Latest Hunting News from FWC

 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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January 2016

FWC’s Hunting Hot Sheet

There’s no shortage of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors this month. Check out the latest hunting news and events from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

How to rough score antlers (video)
Florida’s deer season is still going strong in many areas. The general gun season remains open on private lands in Zone C until Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 21 in zones B and D. Plus, there’s a late muzzleloading gun season in Zone D that runs Feb. 22-28. So it’s still a good time to get a quick lesson on how to rough score your buck’s antlers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q3KLxLl8Ws

Go raccoon hunting tonight at one of these WMAs
All ready to raccoon hunt but no place to go? Check out this list of wildlife management areas with opportunities to hunt raccoons at night with dogs. http://myfwc.com/media/3391036/WMAsNightRacoonHunting.pdf
Plus, FWC's Tony Young outlines what you need to know about licenses and regulations for hunting and trapping raccoons: http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2016/january/06/jan-otw/

No quota permit for quail? No problem!
Did you know FWC provides quail hunting at four Quail Enhancement Areas (QEAs) without a quota permit?  These QEAs are located on: Blackwater WMA and Apalachicola WMA in the Northwest Region, Jennings Forest WMA in the North Central Region and Three Lakes WMA in the Northeast Region.  Season dates for non-quota QEAs can be found at http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/quail/.  In addition, please reference each WMA brochure for specific rules and regulations. WMA brochures are available here: http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/

Biologists go high-tech to track deer
Back in the day, biologists had to rely on boots and binoculars to study and observe wildlife. Today, they know more about wild animals than ever before, and you’ll be amazed at the technology they use to gather this intel. http://huntershandbook.com/biologists-go-high-tech-to-track-deer/

Where to turkey hunt on public land without a quota permit
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offers 43 public hunting areas statewide where hunters can “walk on” to hunt spring turkeys. Check out FWC's 2016 Florida Spring Turkey Hunting Guide to find which wildlife management areas allow it. http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/turkey/hunt-without-quota-permit/
Find other turkey hunting information and regulations here: http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/turkey/

Plus, check out these HuntFloridaTV videos for valuable turkey hunting tips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkzBjKfMRSCISs1Z9vSq7ncGB7XUXz6R

Side dressing deer food plots (video)
Food Plot Fact - Did you know that nitrogen is used quickly by growing plants? That’s why it's important to restore this depleted soil nutrient. A plot last fertilized in mid-October will benefit from an application of ammonium nitrate now. FWC's Tony Young shows you how.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBva11vzuU&feature=youtu.be

Put Florida Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days on the calendar
The 2016 statewide Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days will be held Feb. 6-7. This weekend provides a special opportunity for children 15 and younger to hunt waterfowl, coots and common moorhens while being supervised by an adult (18 years or older). Only the kids can hunt; adults may only assist.

And because only children 15 and younger may hunt during these two days, no licenses or permits are needed, including federal duck stamps. For more information, see http://myfwc.com/media/2657128/migratorygamebird-regulations.pdf

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop held Feb. 19-21
Women (18 years of age and up) interested in learning about hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor skills are invited to the Feb. 19-21 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. This weekend event, which is being held at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp in the JW Corbett Management Area, is perfect for beginners and those who hope to improve their outdoor skills. For more information and to register for this workshop, visit http://myfwc.com/education/outdoor-skills/outdoors-woman/

Calendar of Events
What: Florida Trappers Association Youth Trapping Seminar
When: Feb. 6-7, 2016
Where: Ocala Conservation Center & Youth Camp, 73 NE 170th, Ave. Silver Springs, FL
For more info: http://www.floridatrappers.org/

What: Traditional Bowhunters of Florida  25th Anniversary Championship
When: March 4-6, 2016
Where: Where: Ocala Conservation Center & Youth Camp, 73 NE 170th, Ave. Silver Springs, FL
For more info: http://www.tbof.org/upcoming-events/2016-state-championship-march-4-6th.html

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