Florida - Osceola Turkey Hunt
Tim Herald Outdoors is the exclusive agent for one of the best Osceola camps in Florida for the crown jewel of the Grand Slam, the Osceola or Florida wild turkey. Tim Has been hunting south Florida for over a dozen years, and has tried many different outfitters, he is now representing the one that he feels is the absolute best. This outfitter has been featured in many magazine articles and has filmed many hunts for TV and videos with Knight & Hale, Mossy Oak, The Hunter's Journal and Team Outdoors from the Outdoor Channel. This hunt has very high success rate for the hunter and represents a good value as far as Osceola hunts go as well.

Specifics for Osceola Hunts: Osceolas are definitely a bird of a different feather. Patience is the key to harvesting these dark winged beauties. This subspecies gobbles considerably less than its three cousins. This fact coupled with the often open terrain the Osceola lives in, makes for tough hunting. For those who love to "cut and run", like Tim, they must shift gears and slow down. Longer setups, and more patience are what produce.

Though the Florida countryside is flat, a hunter must be prepared for other obstacles. Certain years high water is a concern, and knee boots should always be packed. Insect repellent or a "bug suit" is also an essential.
Temperatures are generally warm to hot (sometimes over 90 degrees), but the odd cold front (40 degrees) is always a possibility. It is often quite windy, so boat paddle box calls and aluminum calls work well to cut through the gusts.




Osceola Hunting Options:

Option #1
During Florida’s south and central turkey zones’ seasons, usually from the first part of March until mid-April, fully guided, all inclusive 2 and 3 day turkey hunts will be offered. These hunts will be conducted on several large private ranches encompassing thousands of acres in south and south central Florida. Hunts are 1x1, and food and lodging are all taken care of. Guides will call birds for hunters, or if you want to call your own bird, that is fine too. These hunts are tailored to your specifics. These hunts generally produce a 90%+ success rate with a near 100% shot opportunity. Prices for these limited all inclusive (except for license) hunts are $2100 per person

Tim has been on this hunt every year since 2001 and has never come home empty handed. In 2005 Tim took a super gobbler with 1 9/6" spurs on this hunt on film for The Hunter's Journal. This outfitter has filmed many of his client's hunts for The Hunter's Journal, so when you book this one, you might just find yourself on The Outdoor Channel.

Option #2: Semi Guided Discounted Osceola Hunts
This hunt is conducted on Private Land that consists of oak hammocks, pasture, cypress strands, wetlands, & citrus groves. Success rates in 2009 were 96% and the one hunter that went without missed multiple times. Meals will consist of Continental breakfast where the hunters stay, lunch & dinner at a local restaurant. Lodging will consist of two houses or motel that are within minutes of both properties. Rates are $2200 for 3 days- 1 bird. Polk County- Central Zone-3rd Saturday in March-ending 4th week in April.