Osceolas or Easterns?
 

I'm going to be hunting Flagler County (south of St. Augustine) in Florida this spring. Can I expect to hunt Osceolas, Easterns or Hybrids?

RE: Osceolas or Easterns?
 

Officially, I think that area would be Osceolas. A line drawn from the mouth of the Suwannee River through St Augustine is the dividing line, but in reality your birds will likely be hybrids. There's a lot of argument about it, but I think a truer line of delineation would be a line from the mouth of the Crystal River through Deland (approximately highway 44). Birds in Ocala NF sure don't act like any Osceolas I've ever hunted.

RE: Osceolas or Easterns?
 

I've also heard hwy 50 is the dividing line.

RE: Osceolas or Easterns?
 

I think to be pure strain it is south of HWY 50. From there up there is a great chance of hybrids as has been said. That line up north is to bring in revenue. The more places to hunt "Osceolas" the more people come to the state to hunt and spend money. Also more people will register the birds with the NWTF (more revenue) for their slam.

Good Hunting...
Tim Herald
Tim Herald Outdoors
Hunt Consultant Specializing in
Grand Slam Turkey Hunts
and Big Game