Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Hello all,
I'm headed down to hunt Big Cypress the first 7 days of Florida's season. I was planning on flying down, but got to thinking that a bicycle could be useful if the conditions were dry enough for me to cover ground quickly with it.

Do y'all think having a bike would be useful enough to merit driving the 15 hours to haul it from North Mississippi?

yes

I would do it. Hopefully it isn't too wet though... it might be more of a pain to deal with, but I definitely can see how it would be a great advantage.

Worst case just chuck it back in the truck I suppose. Or maybe it can save you a mile here and there of walking.

For the hard paced roads in Big Cypress, yes.  The sugarsand trails once you get off the roads are probably still gone be hoofing it.  Depending on where you are gonna go in, and how far back on the "roads" you wanna go i would say yes.  Also depends on which unit you are going to be in as to how many and how far the roads go.

That's sugar sand in my posted avatar.  Pretty much not bikeable but some try it with really fat tired mountain bikes. I'm remembering a few bikers hunting the Bear Island area. If you've never been to Big Cypress you'll enjoy it. Good luck.

Watch out for the cypress knees


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Last spring was very wet. Not all roads are very friendly to bike travel.  Still gave it hell!

I will say I thought it was worth it to have the bike.  Access points are limited.  And I truly believe I wouldn't have had the success I did without that bike.  But if you've never been, you may be caught off guard initially.  I know we were. 

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200221/77dfafe5d5d441a966f911c7471d4a33.jpg)

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Thanks for the input guys. This will be my first time in the Cypress. I've tempered my expectations as far as getting on a bird, but I really look forward to the experience and giving it an honest try. I'm planning hunting the BI unit, and get to go down next weekend to scout, which will hopefully give me a little insight on how to approach.

Looks like driving will be worth it just for the bike, but I guess it'll also allow me to be more organized as far as what I bring. Derek, after watching yall's videos from last year, I pray it is drier this year.

You might consider flying in and buying a $100 Mt. bike from Walmart and donating it to a good cause when you leave. Just saying it's an options in lieu of 30 hours of driving just to bring a bicycle.

Quote from: FullChoke on February 21, 2020, 11:23:08 AM
You might consider flying in and buying a $100 Mt. bike from Walmart and donating it to a good cause when you leave. Just saying it's an options in lieu of 30 hours of driving just to bring a bicycle.

I was thinking the same thing. Bubba

Quote from: FullChoke on February 21, 2020, 11:23:08 AMYou might consider flying in and buying a $100 Mt. bike from Walmart and donating it to a good cause when you leave. Just saying it's an options in lieu of 30 hours of driving just to bring a bicycle.

That's also what I was thinking. You can get a cruiser with fat tires and 21 gears at Wallyworld for around $100. That's what I did. Been using mine for years, and killed many a turkey with it. When you're finished you could donate it to a youth group, or give it to the Sheriff's office. Most of the ones I know of have a program where they give used bikes to underprivileged kids at Christmas.
I've never been to the Big Cypress. I know it can get really wet. If you're coming down here to scout early, you'll know then! I have biked through sugar sand and water with my bike in the higher gears. It's definitely doable. Good luck!!
Here's a pic of my $100 Walmart bike. I added on gun racks and a rear fender to keep the water off of my back. Since this pic I've added a rear rack and milk crate to help me tote stuff in and out.

(https://i.imgur.com/a8U6PqJ.jpg)

There are many other advantages to driving. If I was going for a full week.. and the drive was under 15 hours.. I would consider driving it. You can carry a ton more stuff in your truck. Come and go exactly when you want.... no stress about /flight times, timelines, etc.  Don't have to deal with TSA, gun check etc, etc..
Always look at the actual "door to door time" when comparing fly vs drive time. When flying.. you don't always gain as much time as you think. Especially on short hauls like this that may have a layover. Also factor in driving from your house to airport, plus getting to the airport 2 hours early (bringing gun) Then the time it take to get gun, rental car when you land.. then time it takes to drive to your camp.
If really depends on how far you live from airport, any layover, how far camp is from the airport in Fla.

I would Uber a swamp buggy.

been wanting to make that trip, one day ill get down there and give it a shot. would love to manage get on a bird or two in there. goodluck

I really appreciate your responses. I'm glad to hear that I'll be able to get around places at least a little more efficient. My truck is a gas guzzler, but I've been thinking it'd be worth it just to have the extra organization and flexibility.  Florida is a lot more intimidating to dive into for the first time than any other state, but I've never been more excited for a trip. Gonna give it the college try and bird or not, I think hunting in a place like that is gonna be quite the experience.

