Anyone hunt WMA's in Florida?

[jmasters]

Anyone hunt WMA's in central Florida?

[nlemmon]

yep, i do.  usually get in one at least 1 quota hunt every year. 

[Ringbill]

Yes, sir! I also have hunted in the southern zone, which starts two weeks earlier, but the terrain is tougher and birds spottier. First time on this site, plenty of good info. I am presently getting ready for the spring opener, but I will be there on day two. I am dreaming turkey (er, Osceola).

[guesswho]

Grew up hunting them in the 60's thru the 80's.   Last time was probably 2002 or so.

[K9Doc]

Hunted Green Swamp in 2000. Showed up at 4-4:15 and there
Must have been 25-40 trucks in line at the
Gate in front of me!!!  Looked like the freaking
Bass Masters Classic!!!!
They opened the gates and allowed 100 or so
Permits to hunt.
I was 1 of 3 to harvest a turkey.
I felt very blessed.
Last time I battled the FL Natives!!!!

[jmasters]

Never hunted green swamp, but i know the 40-50 trucks scenario. 

[TURKEYWHACKER]

Yup, both quota and non quota hunts and harvested birds during both.

[jmasters]

Awesome TURKEYWHACKER! This will be my second year trying to get a WMA bird, i try to stick to weekdays to lower my risk from being bushwhacked. lol

[BigGobbler]

That's all I hunt and usually fill my tags. You thought the swamp was bad you outta try bull creek or three lakes the first day lol

[jmasters]

I've hunted three lakes on opening weekend, I know what you mean! it's crowded for sure. Never hunted deer there though, i would imagine thats pretty crazy.

[howl]

  And that's all I got to say about that.

[Matt.Wilson]

The WMA's are very good in Florida.  Bring your snake boots.  The only downside is opening day has been packed in my past experiences, and you have to quit hunting at 1 pm.  During the week and later in the season though, you've got a good shot as far as public land! Sandy roads make a easy way to spot tracks and strut marks.  Good luck

[Ringbill]

I agree weekdays are blessed. I did have to school some out of state hunters who insisted on driving down restricted roads.

[BigGobbler]

Yes Ringbill I know what your talking about lol, but that could happen to anyone that hunts somewhere they never been before it can be confusing sometimes in the wma's that are wide open all year and the joy riders ride anywhere they want and pack down the trails like its used all the time.a lot of times its a honest misstake due to the road closed signs or the road # markers are not there marking there trail. I see it all the time, in fact i have a new hunting friend i meet this way that has hunted this one wma for 5 years and never knew a road he drove down on was closed he gave me a ride out to my truck and the road closed signs that were supposed to be there were gone. Its been a joke for us ever since. lol

[jmasters]

Yup, i've ran across 4wheelers parked on firebreaks before, i thought even the disabled permit required they keep them on named or number'd roads? i could be wrong on this though, ganna be taking my nephew on the youth hunt days in a couple weeks. This will be his second youth turkey hunt, so hopefully he at least see's one to build his confidence! it would be his first bird.