Osceola Turkeys with William Sullivan on the Lands
of General Van Fleet
Hunting with a General
 Editor’s
Note: William Sullivan, president of the Florida chapter
of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), has hunted
turkeys in Florida all his life. During the first of
March in 2007, I hunted with him on property formerly
owned by General Van Fleet, a general during the Korean
War, who entertained most of the generals from the Korean
and the Vietnam wars on this property. Too, the lodge
on this property has been used by the Queen of  England,
President Eisenhower, the President of Korea and many
other national and international dignitaries.
Question: Tell me a little bit about where we’re
hunting.
Sullivan: We’re hunting Frasier Family Farms owned
by Donald Frasier, but this land used to be owned by
General James A. Van Fleet, who played a major role
in the Korean War. He built the house we’re staying
in and lived here after he retired. General Eisenhower,
the Queen of England and all the generals during Van
Fleet’s time came here to hunt with him. Even
the President of Korea stayed here. General Van Fleet
was so popular in Korea that his exploits still are
taught there today in history classes. General Van Fleet
also really cared about the people of Korea and felt
that Brahman cattle would help their economy. So, he
bought those cattle in Florida and raised and shipped
them to Korea. We’ve had a large number of outdoor
writers hunt here, and some of the biggest names in
all the magazines have taken Osceola here. Wayne Shelby,
who runs the hunt, scouts the area for several weeks
before the writers arrive, and we’ll usually have
15 to 20 birds located before our writers get here.
So far, we’re 100%
every year on taking turkeys for the writers and the
dignitaries who hunt with us.
Question: How big are the Osceola turkeys?
Sullivan: The average Osceola turkey will weigh 17 to
19 pounds and will usually have a 10-inch be ard.
This year has been somewhat unusual because we haven’t
seen a mosquito, and the temperatures have been in the
30s, which is extremely rare for the first week of turkey
season. We also have had a 15-mph-wind that hasn’t
helped the season.
Question: In your opinion, what’s the most-difficult
part about hunting Osceolas?
Sullivan: Finding a place to hunt. Prior to turkey season,
I’ll get about 20 calls per week from people trying
to find where to hunt Osceolas.
Question: Do you have outfitters to which you can direct
people?
Sullivan: Yes, I do. But if they want to hunt public
land, I suggest they start applying for special-opportunity
hunts at the end of the turkey season. If you’ll
be looking for land to hunt, you’ll have to search
at least one year in advance. Florida tries to keep
the pressure off its turkeys and limits the number of
hunters so that each person who comes to Florida to
hunt turkeys will have a really good chance of taking
one.
To hunt with William Sullivan, you can write him at
2830 Blackwater Oaks Dr., Mulberry, Florida 33860, or
call him at home (863) 425-6104, or on his cell at (863)
640-1395, or you can email him at wesnwtf@aol.com.
Tomorrow: Private Land Osceola
Hunting
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