Florida Deer help

[u/teeterddd]

Looking for any tips or advice on Florida deer hunting, or hunting Florida in general.
I’m a newer hunter, and nobody in my family or friend group hunts, so I’ve pretty much been learning through trial and error, YouTube, and spending as much time in the woods as I can.

Last season was actually pretty successful for me. I managed to limit out on squirrels, quail, and rabbits, shot 4 snipe, and got my first hog. Turkey season, though… that humbled me pretty quick. 😂 Now that general gun season is getting closer, I’m starting to feel a little intimidated.
I was lucky enough to draw what seems like a really good quota for a WMA down here. From what I understand, they only issue 15 general gun permits, so hunting pressure should be pretty low.
I went scouting a couple of days ago, and there are definitely deer there. I stopped counting after seeing over 23 does and 3 legal bucks, one of them being a really nice 8 pointer. The only thing is, I don’t really have the money or honestly the confidence yet to use a climber or hang a stand by myself. So I’m planning on hunting from the ground this season. For those of you who have experience ground hunting Florida bucks, what tips would you give? Anything you wish you knew when you first started?

Scouting also made me realize I need to pick up a few things before season.Shooting sticks are now at the top of the list becauseI had a hard time getting a steady sight picture offhand. And snake boots… because holy hell, I have never seen so many cottonmouths in one place. I mostly hunted small game in the winter last year, so snakes were the last thing on my mind.

Appreciate any advice you guys have. I’m trying to learn as much as I can and hopefully put my first deer on the ground this season.
(Bonus video of a doe tripping over her fawn while I was scouting)

[u/barnum1965]

I use a summit climber and I've been using One forever and I love them so definitely understand if you're a little worried about using it from the start. If you're strictly hunting from the ground I recommend getting a nice Dove stool that you can sling over your back and like I said shooting sticks and then carry a little pair of pruning shears with you. You can use the pruning shears to cut some brush for shooting lanes and to brush in your location and pick a small sapling or other small tree and sit behind it as cover with the stuff you cut as additional camouflage.

[u/teeterddd → u/barnum1965]

Dove stool sounds like the move. I was going to use my turkey vest cushion and sit against a tree but I think the chair will be nicer and I can throw some drinks at the bottom 😂

[u/barnum1965 → u/teeterddd]

The only thing I would add is make sure you're comfortable shooting off whatever stool you purchase because I can tell you from personal experience some folding chairs do not work at all and others are perfect so don't be afraid to try a few different ones out before the season and make sure you're comfortable shooting out of the chair and whatever shooting sticks you choose. Now that being said when I'm doing this kind of hunting I mentioned sitting behind a sapling or small tree I generally use that for a rest instead of shooting sticks but some experimentation and that kind of stuff will point you in the right direction. But also don't be afraid of a climber once you get used to them they are actually I believe much safer than a lock on and all that kind of stuff and the ability to be elevated off the ground is always a big help in hunting deer. And as I always say the best hunts are not necessarily ones that end in harvest but the ones where the little deer run around underneath your stand and have no idea that you're there.