guided or self guided

[turkaholic]

My brothers and I are thinking about an early season trip down south. Just wondering if anyone has input on going it alone or sticking with a guide? We all have over 20 years chasing easterns in CT,NY,MA. I know its a lot more difficult doing it yourself but that is also part of the fun.

[BriarRidgePlots]

How far South you thinking of goin??? I can put you on some great turkey huntin on public land around here E. KY. We have got lots and lots and lots of birds and the Daniel Boone NF, which if you don't mind a little walking, offers superb hunting oppertunities, with most people staying within 200 yds of their truck.

Tom

[Strut10]

The first time we hunted southern WV, all we had was driving directions to a spot drawn on a coffee shop napkin. We drove down to WV in the dark. We got up in the dark & drove to the spot on the blind. We ended up killing 2 birds in 3 days among three guys. But the next year we went 7 longbeards on 8 tags (and the 8th tag had more than ample opportunity). If you're willing to put a couple trips in to get acclimated, you can do really well. If you wanna go and clean up on the birds first time there.........BriarRidge's offer sounds pretty generous to me.

[okbowman]

I think self-guided would be the most fun!

[woodsman2230]

I am going down to florida and I am going to be hunting public property self-guided. I dont think it would be as fun with a guide. Because when you go self guided you have to scout and do everything yourself. I think I would get more satisfaction out of taking a bird with my own effort snd skills rather than have other people put me on the birds and say here ya go.

When and where are you goin?

[gobblingghost]

I hunted Central Fl. last year on a private ranch. I had a blast. BUT if you don't have a way to control the mosquitos you will not have a good time. You might have to have blood transfusion when you get back. I personnally carried a Thermacell with me. I was able to harvest a 19 lbs, 11" beard and 1 3/8" spurs. I missed my second bird but I got the oak tree.

[Covehnter]

[ QUOTE ]
I am going down to florida and I am going to be hunting public property self-guided. I dont think it would be as fun with a guide. Because when you go self guided you have to scout and do everything yourself. I think I would get more satisfaction out of taking a bird with my own effort snd skills rather than have other people put me on the birds and say here ya go.

When and where are you goin?

[/ QUOTE ]

When you tote a bird out over your shoulder from land that was unfamiliar to you when the trip started, you can say you've done something.

[PAhunter0642]

Well I have to agree with the others in saying that I think that the self-guided hunt can be just as effective. Just make sure that you talk to the locals about where the birds are. A few years ago some buddies of mine went to Florida to hunt turkeys and came home with nothing due to not really knowing where the birds wanted to go. They would gobble all day long, however always seemed to go the other way. Check with the locals and see where they have been seeing birds, it will pay off.

[Mathews XT Man]

[ QUOTE ]
I think self-guided would be the most fun!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree

[willfish03]

I've never been guided, so i don't know. but i do well on my own. so self guided for me

[jason88]

i think self guided is the way to go, when you go with a guide I think all the excitment of locating and
finding the birds is gone because a guide usually knows exactly where to go to put you on the birds(at least a good guide).