FWC report

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Knowledge is key when living around black bears

Stash your garbage securely Florida black bears turn into eating machines in late summer and early fall, stuffing their stomachs in preparation for winter. For gluttonous bears, raiding a garbage can may be more appealing than foraging in the woods. To reduce human-bear conflicts during the surge of bear activity in late summer and fall, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges people to keep food sources around their homes and businesses secure from bears. “Due to the...

FWC permanently waives license requirement for lionfish harvest

Temporary changes making it easier for divers to help control the lionfish population will be put into Florida rule soon. At its June 12 meeting in Lakeland, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) adopted changes that will waive the recreational license requirement for divers harvesting lionfish using certain gear and exclude lionfish from the commercial and recreational bag limits, allowing people to take as many of the invasive fish as they can. Prior to the change, recreational anglers...

Enjoy license-free fishing days June 1 and 8, 2013

Saltwater June 1, freshwater June 8 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be celebrating a saltwater license-free fishing day June 1 and a freshwater license-free fishing day June 8. License-free fishing days are a great opportunity for Florida’s residents and visitors to cast a line into the water and get hooked on saltwater and freshwater fishing. Anglers are not required to have a saltwater recreational fishing license on June 1 or a freshwater recreational fishing license on...

FWC sets 2013 Gulf recreational red snapper season in state waters to 44 days

Season to run June 1 – July 14 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a 44-day recreational red snapper season for Gulf of Mexico state waters at its meeting April 17 in Tallahassee. State waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles in Gulf waters. This season will start June 1 and end July 14. It is inconsistent with the current proposed federal season. Federal fishery managers recently passed a rule that grants NOAA Fisheries the authority...

Hog hunting available soon on Florida public lands

If you like to hunt wild hogs, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has several upcoming opportunities on public lands in northwest Florida that you won’t find in the most recent printed brochures for wildlife management areas. On the Joe Budd Small Game Area near Tallahassee, still hunters can hunt hogs May 3-5 without having to obtain a quota permit. Additionally, the hunter quota for hog hunts using dogs has been increased from five to 10. Wild hog-dog...

Take advantage of license-free fishing Saturday, April 6 in Florida’s fresh waters

The possibilities for taking advantage of the upcoming license-free freshwater fishing day, Saturday, April 6, in Florida are almost endless. That’s because people of all ages can cast their lines into 3 million acres of lakes, ponds and reservoirs and 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals. The hardest part might be picking your destination. These abundant resources, coupled with responsible freshwater fish management, are why Florida is known as the “Fishing Capital of the World.” The Florida Fish...

Imperiled reptile species monitored in Point Washington and Pine Log State Forest

FWC documents species of greatest conservation need  Every day is a new discovery for Charlene Hopkins, wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As the field biologist for the Ephemeral Pond Sampling Project in the Point Washington State Forest and Pine Log State Forest, Hopkins’ job is to document the presence of imperiled reptile species in the forests. In 2002, the project started in the two upland sandhill pine forests with emphasis on documenting the presence of...