Gallery

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Finding the Sweet Spot
How do you navigate in the dark through acre upon acre of dense marsh grass? I still can’t explain it, but native Floridian Mike Thomas, who has been hunting around Lake Okeechoobee most of his life, has a knack for finding his way to sweet spots he’s scouted in advance. A handheld GPS helps, sure, but sometimes he has to take matters into hand and pole the boat through heavy cover.

1 of 1
Finding the Sweet Spot
How do you navigate in the dark through acre upon acre of dense marsh grass? I still can’t explain it, but native Floridian Mike Thomas, who has been hunting around Lake Okeechoobee most of his life, has a knack for finding his way to sweet spots he’s scouted in advance. A handheld GPS helps, sure, but sometimes he has to take matters into hand and pole the boat through heavy cover.

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Gators!
We’re early, so there’s plenty of plenty of time to sort out the decoys. And those twin yellow reflections over there? Those are alligator eyes!

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On Call
Mike’s on the call at first light. He’s using a diver call to mimic the brrrr-bbrrrrr sounds made by ringneck ducks, mostly what he expects to see today.

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Ready for Action
Tom and Jack are loaded up and ready for action. The ringbills are flashing over at high speed, some high and circling; others low, barely clearing the grass.

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Breaking the Ice
First one down! Jack breaks the ice and gets his first up-close look at a ringneck duck.

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Keep On Swinging
These ringnecks fly fast, no doubt. A shooter’s got to keep his head down on the stock and keep that gun swinging.

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Keep On Swinging
These ringnecks fly fast, no doubt. A shooter’s got to keep his head down on the stock and keep that gun swinging.

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Meet the SX4
The good news is that the gators and big Okeechoobee snapping turtles haven’t nabbed any of our ducks. However we do have to search hard to find those that fall in the heaviest grass. The even better news is that we’re getting ample opportunities, our shooting is improving and the number of birds in the bag is climbing. And what’s that shotgun? Oh, yes something new from Winchester—the SX4. Want to know more? Here’s an AmericanHunter.org exclusive where you can learn all about it.

1 of 1
Meet the SX4
The good news is that the gators and big Okeechoobee snapping turtles haven’t nabbed any of our ducks. However we do have to search hard to find those that fall in the heaviest grass. The even better news is that we’re getting ample opportunities, our shooting is improving and the number of birds in the bag is climbing. And what’s that shotgun? Oh, yes something new from Winchester—the SX4. Want to know more? Here’s an AmericanHunter.org exclusive where you can learn all about it.

1 of 1
Meet the SX4
The good news is that the gators and big Okeechoobee snapping turtles haven’t nabbed any of our ducks. However we do have to search hard to find those that fall in the heaviest grass. The even better news is that we’re getting ample opportunities, our shooting is improving and the number of birds in the bag is climbing. And what’s that shotgun? Oh, yes something new from Winchester—the SX4. Want to know more? Here’s an AmericanHunter.org exclusive where you can learn all about it.

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Heating Up
By the time we pick up decoys and head in for lunch it’s starting to get pretty warm. No matter how much you love those icy mornings in your home blind, this kind of duck hunt is something to dream about, eh?

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Navigating the Maze
Utterly comfortable on his home-turf, Mike Thomas rooster-tails his duck boat through the marshy maze.

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Food for the Freezer
Back at camp, let’s pose up for a picture to send to our hunting buddies back home. Hey, having a great time, killin’ ducks, wish you were here! Don’t worry, we’re bringing plenty home for the freezer. Come on over. Or better yet, give these guys a call and plan your own Florida duck-hunt adventure. Contact Osceola Outdoors here.

1 of 1
Food for the Freezer
Back at camp, let’s pose up for a picture to send to our hunting buddies back home. Hey, having a great time, killin’ ducks, wish you were here! Don’t worry, we’re bringing plenty home for the freezer. Come on over. Or better yet, give these guys a call and plan your own Florida duck-hunt adventure. Contact Osceola Outdoors here.