Hunting Trips

Hunting For Exotic and Domestic Game

What is “Exotic Game”? “Exotic Game” is introduced deer, antelope, sheep, and goats from other continents, released onto fenced properties in the United States. This does not include any members of the cat family.

At Dixie Sportsman’s Hunting Lodge, we encourage you to arrive the night before your hunt so you can enjoy all we have to offer. Arrive in time to take a tour of the ranch upon one of our huge swamp buggies. Unpack, relax and have a good dinner before tomorrow’s events.

Our guides will outline the hunt strategy so you will feel comfortable with your approaching hunt. Safety is always the rule here. Please become familiar with your weapon of choice prior to the hunt. Rifle, handgun or archery may be used. We have an excellent range where you are encouraged to practice your shooting or archery skills if you feel the need. When the time comes to harvest your trophy, you don’t want to hesitate.

Exotic game may be hunted safari-style from one of our huge swamp buggies, from tree stands, or from ground blinds.

If you choose safari-style, your guide will navigate the preserve in search of your trophy. All the game is “free roaming” throughout the preserve, so we must maintain caution whenever disembarking from vehicles to stalk your trophy from the ground. Your guide will be with you at all times.

If you choose to hunt from a tree stand or ground blind, your guide will transport you to-and-from the location he feels you will have the best opportunity to take a trophy animal.

Domestic game includes the American Bison, Florida Whitetail Deer and Trophy Boar (please see “Hunting For Trophy Hogs” to learn more).

Exotic game includes Aoudad (“Barbary Sheep”), Axis Deer, Blackbuck Antelope, Eland (antelope), Fallow Deer, Four-Horned Ram, Gemsbok (antelope), Rams and Goats, Scimitar Horned Oryx (antelope), Sika Deer, Waterbuck (antelope), Water Buffalo, Watusi, and Wildebeest (antelope).

All Antelope game may be hunted year-round along with American Bison, all Rams and Goats, Water Buffalo, Watusi, and Axis Deer whose hard-horn season varies with each animal. All other Deer hunting is seasonal beginning in the fall and ending around March.

Please visit our “Pricing” page to learn interesting facts about the game available.

Hunting For Trophy Hogs

Year-Round Hunting Adventures

“I’ve seen adrenaline poisoning before, but his case was both acute and infectious. Amid the strong smell of hog, dogs and human sweat, he turned, grinned, and practically bellowed: “Man, this is the best hunt I’ve ever been on. This is AWESOME!”

Excerpt from an article by Mike Handley, Editor of Rack Magazine regarding his hunting adventures at
Dixie Sportsman’s Hunting Lodge
Entitled “Silence of the Hams” Face to Snout with the King of Florida’s Big Game Trophies

The hunt starts early, at the crack of dawn, with the guides rigging the buggy and saddling the horses. The dogs are ready to hunt, too. Ready to push your trophy hog from tight cover, giving you the shot of a lifetime.

While the guides and dogs start the hunt for your trophy hog, we will get you on-board the buggy to follow the extremely exhilarating chase. During the hot pursuit, we will keep in touch with the guides via two-way radio, and follow wherever the ill-tempered hog takes us. We constantly listen for the baying of the dogs and communications from the guides while we navigate through swamp, woods, and open areas awaiting the words that will make your heart start pounding, “We’ve got one bayed. Bring me a shooter!”

At that point, don’t be surprised if you come down with an infectious condition that’s called “adrenaline poisoning” as you step from the buggy to follow your guide to your quarry. Your guide will be keeping your safety in the forefront of the events at all times, and he will give you the command to “take ‘em” once the dogs are called off.

It’s a knee-knocking, heart-pounding, hands-sweating heck of an awesome time! Just remember to breathe!

Pheasant Tower Shoot

Get ready for some high-flying excitement! Pheasant Tower Shoots, also known as Continental Tower Shoots or European Tower Shoots, is an event you don’t want to miss.

We schedule at least six tower shoots a year starting in October and ending the following March. A minimum of 20 shooters with 10 pheasants per shooter will be released from our 30 ft. tower. There will be 20 shooting positions with 1 or 2 hunters per position situated in a circle 60-65 yards from the tower with 45-50 yards between each position.

The excitement begins when the whistle blows and the first bird is released. The pheasants are estimated to be at 30’ - 50’ above the shooting position flying 35-40mph. After 10 birds are released, all hunters will move one station to the right. This will continue throughout the shoot to allow everyone an opportunity to shoot from different positions on the field.

Entry Fee: $335 Per Shooter - Includes a big B-B-Q lunch.

Youth Hunters 14 and under may share a position when accompanied by a paying adult for $20 (to cover the cost of food).

Prizes galore including a shot gun and cash awards. “Prize” birds will be awarded to the person to whom the bird falls closest (regardless of the person who shoots the bird). The Tower Master, whose decision is final, will decide any disputes. Shot birds will be divided equally among the hunters present.

For detailed information, hunt schedules and reservations, call Jimmy Vincent at 352-498-3809. $100 deposit required one month in advance. With early deposit payment, you will be assured of a place on the field. We recommend you recruit a shooter to share your blind. Partnering assures an enjoyable time for the three-hour shoot.

Pheasant Tower Shoots are an excellent tool for corporations big and small. Promote your company image and express appreciation to a group of your employees, customers and clients by inviting them to join-in on this unusual and exciting event. Special Corporate Pricing available upon request.