Hunting in Florida

[averius]

I am new to hunting, and by that I mean that I have never actually done it but woudl like to start. I live in Florida and am a bit familiar with the local regulations.

Is there anyone on this forum who coudl give some advice about the best places to hunt in Broward/Palm Beach area?

 

[oneounceload]

You might want to narrow it down as to what you're planning on hunting........

 

[exbiologist]

The closest lands I could find open to hunting for you is the Big Cypress National Preserve. Deer, turkey and hogs can be hunted there, not sure about waterfowl. Their site says alligators are off limits.

 

[Art Eatman]

The state wildlife folks have a website, and publish booklets about availabilty as well as the rules and regs. The booklets are commonly available for free at gun stores.

Major bookstores have the various magazines about hunting, and many are state-specific.

There is a newsmagazine "Woods & Waters" which lists private-property hunting opportunities of one sort or another. I've seen them at rural mom'n'pop stores as well as farm supply outlets.

 

[averius]

I would like to hunt deer, turkey, fowl etc.

I appologize if some of my questions seem naive, but like I said -- I am new to this.

Generally, is it legal to hunt with handguns?? How about an arsenal saiga SGL 21 that comes with a 5 round mag but in theory can accept a 30 round mag in 7.62?

Florida has a restriction against centerfire semi auto-s with magazine capacities exceeding 5 rounds. I dont understand fully what this means...for example the saiga that I have comes with a 5 round mag. I am just thinking what I can use out of my modest beginners arsenall which consists of an LWRC SBR in 5.56 (whic is probably not legal for hunting), a 9 mm baby desert eagle, a .40 cal HK, and now this arsenal SGL 21-76 that is in route this week (very excited about it).

I appreciate any advice on this.

 

[exbiologist]

You can use your 7.62x39, and that is certainly the most appropriate weapon you have, just as long as you are using the 5 round magazine. And soft point, expanding ammunition. Nothing you have is legal for waterfowl, and I'm still unsure of the legality of a centerfire rifle for use in Florida on turkey.
I have no idea what the heck those rifles are that you are referring to, but I am familiar with the calibers. I would suspect that you could get a 5 round mag for your 5.56 also, and the .223 is legal in Florida. You need a shotgun and a rimfire to really complete your arsenal and make you legal for smaller stuff.

 

[averius]

I am looking to buy a shotgun, specifically the Mossberg 930 SPX 12 gauge with pistol grip has caught my eye. I am looking to fullfill a double purpose --- home defense and hunting.

Does anyone here own this particular Mossberg shotgun? What are your thoughts on this weapon for hoem defense? hunting? is $669 a god price for this weapon?

 

[exbiologist]

A pistol grip won't make for a very handy shotgun if you're planning on shooting anything in flight. That's not a great price, but it's not like the dealer is even coming close to doubling his money either.
In all honesty though, if you're looking to buy a hunting gun, buy a hunting gun. If you're looking for a defensive gun, buy a defensive gun. What you'll end up doing is buying a gun that isn't very good for either activity if you're looking for something that'll do both.

 

[pwillie]

There are no "all-purpose" guns for hunting and home defense...that I know of! I guess I could use my 44 mag.to kill a hog or deer...and like Harry said"Make my day"

 

[oneounceload]

Some folks would like to have everyone think that the basic 870/500 type is an all around gun - the problem is that while it can attempt to do many things decently, it really doesn't do anything as well as specific types of guns can..................

deer - rifle or shotgun
fowl - if upland, a 2-3/4" chamber will be just fine

many options available

 

[exbiologist]

So, I'm gonna redo your battery a little bit:
You've got some kind of 7.62x39, a nice AR type 5.56, a .40 cal HK and a 9mm Baby Eagle, and are willing to spend $670 on a new shotgun. You like defensive guns obviously, but could use a shotgun, a rifle and a rimfire of some sort. I'm gonna sell at least one of those guns, so hopefullly you'd have a $1,000 to rearm with hunting guns. Best bang for your buck is to go used, and given your tastes, I'll assume you don't mind synthetic stocks. So let's see if we can find you a .270, .308 or .30-06 Rem 700 ADL, Savage 110 or Winchester Push Feed M70, in the $$350-400 range, scope it for another $100-150. Add nice used Remington 870 and a Ruger 10/22. That'd give you 3 guns that could all be seriously upgraded with aftermarket gear, has good parts availability, solid reputations, but are common enough to not end up overpriced as collectibles.
Lots of additionals ways to redo the arsenal of course, but you'd have your bases pretty well covered with those.
Of course you could also just make do with what you've got and accept your limitations.

