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If you're interested in quota permits to hunt public lands, check out these opportunities and be ready to log into GoOutdoorsFlorida.com at the dates and times listed below.
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Remaining
national wildlife refuge hunt permits (phase 2/leftovers) offered beginning Thursday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m.
Eastern time
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Phase 1
to apply for September early duck permits begins
Friday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Aug. 13
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Remaining
special-opportunity dove club permits (Phase 2/leftovers) offered beginning Friday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. Eastern
time through Aug. 13
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Phase 1 to apply for special-opportunity daily dove permits begins Friday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Aug. 27.
NOTE: There are now 27
permits available for each date at Frog Pond, instead of the original 22
available permits, due to an increase in planted acreage on the area.
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Phase 1
to apply for Punta Gorda and Dupuis dove quota permits begins Friday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Aug.
27
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Phase 2
application period for September early duck permits begins
Friday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Aug. 27
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Remaining September early duck permits (phase
3/leftovers) offered beginning Thursday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. Eastern time
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Remaining
Dupuis and Punta Gorda dove quota permits (phase 2/leftovers) offered beginning Friday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m.
Eastern time
Mark your calendar with upcoming hunting season dates on private lands.
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Zone
A archery and crossbow seasons opened July 28 and
run through Aug. 26
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September
Canada goose season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 30
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Zone
A muzzleloading gun season opens Sept. 1 and
runs through Sept. 14
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Zone
A general gun season opens Sept. 15 and runs through
Oct. 14 and Nov. 17 through Jan. 6, 2019
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Zone
C archery and crossbow seasons open Saturday, Sept.
15 and run through Oct. 14
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 If you have an alligator trapping
license/harvest permit and would like to know more about taking part in the
statewide alligator harvest program, there are three FWC free training opportunities left. Classes are not mandatory, but
we strongly encourage new and experienced hunters to attend. You can learn or
brush up on rules and regulations, equipment and methods, safety, and more.
Registration is not required.
The statewide recreational alligator hunting season runs Aug. 15 –
Nov. 1 each year. Depending on what harvest period you drew, you will be
allowed to hunt one of the first 4 weeks and the remaining 7 weeks of the
season. For more information, check out the Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida. Also, find a public boat ramp.
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If you’re
planning to hunt deer, moose or elk out-of-state, it’s important to be aware of
laws and regulations aimed at preventing chronic wasting disease
(CWD) from entering Florida. CWD has not been detected in Florida.
However this transmissible disease, which causes infected deer, moose and elk to
die, has been detected in 25 states, including most recently, Mississippi.
Because CWD is
deposited in the soil and remains infectious for years, Floridians hunting in
any state or Canadian province where CWD has been detected (see map) can only
bring back:
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Deboned meat
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Finished taxidermy mounts
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Cleaned skulls, antlers and hides (all meat must be
removed)
In Florida, if you
encounter sick deer or those found dead of unknown causes, it’s critical to
report them to our toll-free CWD Hotline at 866-CWD-WATCH (293-9282). Warning
signs to look for include deer that are extremely thin, staggering, walking in
circles, standing with a wide stance or have head tremors. Learn more
about CWD.
Florida residents
ages 12 to 18 can earn physical education (PE)
credit AND complete Hunter Safety and Boater Safety certification. The best
part is this Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education
Course is offered for FREE!
Students who
complete the requirements of the course will receive their Florida Boating
Safety Education ID Card and be eligible to obtain a Florida Hunter Safety
Certificate. They’ll also earn half a credit for high school. Learn more
about this virtual course (see option 3) and get registered today!
 Buying Federal Duck Stamps is among the simplest ways you can
participate in wildlife and habitat conservation. Duck Stamps are required for
waterfowl hunters 16 and older, and a current duck stamp grants the bearer free
entrance into any national
wildlife refuge that
charges an entry fee. Buy a Federal Duck Stamp at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Considered
one of the best conservation tools ever, 98 percent of the Federal Duck Stamp’s
purchase price goes to acquire and protect wetland habitat not just in Florida,
but throughout North America for migratory birds and other wildlife. This is
another important way that hunters and stamp collectors contribute to
conservation.
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- You want to learn more about skills, techniques, tackle and safety.
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You’re planning to hunt in a state that requires bowhunter education. All U.S. states, provinces, and countries that have
mandatory bowhunter education requirements will accept the Florida Bowhunter
Education Certificate.
- You enjoy meeting others who bowhunt!
You can take a traditional Florida bowhunter education
course or you can complete an online, distance learning component, then attend an
abbreviated field day. Traditional courses and field days are available
throughout the year. Learn more about bowhunter education
and check out the list of courses.
2018
Waterfowl Summit
You're invited to attend the 9th annual Waterfowl Summit,
hosted by the United Waterfowlers-Florida (UW-F) and the FWC. This event will
focus on aquatic plant management and the challenges associated with nutrients
and invasive species. Lunch will be
provided at no cost to summit attendees.
When: Summit: Aug. 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and welcome
reception: Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. with dinner provided by
UW-F
Where: Welcome reception: Ocala Hilton pool and Summit: Ocala Hilton Ballroom, 3600 SW 36th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474
For more information: The Summit is free to attend, but you must register
4th Annual Bow Hunters Challenge
When: Aug. 11.
Registration
begins at 8 a.m.
Where: Easton-Newberry Archery Center, 24880 NW 16th Ave.
Newberry, FL. 32669
For more information and to register for the Bow Hunters Challenge
Ocala
Women’s Hunter Safety Class
Take
an online course and sign up for the free skills day, which offers hands-on
learning from expert instructors on the basics of treestand safety, archery,
and safe handling of firearms.
When: Sunday, Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Ocala Youth
Conservation Center
For more information about online courses and skills days
Questions? Contact Corinne Davis at Corinne.Davis@MyFWC.com
Training to become a volunteer
huntmaster for the Youth Hunting Program
Thanks to the passion and generosity of
volunteers, the Youth Hunting Program of Florida
provides safe, educational and mentored hunting experiences for young people.
We're offering training for those interested in helping plan and facilitate hunts.
When: Aug. 24-27
Where: Ocala
Conservation Center
Register now to introduce youth to safe, responsible hunting.
Questions? Contact Brandon Stys 850-617-9398 or Tiffany Vital 850-413-0084
Osceola
public shooting range closed for repairs
The Lewis D. Whitaker Osceola
Shooting Range in Lake City is closed through Aug. 13 for repairs. The berms will be
repaired due to erosion from last year’s Hurricane Irma. For more information,
call the FWC’s regional office in Lake City at 386-758-0525.
Becoming an
Outdoors-Woman Workshop
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend workshops are a fun way to connect with nature and
learn skills such as fishing, boating, hunting, target shooting, birdwatching,
canoeing/kayaking, archery, outdoor cooking
and more. We provide expert instructors and safe, hands-on learning
opportunities that are open to anyone 18 years or older.
When: Oct. 26-28
Where: Ocala
Conservation Center
Register today for a weekend of outdoor
fun and learning!
Sign up 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. FWC’s website offers several online
courses including a FREE option. After the online classroom portion is
complete, students must sign up and attend a skills day.
Bookmark these links to find information fast!
2018-2019 Hunting Season dates
2018-2019 Florida Migratory Bird Hunting Season Dates
Get your hunting license and permits
New
hunter information
Find an FWC-Managed Shooting Range
Spring/summer hog
hunting opportunities
WMA regulations brochures are only available online. Download or print a copy
before heading afield
Locate a public boat ramp
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