Hunting decline in Florida

[Hoyt]

This is an example of some of the better deer in Central Fl. These pictures were taken a couple wks. ago. 8pt. in velvet bout 17" spread..he's dead now..got poached.

 

[Bob J]

As a Florida-born individual who spent 30 years in the Slumshine State, I'd like to weigh in on a few possible contributing factors.

#1- the deer in the southern 2/3'rds of the state are generally smaller than German Shepherds. Folks from other states (particularly the midwest) don't feel like it's worth shooting a deer when you're only going to get 25 pounds of meat out of the deal.

#2- there are quite a few WMA's, however they are only for those who like the "group experience"...you know- being able to see another hunter from almost any point in the hunting area.

#3- as mentioned above, the Florida Fish and Game folks have no clue about spending revenue on anything but anglers. They barely recognize that hunters exist in that state and refuse to improve accessability or improve habitat.

#4- the temperatures are high, even during hunting season. This means that if you're not close to a locker, you run the risk of meat spoilage. Also, northern transplants (the bulk of the individuals who hunt in Florida) often don't feel it's hunting season when it's 80 degrees outside.

That being said, Florida has awesome hog hunting, great fishing, and possibly the best turkey hunting in the nation (if you're willing to work hard).

:thumbsup:

The Florida Panhandle is a different story altogether. That's why I make the 5 - 6 hr. drive to hunt up there and am considering moving there at some point.

 

[Bob J]

I've known some poachers, and just can't figure out how they get ANY satisfaction out of poaching an animal :shake: By the way, none of those fellows are the type that have an interest in traditional muzzleloading.

 

[Hoyt]

This deer was up close to Tosahatchee WMA..which has a very good muzzleloader season..the girl who works at the WMA and knows who did the deed turned everybody in today.

 

[Pork Chop]

I hope that the poaching pieces of filth have the book thrown at them. Not that I have a strong opinion about poaching or anything...

It was a nice deer judging by the photos.

 

[Bob J]

If they were like most poachers, they spotted it (and shot it) from the highway or a road :curse:

 

[Hoyt]

I found out about this on another forum and know the people who were talking about it. The deer was coming out in a pasture and a guy was taking pictures of it. Another guy saw it and went in and walked the fenceline and killed it. The guy who killed it knows the land owner and the land owner wouldn't turn him in..so the girl who works at WMA knew all of them and turned them all in.

 

[3 stinky dogs]

I found out about this on another forum and know the people who were talking about it. The deer was coming out in a pasture and a guy was taking pictures of it. Another guy saw it and went in and walked the fenceline and killed it. The guy who killed it knows the land owner and the land owner wouldn't turn him in..so the girl who works at WMA knew all of them and turned them all in.

She is awsem they are scum and in my opinion there should be manditorey jail time and perminant suspension of the offenders hunting rights.And as for the decline in hunting get kids to put down the PS-2 and get his butt outside and then you will see an increase.

 

[JackAubrey]

Dear Porkchop and Hoyt,Forgive me for be so long in replying,work you know.The "expert" were the local Walmart sporting goods section sort.I am very happy to hear I may use my preferred methods during the general seasons!I will research this national forest,I am heartened,I do hope we cross paths,Porkchop my friend.Mr.Hoyt,could you please expound further? Are the hunters unsafe?I take it the hunting opportunities are good?Best Regards,Jack.

 

[Pork Chop]

Jack,

Not a problem! Glad to hear that you got to the bottom of things. Regarding Ocala National Forest, I have not hunted there, but I have hunted in a couple of WMAs here in Florida. Some of the goons out there are downright scary! But the good news is that you can usually find a place where they stay away. When I hunted Osceola, my buddy and I did a walking hunt. We never saw another person...

 

[Hoyt]

The last time I hunted Ocala was about 30yrs. ago and it was over-run with people back then.
You could drive through and people are sitting in lounge chairs all up and down every road waiting for a dog to run deer across. They had every straight section covered and at every curve in the road would be another person sitting in lounge chair.
People were driving around standing three across in the back of pickups with their rifles laying across the cabs..a woman diving a man in his Sunday white shirt sitting on top of the hood leaning back against the windshield with rifle in hand. People sitting on 10' step ladders in the road with bow or gun in hand. Dogs running every where..guns going off every where..if you can make it into the woods you have a fair chance of survival cause nobody else is in there..they're all running the roads and sitting in lounge chairs along the roads.
Probably a lot worse now days since 4 wheelers are allowed in there.
Plenty of other management areas to hunt without fooling with that place.

 

[JackAubrey]

Hello PorkChop and Hoyt.You two have really given me pause!Lawn chairs!? Ladders!?Hmmm.I have been looking over a map of the place.There seems to be quite a few places to put in w/ my canoe and paddle in several miles,go ashore and push in a mile or so.I think I would be rather isolated since they would be disinclined to drag those lawn chairs that distance,what say ye? Best Regards,Jack. :crackup:

 

[Hoyt]

I would give it a go so at least you will know for[url] yourself..things[/url] may have changed over the yrs...however I doubt they have for the better anyway.
There are some very good bucks in there..quiet a few bears also..had a sow and three cubs give me a heck of an experience in there while bow hunting.
99 and 9/10ths. of the place looks just alike..either scrub or sand pines and if you can bust your way way back into the scrub or sandpines and still get back out you may find some good hunting. One things for sure there are a lot of deer in there..or used to be anyway.