 

[averius]

I am not a snub but for some reason I never liked used things..I prefer to save up and spend on new. Some may find this irraitonal, but its just the way I am.

I am hinking maybe first and foremost its would be good to get that arsenal saiga outfitted with a scope and go hunting wiht it to see how that works out. Looks like a 7.62 cal can be ok to hunt for most things if not all.

I saw some interesing posts on this forum by guys who appear to be seriosu hunters regarding an aimpoint H-1 or t-1 as a good option with a magnifier on an ak platform.

I checked online for prices, its not a cheap option by any means but this website www.botachtactical.com appears to have the best deal on the aimpoint H-1 or t-1. I looked up review of this botahc outfit and soem reviews are less than stellar...

Two part question for you all:

1. is an aimpoint H-1 and/or T-1 with a 3x mangifier a good scope for an arsenal saiga for hunting purposes?
2. has anyone dealt wiht botach and are they ok to buy from?

 

[pat86323]

ive spent some time in florida and from what i saw down there you wont have many opportunities at long shooting. If you want a multi-purpose gun i would seriously look into a good ole 12 guage shotgun. I personally like the remington 870 but nothing wrong with a mossburg or many other brands. You could load with slugs or buckshot for deer and hogs. If you get a 3 or 3.5 inch chamber you can use heavy steel shot loads for waterfowl. Or small birdshot for upland birds. If you are just getting interested in hunting i would say make sure that its even something you want to do before getting too gung-ho spending money. Hunting takes lots of patience and dedication. And a 12 guage is no slouch for a defensive weapon either. You do not NEED a pistol grip to have a defensive gun. It would be a bad idea to break into alot of houses with a birdgun laying around.

 

[averius]

I am in a money spending mood.. I have a first born on the way...and a midlife crisis in full effect...can't afford a yellow ferarri and a ski accident has killed that hobby for me...so hunting it will have to be. I love buying guns...just got a big fort knox safe with gun racks, light all the bells and whistles..and am dying to go hunting...

What's the general view on semi-auto shotguns v. pumps for hunting purposes?? are pump guns really that much more reliable or is this a wife's tale?

I saw a benelli (I think a nova pump) recently at a gun show for a price close to the mossberg... since most people here seem to believe that a handgrip for huntin is silly...maybe abenelli pump for under 700 is a good way to go.

 

[pikid89]

anyway back to the fl hunting
www.myfwc.com

were in small game season right now
that means that in any WMAs (wildlife management areas) that allow it, one can just show up and hunt whatever is in season at the time, for instance hogs can be hunted but the only rule is that you cnat use centerfire rifles during small game season

remember most of the rules and limitations in florida generally apply to only public land...the only rules i can think of that apply to private land are seasons, bag limits, and some very broad weapons restrictions (no FA, no suppressors, no more than 5 centerfire rounds in detatch mag in a semi auto rifle) i really cant think of any caliber restrictions in florida...my buddy uses a 22-250s for everything we hunt here (hogs deer and turkey)...and ive killed several large hogs with a .22 LR in the base of the ear

 

[pat86323]

i think the pumpguns work better for me....some people disagree. I feel that the slightly slower follow-up shot makes me not take bad shots. I have gotten to the point that when i go bird hunting with my buddy (who shoots a semi auto) i shoot about 1/3 the shells he does and i usually limit out and he does not. If you like the nova go for it. I personally think they are a bit bulky. Get out there and play with some shotguns see what fits you the best. For me its all about the safety location when it comes to hunting weapons. I want it to be something that i do with out thinking about it because i find it really frustrating when i pull a trigger and dont get a boom.

 

[averius]

Pikid 89:

It sounds like you have experience hunting in Florida. Which WMAs and/or private lodges here would you recommend? I am only interested in hunting wildlife that I would eat --like deer and birds. Hogs would not be part of my diet, and I see no sense in killing animals that I wont eat.

Tukey, birds, etc. is another story. From what you are saying, it sounds like I cant use the AK to hunt except on private land. When you kill the animal, is there usually a place on WMA's/private lodge where you can take it to be butchered/defeathered?

thanks for the info.

