Florida’s Okaloacoochee Slough WMA
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Photo courtesy Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission |
Check out some of the latest NWTF wildlife habitat improvement projects that make this WMA one of southern Florida’s hottest public Osceola hunting destinations.
The word Okaloacoochee may be difficult to spell and even harder to pronounce correctly, but this 35,000-acre tract of public land in southern Florida is a hideaway paradise for numerous species of wildlife. This unique ecosystem provides sufficient habitat for deer, hogs, Osceola turkeys, black bears, small game animals and the endangered Florida panther. Sadly, during the early 1900s, the entire area was intensely logged to provide crossties for an expanding railroad system.
The land was later purchased under the Conservation and Recreation Lands Program using Preservation 2000 and Save Our Rivers funds. Presently, some of the management objectives for Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest are to enhance wildlife habitat and focus more on restoring the ecosystem to its original state.
Enhancing Wildlife Habitat
The NWTF Florida State Chapter generated a total of $2,500 for the prescribed burning of more than 1,700 acres of overgrown pine forest habitat. According to NWTF biologist Steve Lawrence and David Nicholson of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, this project will dramatically improve the brood rearing habitat for Osceola turkeys.
“Controlled burns typically create new growth vegetation that will reach heights of one to three feet, which is perfect for raising young poults,” Nicholson said. “Furthermore, the lush vegetation provides turkeys and other wildlife species with excellent summer forage.”
The NWTF and its partners also recently set up a series of infrared trail cameras throughout the Okaloacoochee Slough WMA to monitor and study resident turkey populations. The survey will provide valuable information about flock numbers along with accurate hen-to-gobbler ratio data.
The Florida Chapter along with the Florida FWCC also provided $7,600 to treat invasive plants and purchase native seed mixes for the restoration of wild turkey habitat.
Recreational Opportunities
The Okaloacoochee Slough WMA offers a wide range of recreational activities for visitors looking for adventure. There are practically endless miles of forest roads for bicycling, hiking and wildlife viewing. The area is also dotted with numerous ponds, ditches and canals loaded with a variety of fish for anglers. However, hunting is probably one of the most popular activities within the borders of this secluded WMA. All hunts are based on a quota system that provides hunters easy access to prime habitat intensely managed to create a diverse environment.
Eager hunters looking to jumpstart their season can chase Osceola turkeys at the beginning of March. The Florida FWCC regulates all hunting on the property. Visit MyFWC.com/hunting for more information. You also can contact the Division of Forestry at Okaloacoochee State Forest at (863) 612-0776. — Travis Faulkner