, not just for Osceola's in Florida... :icon_thumright:
Also, the more north you go towards that "imaginary line" that the NWTF decided to draw, the more likely you are to just be hunting Easterns (or hybrids). ...Of course, you can call them what you want... ;D
Yes swamp gobbler outfitters had lodging and meals
I booked a hunt with southern outdoors in south Florida. He stays booked 1.5 seasons out so you got to be quick . I done a lot of research and figured this was the best since he has access to so many acres .
The Ranch owners of DC cattle decided to take a break from the guiding ,it's was fun and the people you meet were simply the best , I enjoyed the whole experience
With that said ..I made the prediction 15 years ago that GENUINE guided Osceola hunts will reach astronomical levels in the future, and if your going to do it do it NOW ..the bottom is falling out of the industry (supply of hunts ) and I predict the quality outfits will be able to get 4000 and up very very soon , if not already, take into mind that the dollar isn't what it used to be , and the prices will go higher
I'm not going to go into a long post about be wary about fly by night operations , ask for references and avoid anything to do with high water mark /airboat rides ....and guides on public land ..permits ...run away from that
FYI - if you're looking for a pay to play Osceola hunt you are probably about a year late. The south zone opens March 2nd. Maybe 2025 is still doable. BTW - I gave up trying to get actual WMA turkey harvest numbers the FWC received from their mandatory reporting system that was implemented in 2023. This was even after a specific FOIA request for WMAs that do not have check stations or drop boxes ( there are 139 WMAs and the majority don't have either). I did receive a massive bunch of gobbley-gook that listed all the people that applied but they knew better when they sent it that this wasn't my intent. Others on another forum made the same request and got only deer numbers. The turkey file was actually too big for my home computer to load. The Osceola game is a hoot. They obviously have county by county turkey harvest numbers also but good luck getting these either. After using 6 preference points to draw a decent WMA quota I left well enough alone.
Thanks for the comments. Orginal post stated looking for 2025.
Any experience with quality outfitters with lodging is appreciated.
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I'm curious if you can get a firm 2025 price locked in? I often log onto Jim Shockey's Book Your Hunt web site. Only two Osceola hunts currently listed. One is $3950 and one is $2000. I can find little info on the cheaper one. Neither outfit brings up references unless I'm missing something. There are elk hunts in the $4000 range. Crazy times.
Lightsey family ranch has accommodations that will fit my groups need. Anyone heard of them or hunted with them?
Feel free to PM me if you don't want to respond via public. I have not heard of them, I just found them on a Google search.
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Quote from: Old Gobbler on February 10, 2024, 06:45:55 PM
The Ranch owners of DC cattle decided to take a break from the guiding ,it's was fun and the people you meet were simply the best , I enjoyed the whole experience
With that said ..I made the prediction 15 years ago that GENUINE guided Osceola hunts will reach astronomical levels in the future, and if your going to do it do it NOW ..the bottom is falling out of the industry (supply of hunts ) and I predict the quality outfits will be able to get 4000 and up very very soon , if not already, take into mind that the dollar isn't what it used to be , and the prices will go higher
I'm not going to go into a long post about be wary about fly by night operations , ask for references and avoid anything to do with high water mark /airboat rides ....and guides on public land ..permits ...run away from that
Funny you say this because the outfitter we booked has already raised his prices to 300.00 for 2026 .
Who did you book with?
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The Lightseys are a very well known family and have a solid reputation, The family ranch is High fenced just fyi. I know alot of folks are against that, Gods Country is another great option aswell if lodging is a must.
Quote from: OsceolaDreams on February 12, 2024, 07:37:19 AM
The Lightseys are a very well known family and have a solid reputation, The family ranch is High fenced just fyi. I know alot of folks are against that, Gods Country is another great option aswell if lodging is a must.
Thank you sir! Very kind to recommend another outfit. Unfortunately, lodging is a must for this bunch. There all not devoted as most of us.
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thats the way it should be my friend! I understand completely
Quote from: Upfold99 on February 12, 2024, 07:27:52 AM
Who did you book with?
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Southern outdoors outfitters south Florida. I'm paying 3200.00.
I know you're looking for 2025 hunts and I know he is already booked up until 2026.
I had buddies book with whitetail heaven in Florida and they said they would never use them again or recommend them so keep away from them .
Thanks everyone!
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I'll throw out another name, Silver Lake Preserve. It's near fisheating creek on some of the prettiest natural old Florida left. It's Lykes Bros, and I'm sure it's pricey, but I hunt in the area and the turkey population is as good as anywhere in the state. Pretty sure they have a lodge.
Quote from: Old Gobbler on February 10, 2024, 06:45:55 PM
The Ranch owners of DC cattle decided to take a break from the guiding ,it's was fun and the people you meet were simply the best , I enjoyed the whole experience
With that said ..I made the prediction 15 years ago that GENUINE guided Osceola hunts will reach astronomical levels in the future, and if your going to do it do it NOW ..the bottom is falling out of the industry (supply of hunts ) and I predict the quality outfits will be able to get 4000 and up very very soon , if not already, take into mind that the dollar isn't what it used to be , and the prices will go higher
I'm not going to go into a long post about be wary about fly by night operations , ask for references and avoid anything to do with high water mark /airboat rides ....and guides on public land ..permits ...run away from that
Glad i hunted DC cattle ranch when i did back in 2013. It was a great experience!! Shannon it was great meeting you and spending time with the ranch owner and his son. It was an exceptional hunt and unique experience spending time with the people that actually own the land. I learned a lot and have a great appreciation for them.