My season starts in 3 from tomorrow in south Florida. I drew a quota permit for 5 days starting March 6th and will hunt some open public land that is close and limited to primitive weapons. I've hunted both and the draw area has more birds, the open area has some, but I haven't spent much time there and usually a little later in the season.
Here's my tom from opening morning in '22, didn't need to draw then, just started last year. I don't use a blin down there, between the water, heat and long hikes... plus there is a lot of cover with the palmettos. So, I use a leafy suit, the Kill Suit worked great.
![](https://i.postimg.cc/nr8Nzq0m/P3050004_(2).jpg)
Panther I called in back in 2019, wanted to see one but not that close.
![](https://i.postimg.cc/Dfd1wMyr/image1[2462].png)
I have a big project for my boat this spring, so after that I will have to wait until the NY season opens on May 1st. Plan to not use the blind this year, have found Easterns to be the toughest that way, especially with open woods. Got my limit of 2 with the blind last year.
For broadheads old school 150 grain Snuffers have worked great. I tried the smaller Bullheads a couple years ago and bounced one off a tom's head and he went back to strutting. That was after waiting a long time for his head to stop moving, had plenty of chances for a body shoot; killed one 4 days later with a Snuffer. Still thinking about trying the head loppers, though.
Bow this year will be a 43# @ 29" double carbon Omega Native, 58" length in nice. For calls I mostly use a diaphragm, the Hooks Executioner 2 has been deadly. Dave Smith Decoys hold their attention, important with no blind especially.