It's definitely an experience every turkey hunter should try but don't wait too long. Do it while you're young.  It will take a lot of walking/biking to do it right.  There once was a regular poster on these forums who backpacked in, stayed deep in the swamp for three or four days, and always seemed to come back with a bird.  His pictures and stories were classic.  Hope he is still around.  Maybe a panther got him?? You may not see a panther but almost guaranteed you will see a track or two if you get back off the roads.
If Big Cypress is wet you may be walking/biking a trail and find this.
But it will lead to this.  There were birds here.
Yes these are old pictures but they give you an idea.  Good luck.

OP, what dates are you going? How long you staying?


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Joey think you mean Hooksetter. Yup his stuff was classic.


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Quote from: sasquatch1 on February 22, 2020, 06:08:37 AM
OP, what dates are you going? How long you staying?


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I'll be down there from opening day (Saturday the 7th) through Friday the 13th.

Joey, I'm only 25, and plan on putting on all the miles my legs can take. Don't think I'm prepared to backpack in just yet, but bet it provides some great stories. I'm gonna see if I can find any of Hooksetter's old posts.

First time this yankee(they still give me crap around the camp fire) went down there in 2009 it was dryer then can be. When I went back in 2010 water was back to normal and the gators were back also. Found a bigger one blocking my path one day and didn't want to move ended hitting him with big chunk s of wood before he got out of the way. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/9bf73f2e639a99e7b71144730bc6f7f3.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/56f2ab752541ee3c2204e35f9b8c7af8.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/218de91216e9cf67feabaa678c99c46d.jpg)


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Quote from: ddturkeyhunter on February 22, 2020, 11:40:24 AM
First time this yankee(they still give me crap around the camp fire) went down there in 2009 it was dryer then can be. When I went back in 2010 water was back to normal and the gators were back also. Found a bigger one blocking my path one day and didn't want to move ended hitting him with big chunk s of wood before he got out of the way. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/9bf73f2e639a99e7b71144730bc6f7f3.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/56f2ab752541ee3c2204e35f9b8c7af8.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/218de91216e9cf67feabaa678c99c46d.jpg)


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Did you get on any birds?


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Quote from: camotoe on February 22, 2020, 06:44:30 AM
Joey think you mean Hooksetter. Yup his stuff was classic.


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I thought it was Headcrusher.  When he posted, it wasn't a bunch of junk.  He actually killed turkeys!

Quote from: dirtnap on February 22, 2020, 01:57:11 PM

Quote from: camotoe on February 22, 2020, 06:44:30 AM
Joey think you mean Hooksetter. Yup his stuff was classic.


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I thought it was Headcrusher.  When he posted, it wasn't a bunch of junk.  He actually killed turkeys!

Y'all are probably taking about Dave, aka hooksetter and Neckringer.   On most of the hunting forums he goes by Neckringer.   He's not real bright and has probably forgotten his password.   But he does get it done in the Cypress, and about anywhere else he goes.  He Usually starts blowing my phone up with pictures about this time of year.

Yeah, Neckringer is who I was thinking of. 

cdn.com/20200222/9bf73f2e639a99e7b71144730bc6f7f3.jpg[/img](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/56f2ab752541ee3c2204e35f9b8c7af8.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200222/218de91216e9cf67feabaa678c99c46d.jpg)


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[/quote]


Did you get on any birds?


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Yes I did get onto birds, but luck wasn't on my side to close the deals. But I walked all day from one till dark and learned as much as I could. It took me coming back the following year to seal the deal. Been going down ever other year now, and after learning the lay of the land tagged out past two times down public land.

Quote from: Delmar ODonnell on February 22, 2020, 09:37:25 AM

Quote from: sasquatch1 on February 22, 2020, 06:08:37 AM
OP, what dates are you going? How long you staying?


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I'll be down there from opening day (Saturday the 7th) through Friday the 13th.

Joey, I'm only 25, and plan on putting on all the miles my legs can take. Don't think I'm prepared to backpack in just yet, but bet it provides some great stories. I'm gonna see if I can find any of Hooksetter's old posts.

Damn, jealous. Makes me wanna join you but I only have the damn weekend off. Good luck I'm sure you'll find some with that much time.


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"Hooksetter" sounds right. I remember a picture of their water supply. Said they didn't pack much water in but used the swamp water boiling it first I guess (I hope). He was standing there holding a clear plastic jug with brown liquid. Whew! Those must have been some trips.

Always let someone know where you are going and be careful what you kick!

Low percentage of run-ins with gators, but it does happen.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-ne-gator-bite-victim-interview-20191113-kmjirrjhmfbdnoy56otp5vsy34-story.html (https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-ne-gator-bite-victim-interview-20191113-kmjirrjhmfbdnoy56otp5vsy34-story.html)

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-alligator-woman-bitten-1458030 (https://www.newsweek.com/florida-alligator-woman-bitten-1458030)

Should have mentioned, I used a bike once last year and besides not getting in shape to ride, the trail was rough and sugar sand was deep.  Would use a bike if the trail was a little smoother and bike had a softer seat :blob10:

Bring plenty of water, people die from heat stroke. Maybe an inReach. You won't have cell service, at least last time I was out there I didn't. AT&T usually works best.

Quote from: joey46 on February 23, 2020, 01:49:38 AM
Said they didn't pack much water in but used the swamp water boiling it first I guess (I hope).

You can use a water filter/purifier. Long time ago used them out west hiking. They only filtered bacteria's, water was still pretty grimy. Pulling it out of a mud puddle.

Quote from: squidd on February 23, 2020, 05:51:27 AM
Always let someone know where you are going and be careful what you kick!

Low percentage of run-ins with gators, but it does happen.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-ne-gator-bite-victim-interview-20191113-kmjirrjhmfbdnoy56otp5vsy34-story.html (https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-ne-gator-bite-victim-interview-20191113-kmjirrjhmfbdnoy56otp5vsy34-story.html)

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-alligator-woman-bitten-1458030 (https://www.newsweek.com/florida-alligator-woman-bitten-1458030)

Should have mentioned, I used a bike once last year and besides not getting in shape to ride, the trail was rough and sugar sand was deep.  Would use a bike if the trail was a little smoother and bike had a softer seat :blob10:

This is a good post and articles, this is the post that people from florida need to post each time someone ask information about hunting Florida PUBLIC land. It could be a changeing factor for some people to save there money for a guided hunt on private land instead of a public land hunt. Beside it may be a better hunt for most, because public land is way over crowded. It wouldn't have changed my mind because I couldn't have afforded a privite hunt at the time anyway. But when you don't grow up with gators and snakes in the back yard you think about them differently. Thanks for shareing, and sasquatch1 sorry for getting off topic.

 Yes, I do. And here is why.

Last year I hunted Florida, just a little north west of Daytona. From my house I could have drove that in 13-14 hours. I elected to fly. Here is the problem with me flying. 2 hour drive to the airport, want to be at minimum an hour and half early to this airport. Dulles international, it can be busy. I have a gun, want to be an extra hour earlier, now 2.5 hours early to airport. The gun check in process can take a bit some times! Some times not, but you never know what your going to get. 2.5 hour flight, time to get through the airport to exit, must retrieve gun. Again this can be a hold up. Go to pick up prior booked vehicle. Another hour. Its adds up quick! Now drive and hour and half north to area I plan on hunting.

So, as you can see this 14 hour drive turns out to be a 9.5 hour flight and drive to hunting area. Not a lot of difference. Plus as stated before you are limited on the plane. I got a first class ticket and brought what I needed and wasn't concerned with the weight limits so much. Check each carrier, they are different.
Now you have awesome luck and want to return early? You cant, you have a return ticket, unless you have money falling out your butt when you walk you are stuck until your ticket is good. It cost me 700+ for the plane ticket. 700+ for the vehicle. I wanted to come home on Thursday but was stuck until Sunday.
This year I am going to Oklahoma, I am driving. 22 hours and all the gear I want. I will stay in a motel on the way out. I am planning on driving 14-15 hours the first day,(22 total) then finishing up the next morning in time to get in an evening scout. If I am fortunate and tag a turkey early I may jump in the truck go 12 hours north and hunt South Dakota. MUCH more mobile, and not pinned down. More to my liking!
The flight was fine, no issues. I just felt limited as to what I could and couldn't do. Couldn't even take part in the free cocktails on the flight because I had to drive later! To each their own I guess. Regardless, set your self up to have a good time. And do just that, have fun.

Flopper out!

 I would like to add something. If your not raised or in turn with swamp land. TAKE A GPS. Funny story, long too. But I got lost, packed a turkey for 3 hours and only went 1/2 mile. Had a guy blowing the horn for me the whole time and I still couldn't find my way out. Those swamps are quit different than the dry ridges I am used too. I went and bought a GPS at Bass Pro while there, after the fact! Never been lost like that before, and I have been a few places. Take plenty of socks and at least one extra pair of boots. I was up to my knees in water wearing a pair of Kenetreks. Water proof, 10" boots don't do real well in that kind of water.

Foot gear - since it was just brought up areas such as Big Cypress are better traversed in an old style fast draining jungle boot.  Your feet are going to be wet anyway but at least they won't each weigh ten pounds.   Frostbite won't be a problem. :laugh:

Lots of good info in this thread!!!!  I haven't gone on an out of state hunt YET, but there are things talked about here that I would not have considered.  :you_rock: :you_rock:

Quote from: Crghss on February 23, 2020, 08:29:06 AM
Bring plenty of water, people die from heat stroke. Maybe an inReach. You won't have cell service, at least last time I was out there I didn't. AT&T usually works best.

Quote from: joey46 on February 23, 2020, 01:49:38 AM
Said they didn't pack much water in but used the swamp water boiling it first I guess (I hope).

You can use a water filter/purifier. Long time ago used them out west hiking. They only filtered bacteria's, water was still pretty grimy. Pulling it out of a mud puddle.

Verizon works too. 

Sawyer water purifier is always in my pack. I walk bear island a lot and there is no way to carry the amount of water you will need. Some days it's heigh 80 and very humid .


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I thought I had this picture and finally found it.  Not my picture but it is in or close to Big Cypress.  Posted on some forum within the last few years.  May have had a video with it also but I can't find it.  Picture good enough. I did have a bobcat hit a hen decoy my last trip to Big Cypress a while ago.  Hit it so fast and realized it's mistake so quickly I never got a picture.  Fun place. :turkey2:

Quote from: joey46 on February 24, 2020, 08:51:40 AM
I thought I had this picture and finally found it.  Not my picture but it is in or close to Big Cypress.  Posted on some forum within the last few years.  May have had a video with it also but I can't find it.  Picture good enough. I did have a bobcat hit a hen decoy my last trip to Big Cypress a while ago.  Hit it so fast and realized it's mistake so quickly I never got a picture.  Fun place. :turkey2:

That was me last March, posted them here, will see if I run into him again this year. Switching up my recurve for a hybrid longbow.... will still carry a .45 just in case.

Good luck.  That may have been picture of the year. 

There was a whole sequence of pictures if I remember right.

Thanks guys, there is a lot of great information on this thread. Warrent, you hit the nail on the head regarding maps. I've been staring at aerial maps, but it's just hard to make much use of them without knowing what you're looking at. Definitely will make some notes this weekend that'll give me a better idea of what I'm looking at.

A water purifier is another great idea. I've got a camelback in my vest, but it only holds 3ish bottles, and a purifier will be a lot easier than lugging around the extra bottles I'll need. I was going to bring crocs and extra pairs of socks to change into when I need to get through a lot of water, but now I'm thinking a pair of cheap sneakers will be better because they don't slip around like crocs do.

Quote from: Delmar ODonnell on February 24, 2020, 03:16:34 PM
Thanks guys, there is a lot of great information on this thread. Warrent, you hit the nail on the head regarding maps. I've been staring at aerial maps, but it's just hard to make much use of them without knowing what you're looking at. Definitely will make some notes this weekend that'll give me a better idea of what I'm looking at.

A water purifier is another great idea. I've got a camelback in my vest, but it only holds 3ish bottles, and a purifier will be a lot easier than lugging around the extra bottles I'll need. I was going to bring crocs and extra pairs of socks to change into when I need to get through a lot of water, but now I'm thinking a pair of cheap sneakers will be better because they don't slip around like crocs do.

Make sure there are no crocodiles in that area, could be a costly sip of water.

I got a couple little pools of clear water , I look for my gator buddie if he's not home i strip down and take a cool dip .


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Wise words from a veteran

6932


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Love reading these posts about Florida and seeing the pictures. I am truly intrigued by the swamp country.

Was out in big cypress yesterday very very dry.


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Quote from: makestomstremble on March 13, 2020, 10:43:10 AM
Love reading these posts about Florida and seeing the pictures. I am truly intrigued by the swamp country.

I just got back last night. It was such a great experience. 6 days of hard hunting, and I did not hear a single gobble. I was consistently on turkey sign, but I couldn't find one that wanted to gobble. I was able to call in/put my eyes on 8 hens, 3 Jake's, and what could have been a gobbler but was most likely another Jake. I was able to get my first Osceola in the form of one of these Jakes, and I'm more proud of him than any turkey I've shot.

Big Cypress is quite the humbling place, but I can't wait to return. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200313/99739b9e4d593e6d5b8c51e860262cd1.jpg)
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200313/375946c8a045909a66e9847b113266f5.jpg)


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Congrats DO! That must have been very gratifying after all your prep and hard work.  :happy0064:

Congrats, on your jake next time it can be a long beard. My first Osceola was a jake also, but mine came in strutting and gobbleing and flopped on the ground just like a big boy. That being said he was legal and after traveling 1900 miles and my first osceola I too could not have been more proud. And It was a PUBLIC LAND BIRD. Been back a few time since and have shot six public land long beards since. CONGRATS

Congrats Delmar!