I have seen turkeys between Niceville and Destin and know there is some state managed property in that area - but thats all I know
Florida Turkey/Beach Combo?
Anyone got any experience hunting Florida?
I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for a couple years, and I got a buddy whose family would probably be receptive to it... What if you could take the family down to Florida in March, stay on the beach somewhere, and still be close enough to some birds to sneak off and hunt in the mornings? The big plus for me is that my carryover vacation from this year has to be used by the end of March, so it really wouldnt count against my vacation for next year.
I looked and there are some WMAs in the panhandle, so then it would even be in driving distance. However, the only time I've been in FL on spring break family accomodations would have been hard to find... not that I was looking for them!:wink: I imagine we'd have to find a resort with a private beach or something just to keep the debauchery to a minimum. I dont know... definitely not a beach expert. Might get too pricey, but I want to look into it.
I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for a couple years, and I got a buddy whose family would probably be receptive to it... What if you could take the family down to Florida in March, stay on the beach somewhere, and still be close enough to some birds to sneak off and hunt in the mornings? The big plus for me is that my carryover vacation from this year has to be used by the end of March, so it really wouldnt count against my vacation for next year.
I looked and there are some WMAs in the panhandle, so then it would even be in driving distance. However, the only time I've been in FL on spring break family accomodations would have been hard to find... not that I was looking for them!:wink: I imagine we'd have to find a resort with a private beach or something just to keep the debauchery to a minimum. I dont know... definitely not a beach expert. Might get too pricey, but I want to look into it.
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
I hunted Ft Rucker in AL a few years ago, and there were lots of birds there, but it was tough hunting too. If I remember correctly, that was just N of the state line from Panama City. I think it was about an hour drive bc we kept joking that if we couldnt find a gobbling bird we were gonna go down there and find some co-eds!
Another kink in the chain... Will it be warm enough for the beach in March in the panhandle? Any beach experts? If I cant sell my wife on this as a fun trip for her, it's a no-go.
I could possibly go further south, but I'm worried that there'll be more pressure on the birds on any public land in Osceola country. I know the pay hunts are way high down there.
I could possibly go further south, but I'm worried that there'll be more pressure on the birds on any public land in Osceola country. I know the pay hunts are way high down there.
The water will still be cold at that time. I have been down there in April at Destin and froze to death in water snorkling. The beach can be warm and sunny though.
I miss hunting those dumb birds down in Florida. Hobbs one day get with or come by the house I show some spots you can hunt and stuff.
Sounds like a plan. Thanks!I miss hunting those dumb birds down in Florida. Hobbs one day get with or come by the house I show some spots you can hunt and stuff.
Just toying with the idea for now, but it would be sweet if I could work it out!
I lived down there for 8yr and only good thing to hunt in Florida is turkey and hogs.Sounds like a plan. Thanks!
Just toying with the idea for now, but it would be sweet if I could work it out!
I bet you could still manage to have a pretty good time with just those 2.I lived down there for 8yr and only good thing to hunt in Florida is turkey and hogs.
I've been down there twice, and the only thing I chased was tail!
LOL Alot of that down there for sure!!I bet you could still manage to have a pretty good time with just those 2.
I've been down there twice, and the only thing I chased was tail!
Hobbs,
I like the idea. We haven't tried the hunting / family vacation yet, but I have thought about it too. I would be clear that your intent is to hunt maybe the better part of the day with the evenings and nights reserved for family time. Set the goal high and you can always back off that or mine would expect me to hunt two hours of the morning only. I think the key is having at least one more couple go along, and it's got to be one in which she gets along with or in her mind she will feel duped and equate it to you dropping her off in a prison cell. Not telling you anything you don't already know.
I would definitely take Tink up on his offer to show you some areas to look at. Not sure if that's in Osceola country, but if I thought it was a once only trip, I would want to hunt for an Osceola. Who knows, sell your wife on it and if it works out perfectly, this might just turn into an annual excursion!!!
