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Citrus WMA Question
Hey Florida Hunters ,
. I got a couple questions for ya. A.I noticed the only check station is pretty far north of where I plan to hunt. Does a hunter have to go through the check station to hunt or only if you are checking out game? B. How is the hunting pressure during muzzleloader season? Thanks alot. C7 |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
you do not have to check in and out every day like some w.m.a.'s. it's pretty much like ocala, you only have to hit the check station to check in a deer. i always hunt the late muzzle loader season and the pressure ain't too bad. citrus is only hard to get in during the first hunts. last year i harvested a 4 point during the second muzzle loader.
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
I really apreciate the reply Camo..I've put in for the Nov. 26th and 27th muzzleloader hunt since we are on Christmas vacation then..I've been studying the map on Google Earth.It's looks to be about 133 miles from my home to the first camp..:(..I've been studying the map for a long time and plan to hunt the thick oaks area.
All those roads appear to make it hard to get away from the crowds. Congrats on that 4 pointer.. I plan to take 98 to 301 back to 98 and get off on Brittle Road..From there go to the camp straight up Brittle Road . If you plan to camp there I'd liketo meet ya. Since I'm off all summer I plan to make one drive uip there and scout an area or 2 that appear to look good on the satellite pictures. I need to call that number in the brochure and see what I need to do to camp..I only plan on taking a small tent. I'll be hunting by myself. Congrats again on that 4 point..Any buck in a WMA is truly a trophy. Chuck7 |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
the camping situation is done with an "iron warden". when you get there you go to the "iron warden" pull an envelope and place your money in it and tear off the attached piece and keep it with you. if my memory serves me right, it's only a couple bucks a night for the primitive camping and more for the full service camping side. i think there is 2 camp grounds. the one i stay at is huge with plenty of camping spots.
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
the camping situation is done with an "iron warden". when you get there you go to the "iron warden" pull an envelope and place your money in it and tear off the attached piece and keep it with you. if my memory serves me right, it's only a couple bucks a night for the primitive camping and more for the full service camping side. i think there is 2 camp grounds. the one i stay at is huge with plenty of camping spots.
That was very helpful advice Camo..I was planning to stay at the camp on Brittle Road..which is in the south part of the WMA. I appreciate the feedback. C7 PS if ya need help in finding Osceolas next spring..I can do that for you.;) |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
fyi - if you plan on camping at tillis hill call in advance and make a reservation to reserve your spot. Call at least 30 days in advance. It fills up fast.
The other 2 campgrounds - Holder Mine, This is first come first serve. Park your camper in your spot and go fill out the form. There is another camp a few miles to the south I do not know the name of that one. It is the same setup as holder mine. |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
ORIGINAL: GotLucky fyi - if you plan on camping at tillis hill call in advance and make a reservation to reserve your spot. Call at least 30 days in advance. It fills up fast. The other 2 campgrounds - Holder Mine, This is first come first serve. Park your camper in your spot and go fill out the form. There is another camp a few miles to the south I do not know the name of that one. It is the same setup as holder mine. i believe Holder Mine is the one i stay at and it is absolutely huge. i have never seen it more than 10 - 15 percent filled. |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
http://www.floridaconservation.org/hunting/wma/2007-08/North-Central/Citrus.pdf
Yes sir..Holder Mine campsite is right off of 581,,on the uppper east side of Citrus.. |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Chuck,
It has been a while. I hope all is well. The group I hunt with camps at Holder Mine. When are you going to go up and scout? There are many roads so you can get access easy and I think it helps to spread out the hunters too. When you scout pay careful attention to hunter activity. You want to find a spot with good sign and little hunter activity. I have a couple of spots like that there, but I have also scouted up there a bunch last spring. I am so ready for season to begin. Cheers, Chris |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
ORIGINAL: guntercb Chuck, It has been a while. I hope all is well. The group I hunt with camps at Holder Mine. When are you going to go up and scout? There are many roads so you can get access easy and I think it helps to spread out the hunters too. When you scout pay careful attention to hunter activity. You want to find a spot with good sign and little hunter activity. I have a couple of spots like that there, but I have also scouted up there a bunch last spring. I am so ready for season to begin. Cheers, Chris  |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
I stay @ holder mine and it always has spots open.
