Backwoods Escapes to State Forests

Florida protected forest areas include highland oak, pine meadows, and lowland swamps, among many other terrains. Many thousands of acres of land have been set aside through the state for preservation and to make sure that future generations will be able to experience what the real Florida was once like.

Things to Do

Activities include biking, horseback riding, ATV riding, camping, fishing, and hunting. The Department of Forestry can help you find a state forest that interests you. No matter what you want to do in the great outdoors, Florida state forests are a resource to be considered. Even an evening joyride through locations such as Jennings Forest reveal a wealth of wildlife living in a protected zone.

Camping

Campers at all state forest must register at the main entry or as instructed. Some campsites may have electricity or water, but is a good idea to reserve the site if you plan to require full accommodations.  Additionally, many state forests are located in or near national forests or designated wildlife sanctuaries.

Fishing

Many state forest have natural pondS or streams that may be fished. Ocean Pond is one of the largest in North Florida, but other parks allow access to the headwaters of the St, Marys river, Black Creek, and other major Florida waterways. Bass, bream and catfish are on the menu, along with mudfish biting in the spring and fall, and turtles could pose a challenge at any time.

Hunting

State forest adhere to special regulations from one season to the next, regulating the length of the hunting period and what is considered an allowed kill quota. Most state forest and wildlife management areas, including the property around Camp Blanding,  provide special bow-only locations and seasons, as do other locations.

Exploring Nature

The many different Florida ecosystems offer an abundance of outdoor discovery. Highland sand oaks are a common refuge for wild turkey, and the most common habitat of the ancient gopher tortoise. By contrast Pine and hardwood forest attract deer, rabbits, owls, and other woodland creatures. In the cypress swamps, you may see snakes, bears, otter, raccoons, deer, or alligator. Take a digital camera with a large memory bank, or numerous rolls of film.

5 Ideas for Campsite Simplicity

Little things can make the camping trip more comfortable, or completely ruin the day. Here are a set of useful tips that can save money, make the trip more comfortable, and eliminate some of the hassles of camping outdoors, Dixie style.

Eye hooks have many uses.

Hook it Up

Pick up a set of eye hooks at the local hardware store. Around the campsite, these hooks can be screwed into wooden poles or a healthy tree to provide hooks and hangers for a wide variety of things. Hanging a lantern is one obvious example, and providing a place to hang a bucket of water for hand-rinsing is another. Eye hooks are easy to install by inserting a screwdriver or sturdy stick through the hole and turning clockwise as you push in.

Rinse your feet to reduce sand in the tent.

Avoid the Sand Trap

Getting sand in the tent can become an uncomfortable situation, but it is easy to avoid. Set up your tent so that it opens on the side away from the wind. This will reduce most wind blowing directly into the tent. Next, place a large towel or absorbent run immediately inside the tent, and a cheap rubber welcome mat outside it. Fill a bucket 1/4 full of water, or keep a gallon jug filled right outside the tent flap. Remove your shoes and rinse your feet and lower legs before entering the tent.

Resealable bags keep things organized.

Keep it Fresh

Every camp kit should contain quart and gallon size "zip" style plastic bags. When a bag of chips or other package is opened, store them in a bag. Do the same for hotdogs, leftovers, and fish that have been cleaned. Keep your tableware in a bag. Group similar items in containers for easy access. Plastic bags keep your camp site organized, helps to keep foods fresh, and prevents problems with scavengers and insects. Check out these other uses for Ziploc bags.

PVC stakes are useful around a campsite.

Portable Hand Wash Station

Cut a piece of PVC pipe about 4 feet long. Screw an eye hook into one end, and cut the other end at pointed angle. Push the stake into the ground with a downward twisting motion. Hang a small bucket of water from the hook, and you have an instant hand washing station. Use it to rinse your hands after baiting hooks or handling fish bare-handed. Washing stations are handy near the food preparation area. Another use is to place a plastic grocery bag inside the empty bucket and use it for a trash container.

Take your trash with you when you leave.

Reduce the Rubbish

Avoid carrying store-bought packages. Package your supplies in reusable containers before you set out on the trip and you'll save time and energy, along having less trash to pack up when the trip is done. Instead of carrying dozens of containers, take a few gallon container of water, a bag of sugar, and tea or Kool-aid. Put a few tea bags in a clear glass or plastic container filled with water in the morning and you'll have sun tea ready for drinking in the afternoon.