Florida Non-Rez Turkey Permit Data (2017-21) - Better go while you still can!

[joey46]

I'm seeing a few questions here - I think.

FL Special OP Hunts cost $5.00 per application and they have a 10% non-resident limit or one total non-res if the allowable number is less than ten.  They are transferrable but, if sold,  sold "supposedly" only for face value.  Big scams occur here and the rules are often disputed.   You will see permits openly advertised as a face value sale but only if you additionally purchase a Bic Pen from the seller for $500.00.   Almost funny.  Lots of unofficial "guides" will also take non-residents to Special Op Hunts using their (guides') guest permits.  Cash only - no credit cards - LOL.  Only one bird will be allowed so you hope the guide isn't carrying a gun.  The permit holder (guide) also has to stay on the area with his guest so don't pay in advance for an entire hunt.  Special Op hunts will have manned check stations.  I often hear of guys spending $500.00 just for chances to hunt some of these areas.  They intend to make a few $$$.

Regular Quota Hunts -  a free for all in which residents have no advantage.  Florida residents think this sucks.  You won't draw a decent WMA without multiple preference points unless you luck into one in a re-draw.  Re-draws another gamed system that I won't even try and explain now.  Regular Quota Hunts can not be transferred or sold.  They will allow a "guest".

Limits - Never seen a Special Op Hunt with a limit of other than ONE.  If the permit holder shoots a bird you're all done.  If a guest hunter shoots a bird you're all done.  One means one.
Regular Quota Hunts - different limits - some are 1/1 some are 2/1.  A 1/1 means one bird per permit.  A 2/1 means two per permit but only one per hunter.  Sorta self explanatory but the hunter drawing the permit still must stay on the area if he wants his guest to continue hunting whether he's tagged out or not.  My hunting buddy and I normally apply for the 2/1.  I drew a 2/1 hunt in 2017 and used my points.  He saved his and we should draw something decent next season. 

Isn't Florida fun and they still refuse to do an actual tag and report on turkeys.  In a few more years this will be a 

[WV Flopper]

 Man I believe you are right on Gobstopper

I too the life of me, can't understand why ever state doesn't require all turkeys checked in/registered. The yearly numbers in themselves are a tool for the state biologist to use.

I went down and hunted the green swamp one day. Can't remember what time it was when I pulled up to the closed gate, but it was way early. I was the fifth vehicle, maybe 6th in line. The line was stretched around the turn and you could just see headlights.... Probably as close to a feeling of setting on a Nascar starting line as I will ever get.

[joey46]

Man I believe you are right on Gobstopper

I too the life of me, can't understand why ever state doesn't require all turkeys checked in/registered. The yearly numbers in themselves are a tool for the state biologist to use.

I went down and hunted the green swamp one day. Can't remember what time it was when I pulled up to the closed gate, but it was way early. I was the fifth vehicle, maybe 6th in line. The line was stretched around the turn and you could just see headlights.... Probably as close to a feeling of setting on a Nascar starting line as I will ever get.

I hope you pre-scouted and put a few hundred yards of flagging tape all around your chosen spot.  That's pretty much a Florida WMA tradition.  LOL.

[WV Flopper]

I rode in there the evening before, stopped at ever culvert to look at the alligators. Seen a couple spots that looked good, didn't use any flagging. But, I did see it. Seen that many times here in WV, always thought it would be safer for those fellows to stay on the road.

[GobbleNut]

I have virtually zero interest in hunting Florida, too many other opportunities for me and I really don't care what color his feathers are.

Fl. is safe from me for the foreseeable future!  Have at it boys!

Yup.  Hunted Osceolas four times over the years.  All four hunts were on private property (three by invitation, one paid) and all four were some of the easiest turkey hunts I have ever been on.  After killing a gobbler on private land on the last trip I made, we hunted public for a few days, putting up with all of the stuff already mentioned.  I have no interest in going back to either buy an easy turkey or compete with the public-land crazies. 

I, too, do not know what the appeal is,...but you guys are welcome to it!   

[Dieselfitter]

I think most states saw an uptick in sales of Turkey tags.   I think much of it was due to the lockdown and Cabin Fever.  Folks want to get out.    I normally head to Myrtle Beach right after Labor Day and spend a few days.   The kids are back in school, prices drop and in 20 years I have never had a problem.   I started looking for rooms the following week of Labor Day and most of the rooms are sold out til the end of the month.

[joey46]

Agree - would not be a good idea to make long term decisions on limits and regulations based on 2020.  Still think a week or so postponement of opening day everywhere would not hurt.  Florida has some youth seasons opening in February.  That's almost silly. 

[dzsmith]

Glad I don't have to go back there lol. There are several states I wish to visit...that im scared to visit now....florida is just one less.

