Title: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 20, 2019, 04:36:12 PM
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 20, 2019, 04:36:12 PM
Last year I planned on booking an Osceola hunt for this spring, but due to uncertainty with my work schedule, had to wait till the new year to confirm I would be able to go. Well now I've got some time in March but the guys I wanted to book with are filled up. Anyone know of some reputable guides that might have some availability still?
Hoping for south FL for a true Osceola, and yes I've googled some outfitters but wanted to get some opinions from some guys who have unbiased experience with someone down there. Thanks guys...
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Hoping for south FL for a true Osceola, and yes I've googled some outfitters but wanted to get some opinions from some guys who have unbiased experience with someone down there. Thanks guys...
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: dejake on January 21, 2019, 04:03:07 AM
Post by: dejake on January 21, 2019, 04:03:07 AM
I hunted DC Cattle Ranch, great experience.
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: wade on January 21, 2019, 05:37:57 AM
Post by: wade on January 21, 2019, 05:37:57 AM
Reading with interest.
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 21, 2019, 07:11:49 AM
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 21, 2019, 07:11:49 AM
Quote from: dejake on January 21, 2019, 04:03:07 AM
I hunted DC Cattle Ranch, great experience.
Yeah I would love to be able to hunt with DC Ranch but I'm way late to the party with them. Think they usually book a year in advance...
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Boykin Hollow on January 21, 2019, 07:17:28 AM
Post by: Boykin Hollow on January 21, 2019, 07:17:28 AM
On the back of Lon Trice's business card, (Lonzo) he recommends God's Country Outfitters, They have a website but I do not know anything about them other than the card says 98% success rate since 2008. Maybe there is someone on OG that has used them.
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 21, 2019, 01:00:35 PM
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 21, 2019, 01:00:35 PM
Quote from: Boykin Hollow on January 21, 2019, 07:17:28 AM
On the back of Lon Trice's business card, (Lonzo) he recommends God's Country Outfitters, They have a website but I do not know anything about them other than the card says 98% success rate since 2008. Maybe there is someone on OG that has used them.
I'll give them a look, thanks...
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: AndyH on January 21, 2019, 08:04:27 PM
Post by: AndyH on January 21, 2019, 08:04:27 PM
Swamp gobbler outfitters. Doubt they have an early date available but they may have something late March. Give them a call
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 21, 2019, 08:17:37 PM
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 21, 2019, 08:17:37 PM
Quote from: AndyH on January 21, 2019, 08:04:27 PM
Swamp gobbler outfitters. Doubt they have an early date available but they may have something late March. Give them a call
Yeah Swamp Gobbler was one of the first ones I checked out, according to their website they are booked up. Heard a lot of good things about them...
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: AndyH on January 22, 2019, 07:41:08 PM
Post by: AndyH on January 22, 2019, 07:41:08 PM
Quote from: Smooth_Operator on January 21, 2019, 08:17:37 PMI'll be there the last weekend in March with them. Last Time I talked to Charley I believe he said they still had an opening that weekend. Might give him a callQuote from: AndyH on January 21, 2019, 08:04:27 PM
Swamp gobbler outfitters. Doubt they have an early date available but they may have something late March. Give them a call
Yeah Swamp Gobbler was one of the first ones I checked out, according to their website they are booked up. Heard a lot of good things about them...
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 22, 2019, 07:54:32 PM
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 22, 2019, 07:54:32 PM
Just got a call about a cancellation with Swamp Gobbler, thanks for the help guys, looks like it's gonna happen after all 
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Old Gobbler on January 24, 2019, 03:39:46 PM
Post by: Old Gobbler on January 24, 2019, 03:39:46 PM
The birds down here in south Florida will start gobbling sporadically at Christmas time .....if the weather is HOT and no wind for a few days by mid February they are in full swing and by season opener if there is no cold fronts...its red hot and tapering off
What I'm saying is ....book the first 2 weeks of the season ...there are some outfitters with good numbers of birds ...but trust me 35 seasons if hunting south and central Florida...by the time the 4th weekend of the season has arrived it's going down hill fast , and many of the" low hanging fruit gobblers" are dead , the rest well educated and or not interested about hens as much as 2 months before
I've killed them on the last day of the season , but I'm here to tell you 80%of the gobblers are shot in the first 14 days
If you want give 2k to some guy to hunt April 20th have at it , it's your $$, also if you think your shooting a real osceola 60 miles from the Georgia state line ...its your $$ again
I got tired of warning folks about the so called guides you see all over Facebook booking hunts a week before the season opener and half thier stuff is public property/permits...some shady stuff out of a airboat .....again it's your $$ have at it ...there is 1,000 bumpkins down here trying to take your $$$ so be forewarned!!!
