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Anyone have room for a Turkey Huntin Bud

Looking to hunt Unit B or C around Tampa for Spring Turkey.

I moved here a year ago and have yet to understand how the permits and public access work with the WMA's like Green Swamp.

Anyone have room for a turkey huntin buddy to hunt within an hour or so of Tampa?

Jordan

Hey Jordan. With regard to Green Swamp, you would need to have been drawn for a permit that allows you to hunt the first 2 days. After the first two days, you can get onto Green Swamp by showing up early enough to get one of the 200 daily permits that are available at the check station on a first-come, first-serve basis. Get in line early (e.g., 3-4 a.m. or earlier) since the line can sometimes be long. Can't tell you exactly where to hunt as there are birds all over the WMA. Keep in mind, however, that a lot of hunters concentrate along the river that runs on the south side of the WMA. But, when it is not too wet, there are also good numbers of birds in the north central part of the WMA. Don't call too much as the old toms on that place have heard it all. And, you definitely don't want to get one too fired up on the limb since other hunters will come running. Upper Hillsborough is another excellent WMA for Osceolas, and it is not far from Green Swamp. Actually, you would probably have less pressure there than Green Swamp since the first day is usually on a week day. You don't need a special permit on opening day in Upper Hillsborough, but, like Green Swamp, there are daily permits (75 I believe) available on a first-come first-serve basis throughout the days that it is open to turkey hunt. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck chasing those swamp chickens!

Thanks! Great information! MUCH appreciated.

Forgot to mention...there are a couple of other good places near Green Swamp that you might want to try for turkeys. Tops on the list would be Green Swamp West Unit. It's only available by applying for a Special Opportunity Turkey hunt, but if you get drawn, it will give you a much better chance of taking a bird than any of the other nearby WMAs. To apply, just go to the Florida Game and Fish/Hunting web site (web address below) and there are instructions there. You have to pay a small fee for each application you submit, but you can submit as many times as you would like. I've only been drawn once, but it was worth the time/effort it took to apply. Lots of birds and little to no competition. The other place just north of Green Swamp is Richloam WMA. You will need to have been drawn for a quota permit that will allow you to hunt the first nine days of turkey season on Richloam. After the first nine days, however, you do not need a quota permit. But, remember that for ALL of these WMAs, you will need a Wildlife Management Area stamp, hunting license, and a turkey stamp at the minimum. Also, wear a good pair of waterproof snake boots. There are a lot of moccasins (and gators) when it is wet. Again, hope you have a good season. Below is the web address/link to the brochures for all of the FL WMAs. http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/#wma

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