Spotlight on Fall Turkey Hunting in the Sunshine State

I sailed a carbon arrow over the rump of a hen at Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and regret this whiff 15 years later. From my Summit climber and bald cypress roost, I heard her kicking through the crackling leaves as she emerged from the understory. It was true then and remains so today that during fall archery seasons some WMAs allow hunters to bag both hens and toms. Taking hens, however, is prohibited any time on private property unless she sports a beard.

But this gal lacked a beard, and though my bloodlust for hens is rather low, I appreciate the rarity and novelty of such circumstances. Alas, the broadhead missed its mark as my last chance scurried off...

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