Merritt Island Archery

EthanAdamson

Does anyone have a report of what's been killed out there through the past two years?

#1 DDH

Very few deer killed there last year. Had both hunts and didn't see a dead one.

EthanAdamson

I have WSEG second phase. I know there are big Florida bucks out there

mike923

I think only 1 deer total last year both hunts.

away

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/BigGameHunting.aspx

Rich M

Wish they would put up the results from last year - 2015 wasn't bad.

There is potential...

mrbill

My wife saw a few does there last year .. I have a buddy that has both hunts this year ... last year I think one deer killed

Pinman

My son hunted first year. Its thick as all get out. Get in the thick stuff youll find deer. But you might not have a clear shot even at 20yds. Wish the hunt areas were bigger cause Id hunt where 8 pts jump up out of the grass while Im retrieving a duck.

The prohibition on scouting before 7 days prior to the hunt puts a huge limitation on hunters too. But that's the Feds for ya.

Grimlock

I went out to NASA and saw a ton of wild hog there. Is the hog hunting good at Merrit Island?

Pinman

A lot of hogs. They pay hog trappers to try and keep them in check. Could have been one of the motivations for opening up an archery hunt but they will have to allow more (longer seasons, muzzleloaders, shotguns) to put a real dent in them.

N. Cook

This was a hunt that came out of the "expansion of hunting on NWR" negotiated by the TRUST group as we worked to get some Payback for hunters supporting the new Headwaters NWR north of Lake O....not a lot for sure...but a start of deer hunting on MINWR....it will take some hard lobbying by hunters in the area to grow that hunting opportunity with more relaxed rules.....The Federal process takes years....

BowtechGen3

N. Cook wrote: »

This was a hunt that came out of the "expansion of hunting on NWR" negotiated by the TRUST group as we worked to get some Payback for hunters supporting the new Headwaters NWR north of Lake O....not a lot for sure...but a start of deer hunting on MINWR....it will take some hard lobbying by hunters in the area to grow that hunting opportunity with more relaxed rules.....The Federal process takes years....

Thank You for all of the work that you and others put into all of the projects that open more opportunities for Hunter across the state!