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FWC, partners to relocate Northwest Florida sea turtle eggs

Sea turtle hatchlings will get a chance for survival on Florida’s east coast Sea turtle hatchlings face great challenges when they crawl to the water, swim offshore, and begin their lives in the ocean. They face many dangerous obstacles, both on the beach and in the water – some natural, some because of man – that make survival difficult. This summer, the hatchlings of these threatened and endangered species emerging from nests on Northwest Florida beaches would face an additional,...

FWC taking unprecedented action to protect wildlife from oil disaster

Moving turtle eggs one of the risks involved in protecting numerous species from decimation An editorial from FWC chairman Rodney Barreto As an unprecedented crisis spews oil into the Gulf of Mexico, our ocean, our fish and our wildlife suffer immediate and devastating impacts. The good people on the Gulf coast are fighting for their very livelihoods because of the impacts of the oil spill, but they have strong voices coming to their aid, and they are beginning to get...

Shoreline fishing license is free to residents beginning July 1

Resident anglers pay only $2.31 vendor fee when buying online The shoreline fishing license for Florida residents to catch saltwater fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore cost $9 last year, but this year it’s free, beginning July 1. The Florida Legislature repealed the shoreline license fee during the past session. However, legislators retained the license requirement to prevent a more-costly federal registration fee from taking effect in Florida. Resident anglers who obtain the shoreline license over the...

Apply for Wildlife Management Area quota permits now

Outta The Woods by Tony Young Every hunter knows you have the best chance of catching a monster buck off-guard during the first part of hunting season.  That’s why many of us enjoy hunting the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons – and why we can’t miss opening weekend of the general gun season. If you hunt public land, you should know many of Florida’s wildlife management areas (WMAs) require a quota permit to hunt during archery, muzzleloading gun and all...

Fishing advisory issued for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties

FWC prepared for possibility of closure The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises anglers and boaters in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida that oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill could soon reach coastal waters of these counties. Oil spill trajectory projections formulated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate that these areas could experience some amount of oiling in the next 72 hours, but these projections carry a degree...

Panama City free Kids Fishing Clinic set for June 5

Fishing equipment and bait will be supplied for the kids as they learn the basics of environmental stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety Teaching children a lifelong hobby, instilling an appreciation for our marine environment and providing a fun, family outing are the objectives for the Panama City Kids’ Fishing Clinic. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling, Half Hitch Tackle and the Sport Fish Restoration Program will present a free Kids’...

Gulf red snapper recreational harvest season to reopen June 1

Season open until July 24 The recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico waters off Florida reopens on June 1.  The harvest season is scheduled to remain open until July 24 this year. Anglers may take two red snapper daily from Gulf waters during the open season; however, the captain and crew of for-hire vessels in the Gulf may not keep the recreational bag limit.  The minimum-size limit for recreational red snapper in the Gulf is 16...

Florida state wide bass tournament offering million dollar bounty

To encourage bass anglers to catch and properly report the next Florida state record bass, Bounty Fishing is hosting a million dollar bass bounty Florida Fish Busters’ Bulletin by Bob Wattendorf Many of you know about the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Florida Black Bass Management plan.  In fact many of you have taken the opportunity to provide input via surveys at fishing shows, fishing club meetings or other venues. That information, along with scientific information about bass...