I have only killed Easterns and recently got the itch to start going after the slam. Does anybody have any recommendations for a good outfit in FL? I want it to be a guided hunt and a pretty sure thing. Thanks for any info you can provide.

Mike Tussey, Osceola Outdoors

http://www.osceolaoutdoors.com/

If you're going to set out on a slam mission, I'd recommend heading West first unless you get a good deal on an Osceola hunt or something. Osceolas have been just like Alabama easterns in my experience. Rios and Merriams are a blast to hunt and act a lot different than easterns.

With that being said, I don't have an Osceola outfitter recommendation. My old connection down there shut down their operation. I really don't have any intentions of going back either if it's 2000 a bird like most places down there are.

Have you ever taken a MID-west Osceola?

is that a mid west south central Florida species????

My plan is to try to kill an Osceola this year and then go out west and kill the other two next year. Do you have any good recs on outfitters out west?

Heartland Pride Outfitters, with camps in Nebraska and northwest Kansas

https://heartlandprideoutfitters.com/

Ive had good and bad dealings with Cody. I couldn't recommend him to anyone now.

you don't really need an outfitter out west, LOTS of birds on BIG pieces of public land.

Thanks for the rec’s guys

If I was to ever be looking for a pretty much sure shot, Id give this Ole boy a call:

http://www.osceolaturkeyhunting.net/

Check out his web page.

Also heres some reviews:

http://huntinfo.com/outfitter-review-details/1238946101

http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/76-outfitters-guides-forum/121538-great-florida-osceola-hunt.html

https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/hunts-o...tter-print.html

Now I dont want to go overboard here, as last time I did on Ole Ratso Id got critisized on here.

But Ive known Ratso a long time, and hes a super nice guy, works hard to get you a bird and his success rate is REAL.

Some of yall seen him on my TV shows video. I called in and filmed a bunch of gobblers dying on his land over a bunch of years, guiding and calling there.

The Guys a great guy, he will flat crack you up, lay out great food and definitely get you your Osceola. He takes it personally to get you a bird.

He manages/outfits on a bunch of ranches, 10,000 acres some of em. And only takes a certain amount of birds a year.

He gives you the real Florida Experience, great food, great hunting, hogs if you want.

I was first introduced to Ratso by Hoppy Kemper. They are great friends and outfit right near each other.

I couldnt recommend a better place to actually go kill a GREAT Osceola. On ranches most guides would book 50 hunts, we booked 10. Hes a great game manager.

Good Luck. ODO out.

One day I will find a sweet hookup and go back and not have to pay $2000 for one. Until then I guess I will keep wishing for that connection to come along. I paid for one and got one for free so I guess that is enough for now. An Osceola is expensive to hunt even on public land due to length of travel, licensees and fees, lodging, and then the hunt itself. If you can afford it and want one bad enough I say go for it. It is a great experience and hunting and taking an Osceola is something special. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

I think going for your first time Id pay that and figure that would be my one hunt for my Osceola!

Id definitely pick an outfitter like the one I mentioned.

I can promise having worked with him outfitting and filming a bunch on tv there..even ole Ratso killin one when it was barely light enough to see, he WILL get you a bird.

His success rate isnt BS. Trust me. ( It was almost 100% forever) Hes a fire chief now I think. Hes also a great taxidermist. Ratso does this as a HOBBY and to help a few rancher buddies pay their taxes.

He only takes 10 birds on each 10,000 acre ranch...or did when I worked with him.

Heck, one of my camera men wanted to buy one after we filmed 10 die...the rancher...who took us all to lunch asked my friend..."Im pretty sure that was # 10 wasnt it?"

"Youre going to have to come back next year, sorry",


and my buddy and PT cameraman DID! I even showed the video on here of him killing a real nice one the NEXT year, I filmed and called for him myself.

Heck, I killed a nice one with ole Ratso myself.

I LIKED the ranchers conviction to NOT harvest more then the 10 he said.

Luckily, I got to hunt some great private land, as well as a few special opportunity hunts on great places when it was easier to get drawn and shot a bunch there. As well as some private land hunts doing other shows..

By the way, if youd like Ill post the links to our old TV shows and you can see the hunting from Ratso place.

I ASSURE YOU...I PROMISE..it is second to none!

There are a lot of Osceola Outfitters charging way more then $2000 ,..and they have a 50% percent rate. They run 50 hunters on 10,000 acres.

Ratso does 10...and 10 birds total on a big ranch. It is a one bird hunt unless there are more available. If there are he will allow another, at least on another ranch..but for a price.

And He has a number of ranches as well. All improved pasture, Most PBR cattle ranches.

Some FINE hunting , I can promise.

By the way, Ive helped a lot of folks here hunt out of state. They have ALL Got their game...deer, mulies, elk, and all sub species for the grand slam.

I can steer you to them, they will attest that Im telling you exactly what to expect.

Heck...Ill show you on VIDEO hunts that I actually filmed or did from where I send you.

Some times you just got to pay a little for a great experience.

I can assure you, a hunt with Ratso is a true Southern Cracker experience of a GREAT Osceola hunt, for a true Osceola..in Osceola County, with great scenery, lakes, food,..etc.

Damn OO. That's one hell of a testimonial. After reading that, I'm about ready to give the guy a call myself.

Ive always said a picture is worth a thousand words...so here about 7 hunts from Ratsos ground, including he and I hunting on his hunting club where we call in 3 good ones at first light and he smashes one at less then 10 yards.

This is the type of ground you hunt, and the type of results you can expect for sure.

If its in Florida on this show, I was hunting with Ratso for sure.
Im doing the filming and the calling in these as well.

This video if from like 2003. It is 15 years old and standard definition so bear with it, but it shows the land and the type of hunting youll be doing.

You can tell by how young, good looking and THIN I am....


ODO out

Awesome video OO! Thanks for sharing!

My pleasure.

It is a great GUIDED hunt and a pretty sure thing IMO. His 98% success rate is true due to real good management, scouting etc.

Thought youd like SEEING what the terrain and hunting is like.