What I'm saying is ....book the first 2 weeks of the season ...there are some outfitters with good numbers of birds ...but trust me 35 seasons if hunting south and central Florida...by the time the 4th weekend of the season has arrived it's going down hill fast , and many of the" low hanging fruit gobblers" are dead , the rest well educated and or not interested about hens as much as 2 months before
I've killed them on the last day of the season , but I'm here to tell you 80%of the gobblers are shot in the first 14 days
If you want give 2k to some guy to hunt April 20th have at it , it's your $$, also if you think your shooting a real osceola 60 miles from the Georgia state line ...its your $$ again
I got tired of warning folks about the so called guides you see all over Facebook booking hunts a week before the season opener and half thier stuff is public property/permits...some shady stuff out of a airboat .....again it's your $$ have at it ...there is 1,000 bumpkins down here trying to take your $$$ so be forewarned!!!
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: cracker4112 on January 24, 2019, 03:46:55 PM
Post by: cracker4112 on January 24, 2019, 03:46:55 PM
OG is right on. The birds on my place in S. Florida have been gobbling since around Thanksgiving. Heard several birds two weeks ago. Not hot and heavy yet but definitely will be soon. I heard one gobble in north Florida last weekend deer hunting. You definitely want to try to come hunt as early as possible. We still kill birds late season, but I wouldn't shell out outfitter prices unless I was hunting in March.
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 24, 2019, 04:16:37 PM
Post by: Smooth_Operator on January 24, 2019, 04:16:37 PM
Good info Shannon, and is spot on with everything I've researched. I got lucky with the cancellation as I'm booked to go early March, specifically March 9-11.
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: strutstopper on January 24, 2019, 04:57:01 PM
Post by: strutstopper on January 24, 2019, 04:57:01 PM
Quote from: Smooth_Operator on January 22, 2019, 07:54:32 PM
Just got a call about a cancellation with Swamp Gobbler, thanks for the help guys, looks like it's gonna happen after all
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You'll have a blast! I wish I could afford to hunt with them every year.
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Pig on January 24, 2019, 05:14:42 PM
Post by: Pig on January 24, 2019, 05:14:42 PM
Quote from: Smooth_Operator on January 24, 2019, 04:16:37 PMGood luck Smooth _Operator I'll be in South Florida March 11-13 so hopefully they'll be in the workable mood!!!
Good info Shannon, and is spot on with everything I've researched. I got lucky with the cancellation as I'm booked to go early March, specifically March 9-11.
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Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: AndyH on January 24, 2019, 08:05:49 PM
Post by: AndyH on January 24, 2019, 08:05:49 PM
I prefer to go down and hunt the last weekend in March with my outfitter. That is when I've had the best luck, plus chances are good the one you Shoot is gonna be a stud that late in the season
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: Gobble! on January 24, 2019, 08:11:58 PM
Post by: Gobble! on January 24, 2019, 08:11:58 PM
Quote from: Smooth_Operator on January 22, 2019, 07:54:32 PM
Just got a call about a cancellation with Swamp Gobbler, thanks for the help guys, looks like it's gonna happen after all
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Awesome! Get Window Makers on the board early.
Title: Re: Osceola Hunt early/mid March...
Post by: TURKEYWHACKER on January 26, 2019, 08:22:33 AM
Post by: TURKEYWHACKER on January 26, 2019, 08:22:33 AM
Good luck on your hunt and hope you achieve your slam. Guess I'm spoiled living in west central Florida having the ability to chase Osceola's all season every year. I'm a public land guy (including romp and stomps) who does fairly well, but sure wouldn't turn my nose up for a private land opportunity. :icon_thumright: