The new rules will complement the existing statewide alligator hunt and create a flexible alternative that allows permittees to hunt at multiple alligator management units during a longer season than the statewide hunt.

This opportunity is similar to other special-opportunity hunts the FWC implements in that applicants pay for each application and can apply as many times during the application period as desired to increase their chances of being drawn. The 2024 application period will run from May 3 – June 3.

The number of permittees will be established annually and will be selected through a random drawing process. Up to two alligators may be harvested per permit and selected permittees will be allowed to hunt at any legally accessible alligator management unit from Aug. 15 – Dec. 31.

“This option will give our stakeholders an exciting new opportunity to hunt at multiple alligator management units throughout the state,” said FWC Vice Chairman Steven Hudson. “I hope the Commission will continue to expand statewide alligator hunting opportunities.”

To learn more about alligator management in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/Alligator.

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“The Everglades is one of the world’s most prized natural resources, and we have invested record funding for Everglades restoration projects, including record funding for removal of invasive Burmese pythons which wreak havoc on the ecosystem,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Because of this focus, we have removed record numbers of invasive pythons from the Everglades. I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and I look forward to seeing the results of this year’s Python Challenge.”

“The Florida Everglades is an iconic habitat in Florida and removing Burmese pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the species that live in this vast wild area,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.

Participants in the 2021 Florida Python Challenge® removed 223 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, more than double the number that was removed in 2020. Over 600 people from 25 states registered to take part in the 10-day competition in 2021.

“The Florida Python Challenge® provides an opportunity for people to actively participate in Everglades conservation by removing the Burmese python, an invasive species that is actively damaging our native wildlife populations,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Executive Director Eric Sutton. “We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, who continually demonstrates his commitment to combating invasive species which is a critical component of conserving our native species.”

Visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register for the competition, take the online training, register for optional in-person trainings, learn more about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, and find resources for planning your trip to South Florida to participate in the Florida Python Challenge®.

The budget, recently signed by the Governor, makes a record investment of up to $3 million for python removal efforts, including to support research and development of innovative technologies that detect and remove invasive pythons. This includes the development of near-infrared cameras that better detect pythons.

Since 2019, the state has taken unprecedented action to remove pythons in Florida:

In addition to python removal efforts on public lands, pythons can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission — no permit or hunting license required — and the FWC encourages people to remove and kill pythons from private lands whenever possible.

About Invasive Burmese pythons

Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida where they prey on birds, mammals, and other reptiles. A female Burmese python may lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. More than 16,000 Burmese pythons have been removed since 2000. For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python.

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New decal designs are released each July and can be purchased with a $5 donation when you register or re-register a vehicle or boat at local tax collector’s offices across the state. The funds raised by decal donations go directly toward supporting research, rescue and management efforts for manatees and sea turtles.

This year’s decal themes bring additional attention to specific conservation issues:

• “Manatees in Motion” provides a reminder that manatees travel throughout Florida’s waterways and move between freshwater rivers and springs, brackish waters and coastal salt waters. If you see evidence of a nearby manatee while boating, such as the signature round “manatee footprint” water plume, slow your vessel or shut off your engine until you can locate it and move to a safe distance.
• “A Generation of Protection” highlights the many years of obstacles turtles face on their journey from hatchlings to mature adults with nests of their own, a process that can take 20 to 30 years. Lights on a nesting beach, motorized watercraft and marine debris can all negatively impact turtle lifecycles.

This year’s manatee decal also helpfully displays the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), where you can report an injured, entangled, or sick manatee or sea turtle.

Learn more about how to help conserve manatees and sea turtles at MyFWC.com/Manatee and MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle, where you can also purchase past decal versions to improve your collection. Another way to show support for these species is by purchasing a “Save the Manatee” or a “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” license plate at your local Tax Collector’s office. For additional information about how to get involved, visit the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s website at wildlifeflorida.org.

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South of State Road 70: March 5 – April 10
North of State Road 70: March 19 – April 24

While many wildlife management areas require a quota permit, there are over 40 that don’t. Before heading to a WMA you want to hunt, carefully review its regulations brochure. Some WMAs require a quota permit for a portion of their season while a daily quota permit issued from the check station is needed at others. In addition, area season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other rules may vary from statewide seasons and other WMAs. Find a list of no-quota permit WMA hunting opportunities at MyFWC.com/Turkey and click on “2022 Spring Turkey Hunt Guide.”

