It's easy understand why Central Florida residents like Seminole County.  We are close to the beaches, have a fantastic public school system, a wide variety quality housing options, Hospitals and business diversity.  As a Lake Mary resident it came as no surprise when Money Magazine voted Lake Mary as the 4^th best city in the US to live.  A good way to describe the area is that "everything seems close."

Sometimes it is okay to not be "so close."  I do like to get away, now and then, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors that we all brag about.  In the later part of the year my attention is split slightly from Real Estate and fishing to thoughts of Dove hunting. I guess it can still be called a "Southern Tradition". 

Dove hunting interests me in that you can eat BBQ, sit side by side in the field with friends and challenge your shooting skills against a worthy adversary.  I think I've found a diamond in the rough in Williston Florida.

Traveling a mere two hour drive does not qualify as a long trip when traveling to hunt.  I have driven to many State Managed Wildlife Areas and a few private fields.  Some fields have been good; and some not so good.  It takes a lot of preparation to have a good dove field. In my experience planted fields, water, roosting trees or phone wires and gravel provide all the makings for a good dove hunt. Ron Brook of the Brooks Ranch has almost all these attributes just waiting to produce on Opening Day October 4, 2008.

I have not hunted before at Brooks Ranch. I made the drive from Lake Mary, mostly by Turnpike, this past Sunday. Ron Brook proudly showed me around the fields by pointing out food plots of Brown Top Millet, white millet, Sorghum, and a 25 acre field of Sunflowers.  It's a good thing I left my shotgun at home.  Ron's plans include mowed fields which will create circular Hay Bales as hunter stations. The food plots will continue to be tended to in order to maintain the dove's attention through Opening day.

I liked what I saw.  A few friends and I plan to give Ron and the Brook's Ranch a try.  Check back after October 4th... (yes I'll be hunting opening day, my wife Debbie will be working so that I can have the day off).  I'll have a full report on the days festivities and if your interested in learning more about hunting or real estate in Central Florida, email me at Cas@CasAndDebbie.com.

REALTOR, GRI... When I'm not selling Lake Mary real estate you can find me Outdoors!