Bicycling in Florida

[rdjustham]

Bring plenty of water, people die from heat stroke. Maybe an inReach. You won't have cell service, at least last time I was out there I didn't. AT&T usually works best.

Said they didn't pack much water in but used the swamp water boiling it first I guess (I hope).

You can use a water filter/purifier. Long time ago used them out west hiking. They only filtered bacteria's, water was still pretty grimy. Pulling it out of a mud puddle.

Verizon works too. 

[camotoe]

Sawyer water purifier is always in my pack. I walk bear island a lot and there is no way to carry the amount of water you will need. Some days it's heigh 80 and very humid .


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[CAPTJJ]

I thought I had this picture and finally found it.  Not my picture but it is in or close to Big Cypress.  Posted on some forum within the last few years.  May have had a video with it also but I can't find it.  Picture good enough. I did have a bobcat hit a hen decoy my last trip to Big Cypress a while ago.  Hit it so fast and realized it's mistake so quickly I never got a picture.  Fun place.

That was me last March, posted them here, will see if I run into him again this year. Switching up my recurve for a hybrid longbow.... will still carry a .45 just in case.

[guesswho]

There was a whole sequence of pictures if I remember right.

[Delmar ODonnell]

Thanks guys, there is a lot of great information on this thread. Warrent, you hit the nail on the head regarding maps. I've been staring at aerial maps, but it's just hard to make much use of them without knowing what you're looking at. Definitely will make some notes this weekend that'll give me a better idea of what I'm looking at.

A water purifier is another great idea. I've got a camelback in my vest, but it only holds 3ish bottles, and a purifier will be a lot easier than lugging around the extra bottles I'll need. I was going to bring crocs and extra pairs of socks to change into when I need to get through a lot of water, but now I'm thinking a pair of cheap sneakers will be better because they don't slip around like crocs do.

[Sir-diealot]

Thanks guys, there is a lot of great information on this thread. Warrent, you hit the nail on the head regarding maps. I've been staring at aerial maps, but it's just hard to make much use of them without knowing what you're looking at. Definitely will make some notes this weekend that'll give me a better idea of what I'm looking at.

A water purifier is another great idea. I've got a camelback in my vest, but it only holds 3ish bottles, and a purifier will be a lot easier than lugging around the extra bottles I'll need. I was going to bring crocs and extra pairs of socks to change into when I need to get through a lot of water, but now I'm thinking a pair of cheap sneakers will be better because they don't slip around like crocs do.

Make sure there are no crocodiles in that area, could be a costly sip of water.

[camotoe]

I got a couple little pools of clear water , I look for my gator buddie if he's not home i strip down and take a cool dip .


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[KYFrid]

Wise words from a veteran

6932


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[makestomstremble]

Love reading these posts about Florida and seeing the pictures. I am truly intrigued by the swamp country.

[camotoe]

Was out in big cypress yesterday very very dry.


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[Delmar ODonnell]

Love reading these posts about Florida and seeing the pictures. I am truly intrigued by the swamp country.

I just got back last night. It was such a great experience. 6 days of hard hunting, and I did not hear a single gobble. I was consistently on turkey sign, but I couldn't find one that wanted to gobble. I was able to call in/put my eyes on 8 hens, 3 Jake's, and what could have been a gobbler but was most likely another Jake. I was able to get my first Osceola in the form of one of these Jakes, and I'm more proud of him than any turkey I've shot.

Big Cypress is quite the humbling place, but I can't wait to return.








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[Spurs Up]

Congrats DO! That must have been very gratifying after all your prep and hard work. 

[ddturkeyhunter]

Congrats, on your jake next time it can be a long beard. My first Osceola was a jake also, but mine came in strutting and gobbleing and flopped on the ground just like a big boy. That being said he was legal and after traveling 1900 miles and my first osceola I too could not have been more proud. And It was a PUBLIC LAND BIRD. Been back a few time since and have shot six public land long beards since. CONGRATS

[derek]

Congrats Delmar!