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
I grew up in the area. The best hunting is South of Stage Coach Rod, walk in behing Stage Pond...James
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
Thanks Dixie,
Maybe next time you can PM me..:D:);)there are 1,000s that read these post. Chuck7 |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
ORIGINAL: Dixie Slugs I grew up in the area. The best hunting is South of Stage Coach Rod, walk in behind Stage Pond...James |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Chuck,
So far only 286 have read this post. I don't think you have to worry that all of them will be South of Stage Coach Pond. (-: Chris |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
I spent 15 + years hunting Citrus, from 1982 to 1998 when I left Florida for God's country in Tennessee. I always camped at Holder Mine primitive area and met some fantastic people, had great times. I was lucky enough to alway hunt the archery draws and then the follow-on open hunts. I focused on the Muzzle loader permits for the either sex opportunities. I hope this does not ruin anybody's secret spot (formerly my secret spot), but if I ever hunt there again I will hunt between 12 and 14 right off 581. There is (was) a walk-in trail mid-way between 12 and 14 and you used to be able to park off of 581 right at the head of the trail. On both the North and South sides of this trail (before you hit the forest road that cuts ot the south), there were dry bottoms that ran East and West. These bottoms were again about half way from the walk-in trail to 12 and 14 respectively. I found the deer used these bottoms heavily to travel across 581 when the pressure came in from the interior road #5. I never went home empty handedon archery or muzzle loader hunts, and the entire time I hunted Citrus (other than a few excursions to the Rock Mine/behind Stage Pond), I never hunted anywhere but this one zone between 12 and 14. We would put on drives during gun seasons and run deer like bunny rabbits! Good luck, that map brought back wonderful memories, thanks Rebel![/align]
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
For me. the history is sad indeed! As a young man, I belong to a deer camp that camp on Charlie Dean's pastue ....beside Citrus. In those days there was no hunting inside the reserve. Any afternoon, you could ride through and see as many as 40 deer, including bucks. Then came the day they opened it up for hunting. Three gates were opened and over 900 deer were killed befor that could stop the crazy killing of bucks, does, and even late year fawns. There they clear-cut a lot of the area!
There are still many deer, but nothing of the number and size as before. Back then the area served as a breeding ground for deer that spread over Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties. Te best hunting now is where the deer moveout to adjoining private land when the area fills up with trucks and people!!!! And....hunt the hardwood bottoms where they feed on acrons....nothing for them to eat on pine trees. Watch for the small bush oaks with long black acrons....deer favorites! Regards, James |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Thanks Chris..:)
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
ORIGINAL: Dixie Slugs For me. the history is sad indeed! As a young man, I belong to a deer camp that camp on Charlie Dean's pastue ....beside Citrus. In those days there was no hunting inside the reserve. Any afternoon, you could ride through and see as many as 40 deer, including bucks. Then came the day they opened it up for hunting. Three gates were opened and over 900 deer were killed befor that could stop the crazy killing of bucks, does, and even late year fawns. There they clear-cut a lot of the area! There are still many deer, but nothing of the number and size as before. Back then the area served as a breeding ground for deer that spread over Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties. Te best hunting now is where the deer moveout to adjoining private land when the area fills up with trucks and people!!!! And....hunt the hardwood bottoms where they feed on acrons....nothing for them to eat on pine trees. Watch for the small bush oaks with long black acrons....deer favorites! Regards, James Beenmany times........This is the last time I was there!:)  |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Another excellent area is Croom, both sides of the river. More oaks on the Sumter County side....Regards, James
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
Dixie Slugs,
I think you are right. I believe Croom actually has a lower man days per deer killed than Citrus. But I also believe all WMAs are great if you know the spots! |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Hunting WMA's can be good if you understand what happens to the game as there is hunting pressure. You can scout before season, find lot's of sign, but after the first shot on opening day the deer change threir feeding areas and feed more at night. Florida being in the sub-tropics has feeding cycles different. And....deer do not move as much during the day. That is why dogs and standers were used in years past. If there are Bush Acrons in the dense planted pine, the deer will not more from those areas.....and the hunters can do well by slow walking with buckshot. Windy days the deer lay up in very dense areas and it's very hard toget them up. There is little browse and acrons are the prime food. Find the food and you will find the deer....it's just that simple. Ground blinds are just as good as tree stands stands today. Simple scents like turpentine works better than the exotics. Pure vanilla and peanut butter are also excellent. The old timers would stand in the smoke of camp fires, smoke their clothes good, before getting on the stands. Contrary to what many think, cigar, pipe, and cigarette smoke does not spook deer....but human pee will.
