Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

Ok folks..I had a fellow member PM me looking for advice on hunting the Green Swamp..I assured him that most of you are much better than I am so I'm posting this thread for all of you folks can share some helpful tips..NOT your honey holes.;)just some tips on how you found those honey holes..

I'll go first...first of all I have no "Honey holes." I do have some spots though that look promising..Tips..

1. just by chance, blessing or luck you decide..I call it a blessing from God..once when I was heading back to the truck 2 big bucks jumped right in front of me..I checked out the bayhead they came from and sure enough it was ful of signs..This is still a good opportunity spot..

2. Talking to some of the older folks on here ..have led me in the right direction..;)Thanks Rebel Hog.

3. Talk to the hard core first guys at the gate before it opens..PLAY DUMB...let them be the teacher;)

4. Common sense..walk down a fireline or anyroad..once you find a place where the deer have been crossing..follow that trail..follow long enough and you will find something good. According to studies I've read deer stay within a mile of their total routine

5. Look for bayheads on google earth..not small ones or big ones..ones about a 1/4 mile..{ at least a 1/2 mile off the main road} On Google look for dark green spots in the middle of these bayheads..these are either oaks or water holes..After one of your normal hunts ...and if you strike out..make it your priority to scout straight through one of these 1/4 mile -1/2 mile bayheads..if there are oaks in there you will find game..

6. The river is good...WHEN you find thick cover { palmetto , swamp cabbage , mucky wet stuff} the game is in the thick stuff.and so are the other hunters..

7. On Google Earth..notice the 3-5 ranches that surround the Green Swamp..not a bad place to start scouting..The farms are separated by a fireline..The fireline wil reveal game tracks..;)

8. If you can find a hog wallow in one of those bayheads..that is very good..The hogs feel safe there.and you are real close to backstrap.;)

9. Deer,,if you find scraps and lots of deer droppings ..I'd hang a stand.

10. Pray,,I mean it..God loves to bless His people..He says."You have not because you ask not." Once when I came to my ropes end I was on 3 mile run..or near by..I was very frustrated..The Lord spoketo me in my heart to drive to a certain place on Powder Grade..walk 70 steps up a certain trail..Well ..I obeyed that little voice..On step number 70 .. a hog came out and I killed it..SO my best tip..Take your New Testament with you ,,,get to know your Heavenly Father real good..He's not a Santa Clause..but He is your father..and best friend..You can't find a better hunting guide .:)


I'm sure there are many more tips ..please add.

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

Stay in place till at least 12:00 noontime. You know all those hunters that went in real early? Well they start walking out around 9:30 to go eat some eggs. When they do they push all those animals all over the place.

Get in your stand at 1:00 p.m. If you come back before the hunters do at 3 to 4 pm then once again they will push those animals to you.

Make sure you are in the most dense crappy hard to get to area you could imagine. The deer and pigs are there. Just make sure you lanes you can take a shot.

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

Make sure you are in the most dense crappy hard to get to area you could imagine. The deer and pigs are there. Just make sure you lanes you can take a shot. Snook384

AMEN to that..BIG TIME.

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

Florida adds new meaning to the words dense and crappy. What do youguys set your sight pins at; 5, 10, 15 and 20 FEET? :D

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

I got to tell you guys, anybody that routinely harvests a deer in Central and South Florida are extremely lucky or extremely good or a combo. I have hunted in several parts of the country and Florida has continuosly skunked me fortoo long. I have not figured out the formula yet. The best I can tell is go where no man really wants to go. Stay on stand longer than you think you can stand the heat and bugs and try and get away from all other hunters if possible. But again, this formula has not worked for me as well. Ihave also broken a lot of the same rules that I mentioned.A non-Floridian has his limits.

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

scouting is the key. since the beginning of may i have spent atleast 1 day a week in the woods scouting. last year i shot 4 this year i'm trying for 6

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

ALSO..learn to use your calls ..I'e talked to guys who score regularly..They use calls..I've called many deer ..I've grunted alot and have had them grunt back..I called 2 into shooting range on the Can...These pros tell me they won't leave their house with out their calls.I'm using a fawn bleat tomorrow..

Find that secret oak grove in the middle of a chaotic bayhead and you will find your game..It's so thick I have trail tacks every 10 foot..so thick I could not drag a ladder stand back there..

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

After striking out this morning I took Camo's advice and did some scouting..found some good stuff.;)

"and that's all I got to say about that."
Which is another tip..keep your honey holes to yourself.

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

Chuck,

I believe the most successful hunters do the most scouting. Good luck!

Chris

RE: Tips on hunting central Florida WMA..
 

:) You know it!