Allright here goes i have narrowed down the areas i plan to hunt to. Chassahowitska WMA and Ocala WMA. I plan to scout both at the beginning of this year to find a spot to hunt. I am allso actievly looking for a lease in either FL or South GA.

On with my checklist

(x) Firearm- I have gone down to place my order for a Marlin 1895gs 45-70. I am allso purchasing a 20Ga for upland bird and small game but cant decide on type. Maybe yall could offer some help there.

() Camo- I probably still have some of my old issued BDU's from when i served but would appericate any suggestions on patterns for ground hunting FL.

() Boots- I have a couple pair some old Mil spec combats, my Ga Boot feild and Ranch i work in. But figure i probably better invest in a good pair of snake boots. I need something W in width. Any suggestions on a good pair.

()Portable blind easy to pack in and out suitable for using while gun hunting.

() Something to assist in dragging a deer or hog out. I aint got no hunting buddys i will have to do it alone so anything that would assist would be great.

() Scent control???? What do yall suggest.

() some type of skeeter protection lord knows there bad right now. Any suggestions.

()Gun Range that allows you to sight in and target practice with a rifle and shotgun near Tampa, FL Cant find one yall know of anyplace.

() A place to have my game proccessed, any suggestions for my area.

() A good taxidermist. Any suggestions there for my area.

() Feild Dressing kit What should it include?

() Handheld GPS any suggestions on a good brand.


Let me know if i am missing anything on my list and any suggestions to my questions are greatly appreicated.

45-70 I have heard/read alot of good reviews. Ammo is eaisly found, good allround big game gun. I like lever action guns. This one is very versatile. I am intrested in taking a guidedbear hunt up north i wouldnt have to purchase another rifle for any larger game.

No desert Camo just good ol BDU. I prefer to buy some new Camo what pattern do you suggest.

Where can i find Ross Allen boots. With Herps being one of my hobbies i know who the man was but am not familar with the boots.


Off stinks it dosent effect scent control? Just seems to be a big thing these days.

Forgot to add thanks for the reply.

Redwing Shoes here in Tampa carry them!They also carry Chippewa Snake Boots.

On with my checklist

(x) Firearm- I have gone down to place my order for a Marlin 1895gs 45-70. I am allso purchasing a 20Ga for upland bird and small game but cant decide on type. Maybe yall could offer some help there.
I'm also from central Florida. I believe a 30-30 is more than enough for our white tails and hogs.

() Camo- I probably still have some of my old issued BDU's from when i served but would appericate any suggestions on patterns for ground hunting FL. The local Walmarts carry the right camo patterns for turkey hunting..Florida Palmentoes...My son buys me military digital for deer and hog. I love them.
() Boots- I have a couple pair some old Mil spec combats, my Ga Boot feild and Ranch i work in. But figure i probably better invest in a good pair of snake boots. I need something W in width. Any suggestions on a good pair. I'm on my 3rd year with a pair of rubber boots La Crosse ...bought from Cabelas for about 50.00

()Portable blind easy to pack in and out suitable for using while gun hunting. I use a Bullet Backpacker climber by Summit. Love it.

() Something to assist in dragging a deer or hog out. I aint got no hunting buddys i will have to do it alone so anything that would assist would be great. I'm 52 and hunt alone. You can pull them out yourself or put a wheel barrow in the back of your truck.

() Scent control???? What do yall suggest. Climb high..wash clothes baking soda about 1 1/2 cups per load.

() some type of skeeter protection lord knows there bad right now. Any suggestions. I use a pump bottle ..makes less noise.

()Gun Range that allows you to sight in and target practice with a rifle and shotgun near Tampa, FL Cant find one yall know of anyplace.
We have 2 near us. Tenoroc ..1 mile off of I-4 and Saddle Creek Park. Both are at Polk County.

() A place to have my game proccessed, any suggestions for my area.
You can do it your self...or I can show you...

() A good taxidermist. Any suggestions there for my area. Looking myself.

