Hunting & Fishing Southeast Hunting

[TheBigCountry]

Currently living in JVille, FL, and looking into areas to hunt. I know the Federal/state lands to my west (Osceola, John Bethea, etc) but I’m also one who wouldn’t mind a bit of traveling North (Georgia/Carolina’s) to hunt whitetail, turkey, or hog. Anyone hunt similar areas? Or know of any good places? Grew up in the Northeast, so it’s a little different here then what I am used to.

 

[Bullfroggy]

I live near Gainesville, and I tend to hunt mostly public land through the FWC's quota system. Some quota hunts and managed areas are better than others, and it just takes time to learn which ones consistently produce better. If you are going to go that route, I'd decide on several areas that are close enough to easily drive to and scout them in order to learn them. Don't try to spread your effort out over a bunch of areas. Pick several and concentrate on those.

Alternatively, you could look for a lease to join if you have the money for that. It seems fairly difficult to find access to good private land like in the "old days" (unless you get lucky and know someone personally). Lots of guys from here in FL head north to Georgia or South Carolina to hunt on leases. South Carolina has a ridiculously long deer season and fairly liberal limits. I think both of those states also have public land walk-in opportunities.

I grew up in the Midwest, and hunting down here is definitely different. However, I like hunting too much to sit it out down here because it is not like where I grew up. If you'd like to discuss anything further, PM me.

Good luck!

 

[Bakwa]

I'm also in the Gainesville area.

Private land is the way to go if you can swing it. I used to hunt just north of Baldwin and it was nice. Got too expensive as they kept raising rates for the lease.

This year I'm doing the management thing. A decent amount of deer are out there but a lot of them seem to be nocturnal during the season on public land. I've seen at least 20 this season but they've all been on my way in well before dawn, or on my way out after it's too dark to see antlers.

Getting out of the state is nice. Bama and Georgia are fun places to hunt. Plus it actually gets cold out there.

Feel free to PM me.

Cheers

 

[powderBurnz]

Tried doing the FL public land thing for awhile now, but have been sorely disappointed. It's Def not a state for hunting when you're used to up north or out west. It's a joke really. Don't get me wrong, if you enjoy hunting in 80* weather while getting swarmed by 1000s of mosquitos the size of golf balls, walking through endless banana spider webs, all for a spike buck that's smaller than my Malinois, then it's for you.


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