Florida Non-Rez Turkey Permit Data (2017-21) - Better go while you still can!

[GobbleNut]

I have virtually zero interest in hunting Florida, too many other opportunities for me and I really don't care what color his feathers are.

Fl. is safe from me for the foreseeable future!  Have at it boys!

Yup.  Hunted Osceolas four times over the years.  All four hunts were on private property (three by invitation, one paid) and all four were some of the easiest turkey hunts I have ever been on.  After killing a gobbler on private land on the last trip I made, we hunted public for a few days, putting up with all of the stuff already mentioned.  I have no interest in going back to either buy an easy turkey or compete with the public-land crazies. 

I, too, do not know what the appeal is,...but you guys are welcome to it!   

[Dieselfitter]

I think most states saw an uptick in sales of Turkey tags.   I think much of it was due to the lockdown and Cabin Fever.  Folks want to get out.    I normally head to Myrtle Beach right after Labor Day and spend a few days.   The kids are back in school, prices drop and in 20 years I have never had a problem.   I started looking for rooms the following week of Labor Day and most of the rooms are sold out til the end of the month.

[dzsmith]

Glad I don't have to go back there lol. There are several states I wish to visit...that im scared to visit now....florida is just one less.

[Old Gobbler]

1) I believe they limit the out of state awarded permits to 10% max per quota unit

2)I have 8 years worth of preference points (8 points) and still no permit for the area im looking to get , the areas are declining in quality due to hunting pressure

3 ) every po-dunk hillbilly with next to no property,  a lease , trespass or the like is a "guide" BE CAUTIOUS

4) read the writings of Dr. Lovett Williams..the upmost expert and authority on the subject of where and what is a real Osceola...not some keyboard hero who wants your money

5) I warned people 20 years ago the bottom will fall out on Osceola hunting ...sadly we are at 22million Florida residents now ,  ot wont last long and when the bottom drops out it will be fast

6) the fwc has no idea what they are doing regarding managing the turkey program..CLUELESS  I bet if you asked them at the board meeting what the harvest figures are on the wmas' for the STATE they wouldn't even know ..btw it ussualy hovers arround 700 , thats right only 700

[FLGobstopper]

1) I believe they limit the out of state awarded permits to 10% max per quota unit

2)I have 8 years worth of preference points (8 points) and still no permit for the area im looking to get , the areas are declining in quality due to hunting pressure

3 ) every po-dunk hillbilly with next to no property,  a lease , trespass or the like is a "guide" BE CAUTIOUS

4) read the writings of Dr. Lovett Williams..the upmost expert and authority on the subject of where and what is a real Osceola...not some keyboard hero who wants your money

5) I warned people 20 years ago the bottom will fall out on Osceola hunting ...sadly we are at 22million Florida residents now ,  ot wont last long and when the bottom drops out it will be fast

6) the fwc has no idea what they are doing regarding managing the turkey program..CLUELESS  I bet if you asked them at the board meeting what the harvest figures are on the wmas' for the STATE they wouldn't even know ..btw it ussualy hovers arround 700 , thats right only 700

My good sir, you summarized very well what I think I was ranting in my posts earlier.

So, should we start a new thread on... What we as FL resident and non-resident turkey hunters should and are going to do about it? Come on man I'm game, lets make some noise, kick some @$$ and at the very least fight like heck regarding turkeys, our public lands and hunting in what really is a great state. If we don't we will surely soon be consumed by the masses and become just a passing inaudible voice in the distance.

A forum such as OG along with other media outlets with an established platform could be very useful in banding together as well as raising awareness. I'm open to suggestions and ideas and I'm in for it.

[deerhunt1988]

I've been pouring over the WMA draw data from spring 2018 through now. It is taking a lot of time to put it all together in a presentable form, but i'm slowly getting there.

Here's a highlight though:

After a certain YouTuber put south FL WMAs on the radar, applications for some south FL WMAs have nearly doubled just from 2018 thru 2020. They can't blame that on COVID since the application periods were Nov. 2017 and Nov. 2019.

[Yelpster]

I've been pouring over the WMA draw data from spring 2018 through now. It is taking a lot of time to put it all together in a presentable form, but i'm slowly getting there.

Here's a highlight though:

After a certain YouTuber put south FL WMAs on the radar, applications for some south FL WMAs have nearly doubled just from 2018 thru 2020. They can't blame that on COVID since the application periods were Nov. 2017 and Nov. 2019.

be interesting if data is available for how many people have hunted big cypress in those years

[WW]

Thanks to Social media and youtube heroes. Oh Well, at least they got to sit up beside a tree and pose with a dead turkey and a cigar that they don't inhale...sort of like junior high school.

[RutnNStrutn]

Speaking as a FL native and resident for 45 years I believe they really haven't a clue how to, nor do they care much for managing our native wildlife. Turkeys here are but a drop in the bucket compared to our fisheries, beaches, golf courses, theme parks, etc, etc.

It's a shame, but the way people are moving here in droves, habitat in disappearing and the lack of open lands I think the reality is that if somethings do not change it won't just be the opportunity for non-residents and residents that will be disappearing but the actual turkeys themselves.

Unfortunately, I think the attitude of our wildlife commission is mostly apathetic at best. The only management they really do is severely regulate hunters through seasons and limit opportunity. In some areas we still have a good amount of birds, but it's an absolute miracle and does not have anything to do with our wildlife or turkey management practices. FFWC has no idea! I could go on and on and on... Please don't bring up the NWTF and their involvement in FL either because that's a joke as well.

I totally agree with you.

Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.