Call it the central Florida version of surf and turf, and turf – the Osceola turkey, wild hog and bow fishing combination trip.
But if Greg Lovett (Gotta Lovett Outdoors, 352-254-2023) had to pick a favorite, it would be the pursuit of the Osceola turkey.
“Maybe I’m wrong, but I think the Osceola is the hardest part of the grand slam,” Lovett said. “But that’s when I like guiding the most – when the pressure’s on, and I’m helping somebody get a leg for their grand slam.”
Lovett, who’s a line supervisor for an electric company, spends a good part of the year at his regular job – which takes him all over the central Florida area. The main part of his guiding business takes place during the spring turkey season in Florida, although he will take bow fishing or hog hunting clients at any time during the year.
Lovett has two air boats for his clients, and also will guide hunters on a limited basis for alligators. Bow fishing clients will see gar, bow fin (locally called mudfish), catfish, perch and carp. His hog hunters will have plenty of opportunities – Sumter County, where Lovett guides, is nicknamed “Hog County” because it’s the Florida county which has the highest population of the feral hogs.
“We are loaded with hogs, absolutely loaded with them,” Lovett said. “People around here really like the hog hunters because they can do a lot of damage to crops and landscaping.”
Lovett has been guiding hunters for four years, but has a rapidly expanding client base that’s mostly growing by word of mouth.
“It’s fun and I have a good time doing it,” he said. “I love hunting too (Lovett shot a 162-inch ten-pointer in 2008 in Kansas), but it’s more rewarding for me when I can help somebody else.”