() Feild Dressing kit What should it include? A sharp knife and a place to hang your deer.

() Handheld GPS any suggestions on a good brand. I have one but rather use a compass..and trail tacks


Let me know if i am missing anything on my list and any suggestions to my questions are greatly appreicated.
God bless,
C7

Ocala is more high and dry than the Green Swamp where I hunt at. As Reb. has said ..you may need snake boots in that area.The Green Swamp is more wet too... I prefer good rubber boots.

When buying a knife..the old folding Buck knife is hard to beat.Do not buy a seraded knife for skinning a deer. You also want to buy a pair of rubber gloves . Since Florida is so hot most hunters carry a cooler in their truck and 1/4 the deer at the checking station.Then..when they get home they can steak itor roast it out. The most important part of the meat is the back strap. That is a loin that runs along the back bone. There is also a small loinin the inside as well.I'm not sure if Ocala has a check station. There are a few videos on the net that show you step by step instructions on how to clean a deer ..it's very easy.

You will need to purchase some trail tacks. These are glow in the dark tacks to help you find your stand when it's pitch dark. 3.00 for 50.The tacks glow very nice. Don't buy red flag tape..because then all the other hunters will see where you hunt at. The tacks are hard to see in daylight but shine very nicely whena flashlight shines on them. I have about 10 different spots tacked up where I hunt. yOu also want to hunt with the wind in your face..this is why you need a few differnt spots. The deer's nose is their best defense. Most Florida hunters hunt from a tree or still hunt. Still hunt is where you take 3 steps and stop for about 60 seconds looking intently all aourind you. I do this unti I find a good spot and then I tack it up and lock my climber in the swamp.
You will probably end up hunting with qa bow as well.At first it is very expensive but..you get in the woods a month early and you can use that time for scouting.I also see more game during archery. Teh bows these days are about as accurate as a rifle. They shoot very straight.

Most of my shots are under 50 yards so I only use my Marlin 30-30. I've killed 3 deer with a 30-30 and all 3 stopped dead in thier tracks.

Florida is generally too darn thick for blind hunting. Most guys hunt anywhere from 14- 30 feet high. I'm a 14 footer.Summit is one of the best stands out there. They cost between 250-300 dollars.

The Summit Backpackerfolds up good as well for backpacking..Here are the military camos I was talking about.

Yeah i allways wondered what folks did in FL because its so hot. I cant find any place on a superpages search that proccess game. I will admit i have a lazy side and would much rather pick it up in little white packages than have to spend an afternoon doing it myself in the kitchen. Its worth the extra money do have someone else do it.

I keep and breed snakes in my house. I have quite a few that are Wild Caught. I have a real good idea of finding snakes in the outdoors, but i am usally watching the ground with the tools made for the job. My snake hook, ripping hook, and my tongs.I wont be if i am hunting and feel snake boots would give me that sense of protection. I can see where rubber boots would come in real handy for treking thru swampy land. But they cant be very comfortable, and i bet your feet really sweat.

When they designate an area as still huntonly i figured that meant sitting in a stand. Is it ok to stalk in a still hunt only area?Or is that just something you practice on the way to the stand.

I have little to no desire to hunt from a tree stand. Never did like climbing trees. Cant imagine trying to do it while hunting. Maybe if i had a ladder and a platform LOL.

I went to the Army Navy store today off Bearass and looked at some Camo just like that pattern. Thanks for that pic. That helps me decide on that. I allso sent an email to the folks at DKFlatwoods about some camo suppose to be designed for FL but i cant find a pic on.

Yeah its pretty thick to hunt from the ground and i may not use a blind. When i was a kid Paw Paw Mcgarity allways just set me at the bottom of a tree overlooking a gully where the deer moved thru.

I have two bows a Fred Bear Recurve, and a Fred Bear compound. I have never hunted with either but there isnt a bail of hay safe while i am holding one of them. I am pretty good with both. Even get on the top of the house and shoot down from there. Maybe once i get this first season under my belt i will start looking at bow hunting.

Thermacell for the skeeters.....