Also, Florida has a very long rut! In the morning human scent rises as the sun heats up the woods and in the aftrenoon scent stays close to the ground as the woods cool off. Misty days are excellent hunting thick areas. I have seen deer lay up within shooting distance of treestands all day. Use road traffic to your advantage! Look over the dense scrub oak areas first. The deer in Citrus will move after a cold rain! Just some thoughts! Regards, James @ Dixie Slugs |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Hunting WMA's can be good if you understand what happens to the game as there is hunting pressure. You can scout before season, find lot's of sign, but after the first shot on opening day the deer change threir feeding areas and feed more at night. Florida being in the sub-tropics has feeding cycles different. And....deer do not move as much during the day.Amen to this...last year..I walkedin...watched a doe walkby..She blew loud as she detected me..I had got there..at 5:00 AM GreenSwamp.. I tried using my Primos 'Can" but it kept hangin up..Then at 10:00 AM I tried once more and the 'Can' rang out perfectly..in 15 minutesthe biggest buck of my life stands up from bedding..He had been there the entire time not more than 25 yds away MAX...Ofcourse he was standing toward my back..after 30 seconds of standing he took off.YEP he smelled me..and I was 14 feetup.That is why dogs and standers were used in years past. If there are Bush Acrons in the dense planted pine, the deer will not more from those areas.....and the hunters can do well by slow walking with buckshot. Windy days the deer lay up in very dense areas and it's very hard toget them up. There is little browse and acrons are the prime food. Find the food and you will find the deer....it's just that simple. Ground blinds are just as good as tree stands stands today. Simple scents like turpentine works better than the exotics. Pure vanilla and peanut butter are also excellent. THANKS!! and how do I apply the vanilla or turpentine...I need help with my scent..I've been winded everytime.[:@][&:]The old timers would stand in the smoke of camp fires, smoke their clothes good, before getting on the stands. Contrary to what many think, cigar, pipe, and cigarette smoke does not spook deer....but human pee will. ya the pee thing might be getting me..[&:]
Also, Florida has a very long rut! In the morning human scent rises as the sun heats up the woods and in the aftrenoon scent stays close to the ground as the woods cool off. Misty days are excellent hunting thick areas. Thanks man.. I have seen deer lay up within shooting distance of treestands all day...yep me too..Use road traffic to your advantage! Look over the dense scrub oak areas first. The deer in Citrus will move after a cold rain! Just some thoughts! Regards, James @ Dixie Slugs Appreciate it man...I usually try and pick the mind of old timers or expereinced Floridians..I apptreciate you sharing the info with us..I am gettign better..I actually saw 9 deer from my stand last year..but failedto get any..I did get an Osceola turkey though.. |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Chuck,
Congrats on the Turkey! That is awesome. I assume you took him at Green Swamp? Cheers, Chris |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
Chris..did you get a muzzleloader.permit.for Citrus..??
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
I suppoes I qualiy for an Old Timer since I will be 74 in October. But, I still hunt the big hogs in the river swamps. Many of the scents that you can buy are strange to Florida deer...and turn then off big time! Natural scents like pine (or turpentine and wood smoke) or natural F;orida scents. You can but turpentine in bottles....works good also for redbugs. High scents like most soaps, shaving lotions, hair tonic are bad. If yoy camp, throw a piece of fat wood on the fire and smoke your clothes. WE you start to walk in, wipe some turpentine of you boots and legs. Keep it simple! Peanut butter smeared on the trees around your stand is good. Make up some cotton balls with pure vanilla (not the artificial) and drop a couple around your stand or on the ground out from your ground blind. Keep the cotton balls in a ziplock bag. Watch your wind. In the morning, as the woods heat up, scent rises uphill and in the evening scent goes down hill. That's why it's better to hunt the bottoms in themoring. These thoughts are simple! Find the food! Water oak acorns,although not the deer's favorite, last longer on the ground....late season hunting. Live oak, scrub oaks, and bush acorns rot fast and are good for early season. Forget the Florida browse...it's tough by Fall. Watch for wildfriuts, except citus. Grapes are good for Bow hunting amd maybe MLing time. Sign in late Summer only means there were deer there in late Summer....again, Feed the food! Go deep in the blocks!
