The Sunshine State’s
prime public land hunting
 |
Photo courtesy Florida Fish & Wildlife
Ocala National Forest |
Check out three of Florida’s premier public land hunting destinations improved by NWTF-initiated habitat enhancement projects.
The fact that longbeard addicts can punch a tag during the early days of March makes Florida special for diehard turkey hunters. Not only can you jumpstart your season, the Sunshine State also offers the chance to tag both the Eastern and Osceola subspecies.
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST
Ocala was established by President Teddy Roosevelt and is actually one of the oldest national forests in the eastern half of the United States. The diverse forest is dotted with freshwater springs, winding streams and several small lakes that attract a wide array of wildlife species.
What to Expect: According to NWTF biologist Brian Zielinski and Ocala National Forest Biologist Carrie Sekerak, this public land hunting destination holds solid numbers of Osceola turkeys and remarkable hunting opportunities. The terrain primarily consists of relatively flat woods, streams, lakes and open tallgrass prairies. There are several different species of pine trees along with scrub oaks that consistently generate bumper crops of acorns, which attracts a variety of wildlife.There is an extensive network of numbered roads that provide easy access to prime hunting areas, but using a small boat or canoe may give you access to isolated areas.
Special NWTF Projects: The NWTF, with the help of the USDA Forest Service, is working hard in the Ocala National Forest to restore many illegal roadways to their natural state. Zielinski, NWTF director of conservation operations for this region, feels this project will dramatically improve and ultimately enhance wildlife habitat.
“Over the years, the legal and illegal use of roads throughout the forest has had a negative effect on natural habitat and wildlife in general,” he said. “As a result, the NWTF’s Florida State Chapter contributed $10,000 from the Hunting Heritage Super Fund to plant blueberry bushes and other native vegetation to restore wildlife openings. Volunteers have planted more than 130 miles of roads that were designated by the USDA Forest Service to improve wildlife habitat.”
LAKE WALES RIDGE STATE FOREST
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest lies in the heart of Florida and consists of four separate tracts that contain outstanding examples of naturally functioning ecosystems. This unique location encompasses some of the rarest plant and animal species in the entire state. There, hunters can expect to find a diverse scrub habitat with a mixture of oaks and pines.
Special NWTF Projects: Recently, a $2,500 grant from the Florida State Chapter helped pay for helicopter assistance in controlled burns on the forest. Controlled burns are essential for providing food sources and brood rearing habitat for turkeys, and benefit a variety of plant and animal species as well.
 |
Photo courtesy Florida Fish & Wildlife
Blackwater WMA |
BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST/WMA
Blackwater River State Forest/WMA is managed by the Florida Division of Forestry and encompasses a staggering 191,148 acres. There also is a separate 7,629-acre WMA called the Blackwater River SF-Hutton Unit in Santa Rosa County. Both tracts of land offer a variety of hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities.
Special NWTF Projects: Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) has participated in the NWTF’s cost share program for the last several years. The Florida NWTF Chapter has spent about $10,000 over the last three years to support planting more than 100 acres of wildlife openings throughout the Blackwater River State Forest and WMA. The Florida Chapter annually funds an Energy For Wildlife project with Florida Gas and Transmission to provide about 10 additional acres of wildlife plantings. — Travis Faulkner