Hunting Season Dates
For hunters, there’s no better time to heed the call of the wild. Hunting season is in full swing and if we’re lucky, the mercury is starting to drop. Gather your camo, decoys, and calls and check out the following season information:
Waterfowl and coot season
First Phase: Nov. 21 – 29, 2015
Canada goose season
First Phase: Nov. 21 – 29, 2015
Zone A general gun season for deer
Nov. 21, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016
Zone D general gun season for deer
Nov. 26 – 29, 2015 and Dec. 12, 2015 – Feb. 21, 2016
For a great summary of hunting opportunities and regulations information, see Tony Young’s Outta’ the Woods column.
Upcoming Application Periods
Florida’s Limited Entry/Quota Hunt Programs offer quality public hunting opportunities and prevent overcrowding and control the harvest of game on wildlife management areas (WMAs). Mark your calendar with the following quota application deadlines:
Quail quota application deadlines
Phase I applications from 12/4/2015 to 12/14/2015
Phase II applications from 12/18/2015 to 12/28/2015
Leftovers and reissues from 12/31/2015 until final hunt
Spring turkey quota
Phase II applications from 12/7/2015 to 12/17/2015
Leftovers and reissues from 12/22/2015 until final hunt
and leftover; youth waterfowl quota; Goodwin/Broadmoor Waterfowl Period #3 Phase II leftovers
Youth spring turkey quota
Phase II applications from 12/7/2015 to 12/17/2015
Leftovers and reissues from 12/22/2015 to until final hunt
Youth waterfowl quota
Phase I applications from 12/4/2015 to 12/14/2015
Phase II leftovers from 12/22/2015 until filled
Goodwin/Broadmoor Waterfowl Period #3
Phase II leftovers from 11/30/2015 until filled
Green Swamp camping – small game
Phase I applications from 12/4/2015 to 12/14/2015
Phase II leftovers from 12/18/2015 until filled
All application periods begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time on the first day of the application period and run through midnight on the last day. Worksheets and information about these hunts are available. Learn more about the various permits and when and how to apply: http://myfwc.com/license/limited-entry-hunts/
FWC Chairman Talks About Hunters’ Role In Conservation
This November when you’re giving thanks from your tree stand, duck blind or wherever you are afield, take a moment to remember one of this country’s greatest hunter conservationists, President Theodore Roosevelt. His legacy and the contributions that today’s hunters make on behalf of conservation are captured in this moving piece by FWC Chairman Brian Yablonski. http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2015/october/30/hunter-conservationist/
2016 Python Challenge™ Python Removal Competition
The 2016 Python Challenge™ Python Removal Competition kicks off in less than two months. You can help conserve Florida’s unique Everglades ecosystem by removing invasive Burmese pythons.
Compete to see if you can harvest the longest or the most Burmese pythons and win grand prizes of $5,000 in the team category and $3,500 in the individual category. To register for the Python Removal competition, which begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, and ends at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, you must first take required online training.
Additional In-person Trainings are currently being offered to teach people how to identify, report and then safely and humanely capture Burmese pythons. You can sign up for the free trainings whether you are registered to take part in the Competition or not.
Visit PythonChallenge.org to learn more.
Florida Youth Hunting Program
FWC’s Youth Hunting Program provides opportunities to share the hunting experience by offering safe, affordable, mentored youth hunts. Thanks to volunteer landowners who open up their property, youth accompanied by a parent or guardian can learn new outdoors skills during organized hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, alligators, waterfowl, dove, and small game. Hunts are family oriented, and in most cases, lodging, meals and mentors are provided. See what youth hunts are being offered this year.
Only through the passion and generosity of its volunteers can the Youth Hunting Program of Florida accomplish its goals. The program is based on landowners who are willing to host hunts on their properties and other volunteers who plan and facilitate hunts. Learn how you can partner with the Youth Hunting Program to help provide interested young people with high-quality, educational hunting experiences.
Learn more about becoming a Youth Hunting Program volunteer.
Citizen Sportsman 