Turkey Season

[RM Anderson]

I used to know a guide in central FL that I like a lot. He has since moved to Oklahoma so I don't have anyone I could recommend.

If you are interested in a do it yourself, I can give you the name of a WMA and tips on where to go if you got on that WMA. However, that WMA on "the map" of where Osceolas are vs Easterns is just on this side of the Eastern line. I have shot birds that I would say are definitely Osceolas. I have also shot birds there that are definitely Easterns. So, if it is important to you to be deep in Osceola territory, then I can't really help you.

Dani, Yes I would very much appreciate the name of the WMA! We have not done much homework yet but my wife's idea of a perfect vacation involves much sun tanning on a beach with some turkey hunting. I'm a little skittish around snakes hence the interest in a guide. Richard

 

[Dani]

Dani, Yes I would very much appreciate the name of the WMA! We have not done much homework yet but my wife's idea of a perfect vacation involves much sun tanning on a beach with some turkey hunting. I'm a little skittish around snakes hence the interest in a guide. Richard

I shoot you a PM.

The place I'll send you, you will perhaps need hip waders (it really depends on how wet our springs are). I can point you to areas that you won't need hip waders but probably at least mud boots. My favorite areas though require crossing a small river (small when we are drier).

Depending on when you choose to come down, if I am around, I don't mind playing guide on the WMA. It isn't super far from me so wouldn't be a long haul for me. And it is one of my favorite WMAs to turkey hunt in. In what way are you skittish about snakes? Knowing which are venomous or just because they are snakes in general?

 

[RM Anderson]

I shoot you a PM.

The place I'll send you, you will perhaps need hip waders (it really depends on how wet our springs are). I can point you to areas that you won't need hip waders but probably at least mud boots. My favorite areas though require crossing a small river (small when we are drier).

Depending on when you choose to come down, if I am around, I don't mind playing guide on the WMA. It isn't super far from me so wouldn't be a long haul for me. And it is one of my favorite WMAs to turkey hunt in. In what way are you skittish about snakes? Knowing which are venomous or just because they are snakes in general?

Dani,
Thank you for the very generous offer. I am skittish of snakes in general but more so after completing basic training at Fort Benning GA! My wife is delighted by the way! Richard

 

[Dani]

Dani,
Thank you for the very generous offer. I am skittish of snakes in general but more so after completing basic training at Fort Benning GA! My wife is delighted by the way! Richard

Well, snakes and gators are certainly a reality here in FL when chasing turkeys but I have never been in a situation where I felt threatened by them. And that includes the pygmy rattler I incubated unknowingly on a particularly cold morning. After realizing what happened, you can bet that I am a whooooooooooooooooooole lot more careful when I set my seat down in the dark.

I can't count the number of moccasins I have almost stepped on up here (I have seen them at the WMA I sent you but not in the numbers that I do in the woods closer to home) and I have never had an aggressive one. The majority of the snakes I see in the woods are non-venomous and I usually bother them more than they bother me.

We do not have pythons up this far north either so at least I don't gotta worry about a snake that might eat me

So, snakes are a critter to think about and watch out for but not something I think you should let worry you so much that you don't come on down to chase an Osceola

 

[RM Anderson]

Well, snakes and gators are certainly a reality here in FL when chasing turkeys but I have never been in a situation where I felt threatened by them. And that includes the pygmy rattler I incubated unknowingly on a particularly cold morning. After realizing what happened, you can bet that I am a whooooooooooooooooooole lot more careful when I set my seat down in the dark.

I can't count the number of moccasins I have almost stepped on up here (I have seen them at the WMA I sent you but not in the numbers that I do in the woods closer to home) and I have never had an aggressive one. The majority of the snakes I see in the woods are non-venomous and I usually bother them more than they bother me.

We do not have pythons up this far north either so at least I don't gotta worry about a snake that might eat me

So, snakes are a critter to think about and watch out for but not something I think you should let worry you so much that you don't come on down to chase an Osceola

Dani,
Sounds to me snake proof waders/mud boots and a change of underwear will be in order. Funny thing the drill instructors said the same thing that if you leave them alone the snake will reciprocate. I still levitate however. Richard

 

[Carl]

Very nice of you to help that Pygmy rattler warm up on a spring morning.

 

[Dani]

Wasn't it though? I thought it was very nice of him not to bite me in the butt whenever I moved.

But it got me thinking....was he there and I just somehow put my seat over him or did he slither in after I set my seat and had been there a while? Did I not feel him slither in?

I don't know the answer....

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Missed your turkey and purty flower post this year! Get after them this weekend!

Don't we usually get scary snake pics from Dani's turkey hunts, too?

