ATV Florida Forum

I am planning on going to 3 Lakes the first weekend of small game season. The date is Saturday, January 14, 2006. I plan on camping that night also. Would like to start riding around 9:00 am. You either pay a 3 dollar daily use fee or have a management stamp to legally ride here. During small game you can also ride off the named and numbered roads. Below is a tentative trail that I have outlined. As you can see some times the track goes off the roads but I am familiar with the foot trails around these areas.  Should be a fun day of riding. I hope I am not the only one who shows up.

[attachment deleted by admin]

wilburz-
Where is 3 Lakes? Also, small game season opened along with deer gun season- or am I missing something? Are you going to be hunting? What? I can bring my GSP.

OK, wilburz, I'm in. I see that small game opens there after gun season. What are you camping in? I'll bring my pooch. Should we bring some steel shot & camo and see if we can jump some ducks?

you know I am going.

Hey Wilburz,

I think I just might have to join the party! Looks like good riding.

MuddingMark  8)

Should be fun. Bring your dog Kurt. My brother can bring his too.
I am sure we could shoot some birds if you wanted to. Might have to go out that evening and get a couple of rabbits for dinner. That would be nice.

There are some spots there that I would like to find with the atvs. They would require alot of walking during deer season so I have not made it there yet.   

Are you guys tent camping? Are there shower facilities there? Should I bring my generator?

hell ya we are camping.  As far as a shower there is a pond there combined with a bar of soap works just fine.  Please no generators.

Are you camping Friday and Saturday night? Or just Saturday?

I might be in on this one with a couple of friends. I'll know closer to the date.

I think we will be camping only Saturday night. All I got is a tent. Maybe I will have a camper by then but I doubt it. In the front of the place right of 441 is the camping area. They have a well with a hand pump and port-lets. There is a pond down the road but it is probably cold as hell. You can bring a generator if you want but we got lights and stuff that don't require power.  My brother can bring his big propane cooking thing so we can heat up some water to shower in if it is cold outside.

Ok, generators can be handy but later in the evening I would like to sleep in peace. I need my ATV Dreams.

So the only place to camp is at the entrance? Hope it doesn't get over crowded with all them small game hunters! Rabbit might be pretty good for dinner and with that over size grill of Wilburz's we could probably get the whole bag limit on it.

What time do we get together on Saturday?

Mudding Mark  8)

just make sure you are there before 9 am. The camping area is plenty big. Only time I had a problem is the first 3 days of general guns season. It gets crowded then. I think all the campers and stuff have to be out of there by the last day of general gun. 

The generator was just a suggestion. If you don't need it, I won't bring it. I got rid og all my camping gear when I sold my camper 10 years ago. Any nearby motels?

There is one at yeehaw junction. which is like 12 miles south of 3 lakes. but camping out is half the fun. getcha a cheap tent. 

you can sleep in my tent  Kurt ;)

don't highjack my thread with that stuff.

I think I scared him off.

Nope. Still here.

Where is this at?

would a sport quad be OK there?

I might try to make this and test out my camping abilities there.

generators? we don't need no stinking generators,,,,that's what inverters are for ;-)

Id@

are yall gonna be hunting? I might try and make this but i don't have my hunting license. also, do you have to have any special permits?

A resident hunting license is ~$15.00. You will also need a WMA permit, and if you buy it online, it is $26.50.

sorry, probably didn't make myself clear. I don't plan on hunting, do you have to have anything special to just ride out there? or do they frown on riders that aren't hunting?

yes they frown on riders that are not hunting

I don't plan on hunting. With a group of riders taking the trail that Wilburz has suggested there probably won't be much game arround.

I'm coming from the south and would like directions. I read earlier that Yee Haa Junction is 12 miles away, if that's the closes exit from the Turnpike then I'll take directions from there.

MuddingMark  8)

I am almost positive that all you need to ride there is the $3.00 daily use permit. Put the money in the envelope and put the stub in your pocket. You can have all that other stuff Kurt mentioned but it is not needed. I am not planning on hunting just want to ride the trail and check the place out with some fellow riders. Should be great. During small game people bring there families up there and ride quads and stuff. I doubt there will be alot of hunters. I am not worried about it. Hope the scrub brothers can make it.   

