Questions and Answers for the Osceola Enthusiast!
What are we hunting at Osceola Ranch? The Florida Wild Turkey (aka Osceola), (meleagris gallopavo) is the game.
Where did the name come from? W.E.D. Scott described the bird in 1890 and named it after a famous Seminole Indian Chief, Osceola, of the early 1800s.
What is special about the Osceola Wild Turkey? The unique bird is found only on the Florida peninsula and is a highly sought after subspecies of the wild turkey.
What does the turkey look like? The Osceola is the smallest and one of the most challenging subspecies of turkey to hunt.
How big are Osceola turkey? A mature tom Osceola turkey will only weigh 16-18 pounds in his peak breeding state.
What are the physical characteristics? You may notice that Osceolas have longer spurs and beards on average than the other subspecies. Black predominates in the wing barring of the primary wing feathers. Feathers of Florida Osceola turkey show irridescent green and red colors, with less bronze than other species. You can see the shine of the feathers on the turkeys pictured. Adult females, or hens, are similar to the males but duller and lighter colored throughout, except wing feathers, which are darker.
What is the habitat? You will find the Osceola in the flat pine woods, oak and palmetto hammocks and swamp habitats of Florida. They Federation (NWTF) only recognizes birds as Osceolas if they are taken south of a line drawn between Taylor and Dixie counties on the Gulf to a line running between Nassau and Duval counties on the Atlantic coast.
When is the reproductive cycle for the Florida wild turkey? In southern Florida turkeys gobble during warm spells in January, several weeks before actual mating. Hunting season typically begins in March and lasts for five weeks. Egg laying is mainly in April with the cycle complete with peak hatching occurring in May.
What are natural enemies of the Osceola wild turkey? Th skunks and hawks are some of the predators that will eat the eggs and young of the Osceola.
What are methods of hunting the Osceola? Bow and arrow, muzzle loaders, shot guns are preferred.
How can you plan a spring turkey hunt with us? Wild hog hunting is an added bonus to a hunt with Osceola Ranch. Remember room and board is included! for more information about packages... Give us a Click
