South Florida - Here we go!

[POk3s]

South Florida

Some of you may remember that I took a trip to south Florida in 2022 and really I couldn't make this story up if I tried.

I hunted the same gobbler virtually the whole time and after 3 days I finally called "him" in. I shot and missed, and shot some more as I watched my turkey and my chance soar around the corner of some pines and out of my life. For a half hour I looked around and finally stumbled onto a dead Jake turkey, flat on his back. I could not believe my eyes. I had a thought that I found somebody else's turkey until I separated myself from what I thought happened and started thinking about reality. I grabbed him. Still warm and still moved fine. I knew then it was my turkey.

My turkey was a Jake. When he came in, through the tall grass, excitement just simply got the best of me. Isn't that why we do it!? It was an awesome hunt. An awesome experience! But I think everybody understands that I just don't feel totally fulfilled. I vowed to try again "one of these years."

Well this year, I drew the same public hunting area and have all kinds of doubt on if it was the right choice to go on with the hunt. First off, I'm spending my wife and I's money on plane tickets, rental cars, tag fees, and everything that goes along with a trip like this, all while she stays home with our little boy.

Then there's the time off I'm taking, and for a guy that lives a pretty blue collar life and also really likes to hunt elk in the fall, taking a week and a day off for one turkey trip is a little crazy.

There is also the thought of if the hunt is any good! 4 years ago there were a lot less tags given out, than now. They've increased the tag numbers by over 300% and I'm also the second hunt. All the easy birds are going to be dead. No doubt. Probably not many vocal birds left and a lot of competition. Flat out... it's just a lot of gambles....but I love to hunt more than I like not going for it! Hahaha!

Of course I know that nothing is ever guaranteed in hunting, but certainly have regret if I come home unsuccessful and know how many resources I've burned, as well as just burning my points and not waiting for a potentially better opportunity. I guess I'll stress about that if the time comes!

As for now, I leave tomorrow (March 11) and will be in south Florida at about 10:00 local time, if all goes well with flights. My plan is to grab the rental car and hit wal mart on my way out of town. I'll sleep in the car and be standing basically where I killed that Jake, 4 years earlier, on the morning of the 12th. I'll then get a full scouting day until opening day the 13th.

I will keep you all updated the best I can. Hopefully this is a fun follow! 

[Yoder409]

Git r did !!!

 

[bigwoodstom]

Following

[Upfold99]

Good luck

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[MS TurkeyHunter]

I'll be rooting for you. Good luck!


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[Tom007]

Go get em

[twyatt]

Good luck!!!

[TooTallOutdoorss]

Good luck! Still plenty of birds out there to stumble upon!

[POk3s]

Thanks everyone. I'll need your positive vibes! Hahaha!

All packed up and waiting for my wife to pick me up at the house and head to our local airport. Shockingly, prices were the same as flying out of Denver or salt lake, for me. That almost never happens but I'm just fine taking advantage of it this time.

Here are some random pics from 2022.

[Delmar ODonnell]

Good luck buddy! Plentiful turkeys or not, I know you'll have a great time!

[TooTallOutdoorss]

Just a quick heads up if/when you find some water out there whether it be from flooding or a pond be careful around the edges. With how dry its been its pushed all the gators and cotton mouths to the little bit of standing water thats left. And dont think that a gator wouldn't be in some of those small ones. We tell everyone thats coming down here to hunt if you see water and when you touch it with your hand and your hand gets wet there's probably a gator in it lol.

[POk3s]

Just a quick heads up if/when you find some water out there whether it be from flooding or a pond be careful around the edges. With how dry its been its pushed all the gators and cotton mouths to the little bit of standing water thats left. And dont think that a gator wouldn't be in some of those small ones. We tell everyone thats coming down here to hunt if you see water and when you touch it with your hand and your hand gets wet there's probably a gator in it lol.

Hey, now that's great info!

[a_jabbo]

We only get one life, and with this being our biggest passion...always take the trip. Everything will be back home waiting for you. Good Luck my friend.

[Tom007]

Be safe brother!

[POk3s]

As good of a morning as I could ask for. As I mentioned, the plan was to walk to the "kill pin" from years previous. I got there and thought I heard a turkey just as far as I could hear one. Then I heard it again enough to say "YES!"

But between the mosquitos and the crickets and the birds, I just wasn't 100%. I stayed glued listening to that spot thinking "trust your instincts. That was a gobble. You heard him twice."

Just then another turkey sounded off. 100% obvious and closer. He gobbled again and I pinned him good.

It was foggy this morning (maybe it's foggy every morning) and that helped me. I thought well I might as well really pin him, since he can't see me. I snuck as close as I dared so I knew for sure, and backed out. He gobbled no less than 50 times. Enough where I said "okay okay okay. Enough." I also heard hens.

I didn't hear the original gobbler (if it was one) again. I only need one, and I've got one. In a straight line he's .97 miles from where I parked, but walked of course plenty more than that to get to him. It's breezy this evening and I just don't believe anyone will hear him. I hope I'm right.

Instead of heading to the same spot, I think it's best I find more turkeys, than to figure out exactly where that dude roosts tonight. I'm walking into a different area and hoping for the best.

Tomorrow is opening day.