The place will most likely be dryer than a popcorn fart! Sport quads should be fine. Might have to drive over a few stumps though.

You can get there by taking the turnpike to the Yeehaw junction exit. Get off there and go west to the junction. take a right on 441 and go up about 18 or 20 miles. You will see a 3 lakes sign on the right. the camping area is on your right.

The FWS says it is a good area for quail. I am bringing a bird dog and 20 ga. in hopes of taking some wild Florida quail.

We plan on coming out there, Its pretty close to us(45minutes) so no reason we can't make it.

Will be good to ride and hang out with the Scrub brothers again.

Well, looks like we have scared off qt314 and seebeejim. they will be riding 10 miles north of us at holopaw. oh well, they can always change their minds. :'(

hell I am surprised anyone is going what with no alcohol allowed in the riding area.

No we're not scared off.  We've been planning a trip to Holopaw since our December ATV Club meeting.  There's an FTR QS race there that weekend and I want to check it out since I'm going to race the utility series next year.  Jim's brother in law has property there and wants to ride w/ him and his family also.

If I hadn't already made plans I'd have probably been in for this.  Maybe next time.  It's been forever since I've rode w/ y'all.  Sorry guys.

anyone else coming?

Seebeejim was going to check a few things out at Holopaw about you guys joining us.  I'll talk to him today and see what he found out. 

chuck(roast) and I are going to be at 3 Lakes Saturday and Sunday, and staying at a motel Sat. night and heading out early Sunday afternoon.
I am bringing Tex the wonder dog ("I wonder what I'm supposed to be looking for?") and trying to find some quail.
Kurt

         Hey Wilburz. I've talked to you before. If you want I can run over and check out the camping for you.  Make sure there's plenty of space.  And if anyone is planing on staying at that hotel in Yeehaw, hope you dont get freaked out about chickens and roosters walkin' around like they own the place ;D And as far as dogs at Three Lakes they're not aloud as far as I know. Might wanna call and ask. 

                                                                      Michelle

bird-dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less may be used durring the small games season.

that is right out of the 3-lakes regulations from FWC. Also under the section titled Public Acess and Vehicles:

#3. Vehicles may be operated only on named and numbered roads, except for the general gun for mobility-impaired hunt and small game season.

 Should not be a problem finding a camping spot. But you could check on it for us. That would be nice. Are you riding ?

Kurt, you should camp with us. That is half the fun. I will bring an extra air matress for your dog.   

Just to let you know. I will be there in time for the Saturday ride and will spend the night. I plan to head home about noon on Sunday.

Also, I have 2 friends, Chuck and Shawn, coming with me. Shawn will be hunting for small game while Chuck and I will be hunting for something to drink.

See you all there.

MuddingMark 8)

          Your right.  I drove over today to find out.  There were dogs there. I was told year's ago that they were not aloud, and that was buy I believe Ranch and Grove. Or who ever it is that drove the hunter green trucks!

Thanks. You riding with us?

Guys, I don't think I am going to make it. I am starting a new job, and will probably have to work.

good luck with your job Kurt!
  And I had just purchased a gun rack for my Grizzly TOO!
 (Glad I didn't buy that shotgun yet).  LOL

           Chuck'roast

   

Chuck-
I'll call you tonight. It's not definite.

well, just 6 more days until the ride.

chuck-roast are you still coming if Kurt does not?

How about the scrub brothers?

There's a 25% chance I WON'T go on the ride. I'll know for sure tomorrow.

5 more days. anyone else want to ride or yall just going to sit on the couch all weekend?

We aren't sure yet what we are doing this weekend. Will let you know soon though.

What is the time schedule for the weekend????

Leave the time schedule at the office 14vision.

My brother and I plan on getting there around 8ish and set up some kinda camp. I would like all who plan to ride to be there by 9 so we can get going. We plan on camping Saturday night and heading home before noon on Sunday. 

4 more days!

OK, I'm in for sure. Chuck, did you get my message last night on your cell? Where, again, is the rendezvous point?

Figure we can meet at the camping area.  Turn left off 441, if you are going north from yeehaw junction, into 3 lakes area. There is a sign on the right side of the road. go down about 100 yards or so and turn right into the camping area. we should be there on your left. 

