Must-see map and graphs for deer hunters

June FWC’s Hunting Hot Sheet The latest hunting and conservation news and events from the  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

New interactive map for deer hunters The Deer Management Program has a new tool for Florida deer hunters - an interactive Florida Buck Registry map showing where entries are located by county. You can search this new map by antler score range, year, method of take, and typical or non-typical antlers, and see a map of Florida with color-coded counties based on which ones have the highest antler scores or most number of entries. For more information about Florida deer management and hunting.

Wanted: Duck Banding Sites FWC’s waterfowl management program is looking for new places to band ducks this summer. Marshy lakes with lots of vegetation that hold ducks are preferred. These lakes should be fairly free of stumps and trees because FWC biologists use airboats for banding. Traps may be used anywhere near a lake or river, even in backyards of lakeshore properties. Many people have wood duck boxes in their yards, and ducks tend to congregate in these areas. Banding takes place July through September and is done to assess harvest, lifespan and movement patterns. Wood ducks, mottled ducks and whistling ducks are caught either by trap or boat on public and private lakes and rivers throughout Florida.  If you know of an area that fits the description or if you see numerous ducks in a particular area during late spring or summer, please forward the location and details to ducks@MyFWC.com or call 850-488-5878.  2015-2016 deer harvest data Learn about Florida's deer harvest during the 2015-2016 hunting season. See results for each deer management unit, private land vs public land, average number of antler points per harvested buck, estimated harvest by season type and more.   Do you know Florida's hunter safety requirement? To buy the type of hunting license that allows you to legally hunt unsupervised, you must complete FWC’s hunter safety class if you were born after May 31, 1975. Hunter safety courses are a great way for new hunters to learn about safety, wildlife, hunting skills, conservation principles, and respect for the great outdoors. Taking the course now is a smart idea since courses tend to fill up fast. FWC offers a couple options for taking a hunter safety class, including free opportunities. You can take a traditional classroom course, plus a six-hour skills day. Or you can complete the classroom portion via an online course and then take the skills-day part of the course, which includes time at a shooting range. See your hunter safety course options Register for a course Learn more about Florida’s hunter safety program Explore how to get started hunting Introduce youth to archery this summer! Summer is a great time to introduce your kids to archery. They can spend summer outside practicing archery, learning about wildlife, and getting ready for upcoming hunting seasons. Below are resources to get you started! Learn more about youth archery opportunities FWC-managed shooting ranges with archery opportunities (check out Klondike, Osceola, Tenoroc, Indian River, Knight Trail) Take a bowhunter education course How to introduce youth to bowhunting 2017 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops Sign up for FWC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops and enjoy learning outdoor skills in a safe environment with expert instructors and comfortable facilities. While primarily designed for women; it’s an excellent opportunity for anyone 18 years of age or older to learn and try fishing, camping, canoeing, target shooting, hunting and more. The next workshop is being held Oct. 27-29, 2017, at the Ocala Conservation Center. There’s also a workshop scheduled for Feb. 16-18, 2018, in West Palm Beach. Learn more and sign up for a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop today! Short Cuts 2017-2018 Florida hunting season dates and bag limits 2017-2018 Florida migratory bird hunting season dates and bag limits 2017-2018 Florida Hunting Regulations 2017-2018 WMA Regulations Brochures FWC-managed public shooting ranges 2017 spring and summer hog hunting on public lands Find information to get started hunting 2017 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida Buy your hunting license and permits Calendar Youth Hunter Education Challenge sporting clays class Who: For youth between the ages 12-17 who have completed a hunter safety course When: July 15 from 8:30 a.m. to noon Where: Tenoroc Public Shooting Range 3760 Tenoroc Mine Rd. Lakeland, Florida Cost: All guns, ammo, and instruction are provided free of charge. Register: Contact Jason.Tackett@MyFWC.com or 863-648-3816 Youth Hunter Education Challenge sporting clays tournament Who: For youth between the ages 12-17 When:  Aug. 5. 9 a.m. check in. Where: Tenoroc Public Shooting Range 3760 Tenoroc Mine Rd. Lakeland, Florida Cost: $25/shooter. Includes 50 clays, 50 shot shells, eye and ear protection, water and lunch. Register: Contact Jason.Tackett@MyFWC.com or 863-648-3816 Learn more about hunting in Florida at MyFWC.com/Hunting. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web Page.

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