 

[RM Anderson]

I've heard some hunters only breast out a turkey so I wanted to share this. Today Heather made turkey soup out of the legs and thighs. If I understand the process correctly she slow cooked them for 16 hours to tenderize, pulled the meat and along with other ingredients added a bit of chicken stock to eliminate the gamey taste.
Delicious, Richard

 

[Jeff Reardon]

Well, snakes and gators are certainly a reality here in FL when chasing turkeys but I have never been in a situation where I felt threatened by them. And that includes the pygmy rattler I incubated unknowingly on a particularly cold morning. After realizing what happened, you can bet that I am a whooooooooooooooooooole lot more careful when I set my seat down in the dark.

I can't count the number of moccasins I have almost stepped on up here (I have seen them at the WMA I sent you but not in the numbers that I do in the woods closer to home) and I have never had an aggressive one. The majority of the snakes I see in the woods are non-venomous and I usually bother them more than they bother me.

We do not have pythons up this far north either so at least I don't gotta worry about a snake that might eat me

So, snakes are a critter to think about and watch out for but not something I think you should let worry you so much that you don't come on down to chase an Osceola

Oops, missed this. We DO get a Dani scary snake story, even though she's playing it all cool and nonchalant. To a northern guy from the land of no poisonous snakes, that was a near death experience.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

After realizing what happened, you can bet that I am a whooooooooooooooooooole lot more careful when I set my seat down in the dark.

Well, I guess I have been living under a rock. First time I have seen/heard of using a small innertube for a seat cushion. I may just have to give that a try. Do you feel like you are sitting on an unstable balloon?
I suspect your friend slithered in there after you had sat down. Don't bite the butt that warms you?

 

[Tom Wall]

I went to grad school at UF in Gainesville. I did a fair amount of turkey hunting. As a Yankee, I grew up in IL, I was not overly fond of snakes. Runs with snakes while turkey hunting were nil. I would see more while roosting birds in the evening. I would not be afraid to hunt without snake proof boots.

 

[Carl]

As far as I know, we have no poisonous snakes in the US.

In my 30+ years as a biologist, I’ve never seen a venomous snake act aggressive unless provoked or stepped on. And I did both and still did not get bit or even struck.

Same with non venomous ones too.

 

[RM Anderson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I still jump when I see one!

 

[Dani]

I've heard some hunters only breast out a turkey so I wanted to share this. Today Heather made turkey soup out of the legs and thighs. If I understand the process correctly she slow cooked them for 16 hours to tenderize, pulled the meat and along with other ingredients added a bit of chicken stock to eliminate the gamey taste.
Delicious, Richard

That looks delicious. I can't imagine not taking the legs off a turkey. I typically slow cook the drumsticks to make soup with them but have smoked em and then made soup with them. Love the smoked turkey soup

 

[Dani]

Well, I guess I have been living under a rock. First time I have seen/heard of using a small innertube for a seat cushion. I may just have to give that a try. Do you feel like you are sitting on an unstable balloon?
I suspect your friend slithered in there after you had sat down. Don't bite the butt that warms you?

I have been using an innertube for a seat for at least 15 years now. It is great. It doesn't feel unstable at all. I got a handful of innertubes from aircraft tires for free when my dad was still working as a small aircraft mechanic. Before that, the tube I used was a wheelbarrow inner tube. The aircraft innertubes are a touch bigger and are comfier because of that.

 

[Carl]

That looks delicious. I can't imagine not taking the legs off a turkey. I typically slow cook the drumsticks to make soup with them but have smoked em and then made soup with them. Love the smoked turkey soup

I had a couple acquaintances who did not mess with the thighs and legs. That changed after I gave them a serving of turkey legs and thighs simmered in cream of mushroom soup a long time in the slow cooker. Of course that ended my supply of turkey so not sure what I accomplished.

 

[tod osier]

I've heard some hunters only breast out a turkey so I wanted to share this. Today Heather made turkey soup out of the legs and thighs. If I understand the process correctly she slow cooked them for 16 hours to tenderize, pulled the meat and along with other ingredients added a bit of chicken stock to eliminate the gamey taste.
Delicious, Richard

I think it is criminal for anyone to just take the breasts and legs and thighs. There is so much goodness in the lesser parts of the bird, I'd fry the gobble if I could get the breading to stick.


Turkey stock


More turkey stock


Carcasses for stock.


Turkey burger


Turkey nuggets


more nuggets


Turkey carnitas from pulled legs.


Turkey salad


Turkey cracklins

 

[jode hillman]

I used to know a guide in central FL that I like a lot. He has since moved to Oklahoma so I don't have anyone I could recommend.

If you are interested in a do it yourself, I can give you the name of a WMA and tips on where to go if you got on that WMA. However, that WMA on "the map" of where Osceolas are vs Easterns is just on this side of the Eastern line. I have shot birds that I would say are definitely Osceolas. I have also shot birds there that are definitely Easterns. So, if it is important to you to be deep in Osceola territory, then I can't really help you.

Doesn't get a whole lot better than that! This guy read the script and came in gobbling the whole way!

 

[tod osier]

Doesn't get a whole lot better than that! This guy read the script and came in gobbling the whole way!

Looks like a successful opener!!!!! Great to see!