I'll be there by 9AM. Is there cell service in the area?

I think so. There is a store not to far down the road with a payphone too.

I talked to Chuck a little while ago. He is a go as well.

The GPS Coordinates for the entrance to Three Lakes are-

N27 57 .692
W81 00 .240

Thanks for the coordinates! I'll be there about 8:30, we are leaving at 6 and it's a little over a 2 hour ride from Fort Lauderdale.

Looks like the weather is going to great. The low Saturday should be in the lower 40s and no rain in sight.

MuddingMark 8)

PS: Wilburz, could you drop me your cell phone number through my contact info in this forum. Just in case.

just make sure you come in on the 441 entrance. you go north on 441. the entrance is about 15 0r 18 miles north of 60 off 441 on the left.

3 more days! 

Here is the entrance.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Hey all,

I have ridden this spot for years and its pretty good riding.  I will be there with a group of 30-40 people from Friday until Monday.  There is usually only one retiree working the check station from my experience.  And he is either really nice or a real not a very nice person.  Bottom line just be courteous and once you get past the check station you will be out of his sight and out of his mind.  He has no authority to do anything but even if he's rude just smile and go on your way (after you pay the $3 daily fee).  If you cause any problems he can always call the ranger, they are never far away.  I've seen them there on more than one occassion.  I will see you guys out there, you definitely won't miss our group. 

Sounds good.

2 more days!

I am going to leave here Friday night and get down there and sleep in my vehicle so I don't have to get up at 0dark:30 and drive half asleep. I'm in a dark gray '03 TrailBlazer with a green Eiger on the trailer. Wake me up in the morning if I'm not up yet, please.

COME ON, FRIDAY!!!

Alright Kurt. I am thinking about leaving today too, but probably not. see everyone in the morning. 

alright. I am packed up and ready to go. Leaving royal palm at 6:00 am tommorrow.

wilburz, wilburzbro, wilburzbrojr, and mudding mark-
I had a great time riding with you guys. In hindsight, I should have left the dog and 20 ga. at home. Sorry we didn't wait for you to come back to camp, but we wanted to get to the hotel and get cleaned up. Thanks for putting up with me!
Kurt

kurt it wasgood to meet you and chuck roast. I think you are right about the dog and gun though. We rode till we dam near ran out of gas. You didn't miss anything by not camping. Like to froze my nuts off. There was a bit of  frost in the morning.

    Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm frost will sure do that to them............................ :o

Great meeting you to Kurt and ChuckRoast. Muddin Mark always a pleasure to ride with ya. Mark,me,bro, and nephew rode 50 miles on saturday and another 27 on sunday. We also completed 90 % of the designated route I made up. We also ran into MudMan way in the back. HIm and his buddies were on big utes and going through some deep stuff. Got a couple of pics I will put up in a bit. 

I place some pictures up in the Photo section:

http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,10489.0.html (http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,10489.0.html)

Enjoy!

It was nice to meet all of you. I had a great time. We'll have to get together again sometime soon.

MuddingMark 8)

Wilbur it was nice to meet you and your buddy (sorry I forgot his name).  We ended up bringing all our bikes through that deep section where I was swimming (even the Rhino we had with us)...we kinda had to drag it through there.  I stood my bike up and let it drain for a moment, then it started right up.  I looked to see where yall were camping but I never saw anyone.  Sorry I couldn't stop by and talk some more.  Maybe next trip we can ride together.  I had a hard time keeping up with my big group, on Saturday we had a bike count of 37.    We rode all day Sunday and made it back to the check station a little after dark.  There were 2 rangers there checking coolers and stuff for any game.  I was riding my little sister's bike because the headlight went out on the way home.  They gave me and a few other guys a hard time about bullshit things.  Not sure why they were so grumpy.  We didn't have any guns and we had a lot of small children with us.  Just being @$$holes I guess.   But all in all an excellent trip....got a bit cold at night but we all stayed warm.  We might be going to the south side of 3-Lakes in a few weeks.  I will let yall know.  Later.

~MudMan~ (Shaun)

yes let me know. I know everyone that went with us is ready to do it again.