Hunting FL for the first time this year

[alloutdoors]

Five weeks to go and I'll be heading down to south Florida with some friends to try for an Osceola for the first time! We will be hunting during the first three day quota period on Arbuckle. Gear is pretty much set other than finalizing what calls to bring on the trip and picking up some extra refills for the ThermaCell. I've been studying aerial photos and spoken to some FWC staff that are familiar with the area. Planning to have at least one full day to scout and possibly some time the afternoon before that, hoping that with a few of us we can split up and cover some ground and locate at least a handful of birds. Anyone have any general tips for a first timer in Florida? Anything you didn't think to bring on your first FL trip that you wish you had?

[backwater]

Good luck on your quest for an Osceola.   I have never hunted Arbuckle before but with all public land hunts, locate as many birds as you can.  You can figure that any bird you find, somebody else has also found it so always have a plan B.   Be sure to bring your GPS and plenty of Thermacell replacements. As you know, scouting is everything.

[alloutdoors]

Limited scouting time is definitely my biggest concern, but that's just the reality of driving all the way from NY. I'm hoping that with several people in our group we can locate a decent number of those plan B birds. The biologist I talked to seemed to have a pretty good handle on the areas of the WMA that most people favor, with any luck we can find some birds away from those spots.

[RutnNStrutn]

Clark, getting away from the crowds is key!! That's why I use my bicycle when I hunt WMA's. Most guys seem to hunt within a 1/2 mile of their truck. I don't know Arbuckle, but if you can put a couple of miles minimum between the parking areas and your hunting area, you'll leave 90% of the crowd behind, and find relatively unpressured turkeys.
Also, if you can cross a thick area, or swampy area, to get to turkey country on the other side, that extra effort can pay off as well. Basically any place the other guys don't want to go is a good place to start.
Snake boots, Thermacells, plenty of water (especially for northern guys), and some food. You'll want to hunt 'til 1 PM. Most of the guys are gone by 10 AM. The birds react to the lesser pressure and come out. I've killed several WMA birds between 11 - 1.
Running and gunning for Osceolas doesn't work as well as it does for Easterns, Rios or Merriams. They don't gobble as much, and often come in silent. A lot of FLA boys who hunt WMA's scout, find out where the birds are, and where they are going, and set up in a likely spot and wait them out. Not an orthodox style of hunting for guys from other states, but walking and calling seems to get you busted a lot. It works sometimes, but not as well as on private land, or up north or out west.
Best of luck to all of your group!!

[alloutdoors]

Thanks, that's all good advice. That's not too different from how I hunt a lot of my areas here. Up here I hunt a lot of 300-400 acre farms but they may only have 50 to 100 acres of small woodlots on them. It doesn't take much to let every bird on the property know you are there, and if you bump them on to the neighbors that may be it for the day. Waiting them out in their preferred spots is a much better approach.

[Muzzy61]

Clark, getting away from the crowds is key!! That's why I use my bicycle when I hunt WMA's. Most guys seem to hunt within a 1/2 mile of their truck. I don't know Arbuckle, but if you can put a couple of miles minimum between the parking areas and your hunting area, you'll leave 90% of the crowd behind, and find relatively unpressured turkeys.
Also, if you can cross a thick area, or swampy area, to get to turkey country on the other side, that extra effort can pay off as well. Basically any place the other guys don't want to go is a good place to start.
Snake boots, Thermacells, plenty of water (especially for northern guys), and some food. You'll want to hunt 'til 1 PM. Most of the guys are gone by 10 AM. The birds react to the lesser pressure and come out. I've killed several WMA birds between 11 - 1.
Running and gunning for Osceolas doesn't work as well as it does for Easterns, Rios or Merriams. They don't gobble as much, and often come in silent. A lot of FLA boys who hunt WMA's scout, find out where the birds are, and where they are going, and set up in a likely spot and wait them out. Not an orthodox style of hunting for guys from other states, but walking and calling seems to get you busted a lot. It works sometimes, but not as well as on private land, or up north or out west.
Best of luck to all of your group!!

.   ^^^^ Great advice.   That's a long trip, good luck. Hope you have a great time.

[TURKEYWHACKER]

I bowhunted Arbuckle for the first time in October. Neat looking place and we saw some birds east of the check station. Rut gave you some good advice. I am one of the sit em out guys he spoke of. Has worked for me many times on WMA's . Hope you guys get into them. Good luck.

[birdyhunter]

As with most southern birds, osceolas love to roost over or near water. Find a decent size swamp as far away from the check station as possible and keep your eyes on the ground as snakes are thick down there. When hunting the swamps there can be little creeks and drainage everywhere that cause birds to hang up so its good to know where they are so you can move if needed. Also bring PLENTY of water since it can be sweltering down there in March.


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