Hunting

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Gray squirrel season opens early and other hunting dates to know

Outta The Woods by Tony Young, FWC Football season is in full swing, and the 2012-13 hunting season is cranking up. Heck, in Zone A, they’re already into general gun season. But for the rest of us, I’d like to cover some things you should know regarding three hunting seasons that are just around the corner: muzzleloading gun, gray squirrel and the first phase of dove. Immediately following the close of crossbow season in each zone, the muzzleloading gun season...

Dead River Landing open to the public

Last phase of improvements not yet completed One of the most popular boat accesses and hunting spots along the Choctawhatchee River now boasts significant improvements. Using a portion of a $231,000 trust fund from Northwest Florida Water Management District, along with a labor/equipment agreement with Walton County, Dead River Landing now offers seven RV sites, two pavilions and two portable toilets; along with an improved boat ramp, board walk and platform at the water’s edge. ADA access parking is also...

Walton County fishing report for Aug. 8

Fishing is great Choctawhatchee Bay: Top water bite starting early in the morning. Folks catching a good bit of redfish, trout, black drum is near the causeway. Creeks/river: Bass is on for those using crank bait. Catfish upturn after rain. Hunting: Folks are warming up for bow season. Copeland’s has some new Bowtechs now in stock. Click here for fishing forecast Bay and river report brought to you by Copeland’s. “Where the locals shop and the tourists are welcome.” Click...

Hunter safety courses offered throughout Northwest Florida

If you’re between the ages of 16 and 37, and haven’t yet taken the state’s hunter safety class, now is the perfect time to be thinking about it By Tony Young, FWC With the dog days of summer upon us, it’s hard to think about hunting. However, if you’re between the ages of 16 and 37, and haven’t yet taken the state’s hunter safety class, now is the perfect time to be thinking about it. Many of these classes, offered...

Walton County fishing report for Aug. 1

Fishing is great, hunters warming up for bow season Choctawhatchee Bay: Folks catching a good bit of redfish and trout near Hogtown bayou. Black drum near the causeway and the shipwreck. Sheepshead, black snapper and a some flounder as well. Creeks/river: Bass is on! Offshore: Folks are catching everything out there. Amberjack season kicking off. Hunting: Folks are warming up for bow season. Copeland’s has some new Bowtechs now in stock. Click here for fishing forecast Bay and river report...

Walton County fishing report for July 25

Fishing is great, hunters warming up for bow season Choctawhatchee Bay: Folks catching a good bit of redfish and trout near Hogtown bayou. Black drum near the causeway and the shipwreck. Creeks/river: Catfish biting in the river. Folks catching bream fly fishing with popping bugs. Offshore: Folks are catching everything out there! Tripletail, kings, dolphin, Spanish mackerel and bonita. Hunting: Folks are warming up for bow season. Copeland’s has some new Bowtechs on the way. Click here for fishing forecast...

FWC announces 2012-13 hunting season dates

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the upcoming 2012-12 hunting season dates. Please note: The statewide hunting season for gray squirrel on private lands has been extended. From now on, it will open the second Saturday in October and close the first Sunday in March. This season, the dates will be Oct. 13 – March 3. Northwest Florida is Zone D 2012-2013 Florida Hunting Season Dates (Seasons and dates do not apply to wildlife management areas) Season Zone...

Moving feral hogs is illegal; bad for landowners

By Stan Kirkland, FWC Feral or wild hogs have an incredible reproductive potential: A few hogs can quickly grow to several dozen. Although despised and unwanted by many land managers, there’s increasing evidence some people move hogs in violation of the law and without regard for the environmental consequences. On May 6, a Walton County sheriff’s deputy saw vehicle tracks leading from Highway 20 into Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) property near Villa Tasso. He stopped and heard the sound...