Field Reports
December 2011 Conditions: It's starting to feel like hunting season! Falling temps are creating that hunting atmosphere we all love. The extremely high water levels are quickly falling in the St. Johns River Marsh which will concentrate the waterfowl, dry up the snipe fields, and allow for big game hunting on the public lands again. The water levels have fallen two feet in the past two weeks... Waterfowl: We had a very good 1st phase of duck season with both numbers and species! Our clients shot blue wing teal, green wing teal, pintail, shovelers, wood ducks, widgeon, ringnecks, and mergansers. We also had numerous flocks of black bellied whistling ducks, mottled ducks, gadwals, and some fulvous whistling ducks, snow geese, green head mallards come into the decoys. With the water levels falling to the perfect height, the rest of the duck season should continue to be very good. We greatly anticipate the second phase! The snipe fields and marsh are still under water and are unhuntable. However, they should be dried up within the next three weeks. Due to the snipe not really being hunted yet this season, it will be very good hunting as soon as the areas are dry enough to hunt. Wild Hog Hunting: The hogs are becoming very active during the day with this cooler temperature. We have been seeing some very big boars as well as numbers of meat hogs working our properties. We do not have many acorns on the ground this year so the hogs are spending a lot of time in and around our food-plots and feeders. The next couple of months are going to be very good "fair-chase" hunting for wild hogs. Fishing: The speckled perch (crappy) and panfishing is starting to heat up in some of the areas of the St. Johns River....especially the areas that are only accessible by airboat. This type of fishing is fun for the whole family and should be very good by the end of December. Bowfishing is still really slow in the St. Johns River due to the high water levels. You can shoot some fish out there, but we feel it is not worth while just yet. The saltwater bowfishing is starting to get better, and will be very good within the next couple of weeks. Schools of black drum (some fish topping 30 pounds), sheepshead, and big mullet are pulling up on the flats to feed and sun during the day - which is very fun shooting (and they taste great). November 2011 Conditions: The water levels have not receded since October, and have actually risen in some areas. Camp Holly is still closed, but all other boat ramps and landings are fully safe and functional. Alligator: The 2011 Statewide Alligator Hunting Season has come to a close! We had a fantastic season, and enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks to everyone that hunted with us and helped make this past season one of the most fun! Hogs: Our private property has big numbers of hogs on it right now, from little ones up to 300lbers. The high water levels are pushing a lot of the hogs around, and we have been seeing a lot of new animals. It makes it a fun time to hunt, as you never know what’s going to walk out. Ducks: Opening day is just a couple of weeks away! It looks like its going to be a very good season from start to finish. We have more water (and more marsh) to hunt than we have had for a couple of years. This extra habitat is holding more ducks, and should continue to hold them throughout the season. As of now, there is an incredible amount of birds throughout East Central Florida, in both the fresh water marshes, salt marshes, impounds, and refuges. Fish: The freshwater bowfishing is still virtually impossible, but the saltwater is still doable. The saltwater flats are starting to clear up, and the bowfishing for the schooling big black drum should start to get very good by the end of the month. October 2011
Conditions:
The large amounts of rain have raised the water levels five feet in some areas. The marsh is flooded and the lakes are spilling out into the low areas. Camp Holly boat ramp is closed, as the parking lot is totally under water. 520 and Lake Washington boat ramps are both open and useable.
Alligator:
The larger alligators are not moving back into the marsh, and are continuing with the same patterns as before the rains.
Hogs:
There is no more hog hunting on public land with the airboats, until the water level drops. Most public marsh is now under water.
The hog hunting on our private land has been very good, with both hunting out of the swamp buggy and still hunting in our stands and tripods producing shots at multiple hogs on each hunt (both meat and trophy sized animals).
Ducks:
Lots of ducks showing up! The flooded marsh has produced a lot more habitat, and Central Florida is big numbers.
Fish:
The flooded conditions have put a hold on all freshwater bowfishing. The saltwater bowfishing is still fun, with lots of shots on big mullet, some sheepshead, black drum, and some flounder.
