Changes to how STA permits and standbys for morning hunts are reissued

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 11/23/2021 10:38 AM EST

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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Dear STA Waterfowl Permit Holder,

The following updates are being implemented immediately to maximize morning waterfowl hunting opportunities at the stormwater treatment areas. The FWC is expanding eligibility for reissue of permits that went unissued or were forfeited by someone showing up late or not at all for morning hunts in the following ways:

  • For morning hunts, standby recipients will be selected starting at 4:30 a.m. and concluding at 5 a.m. to replace no-show waterfowl quota permit holders in order of the random drawing until the quota is met.
    • What’s different? Previously, these permits could be issued to standby opportunity recipients only until the 9:30 a.m. cut-off for allowing hunters onto the area for morning hunts.

If the quota for morning hunts has NOT been met by 5 a.m.

  • Quota permit holders who forfeit their permit by arriving after 4:30 a.m. can be selected to enter the area on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Standby recipients who arrive after 5 a.m. and forfeit their opportunity also can be selected to enter the area on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • What’s different? Previously, only standby recipients could be awarded a forfeited permit if the quota had not been met.

If the quota for morning hunts has been met by 5 a.m.

  • Permit holders who arrive after 4:30 a.m. and thus forfeit their permit, may remain at the check station after the standby selection process has concluded at 5 a.m. and check in as other hunters check out.
  • Standby recipients who are not selected to replace a no-show waterfowl quota permit holder due to the quota being met also may remain at the check station after the standby selection process has concluded at 5 a.m. and check in as other hunters check out.
    • What’s different? Previously, only standby opportunity recipients could replace quota permit holders who leave the area early.

The process for afternoon hunts will remain the same. For more information, visit the following WMA regulations brochures:

Learn more about waterfowl hunting at STAs. If you have questions, please contact Ducks@MyFWC.com or call the FWC’s South Region Office during regular business hours.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Division of Hunting and Game Management