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View Full Version : Newbe on boards -- Panhandle


john grenier
08-20-2007, 08:57 PM
Hi all. I'm new to the FL waterfowling community. I'm a transplanted Colo guy (done a bunch of waterfowling/big game there and across the West, and lots of Canada goose hunting in upstate NY).

I'd like to hook up with some fellow waterfowlers in the Panhandle. I'm stationed at Hurlburt Field in my last assignment in the AF and retiring and returning home to Colo in Mar 09.

Last season was really frustrating for me hunting-wise. I realize I'm out of my element down here (they deer behave differently it seems than in Colo, and I encountered hunting for deer w/ dogs for the first time ... Holy Cow!:00000039: when I was a kid, we used our beagle hounds for rabbits but that was about it. That's some funny stuff there, from what I could see).

I didn't get out a single day for waterfowl. Didn't see any ducks on Choctawatchee Bay till after the season ... I realize I must have been doing something wrong.

So ... I'm trying to plan early for this year. I have a 15' hunting skiff that we use to get into back waters in Colo (I reckon that would work here on some of these back waters), and lots of time. My family is still in Colo (didn't want to disrupt the wife and kid for a 20 month tour in FL), so I have all the kitchen passes I need.

So, any of you Panhandle types interested in hunting?

Also, can anyone recommend a decent deer club? I hunted deer for a couple of days last season on the Eglin range, and I was amazed at how crowded it was. The lead was flying, and there were hunters everywhere. When I was in North Dakota, the locals formed clubs, and I assume that's the deal down here, too(?).

Drop me an e-mail if you can. Thanks! John.

N. Cook
08-21-2007, 07:46 AM
Welcome.....another "Florida Thing" you will discover is Florida organizations have a real problem with the panhandle when it comes to participation. We do have several members in the area and I will put together an email for you.....and a number of members from Tall. and other areas north of you do come down to the salt to hunt occasionally.

I hope you will hear from some of them, either on this thread or by PM.

You have already found that "Florida is different" when it comes to hunting and you are in the northern habitats which are really not so different....sometimes, visit the southern half of the state and you will be amazed at the major differences between regions in Florida when hunting is concerned, be it deer or ducks. But....there is a lot of fun to be had in all the different habitats and the differences themselves make for a more interesting sport for us all.

Please be active on the Forums and bring any waterfowlers you find in the Panama City area into UW-F. If you do not get some pointers before season, let me know and I will send you what I have on the area.

swilli1054
08-21-2007, 08:04 AM
Welcome John! Most of The NW guys are located closer to Tallahassee. I will fire you a PM today or tomorrow. Again Welcome!

Converted
08-21-2007, 11:56 AM
Welcome to the forums. I can't help you much with specifics for that area but hopefully some others will step up.

FYI things are quite a bit more active on the members only side and folks are a little more free with the information.
:love8:

:lurk: :laughing7

D Duck
08-21-2007, 12:51 PM
Welcome from another CO transplant - lived there for 24 years (Golden). The Florida deer (that's what they call them anyway) are completely different and there are no elk.... Waterfowling in summer clothes in the middle of Dec. is sure a hoot though.

Can't help you with the Panhandle, but if you get down to Orlando area, let me know.

john grenier
08-21-2007, 02:03 PM
Where do I find the members' only forum? I'm kind of a computer idiot ...

Converted
08-21-2007, 02:13 PM
You can go to this link...

http://unitedwaterfowlersfl.org/join.html

... and join UW-F. A short time later you should have full access to the members only side of the site. You'll also receive a very informative quarterly newsletter that provides updates from around the state. Some previous newsletters are available here...

http://unitedwaterfowlersfl.org/news.html

You'll also be added to the UW-F yahoo group e-mail list. We use this tool to get out important information quickly to all members.

N. Cook
08-21-2007, 02:45 PM
John, I just got your application....thanks for joining.....will process immediately.

Converted
08-21-2007, 02:54 PM
Thanks for joining John. :icon_thum You should now have full access to the site and you've been added to the yahoo group. Make sure to introduce yourself on the members side. Some members don't visit/post much on the open side.

Keith Yates
08-21-2007, 04:47 PM
Welcome John!