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FWC wants to know if you have seen a panther

Share your Florida panther sightings, photos on FWC’s website The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has launched a new website that makes it easy for citizens who spot Florida panthers to share the information online. The site – https://Public.MyFWC.com/hsc/PantherSightings/ – enables the public to report when and where they have seen a panther or its tracks and upload photos of the sighting. As recently as the 1970s, the Florida panther was close to disappearing, with as few as...

FWC increases lionfish harvest opportunities, asks public to help

Invasive, non-native species no longer has bag limits The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced changes to the lionfish harvest at a media event today in Coral Gables. Harvesting invasive lionfish no longer will require a fishing license when using certain gear, and there is no recreational or commercial bag limit. The FWC is taking these actions to encourage more Floridians and visitors to harvest lionfish. “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hopes that by increasing the...

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...

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...

Spiny lobster seasons begin soon

Special two day season July 25-26, then regular season starts Aug. 6 The 2012 recreational and commercial spiny lobster seasons will open soon, beginning with the two-day spiny lobster recreational season July 25 and 26. The regular commercial and recreational lobster season starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31. The special two-day season occurs on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July each year to let recreational fishermen collect spiny lobsters before commercial lobster traps are placed in...

FWC officer recalls favorite photos

From the FWC – Doing the unexpected by Stan Kirkland, FWC Many of us have our favorite photographs and remembrances of people and wildlife. Sometimes the unbelievable happens and the images are all the more unforgettable. I’ve seen a lot of photographs over my career but my favorite is of co-worker and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wildlife biologist Adam Warwick saving a drugged 375-pound male black bear from certain drowning in the Gulf of Mexico at Alligator...

Red snapper season in Gulf extended 6 days

Last day of season July 16 The federal and state recreational red snapper season in Gulf of Mexico waters has been extended six days. The season will close July 17, with the last day of the season being July 16. NOAA Fisheries decided to extend the season because bad weather in June led to decreased fishing opportunities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) decided to go consistent with any federal season increases at its June 28 meeting in...

Bay scallop season opens July 1 and runs until Sept. 25

It’s time, bay scallop harvesters! Get your snorkels, masks and dive flags ready. The recreational bay scallop harvest season starts July 1. The season is regularly open through Sept. 10, but at its June 28 meeting in Palm Beach Gardens, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) extended the season two weeks. Bay scallops can be recreationally harvested in Gulf of Mexico state waters (shore to nine nautical miles) from the Pasco-Hernando County line to the west bank of...