Even if Florida didn't have Osceolas, it would be a prime place
to hunt. That face of Florida hunting deserves more attention.
The mention of Florida usually brings a sparkle to the eyes of traveling
turkey hunters.
Visions of a lordly Osceola gobbler, long of leg and spur, come to mind,
as do hunts past or future for the most elusive grand-slam subspecies.
However, the Osceola, named for the famous 19th century Seminole, is
just part of Florida’s turkey hunting picture. Osceolas, also called
Florida turkeys, inhabit the southern two-thirds of the state. Turkeys
in the remainder of the state, including the Panhandle, are crosses
between Eastems and Osceolas, but are classified as Easterns. That’s
the second face of Florida hunting, and it deserves more attention.
For me, the distinction makes no difference. A turkey that responds
to calling is a joy, no matter where or what subspecies. However, there’s
no denying the grand slam’s appeal. If that’s your focus,
make sure you’re in Osceola country when you hunt Florida. But
remember, Florida offers more than just Osceolas.
Florida holds about 100,000-plus turkeys, and state hunters annually shoot
about 20,000 birds. That easily places the state among the top 10 for
turkey numbers and hunter success. Even if Florida didn’t have Osceolas,
it would be a prime place to hunt.
Chasing the Osceola
Most folks assume it costs lots of money to hunt exclusive private land
in Florida — especially for an Osceola. Advertisements from outfitters,
in this magazine and others, reinforce that notion. Outfitters
know about the grand-slam mentality, and, accordingly, prices for quality
Osceola hunts have skyrocketed in recent years. Expect to pay premium
prices for a premium hunt. If you’re seeking an Osceola for your
slam, make sure your destination is within the boundaries of Osceola
country as defined by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Booking a reputable outfitter who offers access to prime land is the
simplest, most certain way for folks with deep pockets to enjoy an Osceola
hunt. However, heed a word or two of advice.
When dealing with outfitters —especially those offering Osceola
hunts — always check references, and do your homework. Otherwise,
you might get burned or have a less-than-quality experience. Even with
careful planning, things can go awry.
In Spring 2000, for example, I joined Hunter’s Specialties pro-staffers
Eddie Salter and Kyle Hicks for an Osceola hunt. Supposedly, our party,
which included two other writers, had exclusive access to the outfitter’s
land for that period. The H.S. Strut folks had enjoyed fine hunting
at the lease in previous years.
Upon arriving, however, we learned the outfitter had booked several
other hunters. As a result, there were too many folks on too few acres.
We only killed two gobblers and left early.
To avoid similar situations, ask hard questions, and obtain written guarantees.
By working with an outfitter with a good track record, you will usually
have a quality experience.
The Other Side
Budget-conscious hunters can find alternatives to commercial hunting
operations. Florida offers special hunting opportunities, including
several draw-hunts on wildlife-management areas. Recently, the state
has tried to make sure that hunters who receive draw-hunt tags enjoy
quality experiences, with minimal chances of hunter interference
and realistic odds of working a gobbler. Too often, nonresidents
overlook these opportunities.
Also, remember that Florida has a long spring season — about five
weeks. When you factor in the state’s zones — South, Central
and Northwest — opportunities stretch seven weeks. Through study,
flexibility for scheduling a hunt and willingness to do the
legwork for draw-hunts, you stand a good chance of hunting Florida.
If there is a down side to public hunting in Florida, it’s not
overcrowding like in Pennsylvania and New York. Rather, public-land
hunting closes at 1 p.m. in spring, but hunting is open all day on private
land.
With public-land hunts, consider the second face of Florida hunting.
Many hunters emphasize the grand slam, so most nonresidents want to
hunt Osceolas. That means draw-hunts and similar opportunities in northern
Florida — including the Panhandle, in the Northwest Zone attract
less attention.
Conclusion
If you have dreams of an Osceola, you must travel one of two roads.
The first involves scrimping and saving until you can afford a high-dollar
hunt with a reputable outfitter. The second requires planning, preparation,
patience and willingness to wait for
the luck of the draw, so you can hunt public land.
Or — and this appeals to me —forget your obsession with Osceolas,
and be willing and eager to hunt anywhere in Florida.
By doing so, you’ll recognize that turkey hunting in Florida has
two faces. That might let you expand your horizons and kill an early-spring
gobbler in the Sunshine State.
Osceolas Vs. Easterns in Biology and Hunting
The Osceola, or Florida, turkey only inhabits Florida's peninsula.
For grand-slam purposes, the National Wild Turkey Federation has set
a geographical boundary in Florida. Any bird south of that is considered
an Osceola.
Authorities disagree slightly about the Osceola's precise range, mostly
because it has mixed, or intergraded, with the Eastern turkey. Turkeys
in portions of northern Florida, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama,
southern Georgia and southern South Carolina, display characteristics
of both subspecies. The most discernible difference between the Osceola
and Eastern is that the Osceola has darker wings. Also, the Osceola's
secondary feathers are quite dark. In addition, when its wings are folded
on its back, the Osceola has no whitish, triangular patch like that
visible on an Eastern. The white bars on the Osceola's primary wingfeathers
are narrower than the Eastern's, and are broken or irregular. That Osceola's
large tailfeathers and coverts are essentially the same as the Eastern's.
The Osceola is noted for long legs, sharp spurs and relatively low weight.
However, those characteristics are really a product of habitat. For
example, much of Osceola country doesn't have rocks or rough ground,
which can wear down spurs. This lets the Osceola's spurs attain greater
length.
For a detailed description of the Osceola, read Lovett E. Williams Jr.'s
chapter "Florida Turkey" in The Wild Turkey: Biology and
Manangement, edited by James G. Dickson.
In my experience, Osceolas gobble less than Easterns. However, every
year I talk to other hunters who disagree.
Even if you don't hear lots of gobbling, tactics that work elsewhere
should work in Florida. The biggest differences will likely be habitat
and lay of the land. Osceolas seem comfortable in thick vegetation,
but they prefer to strut in openings and pastures.
Likewise, it's unrealistic to expect any turkey to cover hundreds of
yards through impenetrable palmettos to reach your setup. As you would
anywhere, study the lay of the land, use common sense when setting up
and moving, and call as you would anywhere else.
A Third Face of Florida
Modern turkey hunters sometimes overlook autumn hunting. However, Florida,
like many states, offers a fall turkey season.
"In many ways, fall hunting is more enjoyable," said Lovett
E. Williams Jr., a noted turkey expert and contributing editor to Turkey
& Turkey Hunting. "You hear much more of the wild turkey's
vocabulary."
Also, fall hunters, whether on private or public ground, can hunt all
day -- a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset --
in Florida.
Incidentally, Florida's fall season opens up another possibility --
the chance to kill a grand slam in fall instead of spring. Killing a
fall slam is considerably more difficult than taking a spring slam.
When you read this article, it will be too late to submit your name
for drawings for Florida's Fall 2000 public-land hunts. However, you
can start to plan for 2001.
If You Go
It can be difficult for nonresidents to hunt public land in Florida.
However, several draw-hunts at wildlife management areas, and various
special-opportunity hunts, are available each year. To learn about and
apply for these, obtain Florida's annual Hunting Handbook and Regulation
Summary, published by the Florida Game and Fish Department. The booklet
is available free from Florida Game & Fish, Information Section,
620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399, or by calling (904) 488-4676.
-Jim Casada
|