Experience safe, mentored opportunities through the Youth Hunting Program of Florida
Those who grew up in a hunting family never forget the excitement of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat and learning how to read the woods. That’s why so many of you are passionate about sharing those experiences with your kids and grandkids. It’s sad to think that fewer young people today are experiencing the power of time spent outdoors. That’s one of the reasons the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) launched the Youth Hunting Program of Florida. We’re getting young people involved in hunting by offering safe, educational, mentored youth hunts. Thanks to private landowners who graciously open up their property, youth accompanied by a parent or guardian can learn new outdoor skills during organized hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, waterfowl, dove, small game and more. Interested or know someone who dreams about this kind of opportunity? Learn more about the Youth Hunting program of Florida.
4 Tools to help you prep for deer seasons
While gun season in Zone A and Zone C archery and crossbow seasons opened Sept. 17, pre-season prep is in full swing in other parts of the state. Here are 4 tools to get you ready for deer season:
- If you're preparing for an upcoming hunt on a Florida wildlife management area (WMA), you've probably spent time looking at maps, including deer management unit maps. FWC also offers turn-by-turn directions to help you get to WMA entrances http://ocean.floridamarine.org/wma/entrances/.
- In addition to scouting, and practicing with your gun or bow. Another way to get ready is by exploring FWC's wildlife management area harvest reports. It's a good tool to gauge how hunters have fared in previous years. Download your report here: http://myfwc.com/hunting/harvest-reports/.
- Do you know when deer are in rut in your area? Florida is unique in that the rut (time when deer breed) varies across the state, spanning eight months. It historically comes in as early as late July in extreme South Florida, and occurs as late as February and even into early March in the northwest part of the state and a pocket of central Florida around the Green Swamp Basin. The peak of the rut is generally about 2 to 3 weeks, but often covers about 4-6 weeks in all. To see a map of Florida showing mean breeding conception dates, clickhttp://www.myfwc.com/media/2882269/PeakRut.pdf.
- Looking for WMA regulations information? Visit this link:http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures. Don’t forget to check out the 2016/2017 Florida Hunting Regulations.
Resources you need to enjoy early waterfowl seasons
Waterfowl hunters wait no more! Florida’s early Canada goose season opened Sept. 3 and runs through Sept. 25while early teal and wood duck seasons run from Sept. 17-21. Florida waterfowlers also have a special teal only season that runs Sept. 22-25. Check out this short video to help you brush up on what to look for when identifying teal and wood ducks during this early duck hunting season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxKdD98nLrI
For the first time, regulations for waterfowl, coot, dove and other migratory bird species are now included in the Florida Hunting Regulations. Why? Beginning with the 2016/2017 waterfowl season, a new process allowed federal regulations regarding season lengths, bag limits, and other migratory bird hunting rules to be finalized three months earlier than in the past.
| |  |
Waterfowl Permit Changes at Guana River – Lake Ponte Vedra Public Small Game Hunting Area
To better distribute waterfowl hunting opportunities at Guana River – Lake Ponte Vedra Public Small Game Hunting Area (PSGHA), waterfowl permits will now be issued through FWC’s quota permit process. FWC will issue 40 quota permits with up to 3 hunters per permit for a total of 120 hunters. This is an increase from the 100 first come, first served permits available in previous years.
Just a few reminders:
- There will be no on-the-ground reissuance of permits the morning of the hunts at Guana River – Lake Ponte Verde PSGHA.
- Only one vehicle per permit is allowed, except during youth waterfowl hunts, up to two vehicles per permit may access the area.
- Vehicles must park designated parking areas.
Construction underway at FWC shooting sports park in Palm Beach County
Make sure your new hunter completes a hunter safety course!
A recent ceremonial groundbreaking event kicked off construction of FWC’s Palm Beach Shooting Sports Park. Phase 1 of this world-class facility – rifle and pistol ranges – is expected to open in 2017.
Nearly 900,000 Floridians participate in target shooting, and the new Palm Beach County facilities will meet this growing demand. This 150-acre complex will have five rifle and pistol ranges; five Olympic trap fields, six American trap fields, nine skeet fields, and a 12-station sporting clays course, making it one of the largest shooting sports facilities in Florida. It will provide opportunities for people to participate in shooting disciplines safely, allow practice for Olympic-style shooting events, and host hunter safety courses.
Phase I of the project was supported through funding from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, which brings funding from the shooting sports industry and hunting and shooting sports participants directly back to Florida for these kinds of projects. Additional support and funding are provided by Palm Beach County, NRA, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and South Florida Water Management District.
The new park is located on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road – towards the main entrance to J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area and Everglades Youth Conservation Center Camp.
Make the 2016 hunting seasons extra special by introducing a young person to hunting. A great first step to creating a new hunter is having them take a hunter safety course. In addition to teaching safe, responsible hunting, the course also covers hunting strategies, survival skills, and safe firearms handling.
There are a variety of course options. Check out the traditional classroom course and skills day, the online course and skills day, or the Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course. See all the options here: http://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/courses/
Whether you're at the range or in the field, it's always important to think SAFE!
Safe Direction – Always point the firearm in a safe direction.
Always be sure of your target and what lies beyond.
Finger is outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
Every firearm must be treated as if it is loaded.
Short Cuts
Open/closed status of FWC-managed areas
Now is a great time to get your hunting license
Calendar
Florida Trappers Association Fall Rendezvous
When: Sept. 23-24
Where: Ocala Youth Conservation Center
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment