Jurassic Park/ No Osceola for Me

[zelmo1]

I had fun in Florida, it's a different world for sure. Windy and hot, probably usually is. Birds were tight lipped. I did hear some gobbling my last morning, but no players. Great place and my " guide" was a good hunter. We went hard, just no takers. Z

[Yoder409]

Happens.

Florida would be one of the top, coolest places on my list to hunt and NOT kill one.

[Turkeybutt]

Sorry to hear that Z. You had a rough go out it from the start but on the bright side you did find your wallet.

[Greg Massey]

Hopefully next year Z you will get your Fl Gobbler ... I bet it was a great trip regardless

[zelmo1]

I am glad I did it. My timing will be better next time. I am willing to try it again. But it is a looooong drive. Z

[Greg Massey]

I am glad I did it. My timing will be better next time. I am willing to try it again. But it is a looooong drive. Z

Memories for sure ...

[Tom007]

Amen Z. It happens to the best. Sometimes they just do not cooperate........

[JeffC]

Thanks for the update, will make it that much better when you are successful! Safe travels.

[GobbleNut]

Bummer, Zelmo.  ...Was hoping for the best for you but suspected it would be tough. 

[Gooserbat]

Florida can be that way.

[Old Gobbler]

It's real tough place to hunt , getting even tougher to live in ..I always tell people if you want to turkey hunt florida DO IT NOW ! Turkey hunting in Florida is living on borrowed time , and borrowed money ...the end is so very near ...wish I was wrong , but I'm sadly correct.

Last year only about 500 gobblers were checked out on public WMA's TOTAL STATEWIDE ...but if you ask the alphabet Letter agencies and "groups" everything is "fine" ...

There is always next year ..but the first 2 weeks is where the real action is ..with normal weather patterns


In the last  40 years the people population in Florida has grown from 7 million to over 22 million ..and projected to go to over 40 million within 20 years ...those people drink and use water , drive cars on highways , eat food grown on farms ...go to work and school on property ...that was ...you guessed it ..at one time prime habitat

Like I said before to anyone reading this ...set aside your other planned trips ...get to Florida,  before it's gone and it is disappearing by the Rate of thousands of acres per day !

[CAPTJJ]

One thing FWC is finally doing right now is requiring turkeys to be reported by phone or online within 24 hours of the kill. So, they actually have statistics. The 2024 numbers to date are approximately 1,800 on WMAs and 8,500 private land; 2023 was 2,100 and 9,400. These numbers come from the Hunter's Toolbox on the FWC website.

[squidd]

Even with the flat land, you'll work your tail off trying to kill a turkey in FL;  thanks for keeping everyone posted!!

[WV Flopper]

 Sorry about the luck.

It is an interesting place, hot, humid. Put to me picture opportunities everywhere. Completely different than my WV hills.

[joey46]

One thing FWC is finally doing right now is requiring turkeys to be reported by phone or online within 24 hours of the kill. So, they actually have statistics. The 2024 numbers to date are approximately 1,800 on WMAs and 8,500 private land; 2023 was 2,100 and 9,400. These numbers come from the Hunter's Toolbox on the FWC website.

Yes the info is there but I know from personal experience many of the old geezer exempts had no clue this was a requirement.  Add about 25% to the private land numbers and that is  just a guess.  IMO the info for quota hunts is close to correct.  Florida really needs actual physical tags even if the politicians require them to be free for the exempts. Good luck to all.