Automated recording devices
strategically placed to pick up gobbling near Tallahassee (Tall Timbers
Research Station) and Gainesville gave biologists new insights – and prompted
new questions – about wild turkey behavior. First, the pattern of gobbling
frequency across the morning period was similar at both locations, with most
gobbling occurring early and then quickly tailing off. However, the timing was
slightly different at each site with gobbling
beginning slightly later at the Gainesville site. Although we don’t know the
reason for certain, one possible explanation is related to tree cover and its
impacts on when sunlight is able to penetrate the trees. The Gainesville site
was more densely forested and may explain the slightly later gobbling start.
Learn more about wild turkey management.
FWC staff
have drafted proposed rules to expand
small game hunting opportunities on selected wildlife management areas. These
rule changes, which will be considered at the April Commission meeting, would
impact the 2017-2018 hunting season.
Small game hunting seasons
offer sustainable and accessible opportunities to experience the benefits of
hunting. Expanding small game hunting opportunities on public lands aligns with
FWC initiatives to engage more people in the outdoors and create future
conservation stewards.
View proposed rule changes and provide your
feedback.
Is there a young person in your life who
dreams about learning how to shoot a bow and arrow or .22, build a campfire,
and use a map and compass? We offer specially designed summer camp programs
where youth can receive their hunter safety certification, expand on archery and
bowhunting basics, practice their target shooting skills and learn about
everything from wildlife conservation to outdoor skills such as fishing and paddling. Our camps are available for children who have
completed 3rd grade and up. Spots are limited and filling fast, so register your kids today for the experience of a lifetime!
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As Easter approaches, many
parents think about buying mallard ducklings for their children. Before doing
that, you should be aware of the downsides, especially the negative effect on
Florida’s native mottled duck.
Some people assume that once a
domestic duck is fully grown it’s OK to release them into the wild. However,
releasing domestic mallards is illegal. Florida law also requires that
anyone possessing, buying or selling mallard ducks have a permit from the FWC.
In addition, the birds, which can live up to 10 years, must be kept in a cage.
These rules are in place
because released ducks pose a serious threat to our native mottled duck
population. Domestic ducks can interbreed with mottled ducks, which results in
fewer purebred mottled ducks. If it’s not stopped, this hybridization could
result in the Florida mottled duck becoming extinct.
In addition to never releasing store-bought
ducks, please don’t feed or shelter domestic mallards and consider removing
any from your property. You can get the proper permit from the FWC, and new
permits are available April 1. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Mallard.
1. Participate in wild turkey season, which runs through April 9 south of State Road 70
and April 23 North of State Road 70, except for Holmes County, which runs
through April 2.
2. Contribute to conservation. When
hunters purchase hunting licenses as well as firearms, ammunition and archery
equipment, they support wildlife conservation through the Wildlife Restoration Program
3. Makes a great gift for birthdays,
anniversaries and other holidays. We even have gift cards!
4. Possibly
enjoy and share locally sourced, healthy and delicious meals.
5. Take part in other 2017/2018 hunting opportunities.
Get your hunting license today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
The FWC has contracted with
Responsive Management, a survey research firm specializing in natural resource
and outdoor recreation issues, to conduct studies on Florida hunters’
participation in deer hunting.
During April and May, you may
receive a phone call from Responsive Management asking you to participate in a
survey about your deer hunting experiences. Licensed hunters will be randomly
selected to participate in the study to ensure it is scientifically valid. If you receive a call, please consider
participating in the study. It is important that all hunters respond because
this information will help us better understand hunters’ participation,
harvest, preferences, opportunities, needs, and opinions.
Depending
on which carrier you use, the call will display as coming from Responsive
Management, area code 540, or unknown. You also may receive an email from
Responsive Management requesting your participation in the survey.
If you have any questions about the
study, please contact deer.management@MyFWC.com.
Take a hunter safety course
Hunter safety courses
cover firearms safety, wildlife conservation, responsible hunting and more.
Students can attend a no-cost traditional classroom course. Or they can
complete the classroom portion online, and FWC’s website offers several course
options. After the online classroom portion is complete, students must sign up
and attend a skills day.
Visit MyFWC.com/NewHunter
The new
hunter website provides
a roadmap to help new hunters more easily navigate the opportunities and
requirements in Florida. It pulls together links and information about hunter
safety, regulations, license and permits, youth and family quota hunts, special
seasons for youth, programs for new hunters, links to partner websites, and
more.
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