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Are black bears dangerous?

It is not very likely for black bears to attack people in the Deep South From the Desk of the FWC –  By Stan Kirkland, FWC It’s been all over the news recntly about a group of seven young teenagers on a month-long survival-skills course in the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska, being attacked by a grizzly bear sow with a cub. Immediately after the attack, the group activated a personal locator beacon, which brought Alaska state troopers and help.  Thankfully,...

FWC announces 2011-2012 Florida hunting season dates

Seasons and dates are not applicable to wildlife management areas Click here to download regulation handbooks 2011-2012 Florida Hunting Season Dates(Seasons and dates do not apply to wildlife management areas) Season Zone A Zone B Zone C Zone D Archery July 30 – Aug. 28 Oct. 15 – Nov. 13 Sept. 17 – Oct. 16 Oct. 22 – Nov. 23 Deer-dog training Aug. 13 – Sept. 1  Oct. 29 – Nov. 17 Oct. 1-20 Oct. 29 – Nov. 17 Crossbow...

Lobster seasons about to begin

Season to run through Mar. 31 Recreational and commercial harvest seasons for spiny lobster in Florida are set to reopen soon. The special two-day spiny lobster sport season comes first, July 27 and 28 this year, followed by the regular lobster season Aug. 6 through March 31. The special two-day sport season occurs on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July each year to let recreational harvesters collect spiny lobsters before commercial lobster traps are placed in the water...

Non-native lionfish spells trouble for reef habitats and marine fish

Population spreading, NOAA, FWC seek information From the Desk of the FWC – By Stan Kirkland, FWC It sounds like something out of a B-rated horror movie but a non-native predatory fish called the lionfish has become established in marine waters of the southeastern United States and Caribbean, and may spell trouble for many marine fish. The first report of a lionfish was near Dania Beach off southeast Florida in 1985.  Lionfish populations have increased since then and the species...

FWC offers hunter safety course in Walton County

Course to be held in DeFuniak Springs 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 Road in DeFuniak Springs. Instruction is from 6 to 9 p.m. July 25, 27 and 29; and July 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. An adult must accompany children under age 16 at all times. Students should bring a pencil and paper with them...

Free hunter safety Internet-completion course in Bay County

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety Internet-completion course in Bay County. The course will be held at the Gulf Coast State College North Bay Center, 637 Highway 2300, Southport, Room 101 of the Emergency Operations Center. Instruction will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students must complete the Internet course before coming to class and should bring a copy of the final report from the online portion of the course....

FWC to taking steps to remove Florida black bear from threatened species list

From the Desk of the FWC By Stan Kirkland, FWC The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) took the initial step this week in removing the Florida black bear and 15 other species from the state’s list of threatened species. In 2007 the Commission began a review of threatened species to see which had recovered and warranted removal from the list, and which should remain. The review focused on 61 species and involved more than 200 experts – 174...

FWC offering additional hog-hunting opportunities for 2011 season

Aucilla and Blackwater WMAs offering hunts through Sept. Due to an abundance of wild hogs on portions of Aucilla and Blackwater wildlife management areas in Northwest Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is encouraging hog hunters to take part in Small Game Area (SGA) hunts during the coming months in an effort to reduce number of hogs. Five hog-dog hunts on the Aucilla SGA are set for May 13-15; June 10-12; July 8-10; Aug. 12-14; and Sept. 9-11....