 

[Cpt. America]

The big thing is having a firearm with a magazine capacity not exceeding 5 Rounds. If you can find a 5 rd mag for your AK your in business. They're not none existant but they are definetly hard to come by. I personal use a BP rifle, a winchester 94 and a CZ 527 in 7.62x39.

 

[averius]

"The big thing is having a firearm with a magazine capacity not exceeding 5 Rounds. If you can find a 5 rd mag for your AK your in business. They're not none existant but they are definetly hard to come by. I personal use a BP rifle, a winchester 94 and a CZ 527 in 7.62x39."

Actually, the AK arsenal saiga 21 AK that I bought comes with a factory 5 round mag. At first I didnt quiet understand the purpose of the 5 round mag and was wondering why they dont come with a 30 round mag like the saiga 20 version, but now I am guessing is thta this rifle is commonly used for hunting.

 

[exbiologist]

Wild pigs are really good eating. In grad school in South Texas, we practically lived on them.

 

[gkdir]

I would suggest you "definately" take a Florida Hunter Safety class, if you haven't already done so. Not directly critisizing you--but your in-experience is throwing "red flags" all over the place. Know what you are doing before ya put your boots in the dirt--save yourself, and maybe someone else, a load of grief. Just my $0.02.

 

[exbiologist]

Good point on the Hunter Safety, you've got a lot to learn about game laws and appropriate equipment. Also, Red Dots aren't great for precise shot placement, but if you're not going to have opportunites over 100 yards, it probably doesn't matter much. I'd rather see you put on a standard low magnification cross hair type scope. Have your trigger worked on and find yourself some appropriate ammunition. If you handload, then it'll be easy, but I'm assuming you don't. Corbon makes some 7.62x39 designed for hunting, Federal has a 7.62 soft point that should work well, Remington has an Express load and Winchester has a Super-X load, but that's about it.

 

[averius]

I will definitely take the safety class and i intend to go with someone experienced the first few times.

Too bad that I live in FL...flat as a table and I imagine not nearly as interesting to hunt here as in a mountaneous terrain.

Hogs I wont eat though...not the most appetizing looking creatures.

 

[Art Eatman]

Broward/Palm Beach? I've messed around Fort Liquordale some, way back when. My first wife was from Hollywood. I've hunted mostly in the "jungles" of the bottoms along the Appalachicola, below Blountstown.

One of my few very strong opinions about guns is that pistol-grip shotguns are about as bad an idea as ever came down the pike. I have reasons, but I'm not gonna hijack the thread with them.

I've used an old Model 12 pump gun for about forty years, and done some quail shooting with a semi-auto. IMO, it's all in what you get used to. I sorta like the pump, more, I guess, although my Beretta 390 is a good gun. For no particular reason, I've never really cared for double-guns, whether side-by-side or over-under. (Helluva note, with a Browning Lightning 20 sitting in the safe. )

I do like a vent rib on a shotgun, for sure. I see no reason not to go with the 870in 12-gauge. I'd get one with a 26" barrel and screw-in chokes. The main thing is to hunt around for what brand/size of load patterns best. Lotsa info on that in the Shotgun forum.

I load for a bunch of stuff, from .223 to '30-'06, and have hunted with all of them. I guess that for centerfire on Florida game, a bolt-action in .7mm08 would be as effective as any and a tad less recoil than many. Probably better for hogs than a .243, which is one of my go-to cartridges for whitetail.

For all that I have 3x9 scopes, that's more "because I can" than it is from "need". I had no trouble in a one-shot 350-yard kill with a 3x9 set on 3x, so I get a bit cranky at the idea that anybody really needs more than a fixed 4X for 90% of all hunting. Certainly, not inside of 200 yards, anyway, not even on feral cats.

Nuff fer now...

 

[oneounceload]

If you eat bacon or pork chops, then shoot the hogs - they need thinning anyway - they're destroying habitat for many other game animals. Many here in FL hunt as a member of a hunt club. Bob White are few and far between in the wild for a variety of reasons; therefore, hunt clubs that specialize in them have sprouted up.

The MAIN issue with open public land is the amount of yahoos who are out there shooting damn near anything that moves........too scary for me as their numbers in WMAs get denser per square mile than I care for