Hi all. I introduced myself over in this thread http://fohaf.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11572 . Now that that is done here are my newbie questions. I am starting big game hunting for the first time and am going for white tail this general gun season. I am using a scoped Remington .270 and plan to use a climbing tree stand on Eglin's WMA. I have drove out and checked out a few parts of the area already, but it looks pretty dense and have not had any luck seeing anything so far. With Eglin being such a huge area does anyone have any advice on which areas to at least start in for deer? I am not looking for anyone's secret spot or anything. Just to at least be in the ball park. Also if there are better areas or technique for hunting deer in the Okaloosa/Walton/Santa Rosa counties, please let me know. Lastly if anyone knows of any hunting groups or orgs that are looking or willing to take in a hunting "virgin" let me know.
Thanks in advance for any advice. 🙂
There are a lot of wmas up that way and some of the best hunting in florida spend lots of time in the woods you plan to hunt.
I never hunted up in that area but i can tell how I "try" to find deer in new areas.
Sandy roads are good for spotting tracks crossing the road. Follow the tracks back in the woods looking for trails and other sign.
The same is true with fresh cut fire trails, find fresh tracks, look for trails and other sign.
I try to find 3 kinds of cover or trees that come together - pines, oaks, cypress or maybe over grown clear cut, planted pines, cypress swamp. Then look for funnels, choke points, inside or outside corners.
I carry a topo map and make notes on it....tree stands, game trails, people trails......GPS also helps to id areas, also google earth.....
Make a friend that hunts your area....even if you don't hunt with the people you meet, being polite and thoughtful can pay off with tips and pointers.
I never hunted up in that area but i can tell how I "try" to find deer in new areas.
Sandy roads are good for spotting tracks crossing the road. Follow the tracks back in the woods looking for trails and other sign.
The same is true with fresh cut fire trails, find fresh tracks, look for trails and other sign.I try to find 3 kinds of cover or trees that come together - pines, oaks, cypress or maybe over grown clear cut, planted pines, cypress swamp. Then look for funnels, choke points, inside or outside corners.
I carry a topo map and make notes on it....tree stands, game trails, people trails......GPS also helps to id areas, also google earth.....
Make a friend that hunts your area....even if you don't hunt with the people you meet, being polite and thoughtful can pay off with tips and pointers.
All good sounding advice. Thanks Swampbird. I appreciate it.
Try and stay in the bordering areas or highway blocks as they run dogs over there. I can tell you that Eglin has a full-time environmental scientist/biologist staff that might could tell you more if you can get through to them.
Find you a more experienced local hunter and learn from that person.
