While it may come as a surprise to many....Florida is now one of the leading states in % of kills per time hunting! Combined with long seasons, large game bags, good weather, and a great deal of Wildlife Management Areas.....we are getting hunters for all over tha States. Now comes the "Rub".....most don't have clue to how to hunt our heavy woodlands, swamps. and coastal islands! Most show up with long range rifles, overly heavy clothes, ans an "attitude". The first No-No they do is the jump the use of dogs we use under some situations!
I have had them cut on me about my dogs and later ask me to trail up deer/hogs the have shot.......makes us feel real good toward them! It is very easy to lose game in these swamps, etc. It's not like areas where one can watch game run a 100 yards and fall......you can't even see that far down here in most cases.
Those of you that have come down to hunt know what I am speaking of. I keep from two to three dogs.....Bulldogs and Bulldog/Black Lip Cur crosses for a single purpose......trail and kill a wounded animal!
Now.....If you are serious as to know how, where, and wgen to hunt in Florida.....I will help all I can. If I don't answer a post due to not being advised, contact me at jcgates@bellsouth.net.......James

James, Thank you sir, for being the first person I've run into since living in FL (3 years) that is open and willing to help out with hunting questions! I really think thatit's because I'm in St. Pete, and well, their just doesn't seem to bemany hunters. But I'm determined to get out and learn the game here in FL so here are a few questions.

1. I'm having a hard time understanding the WMA rules on quota hunts, special quota hunts, and just what exactly I can hunt on each WMA and when. I've read alot of their individula booklets on myfwc.com but some things seem to not line up from one page to another. I called one of the offices and asked if there was a hunters class that could be taken that explains it all and was told, no. Are you aware of any resources in my area that could help?

2. I'm a high power rifle, spot and stalk hunter. I'll get out with a shotgun here soon enough but I have a new 7mm Rem Mag I want to use first. Am I wasting my time in the woods with this for hogs? Can you tell me if there is a WMA you are familiar with that would support some distance shooting?

3. Other than tall boots what gear MUST I have for hunting in swamps? Can I carry a sidearm holstered when hunting if I am a conceled weapons permit holder?

4. Can I hunt from a boat on a river if going through a WMA?

5. Know of any farmers or landowners willing to let a new hog hunter take a hog at minimal cost? I know that hogs are livestock on private land but where I'm at there just isn't enough land to go looking for willing landowners.

That's it for now. I'll have tons more. About the dogs and hunting this is how this new southerner sees it. I've read about guaranteed hog hunts with dogs where they take hunters out in the morning, and then again in the afternoon and these are not penned hogs. Seems to me this is like shooting fish in a barrel and when it's time to put meat on the table that is fine, but when your looking to outsmart an animal on as much of their own terms as possible using dogs to find them and keep them at bay just seems a little "too" unfair. Using a dog to track a wounded animal is just a good idea all around in my opinon.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying hunters that use dogs are bad hunters or bad people. I just think it takes a good measure out of the challenge of locating game.

James, just thought of another one. I've heard from alot of people up north...I'm from OH, and grew up in MI...that the deer down here are the size of golden retrievers. Seriuosly though, what can I expect as a "typical" weight on a buck down here?

Ok, Let's see what we have.........
Elkloco....Welcome to Florida! You will find tha Florida hunting may be different, but you will enjoy the woods down here!
(1) Besides regular hunting season dates on WMA, there are two sets of hunts that you must put in to be drawn for. Regular Hunt Permints.....These are, for the most part, for the first nine days of the season. This reduces the crowd. After the first nine days, and if you have bought a WMA stamp, you can hunt the rest of the season. The other type is the Special Hunt Permits.....these are for various hunts (archery, muzzleloadering, and gun hunts) during various times that limit the number of hunters and fall a various times)
Both require that you send in your choice in June. Applications sre gotten fron your tag office.
(2) You have a fine rifle, but will be limited in many ways to find long ranges. I suggest you get a good latter stand and set it was at the edges of the swamps. Many times there will be a well defined game trail or hog rooting around the edge. Use turpintine for a scent killer. if you are hunting along the coast and it's full moon......the hogs will visit the edge of the marsh after fiddler crabs. If in the hardwoods, seek out areas that have acorn trees. Soon areas near you like Green Swamp have some cutdowns where they are planting pines. Always set up your stand where the sun rises and sets to youe sides and not in you face. Further in North Florida there is Mallory Swamp. The upper part burned and its now full of hogs. There are some open areas. Here in my area, there is the Federal Lower Suwanne WMA.....no drawing, permits from there office. A weekend drive through will show you some Cypress Heads (shallow swamps in bush oak fields)
(3) The weather in Florida can change very quickly, plus rain. The best boots are the cheap military leather and canvas, with wool socks. Always carry a shoulder bag or small back pack. Include....a good compass, poncho, extra sweater, turpintine, extra matches, a loud whistle (three blasts for help), snacks, a pint or so off water, a small flashlight, marking tape, And any other items you think you might need. Hunting with a handgun is very popular in Floriada and can be used in most areas....see booklet for your area.
(4) If the WMA does not have a check in station, you can hunt in a boat. We do alot! Many of the streams off a river have high ground near by (we call them islands) that nay or may not have water around them. These islands are excellent for hogs and deer.
(5) you will not find much private land to hunt on. Tresspassing with a gun is a felony in Florida. If the land owner has much game, he has already leased it the hunt camps. Stay on government land.
Now about dogs.....Florida is in the sub-tropics. Deer and hogs feed most at night and lay up during the day....period! I have seen tree standers sit all day within a dozen deer and never see them. But, don't get me started on dogs!
As for the pay-to-hunt places......they are jokes where tame hogs are trapped and "hunted".
Now for deer size......all deer below the Fall Line are small. A new buck 9 to 8 points could weigh up to 175 pounds, while does are quite small.....but there is no limit on season bag on bucks. You will see some boar hogs that go well over 300 pounds..........James.

Thanks James for the info. I'm definatley excited by the idea of the hogs on the marsh edges and the fact that it may give me a nice setup for keeping an eye on a good amount of ground. I'll be keeping an eye on your posts and looking fo rmore info in the coming months.

Thanks again!

James, another question. In an earlier post you mention using turpentine as a scent killer...not too sound stupid or anything but does a person wipe the turpitine on their skin or spread it around on the ground or what?

Just wipe some a little on your pant legs.......But it's also great on bug bites......James

I hunted in mallory swamp last year the roads are good the swamp is rough i was in there 2 days saw 3 doe a hog and a bobcat i will be back there this year some time . i hunt hogs with dogs and also still hunt i have no problem still hunting areas with dog hunters there is not many people in the woods and the dogs keep the game up i saw up to 15 head of deer in front of the dogs once while i was in my climber