I like the idea. We haven't tried the hunting / family vacation yet, but I have thought about it too. I would be clear that your intent is to hunt maybe the better part of the day with the evenings and nights reserved for family time. Set the goal high and you can always back off that or mine would expect me to hunt two hours of the morning only. I think the key is having at least one more couple go along, and it's got to be one in which she gets along with or in her mind she will feel duped and equate it to you dropping her off in a prison cell. Not telling you anything you don't already know.
I would definitely take Tink up on his offer to show you some areas to look at. Not sure if that's in Osceola country, but if I thought it was a once only trip, I would want to hunt for an Osceola. Who knows, sell your wife on it and if it works out perfectly, this might just turn into an annual excursion!!!
Tink,
Are you saying the scenery is very nice in Florida??
Are you saying the scenery is very nice in Florida??
This page shows a map of the supspecies' ranges in FL:
http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/turkey/
I was thinking I could probably find better hunting by staying in Eastern country because probably everyone wants to try to get an Osceola. I could care less about subspecies if I can get on birds. However, my buddy who I could pull this trip off with (our wives get along) has killed all the other subspecies, so he'd probably want to try for an Osceloa.
My wife loves the beach, so I dont see why I couldnt do this more than once if it works out. I got cousins in Tampa too, so maybe I can work something out with them. I think there are supposed to be some really cheap Allegiant flights down there.
http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/turkey/
I was thinking I could probably find better hunting by staying in Eastern country because probably everyone wants to try to get an Osceola. I could care less about subspecies if I can get on birds. However, my buddy who I could pull this trip off with (our wives get along) has killed all the other subspecies, so he'd probably want to try for an Osceloa.
My wife loves the beach, so I dont see why I couldnt do this more than once if it works out. I got cousins in Tampa too, so maybe I can work something out with them. I think there are supposed to be some really cheap Allegiant flights down there.
Take the fam to Disney World. Then you are in Osceola country.I hunt about 40 minutes south of there. Melbourne beach is on the east coast side,but I saw lots of babes...urrr uh women around there one day. I havent checked the dates for season this spring but I;m thinkin it opens about the 15th this year. I hunt south of St. Cloud.
I have been researching this as well since I have been going down to florida the last several years in june or july to the beach. I always go to Santa rosa beach and love the area. There are several wma's in the area you could look into. As Tony said the water would be cold, but I usually hunt alabama that time of year and spend the morning hunting and head to the beach around noon to make the wife happy.
That's a pretty good idea because those cheap Allegiant flights go to Orlando. If I'm gonna fly the fam somewhere, that's the place to do it. Looks like there's more open WMAs down that way than I thought.Take the fam to Disney World. Then you are in Osceola country.I hunt about 40 minutes south of there. Melbourne beach is on the east coast side,but I saw lots of babes...urrr uh women around there one day. I havent checked the dates for season this spring but I;m thinkin it opens about the 15th this year. I hunt south of St. Cloud.
There is a wma beside one of the private places I hunt.Last spring I heard 5 different birds gobblin on it.
Thanks for the tip!There is a wma beside one of the private places I hunt.Last spring I heard 5 different birds gobblin on it.
Any advice for hunting FL? On TV it looks like a whole different world down there. Definitely better pack a thermacell I figure.
WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets go Hobbs!!!!!!!!
I got my snake boots and my speedo..........
Lets go Hobbs!!!!!!!!
I got my snake boots and my speedo..........
There were a few mosquitos last spring,but not bad. I wear my headnet and gloves so I dont pay much attention to them.But then again I live in the delta and am more used to mosquitos than someone from the hills. For the life of me right now I cant remember the name of the wma,but I wil get that for you. The birds seem to like edges.Find a good opening or a field and put a decoy out. I will see alligators usually small ones in every ditch that has much water in it.I havent really seen many snakes.
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Arkansas Hunting
A forum community dedicated to Arkansas hunters and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, trails, clubs, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
