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Apply for alligator hunting permits on May 5

Alligator hunting season will run Aug. 15 through Nov. 1 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will begin accepting applications May 5 for a chance to obtain highly coveted permits to participate in the statewide alligator harvest. In Phase I, applications will be accepted for a random drawing from 10 a.m. (EDT) May 5 through 11:59 p.m. (EDT) May 18.  Approximately 6,000 alligator harvest permits will be available. During the Phase I random drawing, each person can submit...

Anglers get free goodies for buying a 5-year freshwater fishing license

First 3,000 Floridians to purchase 5-year license gets free tackle, accessories and publications Fish Busters’ Bulletin; March 2010 By Bob Wattendorf The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages families to enjoy all the pleasures of recreational fishing in Florida.  As a major partner in the Get Outdoors Florida! coalition (www.GetOutdoorsFlorida.org), they recognize the importance of active nature-based recreation in developing happier, healthier and smarter lifestyles for our residents, as well as the added benefit of encouraging a conservation...

Deer hunters get better-aligned zones, season dates

FWC announces 2010-2011 hunting season dates Click here for 2010-2011 season dates The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) passed new rules Wednesday affecting deer hunters, beginning with the 2010-11 season. The new rules modified zone boundaries and season dates for deer hunting on private property. “These changes will better align the deer hunting seasons with the rut and are intended to increase hunter satisfaction,” said Cory Morea, Deer Management Program Coordinator for the FWC’s Division of Hunting and Game...

FWC decides to draft rules guiding fox and coyote enclosures

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted Wednesday to temporarily prohibit the chasing of foxes and coyotes in enclosures, while moving forward to draft rules guiding such enclosures in Florida. An executive order prohibiting chasing of foxes and coyotes within an enclosure will be issued by Feb. 24. Before making the decision, Commissioners listened to more than 40 speakers on fox and coyote pens, beginning with Rep. Debbie Boyd, D-High Springs. Boyd urged the Commission to recognize the...

Where to hunt spring turkeys without a quota permit

Many wildlife management areas do not require quota permit If you weren’t lucky enough to get drawn for a spring turkey quota permit, or if you are looking for even more spring turkey hunting opportunity, don’t fret; there are numerous wildlife management areas (WMAs) that don’t require them. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offers 42 public hunting areas statewide where hunters need only to “walk on” to hunt spring turkeys. These hunts are made possible through the...

Deer season is not over yet in Florida Panhandle

Outta the woods: Northwest Florida deer in rut Thus far, this deer season has been pretty good to me as far as quantity goes.  I shot two does during doe week, and I got my season limit on fall gobblers, but I have yet to even see horns, much less harvest a buck.  But I still have plenty of room left in my freezer, and I’m not throwing in the towel just yet.  After all, there are still lots of...

Gulf grouper sport season closes Feb. 1

Season will reopen Apr. 1 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises anglers that regulations prohibit the recreational harvest of all shallow-water groupers (gag, black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind) from Feb. 1 through March 31 in all Gulf of Mexico waters off Florida, except in all waters of Monroe County. Closing the recreational harvest of all Gulf shallow-water grouper species for two months each year during the spawning season reduces overfishing of Gulf gag...

FWC offers hunter safety course in Walton County

Classes to be held in DeFuniak Feb. 5-7 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety course in Walton County. The course will be at the Shooting Range, 955 Smith Rd. in DeFuniak Springs. Instruction will be from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5 and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Feb. 6.  The range portion of the class will be Feb. 7. Those who have taken the Internet course and wish to complete the classroom portion...