Hi All,
Hesitate to ask, but, don't know if you don't, so here goes.
I have a week of vacation to take before March 31 (tough I know), am looking for somewhere to turkey hunt on public land.
I'm located in Western Kentucky so a drive to any of the following wouldn't be too bad.
I'm looking at Alabama, Georgia, or Mississippi; would even consider North Florida if public land was a possibility.
Sure not asking for your honey hole, just general area/ state and maybe why. Also, if some of them are only half day hunts on public that would be good to know.
Thanks in advance.
It is a secret. LOL
I sent you a PM.
Grab your bow and go to Nebraska
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Thanks for the replies!
Mississippi opens the earliest but keep in mind that because of this, the public lands will be overflowing with non-residents from surrounding states until those states open.
Quote from: deerhunt1988 on January 24, 2021, 06:22:40 PM
Mississippi opens the earliest but keep in mind that because of this, the public lands will be overflowing with non-residents from surrounding states until those states open.
See 9 out of 10 plates are out of state first 3 weeks of season.... LOL I have Virginia plates, military family here in the Sip.
We'll be moving this summer or fall... Hopefully I'll be somewhere that has turkeys, and not overseas....
Good luck everyone.
Mississippi has allowed itself to become a circus and changes are necessary. It's the most pressured state for turkey hunting because of the reason mentioned of its early opener.
I'd go with Alabama. There will still be plenty of pressure, you just won't have the Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and residents pressuring the birds like you do in Mississippi.
Mississippi is the new south Florida.
Thanks all!
Don't forget Hawaii!
Although I believe its a little to tougher to get in there this year thanks to covid.
Wife would love it.... The pocket book not so much....
Quote from: wkyhunter on January 24, 2021, 07:50:15 PM
Wife would love it.... The pocket book not so much....
Show me the money.
Quote from: Jstocks on January 24, 2021, 06:59:18 PM
Mississippi has allowed itself to become a circus and changes are necessary. It's the most pressured state for turkey hunting because of the reason mentioned of its early opener.
I'd go with Alabama. There will still be plenty of pressure, you just won't have the Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and residents pressuring the birds like you do in Mississippi.
Mississippi is the new south Florida.
Last year in bama I saw arkansas hunters and myself am from Tennessee, also saw hunters from virginia and I forget where else... no matter where you go, if it opens before other states, it will be crowded. Just keep that in mind when you go
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Quote from: Jstocks on January 24, 2021, 06:59:18 PM
Mississippi is the new south Florida.
Speaking of south Florida....One particular forest in Mississippi will really be overrun this year thanks to the YouTubers. gotta love it!
Obviously, if you have to go before the end of March, and you want to turkey hunt, you will have to choose a state that opens prior to that. Simple solution is to look at season dates and pick one.
I will say this. If I wanted to actually kill a gobbler and had to choose between Mississippi public land and just about anywhere else, I would choose "anywhere else" (okay,...maybe not Florida). The "go to Hawaii" suggestion was a really good one! ;D
If you go to north Florida you won't deal with a terrible amount of non resident pressure. All the non residents want an osceola and those are eastern up there. Two pretty good size national forests just a couple hours apart.
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North GA mountains might be worth a try. It's difficult terrain in areas and the weather can be iffy that time of year, along with the birds not necessarily turned on, but I have intermittently hunted there and have not been bothered by out of state hunters, even though I am an intruder too--from SC.
Quote from: Brad_Colvin on January 25, 2021, 08:27:01 AM
If you go to north Florida you won't deal with a terrible amount of non resident pressure. All the non residents want an osceola and those are eastern up there. Two pretty good size national forests just a couple hours apart.
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There's some truth to this one, I don't know if I've ever talked to someone and they said I went to Florida to hunt easterns. Not saying it won't have pressure but it doesn't have that same draw that south Florida sure gets.
If it was my trip id start with confirming season dates for a few states, narrow it down to 2 or 3 and do a little research on population, harvest data, hunter numbers ect. Then look at available public land and so forth. Once you have a state, an area of the state you can get map scouting some spots.
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Quote from: TauntoHawk on January 25, 2021, 03:09:42 PM
Quote from: Brad_Colvin on January 25, 2021, 08:27:01 AM
If you go to north Florida you won't deal with a terrible amount of non resident pressure. All the non residents want an osceola and those are eastern up there. Two pretty good size national forests just a couple hours apart.
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There's some truth to this one, I don't know if I've ever talked to someone and they said I went to Florida to hunt easterns. Not saying it won't have pressure but it doesn't have that same draw that south Florida sure gets.
If it was my trip id start with confirming season dates for a few states, narrow it down to 2 or 3 and do a little research on population, harvest data, hunter numbers ect. Then look at available public land and so forth. Once you have a state, an area of the state you can get map scouting some spots.
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Oh they get some pressure but it's mostly local pressure and nothing like public land down south.
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Of the states you mentioned, I'd recommend going after an eastern in north Florida if you want the least competition. Plenty of decent public land, and you don't even have to access much of it by boat.
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Thanks for all the suggestions!!
Quote from: wkyhunter on January 28, 2021, 07:54:43 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions!!
Keep us posted on how it goes!
Good luck.
:Made my first trip to GA for the opener. Didn't get there until late Friday afternoon. Parts of the trip could best be described as a cluster .....
Anyway hit up several WMAs across North GA prior to heading home Tuesday afternoon. Was overall a good trip, even though I didn't connect on one. Met some fine folks and some "characters" too.
Hope to be in TN next Saturday for the opener. Thanks again to everyone who had suggestions for my little trip.