NW FL Apalachicola WMA Info Needed

[Redlg155]

Fellow Hunters,

I will be taking my 14 year old son hunting this year. I can't afford a lease, so I need to take him to a WMA. Last season we tried the Apalachicola River Wildlife (Sauls creek) with no luck. It's had to compete with dog hunters who relentlessly hunt and kill anything remotely legal.

We will try Apalachicola WMA and try to get him a buck or a hog. Anyone have any tips on a good area that isn't harassed too much by dog hunters? I'm hoping this year will be his lucky year to kill something!

 

[hardluk1]

Try to contact your wildlife officer and see if he can point you in a better direction. They sometime know people with deer problems or see points where game tends be more abundent. Sometimes a couple acers of bottom will do better than a 100,000 acers of deer being chased around by dogs.

 

[dogrunner]

Yep, 'damn the dog hunters'..........but never mention the sneaky 'still' hunters that shoot EVERY thing they can........and if they're next to a dog hunt lease invariably put their choice stands right on the boundry lines.......then complain about the dogs running all the deer out.

Bull, if the method is legal ITS LEGAL! If you don't check the area you hunt out properly prior to a hunt, then the disapointment is on you.

I apologize if anyones feelings get hurt, but fellas, we are ALL in this game togeather and the pointed barbs about one method vs another when it's entirely legitimate is not just wrong, it's divisive and plays right into the hands of those that would outlaw it all!

 

[dprice3844444]

check craigslist sporting goods for hunts

http://gainesville.craigslist.org/search/spo?query=hunts&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=

 

[hardluk1]

dog runner For some that don't want to run dogs or don't have the time or needed to run dogs or just simple don't care about dog / deer chasing. Some just like to have a nice quet spot to hunt. It kinda a like fox hunters. Most are there for the chase not the kill and if you do get a deer its typicaly some warn out deer and nothing much to be proud of. I have spent more than enough time rideing around in a truck try'n to head dogs or stakeing out the block in my youth or gettin inside the run circle when short leg beagles run deer in the swamps. Dog hunting is way more about the dog and the owner claiming my dog struck first than a hunt.

So dog chasing truly has nothing to do with teaching a young hunter about how to have a chance to take a deer and spending quality time with family members in peace and quite. Or filling the freezer.

 

[Redlg155]

I have hunted all my life in areas from Alaska to Germany. I've participated in all forms of hunting, varying from stand hunting to dog hunting,so I am no stranger to the sport.

I know several people who are ethical dog hunters and have seen many who are not. The Sauls Creek bunch is not. Dog hunting can be an enjoyable sport as I've hunted both deer and hogs with the hse of dogs, however, there are many out there who are dangerous and unethical. This will eventually lead to the demise of dog hunting in Florida.
I've even had dog hunters become angry because I shot a deer while dogs were running the block I had set up my stand in. They didn't care that I was in the stand before light and they did not come by until several hours later...it was "their" buck
go figure...

 

[osprey176]

I lived in ,and hunted Florida for many years.The friction between dog and still hunters is well documented.That said,at least the state has plenty of public land available for both kinds of hunters.If you chose to hunt where dog hunting is allowed,expect to have dogs under your tree.You can hunt these same areas during archery and muzzeloader seasons and avoid the dogs if you want.If you do like the primitive seasons,Joe Budd is a great place to hunt in your part of the state.Also,St.Marks Refuge is good if you can get drawn.For a totally different hunt,apply until you draw a St Vincent's Island Refuge permit.This is a primitive weapons only hunt for the sambar deer.Bring your Thermacell!