Been looking into finding another lease for next year that is a little closer to home for me. I have been driving 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours to get to a lease for the last 8 or 9 years and am really tired of it. If I could get something a little closer that didn't cost an arm and a leg I'm sure I could have gotten out a little more this year. I wish I could but I can't afford to spend 4-8 grand a year for a lease down south. I remembered reading about the rec use permits and started looking into it a little. There are a few around the center part of the state that would work.
I was curious if anyone here has ever belonged to one or has any buddys that did. I don't want to count on trying to get on one and find out that it is no different than any other WMA with people all over. Do the other hunters tend to respect other peoples areas or do you have to fight to get to your stand 1st? Any of them better than the others? There is 1 in Nassau and another north of Jacksonville that are too far north for me. If I was to do those I would just get on another lease instead. A few are within an hour or so of Alachua which is where my hunting buddy lives so that would be a good deal. It takes me right at 5 hours to get to Alachua so I would like to keep it in that general area at the farthest.
Thanks for any help. Doug
I seriously considered Flint Rock the past 2 years, but never did.
I don't know much about them but many of your WMA's can be just as productive as the Rec use. The ones you are talking about sell out quick
Grove Park is supposed to be pretty good,but I think it's tough getting in there. Lot of people want to hunt that place,that's in Cross Creek. Ain't Flint Rock where Cherry Island is and Snipe grade? Man I put some miles on in that place. I'd love to go trudging there again. Hohs were so thick in there you could walk on them.
Regs say that the unrenewed ones go up for grabs on June 4th. Grove park would be my 1st choice from looking at the maps. 1st come 1st serve on the permits. I read somewhere that they were covered up with people that have been there a while and didn't take kindly to new guys. I'd hate to have to get into a pissin match with someone just so I could hunt. I'm not into the drama that comes with that stuff.
Good luck getting in,I wouldn't believe all that hype. I have a few buddies that have been in there since it opened and their buds can't get in.
