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February 2016
FWC’s Hunting Hot Sheet
Check out the latest hunting news and events from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), with a special emphasis on the upcoming spring turkey season.
FREE Youth Turkey Hunt Weekend
Florida’s Youth Spring Turkey Hunt is set for Feb. 27-28 south of State Road 70, and March 12-13in the rest of the state. Only those 15 years old and younger are allowed to harvest a turkey while supervised by an adult. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://myfwc.com/media/2982032/YouthTurkeyHunt.pdf
Are These 5 Things on Your Wild Turkey Season To Do List?
- Clear your calendar to enjoy the upcoming spring turkey season. Florida’s 2016 spring turkey runs March 5 – April 10 south of S.R. 70 and March 19 – April 24 for the rest of the state (except Holmes County). In Holmes County, the season runs March 19 – April 3.Season dates and bag limits are available here http://www.myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates
- Get your hunting license ($17 for residents, $46.50 for nonresident 10-day license), and turkey permit ($10 for residents, $125 for nonresidents) before you head to the turkey woods. If you plan to pursue a gobbler on one of Florida’s many WMAs, you also must purchase a management area permit for $26.50. Licenses are available at county tax collectors’ offices and at most retail outlets that sell hunting/fishing supplies. They also can be bought with a credit card by calling 888-486-8356 or at http://GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
- Figure out where to turkey hunt on public land without a quota permit. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offers 43 public hunting areas statewide where hunters can “walk on” to hunt spring turkeys. Check out FWC's 2016 Florida Spring Turkey Hunting Guide to find which wildlife management areas allow it. http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/turkey/hunt-without-quota-permit/.
- Get ready for turkey season with a calling lesson (video). FWC’s Tony Young shows you how to make the following calls using a box, friction, and mouth call: tree call, fly-down cackle, yelp, cluck and purr, and cutt. He also demonstrates an owl hoot, crow call and gobble tube, and talks about what each of the sounds mean and when and how to best use them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65yIgjswUvI&index=5&list=PLCkzBjKfMRSCISs1Z9vSq7ncGB7XUXz6R Check out these other turkey hunting videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCkzBjKfMRSCISs1Z9vSq7ncGB7XUXz6R
- Commit to introducing someone to turkey hunting. You can start that process by having them take a hunter safety course. Students learn about firearms safety, wildlife identification, conservation, responsible hunting strategies and more. Plus, there’s a hands-on component where students demonstrate their newly acquired skills. Find a hunter safety course here http://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/courses/
Florida National Archery in the Schools
The Florida National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), an in-school curriculum designed to introduce youth to target archery, is a great way to teach a lifetime skill that every student can enjoy. It's so popular with students that it has become a motivating force for them to excel at school. See how Polk County kids brought up their grades so they participate in the state finals, which will be held Feb. 27 at the Carver Recreation Center in Bartow. http://www.theledger.com/article/20160125/news/160129615. For more information about Florida National Archery in the Schools Program, visit http://myfwc.com/education/outdoor-skills/archery/contact/
Florida Deer hunting continues through Feb. 28 in Zone D
There’s still a little time to head to the Florida woods to deer hunt. General gun season remains open on private lands in Zones B and D through Feb. 21. In Zone D, those who hunt with a bow, crossbow or muzzleloader get an additional week - from Feb. 22-28 - to participate in a late muzzleloading gun season. This unique late season, which occurs on private land only in Zone D, was established to give hunters the chance to hunt the rut, which occurs from mid-January through February in the Florida Panhandle. Season dates are available here: http://www.myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates
Make plans to hog hunt this spring or summer
Going hog hunting this spring or summer? Check out the 2016 hog hunting opportunities at these WMAs. http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/wild-hog/dates/
Lily’s Story – A Camo Dream Come True
Liliana (Lily) went on her first hunt last fall, taking a mature whitetail buck and making a memory to treasure. In many ways, her story is similar to other young first-time hunters. In one very important way, it’s not.
Lily has cystic fibrosis. This serious disease makes breathing and digesting food extremely difficult. The activities most people take for granted are a million times harder for Lily. But this young adventurer doesn’t let that hold her back. Her mother said she tries as many activities as she can from surfing to horseback riding. And even though Lily comes from a family that doesn’t hunt, she can now add becoming a huntress to her list.
Wondering why Lily decided to try hunting? Her interest was piqued while attending a geocaching festival at FWC’s Ocala Conservation Center and Youth Camp, which is part of the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network. She saw a flyer for the Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp and decided she wanted to attend. After being released from the hospital due to cystic fibrosis complications, Lily attended the Ocala Hunt Camp last summer. It was important to her that she not miss a single activity that the other kids would be participating in. So before camp started each morning and after dinner, camp staff helped Lily with her treatments and medications. Lily’s mom said she had a wonderful time at camp and received her hunter safety certification.
Seeing how much she enjoyed herself, Ocala camp staff recommended Lily for a special opportunity with Camo Dreams, Inc., a Florida-based nonprofit organization that grants youth with a disability or life-threatening illness a once-in-a-lifetime trip into the outdoors. Lily had a safe and successful hunt while being accompanied and mentored by an adult with the Camo Dreams program. She’s going back to the Ocala camp this summer to expand her archery and bowhunting skills.
Lily’s spirit and dedication as a hunter are something everyone can admire. And her story reminds us all of the power of sharing our outdoor experiences.
Find an outdoor adventure for a special young person in your life at a conservation center or camp near you by visiting http://fyccn.org/.
Wood Duck Nest Boxes
Providing nest boxes for wood ducks can be fun and rewarding. And if done properly, it can establish or increase local populations of this beautiful bird. Now is an excellent time to install or clean your existing wood duck boxes for the nesting season, which typically runs from March through June. Bees, wasps, and other insects that find their way into the boxes are less active during the cold months. Clean out old nests and material, and replace with fresh wood chips. Don’t forget to make any necessary repairs and make sure the predator guards are in good working order. For wood duck nest box information, visit http://www.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterfowl/wood-ducks/nest-box/. Download plans for building your own box http://www.myfwc.com/media/2873917/Wood-Duck-Box.pdf
Calendar of Events
What: Traditional Bowhunters of Florida 25th Anniversary Championship
When: March 4-6, 2016
Where: Ocala Conservation Center & Youth Camp, 73 NE 170th, Ave. Silver Springs, FL
For more info: http://www.tbof.org/upcoming-events/2016-state-championship-march-4-6th.html
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