Richloam WMA

[UrbanArcher1975]

Has anyone hunted this area?  It's bow season there now and I'm going to try it this coming week and wanted to know some areas that perhaps anyone could recommend for deer or wild hog.  I've never been out there and the whole place is crisscrossed with dirt roads, so any 'scouting' that someone else has done would be beneficial.
Thanks,
~A

[Hoyt]

I use to hunt it many yrs ago. Killed this big ole boar hog in there, right behind one of the camp grounds.

Those dirt roads are made by dog hunters (deer) and you can't get much over a few hundred yds from one.

During gun season the dog hunters move into the campgrounds..they will have fire wood stacked two stories high, even have a school bus come through to pick up kids.

Lots of hogs and some big Fl. deer..and real good spring gobbler hunting..just be advised you will be dealing with a lot of dogs, trucks lined up like a parade along the roads..etc.

Greenswamp WMA boarders it on the south..it's check in and out and no dogs (Richloam is not gated..no check in and out..except game), probably more hogs and I know more big Fl. bucks and lots of turkey.

 

[UrbanArcher1975]

Awesome, thanks Hoyt.  Couple of questions: 1) The dog hunters aren't there til after archery season correct?  Only during hog-dog and general gun?  I was only going there during archery season (as you can see from my other posts, i'm making the circuit of WMA for archery...).  2) I like Greenswamp, but I believe it's only weekend hunting and I'm trying to go on like a Tuesday where there are no crowds and I don't have to sacrifice time with my son and wife.  I have some time to take off from work and was using this during the week..
Am i correct in these two?
~Adam

[UrbanArcher1975]

Also, what's the best way to get there from Orlando?  Just head down 50?

[Hoyt]

Adam, Richloam is spread out and if you are going to hunt the east, west or north west side of hwy 471 take hwy 50 to hwy 471 and go whatever direction you want to hunt. South down 471 till you get past the Baird WMA sign on the left..Richloam starts at the next road on the left on both sides of 471 or west on 50 to hunt the NW section. If you are going to hunt the East side of Richloam it's closer to take a left through Clermont and go in the back way..kinda forgot the names..etc now.

They changed all the rules, laws, etc, since I lived down there..so I guess you are right about Greenswamp wk ends only..use to be that way. Baird used to be open fist come first serve after so many days of the quota hunts, but don't think so anymore.

[gringol]

In my somewhat limited experience, the WMAs that allow the dog hunters almost always have less game regardless of the hunting season.  Greenswamp is open only on weekends, but isn't that crowded during bow season.  Last weekend there were less than 10 trucks waiting at the gate in the AM.  Richloam might be worth a shot during the week, but I have found it too crowded on weekends.

[Hoyt]

One thing I didn't like with Richloam is that you couldn't shoot does during bow season and I would always see lots of does. The buck only rule is all politics because every where else around Richloam you can kill all the does you can...bucks too far as that goes.

[UrbanArcher1975]

Yeah, the buck rule is ridiculous...
Thanks for your help guys, I'll send pics of wherever I get something.

[gringol]

Most deer activity in the Green Swamp has been after dark so far this year.  Only 6 deer taken in two weekends of hunting (as of noon sunday).  There are also very few (if any) acorns falling.  I'm guessing that's because we had such a wet summer.  With the cooler weather this week you may see some more activity during the day.  I bet if you can find some acorns you'll be in business because there seem to be so few around.