May
FWC’s Hunting Hot Sheet
The latest hunting and conservation news and events from the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
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Get ready to apply for fall quota and limited entry hunts
The opportunity to apply for fall deer and wild hog quota hunts, special-opportunity hunts and national wildlife refuge hunts during phase I begins May 15 at 10 a.m. ET and runs through June 15. You can apply for these limited entry permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or in person at a license agent or tax collector’s office. Worksheets and permit application details are at available MyFWC.com/License.
The 2021-2022 wildlife management area regulations brochures are available now at WMA Finder so you can review area maps and rules. If you’re looking for a specific WMA, use the “Search by Specific Area” button to navigate directly to that area’s regulations brochure.
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Spring/summer wild hog hunting opportunities
During spring and summer, the FWC offers public hunting opportunities for wild hog at 26 wildlife management areas across the state. You don’t need a hunting license to hunt wild hogs at a WMA, though you will need a management area permit, unless exempt. Also, many of these spring and summer wild hog hunts on WMAs don’t require a quota permit; however, some of them do. So, take a moment to review the WMA regulations brochure for the area you want to hunt. These brochures also outline allowed methods of take, bag limits and other pertinent rules. Find a list of WMAs offering spring/summer wild hog hunting.
On lands outside of the WMA system, wild hogs may be hunted year-round with landowner permission. A hunting license is not required, and there is no size or bag limit and either sex may be harvested. Hunters may use dogs and any legal rifle, shotgun, crossbow, bow, pistol or air gun (including airbow). Learn more at MyFWC.com/Hunting.
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Just a few days left in phase I to apply for alligator harvest permits
You have through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET to apply for statewide alligator harvest permits during phase I. More than 7,000 harvest permits are available via random drawings. If you’re 18 years old by Aug. 15, 2021, and have a valid credit or debit card, you can apply for an alligator harvest permit that allows the harvest of two alligators on a designated harvest unit or county. Apply at GoOutdoorsFloida.com. Find alligator harvest unit maps and descriptions, application worksheet, tips and more.
Florida’s statewide alligator harvest program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model for the sustainable use of a renewable natural resource since 1988. Alligators are a conservation success story in Florida. The state’s alligator population is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. Each year, alligator management units are established with appropriate harvest quotas.
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Annual deer and turkey harvest surveys happening now
The FWC is conducting its annual surveys of deer hunters and spring turkey hunters to get a better understanding of hunter satisfaction, effort and success. We’ve contracted with Responsive Management, a survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues, to administer telephone surveys.
Beginning this month, you may receive a phone call from Responsive Management asking you to participate in one or both of these surveys. Depending on which carrier you use, the call will display as coming from Responsive Management or from area code 850 (Tallahassee). You also may receive an email from Responsive Management requesting your participation in these surveys. If you receive a call or an email, please consider participating in these studies. This information will help us better understand your participation, harvest, needs and preferences.
Learn more about the FWC’s wild turkey management program and deer management program. If you have any questions, please contact the FWC’s wild turkey management program at [email protected] and deer management program at [email protected].
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New rules to remember for 2021
The following rules will take effect July 1, 2021:
Changes to carcass importation rules
If you’re planning to hunt outside of Florida be aware of rule changes that prohibit importing or possessing whole carcasses or high-risk parts of deer, elk, moose, caribou and all other species of the deer family originating from any place outside of Florida.
Under the new rules, people may import into Florida:
– De-boned meat
– Finished taxidermy mounts
– Clean hides and antlers
– Skulls, skull caps and teeth if all soft tissue has been removed
The only exception to this rule is deer harvested from a property in Georgia or Alabama can be imported into Florida if the property is bisected by the Florida state line and is under the same ownership.
These rules replace FWC Executive Order 19-41. The new rules do NOT include the permit option allowed under FWC Executive Order 19-41 to import whole deer or high-risk parts from properties in Georgia or Alabama provided certain requirements are met.
These rule changes continue the FWC’s work to protect Florida’s deer populations by reducing the risk of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreading into the state. CWD has not been detected in Florida.
New dog rules
Dogs used for pursuing deer, wild hog, fox or coyote must have collars equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking (GPS or telemetry). This rule change, which was requested by dog hunters, requires theses device(s) be attached by a collar or similar means.
Removing, tampering, or otherwise interfering with any collar or tag (including remote tracking devices and behavior correction collars) of a dog used for hunting without the owner’s permission is prohibited. Violating this rule is a second-degree misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500.
On July 1, 2022, an additional corrective device will also be required on the collars of such hunting dogs.
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Summer camp jobs and opportunities for campers
The Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp is hiring summer camp counselors and instructors. This is a dream job for those who love the outdoors and want to mentor youth ages 8-17 in conservation and outdoor skills such as archery, fishing, canoeing, and hiking. Job applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age and pass a mandatory background check. For more information about these summer camp job opportunities, contact the Ocala Conservation Center Director, Will Burnett, at 352-625-2804 or [email protected].
Also, youth aged 8 to 17 can experience the outdoors through a variety of safe, fun and age appropriate week-long camps at the Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp. There’s a few spots left so learn more and register today.
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Learn outdoor skills for FREE at a virtual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop
Do you know someone who wants to learn outdoor skills? Encourage them to sign up for the FWC’s free virtual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop hosted on June 5. Participants can choose from three tracks of study: 1) wildlife discovery, 2) freshwater and saltwater fishing, 3) hunting and shooting sports. This workshop features expert instructors and online learning tools. Learn more and register!
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Take an online hunter safety course
If you plan to introduce someone to hunting this year, now is a great time for a new hunter to take an FWC-approved hunter safety course. These courses cover safety, wildlife conservation, Florida hunting laws and responsible hunting practices. The FWC offers several online courses, including an option that’s free. After the online classroom portion is complete, students must attend a free skills day for hands-on training. See hunter safety course options and get information to register for the required skills day.
People born after May 31, 1975, are required to complete a state certified hunter safety class before they can buy the type of hunting license that allows them to legally hunt unsupervised in Florida.
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Bookmark these links!
2021-2022 hunting season dates and bag limits
2021-2022 Florida migratory bird Hunting season dates and bag limits
WMA Finder
WMA regulations brochures
Limited entry/quota hunts
Get started hunting
Buy your hunting license
Public FWC-managed shooting ranges
Sign up for hunting news
Open/closed status of FWC offices, facilities, and managed areas
Get involved with a conservation group!
Take a hunter safety course
Replace your hunter safety card
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Learn more about hunting in Florida at MyFWC.com/Hunting.
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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676