Just sime thoughts!.....Regards, James @ Dixie Slugs |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Oh Yes....watch the squirrels and squirrel cuttings around the oaks....no squirrels, no acrons...no acorns, no deer!.....jcg
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
ORIGINAL: Dixie Slugs I suppose I qualify for an Old Timer since I will be 74 in October. But, I still hunt the big hogs in the river swamps. Many of the scents that you can buy are strange to Florida deer...and turn then off big time! Natural scents like pine (or turpentine and wood smoke) or natural F;orida scents. You can but turpentine in bottles....works good also for redbugs. High scents like most soaps, shaving lotions, hair tonic are bad. If you camp, throw a piece of fat wood on the fire and smoke your clothes. WE you start to walk in, wipe some turpentine of you boots and legs. Keep it simple! Peanut butter smeared on the trees around your stand is good. Make up some cotton balls with pure vanilla (not the artificial) and drop a couple around your stand or on the ground out from your ground blind. Keep the cotton balls in a ziplock bag. Watch your wind. In the morning, as the woods heat up, scent rises uphill and in the evening scent goes down hill. That's why it's better to hunt the bottoms in themoring. These thoughts are simple! Find the food! Water oak acorns,although not the deer's favorite, last longer on the ground....late season hunting. Live oak, scrub oaks, and bush acorns rot fast and are good for early season. Forget the Florida browse...it's tough by Fall. Watch for wild fruits, except citrus. Grapes are good for Bow hunting and maybe Killing time. Sign in late Summer only means there were deer there in late Summer....again, Feed the food! Go deep in the blocks! Just some thoughts!.....Regards, James @ Dixie Slugs I learned many years ago in Wakulla county from an old hunter in his 80's about rolling up my hunting clothes with slivers of fresh Lighter Pine as a cover scent. As you also mentioned, smoked clothing from sitting around the camp fire at night. FL deer and hogs are accustomed and familiar with that scent. Man, I could go on and on talking about the old days......:DWhat we need to do is meet and have some coffee while we reminisce about the old days or lunch on me..........Chuck and I have met a couple of times....:) EDIT: BTW, bryant1is from Perry and knowswhere the club isI use tobelong to in Madison, FL.... |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Chuck and I have met a couple of times....:)
REbel Hog. and I look forwatf to meeting you again as well as some of these other ole timers and newbees as well.:) need to smoke my clothes up ..I can handle that..:)I can get some peanut butter too.. |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
I was wondering why you used turpentine..now I know..it's made from pines..[:-]
turpentine The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008 turpentine yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin exuded from the sapwood of pines, firs, and other conifers. It is made up of two principal components, an essential oil and a type of resin that is called rosin . The essential oil (oil of turpentine) can be separated from the rosin by steam distillation. Commercial turpentine, or turps, is this oil of turpentine. When pure, it is a colorless, transparent, oily liquid with a penetrating odor and a characteristic taste. It contains a large proportion of pinene, a compound from which camphor is manufactured. Turpentine is obtained in large amounts from several species of pines of the SE United States;;)that's where we live at..its physical properties, e.g., boiling point, depend on its source. It is used chiefly as a solvent and drying agent in paints and varnishes. |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
I knew you fellows rung true! I was born in Sumter County, worked all my life for the gun companies, retired to Old Town and opened Dixie Slugs. Maybe we all can get together before Fall!
Most of my hunting now is in the river swamp and coastal islands for big hogs. Still do a little deer hunting. My baby brother hunts deer in Jumper Creek, Croom, and Richloam. Does good, but we have hunted those areas for years. Keep in touch! Regards, James |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
I'd love to meet ya James and just listen ...I'm an elementary teacher in Polk County..I've only hunted the Green Swamp and Kicco once..I've hunted the Green Swamp hard forthe last 6 years though.
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
ORIGINAL: Dixie Slugs I knew you fellows rung true! I was born in Sumter County, worked all my life for the gun companies, retired to Old Town and opened Dixie Slugs. Maybe we all can get together before Fall! Most of my hunting now is in the river swamp and coastal islands for big hogs. Still do a little deer hunting. My baby brother hunts deer in Jumper Creek, Croom, and Richloam. Does good, but we have hunted those areas for years. Keep in touch! Regards, James |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
[quote]ORIGINAL: Dixie Slugs
I was born in Sumter County, I have very goodfriendsin Bushnell Maybe we all can get together before Fall! Would really like to My baby brother hunts deer in Jumper Creek, Croom, and Richloam. Does good, but we have hunted those areas for years. My friends know Jumper Creek like thier back yard!:D |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
ORIGINAL: Dixie Slugs Oh Yes....watch the squirrels and squirrel cuttings around the oaks....no squirrels, no acrons...no acorns, no deer!.....jcg |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
Chuck,
I sent you a PM. Cheers, Chris |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
PM answered..;)
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RE: Citrus WMA Question
I hope we can all meet up..Chris is a good ole boy too.
;) |
RE: Citrus WMA Question
What we realy need on some of the forums is a WMA report by people in those areas....and a Florida Deer Hunting 101! I have hunted all over (USA and Europe)...and none is like what the Florida Deer hunter must understand and do!
I just let most of the Wise-A$$ go and don't say much.....but they seldom kill a deer or hog unless they run over it at night! Many buy a rifle and scope that would be great out West (or some rag writer suggests) and then climbs a tree in Florida and blows up good meat at 40 yards! .....or can't get the moving game in the high power scope). Florida scrub/swamp country is excellent for brush guns and shotguns....as in the past! We are not supposed to advertise here, but take a look at Dixie Slugs (dixieslugs,com) and let's pump up this forum with useable information. Regards, James |
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