I just returned from 3 days with Captain Billy Henderson of Deep South Outfitters. You know, it is my opinion that what really separates the good outfitters from the bad outfitters is how they perform under adverse conditions. On this trip, the Florida Nature Coast was experiencing 30 to 40 miles wind gusts from a massive storm system moving across the Eastern United States making for difficult hearing and moving conditions for Osceolas. Also, the Toms were seriously henned up as we had several birds come off of the roost, ignore our sexy yelps, and march off in pursuit of the real thing. Add on top of this that Billy’s wife, Christy, was a week overdue with their third child and you’ve got a stressful situation. Despite all of the above, Billy stay focused on the task at hand as we hunted several properties and took advantage of his superior scouting to stay near the birds. It all paid off as on the 3rd day, Billy called in a nice 2 year old Osceola Tom. The bird came in as if on a string from about 300 yards away gobbling his head off. At 30 yards, I took careful aim and pulled the trigger. I than proceeded to watch him fly off totally confused as to why that hen he was stalking just went BOOM!. Oh well, the grand slam will have to wait another year. I can’t say enough about how hard Billy worked for me over the three days. Deep South offers Osceola Turkeys Hunts, Hog Hunts, Alligator Hunts, and Inshore saltwater fishing. The opportunity to put together a combo hunt for hogs/turkeys or turkeys/fishing or gators/fishing, etc… is unlimited. While Deep South doesn’t have a lodge, they have very affordable lodging available at a modular home owned by Billy’s dad. The home sleeps 4 comfortably and has a living room, kitchen, big screen, and dining room. While they do not provide meals, I personally think this is good as there are countless seafood restaurants in the areas. Unless you want to cook in, go out and explore outstanding Florida cuisine. So despite choking on my first Osceola, I have to give a thumbs up to Capt. Billy Henderson and Deep South Outfitters. For more information on Deep South, go to my website at http://www.huntfishlive.com/ or call me at 615-604-0581. Oh yeah, Christy gave birth the day I left to an 8 lb. 12 oz. baby girl so I guess we did bag one!

Keys to the Hunt:

Scouting! Scouting! Scouting! Do I need to say it again? Scouting! In tough conditions like high winds, you have to go to where the turkeys are to have a chance. By setting up on known scratching and strutting zones, we still were able to see a couple of Toms.

Try not to shoot with certain parts of your lower anatomy in your throat. I choked!

Well its Heeeerrrrrrreeeee……… Opening Day of Turkey season in Mississippi started blustery, wet, & cold as Mississippi does about every other year. Over 3 days, few gobbles and fewer birds were seen. The one highlight was Wes Dyer of Mcminnville TN taking a jake that Bradley “Bad Boy Dicken” called. We did try out some new equipment including the Cabelas’s turkey lounger and my Southland Aluminum pot call. Pluses for the Southland call with its clear, high pitched yelps and boo birds for the Cabela’s turkey lounger which is a great idea but not very well made. I’m going to try out another type of ground chair as they sure are comfortable and make for very comfortable seating. On to Floriday March 26th for Osceolas.

Pictures to come but the Mississippi turkey season opened this past weekend with juvenile Wes Dyer taking a jake at Top Gun farms. Unfortunately that was it for a very rainy, foggy, cool weekend. More details to follow!