[Old Gobbler]

1) I believe they limit the out of state awarded permits to 10% max per quota unit

2)I have 8 years worth of preference points (8 points) and still no permit for the area im looking to get , the areas are declining in quality due to hunting pressure

3 ) every po-dunk hillbilly with next to no property,  a lease , trespass or the like is a "guide" BE CAUTIOUS

4) read the writings of Dr. Lovett Williams..the upmost expert and authority on the subject of where and what is a real Osceola...not some keyboard hero who wants your money

5) I warned people 20 years ago the bottom will fall out on Osceola hunting ...sadly we are at 22million Florida residents now ,  ot wont last long and when the bottom drops out it will be fast

6) the fwc has no idea what they are doing regarding managing the turkey program..CLUELESS  I bet if you asked them at the board meeting what the harvest figures are on the wmas' for the STATE they wouldn't even know ..btw it ussualy hovers arround 700 , thats right only 700

[FLGobstopper]

1) I believe they limit the out of state awarded permits to 10% max per quota unit

2)I have 8 years worth of preference points (8 points) and still no permit for the area im looking to get , the areas are declining in quality due to hunting pressure

3 ) every po-dunk hillbilly with next to no property,  a lease , trespass or the like is a "guide" BE CAUTIOUS

4) read the writings of Dr. Lovett Williams..the upmost expert and authority on the subject of where and what is a real Osceola...not some keyboard hero who wants your money

5) I warned people 20 years ago the bottom will fall out on Osceola hunting ...sadly we are at 22million Florida residents now ,  ot wont last long and when the bottom drops out it will be fast

6) the fwc has no idea what they are doing regarding managing the turkey program..CLUELESS  I bet if you asked them at the board meeting what the harvest figures are on the wmas' for the STATE they wouldn't even know ..btw it ussualy hovers arround 700 , thats right only 700

My good sir, you summarized very well what I think I was ranting in my posts earlier.

So, should we start a new thread on... What we as FL resident and non-resident turkey hunters should and are going to do about it? Come on man I'm game, lets make some noise, kick some @$$ and at the very least fight like heck regarding turkeys, our public lands and hunting in what really is a great state. If we don't we will surely soon be consumed by the masses and become just a passing inaudible voice in the distance.

A forum such as OG along with other media outlets with an established platform could be very useful in banding together as well as raising awareness. I'm open to suggestions and ideas and I'm in for it.

[deerhunt1988]

I've been pouring over the WMA draw data from spring 2018 through now. It is taking a lot of time to put it all together in a presentable form, but i'm slowly getting there.

Here's a highlight though:

After a certain YouTuber put south FL WMAs on the radar, applications for some south FL WMAs have nearly doubled just from 2018 thru 2020. They can't blame that on COVID since the application periods were Nov. 2017 and Nov. 2019.

[Yelpster]

I've been pouring over the WMA draw data from spring 2018 through now. It is taking a lot of time to put it all together in a presentable form, but i'm slowly getting there.

Here's a highlight though:

After a certain YouTuber put south FL WMAs on the radar, applications for some south FL WMAs have nearly doubled just from 2018 thru 2020. They can't blame that on COVID since the application periods were Nov. 2017 and Nov. 2019.

be interesting if data is available for how many people have hunted big cypress in those years

[WW]

Thanks to Social media and youtube heroes. Oh Well, at least they got to sit up beside a tree and pose with a dead turkey and a cigar that they don't inhale...sort of like junior high school.

[joey46]

Digging through FWC regs.  Don't see a 10% non-res limit on anything other than Special Op Hunts.  I "think" the regular quotas could conceivably be all non-res.  Odds of that are slim although some quotas have only three permits per hunt.  I'm such a friendly guy I get occasional P Ms  from all over the Country.   Washington State the farthest.  The Osceola magic continues.  If any State needs tag and report it's Florida.

[RutnNStrutn]

Speaking as a FL native and resident for 45 years I believe they really haven't a clue how to, nor do they care much for managing our native wildlife. Turkeys here are but a drop in the bucket compared to our fisheries, beaches, golf courses, theme parks, etc, etc.

It's a shame, but the way people are moving here in droves, habitat in disappearing and the lack of open lands I think the reality is that if somethings do not change it won't just be the opportunity for non-residents and residents that will be disappearing but the actual turkeys themselves.

Unfortunately, I think the attitude of our wildlife commission is mostly apathetic at best. The only management they really do is severely regulate hunters through seasons and limit opportunity. In some areas we still have a good amount of birds, but it's an absolute miracle and does not have anything to do with our wildlife or turkey management practices. FFWC has no idea! I could go on and on and on... Please don't bring up the NWTF and their involvement in FL either because that's a joke as well.

I totally agree with you.

Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.