Archery, alligators, early season waterfowl and more!

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

New features added to Florida Buck Registry webpage The Florida Buck Registry webpage has been updated so it’s mobile friendly and includes these features: A score calculator for unofficial scoring. An easy way to find official Florida Buck Registry scorers in your region. The opportunity to view ALL past submitted score sheets. Also, check out the Florida Buck Registry Interactive Map. Changes to WMA Dove Field Opportunities  The FWC has replaced fee-based special opportunity dove program permits with no-cost alternatives while maintaining the current level of dove hunting opportunity. See a summary of wildlife management area (WMA) dove fields affected by changes that will begin with the 2019-2020 season. The opportunity to apply for dove permits for scheduled hunts at Caravelle Ranch, DuPuis, Frog Pond, Hilochee and Punta Gorda wildlife management areas during phase I runs through Aug. 19. Visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com to apply. Want to find dove fields in Florida? Check out this new interactive dove field map! How you can protect Florida deer from chronic wasting disease (CWD) Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious, incurable disease that is fatal for all members of the deer family and is currently documented in white-tailed deer, mule deer, sika deer, elk, moose, and caribou. While CWD has not been detected in Florida, it has been detected in 26 states and three Canadian provinces. You can help protect Florida deer populations from CWD in the following ways: If you see or harvest a sick or abnormally thin deer or see a deer dead of unknown causes, please report its location to the CWD hotline, (866) CWD-WATCH (293-9282). Help conduct chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance. With zone A archery and crossbow seasons underway, the FWC is asking hunters who harvest a deer in Florida to please consider supporting chronic wasting disease monitoring efforts by donating the deer head to the FWC. Skull cap and antlers can be removed and kept by the hunter. Properly dispose of the carcass if you harvest a deer in Florida. Know and follow transportation regulations when hunting out of state. It’s illegal to bring into Florida carcasses of deer, elk, moose, caribou and other members of the deer family from states and provinces where CWD has been detected. Learn more about CWD. Get ready for the statewide alligator hunt You still have an opportunity to purchase a statewide alligator harvest permit. Even if you were issued a permit in a previous phase, you can buy additional permits during Phase 4. Check permit availability then login to your account at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com to apply. If you have a permit, get ready to participate in the upcoming alligator hunt, which runs from Aug. 15 to Nov. 1, with the following resources: Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida Public boat ramp finder Alligator harvest unit maps  Harvest units 101 - 112 Harvest units 115 - 306 Harvest units 401 - 415 Harvest units 500 - 515 Harvest units 516 - 545 Harvest units 546 - 721 Harvest units 722 - 751 Harvest units 801 - 805 Harvest units 806 - 810 Harvest units 811 - 816 Harvest units 817 - 821 Harvest units 822 - 826 Harvest units 827 - 831 Harvest units 832 - 836 Harvest units 837 - 841 Harvest units 842 - 847 Harvest units 848 - 852 Harvest units 853 - 857 Harvest units 858 - 862 Harvest units 863 - 867 Hunting Season Dates Zone A archery and crossbow seasons opened Aug. 3 and run through Sept. 1 and Sept. 6, respectively The statewide recreational alligator hunting season begins Aug. 15 and runs through Nov. 1. Zone A muzzleloading gun season opens Sept. 7 and runs through Sept. 20 Zone C archery and crossbow seasons open Sept. 14 and run through Oct. 13 and Oct. 18, respectively Zone A youth deer hunt weekend Sept. 14-15 Teal and wood duck only season Sept. 21-25 Zone A general gun season opens Sept. 21 and runs through Oct. 20 and reopens Nov. 23 through Jan. 5, 2019 Teal only season Sept. 26-29 First phase of dove season opens Sept. 28 and runs through Oct. 20 2019-2020 hunting season dates and bag limits 2019-2020 migratory bird hunting season dates and bag limits Public land hunting opportunity deadlines 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 Phase I to apply for dove permits began Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Aug. 19 Phase II to apply for September early duck permits runs Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. Eastern time through Aug. 26 Remaining dove permits (Phase II/leftovers) offered beginning Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. Eastern time until filled Remaining September early duck permits (Phase III/leftovers) offered beginning Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. Eastern time until filled Phase I to apply for Period A regular season waterfowl permits begins Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Sept. 23 Phase I to apply for Merritt Island waterfowl permits begins Sept. 13 and runs through Sept. 23 Phase I to apply for youth waterfowl permits begins Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. Eastern time and runs through Oct. 7 Returned quota hunt permits may be applied for throughout the season during weekly application periods. Permit availability is shown in real time, and weekly reissue applications are available for hunters between noon on Saturdays through noon on Tuesdays, with results posted at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.  Hunter safety course options If you plan to introduce someone to hunting this fall, now is a great time for a new hunter to take a Florida hunter safety course. These courses cover safety, wildlife conservation, and hunter ethics and responsibilities. The FWC offers the following course formats, including free options. 1) Traditional classroom courses can be taken at no cost. 2) The classroom portion can be completed by taking an FWC-approved online course, including one that’s free. After the online classroom portion is complete, students must sign up and attend a free field day. This no-cost training is available thanks to certified volunteer instructors and funding from the Wildlife Restoration program. People born after May 31, 1975, are required to complete a state certified hunter safety class before they can buy the type of hunting license that allows them to legally hunt unsupervised in Florida. Quick links FAQs about statewide hunting rules taking effect in 2019-2020 Requirements to log and report harvested deer 2019-2020 hunting season dates and bag limits 2019-2020 migratory bird hunting season dates and bag limits Summer wild hog hunting opportunities on WMAs 2019-2020 wildlife management area regulation brochures Get started hunting Public FWC-managed shooting ranges Buy your hunting license Replace your hunter safety card Calendar Youth Hunting Program - Another 25 hunts have been added to the Youth Hunting Program calendar bringing the total number of youth hunts to over 65. The Youth Hunting Program is designed for young people who might not have the opportunity to experience hunting and learn about conservation. The program provides safe, educational, mentored hunts for young men and women between 12 and 17 years old who have passed a Florida hunter safety course and are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman - Learn about conservation and develop outdoors skills by registering for one of these Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekends: Nov. 15-17, 2019, workshop held in Ocala and a Feb. 7-9, 2020, workshop in West Palm Beach. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops are open to anyone 18 years or older and feature expert instructors and safe, hands-on learning opportunities. Learn the ABCs of treestand safety! The infographic below spells out the basics. For more information about how to stay safe, check out this free, 15-minute treestand safety course. Taking a hunter safety course is a great way to learn even more about safety and conservation.

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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