I have been trying now for a few years and really am just starting to get the hang of sign etc. i love the outdoors and am trying to get my first florida WMA pig. Frankly, I would even settle for a decent squirrel hunt. I have been on a number of canned hunts and wanted to make sure I knew how to clean the animal and process it before really getting involved. I was not exposed to anything but fishing as I grew up. So its been a heck of a learning curve the past couple of years.
I like to hike so... spot and stalk is what I would rather do. While I hear many folks say thats the way to go, I guess I am just not getting it. the 2 WMAs I have concentrated on are the Green Swamp and Homosassa. Each time I go out, I look at the arial google maps, come up with a game plan and then my buddy and I go out there and scout / hope for the best. Clearly we try to be quiet and frankly, we put about 150 feet between us so that if one spooks something the other will see it.
There are clearly better spots than others in the swamp and Homosassa based on the sign we have seen. I figured based on my last few trips and willingness to put in time, now is the time to start asking intelligent questions.
I just appreciate any ideas or thoughts. Again, I am willing to put in the time. Of course, and if invited, I can clean and butcher too. 🙂 In all seriousness, I love the outdoors and am having a great deal of fun figuring it out. For me just getting out there is 1/2 the fun. The other part is occasionally getting something on my dinner plate! 😀
BTW at the Green Swamp I blew it... I had slugs in my shotgun and never though that there would be ducks in there! I will be prepared next time.
Thanks guys...
Fishindad
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Do you prefer to Still hunt or Spot and stalk? Why?
What do you look for as key items to select an area to hike? When you hike to you walk fast or slow and use frequent stops?
For Hogs Summer vs Winter vs Fall... what are the key things to expect them to do at various points?
For Squirrel... what seem to be some good overall techniques? Is calling effective?
fishindad i am having man of the same problems you are, and i hunt greenswamp most of the time and upper hillsborough when i have a permit or it is open, and an occasional trip to myakka sga. i did take a couple smalll wma pigs a few years back. I damn near came home with some quail from greenswamp last night. I have sign down for pigs, just waiting for a bigun to frequent some of my honey holes during season. Keep at it! i know i will.
I will. I saw a 200 pounder boat at the checkpoint when we left. I know they are there! Last year I saw a nice buck at the station when I left too.
Just figured bouncing some ideas on technique around would be good.
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I like to move. If I'm hunting anything but deer, I'm slowly easing (slowly, 2 or 3 steps then stop for a minute or so) along until I find a place that feels right then I'll sit a little while then move along. Keep the wind in mind as best you can though. Granted, this year was a wash but I have had good success in the past with this. Saturday I was squirrel hunting and eased into a deer bedding area along a creek and had conversation with a curious doe. LOL! I tried different grunts at her and she just sat there looking at me like my wife does sometimes when I say something out of line....
Squirrels- same thing but once you find 'em ease in and sit down for a few minutes. Sometimes more will start moving once you let things calm down and you can get a few extras. I don't call but I know a guy in Missouri that does real well using a little cheap distress call....but up here this has been a very odd year for squirrels. Haven't seen hardly any. I usually hunt mornings though, might need to switch to late afternoon and see what happens but it's unusual to come home empty handed from some of my areas and we have more times than not this year.
Everybody has their own techniques. Try what sounds good and see what you like.
Sat there were three deer taken and 5 hogs. One of the deer was being dressed when i pulled up he was a stud as far as i am concerned looked like 6pts or better. We should try and meet up out there sometime fishindad.
