Collier/Lee counties public lands

After looking at the state map. Big Cypress WMA in Collier county, went one time during the deer season, had a good time, beautiful place, the only thing that we caught was cottonmouth(water moccasin) but that is another story, pretty wet and rough to walk through the Turner River Unit. :toast

I hunted Big Cypress/Turner River last year in early Nov., I think. It was dry when I went but had wet areas. I didn't have an ATV/buggy so didn't go very far in. Found a place with a lot of sign and saw 3 doe the day I scouted the area. Of course the 2 days I hunted it I saw nothing. However, my first hunting day, about 100 yards from my stand I found a deer carcass that had been dressed. So, someone got lucky. I applied again for this year...we'll see. That was my first time hunting public land.

I've hunted Big Cypress some in the last 2 years. I love it out there but it's too damn hot. The time to scout where I go is early in the year around turkey time before the rain comes so you can see the trails. After the rain comes everything in my area is under water. Good thing is you can hear them coming from a mile away. I hunted the pine head edges and funnels and saw a lot of game. I take my rhino so I can go back a long ways. Take a look at Picayune Strand. I've heard some good things about that area. The loop is supposed to be good too but it's walk in only. You can't take a 4 wheeler out in the Cypress after this weekend for 2 months due to their yearly closure till Aug. 15th I think. Good luck!

Thanks all. I've hunted the piccayune strand years ago, before my stint in New Orleans. Did real well with the hogs back then. Thinking of checking with a friend who's property backs up to it to see if he's still there and if I can hunt it again.