Florida also has two Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Weekends, which are available to youth 15 years old and younger who are supervised by an adult.

South of State Road 70: Feb. 26-27
North of State Road 70: March 12-13

Youth hunt weekends occur on many WMAs and on lands outside of the WMA system. Learn more and find places to hunt by visiting MyFWC.com/Turkey and clicking on “Youth Turkey Hunt Weekends.”

Working for the Wild Turkey

Florida is home to two subspecies of wild turkey — the eastern and the Osceola or Florida wild turkey. The Osceola occurs only on the Florida peninsula, which makes the Sunshine State a popular destination for turkey hunters looking to complete a slam. Learn more about completing a slam at NWTF.org, by clicking on “Hunting,” then “Turkey Records” in the dropdown menu and “About Slams” button.

To ensure healthy wild turkey populations throughout Florida and provide sustainable hunting opportunities, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) wild turkey management program continues to work on several objectives outlined in the strategic management plan including monitoring wild turkey abundance and distribution and improving wild turkey habitat on public lands.

Wild turkey hunters have been and continue to be important advocates of Florida’s wild turkey management program. Revenue from the turkey permit required to hunt wild turkeys in Florida (unless exempt) helps fund wild turkey research and management. Hunters also provide information through surveys and other wild turkey monitoring efforts and give their input during the rulemaking process for statewide and WMA hunting opportunities. The following summaries outline the progress FWC is making with support from turkey hunters.

Monitoring Wild Turkey Populations

The FWC relies on several methods to monitor wild turkey populations in Florida. Using harvest information and comparing it to hunter effort is an important way for biologists in Florida and throughout the country to monitor population trends. For over 30 years, the FWC has conducted an annual survey after spring turkey season to get a better understanding of turkey hunter effort, success, and satisfaction. In 2020, the FWC replaced its traditional mail-in survey with a more efficient phone survey to get a higher response rate, more timely results, and better accuracy because the survey is conducted immediately after turkey season to allow for improved hunter recall. The Wild Turkey Hunting Status Reports for 2020 and 2021, which show estimates for turkey hunter numbers, hunter-days afield, turkey harvested, hunter satisfaction, and more, are available at MyFWC.com/Turkey.

Proposed Rule for Harvest Reporting

To provide biologists with more insights into the wild turkey harvest, the FWC proposed a rule amendment that would require logging and reporting harvested wild turkeys. This proposed rule was approved at the December 2021 Commission meeting and Commissioners will consider it for final adoption at their March 2022 meeting. If approved as a final rule, this requirement would apply to spring and fall wild turkey seasons and would take effect beginning with the fall turkey season in 2022. Harvest reporting would provide biologists with valuable data, such as the number of wild turkeys harvested during spring and fall seasons, when wild turkeys are being harvested, and from what county or WMA.

To learn more about this proposal and provide your feedback via an online commenting tool, visit MyFWC.com/Turkey and click on the banner that invites you to “Share Your Thoughts.”

Wild Turkey Summer Survey

Another way the FWC monitors populations is through the annual wild turkey summer survey. Beginning in 2019, Florida, along with many other states, asked hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to report summer sightings of wild turkeys, especially poults. The primary goal of this monitoring effort is to get more information about wild turkey reproductive success as well as abundance and distribution. The data collected through the wild turkey summer survey complements the information from the harvest survey the FWC conducts each year after the spring season ends.

The next opportunity to take part in this annual wild turkey survey will run from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2022. Learn more by visiting MyFWC.com/Turkey and then scrolling down to the Wild Turkey Summer Survey tab.

Habitat Improvement Through the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program

Maintaining and improving habitat on public lands is vital for healthy wild turkey populations and Florida’s Wild Turkey Cost Share Program helps the FWC achieve that goal. This program is a partnership between the FWC, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Florida Forest Service, with support from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, to help provide funding for projects to manage wild turkey habitat on public lands. Turkey hunters are an important part of this effort. The money generated from the sale of turkey permits, which are required to hunt wild turkeys in Florida (unless exempt), allows the FWC to significantly contribute to the cost-share program each year. Find more about this program at MyFWC.com/Turkey and scroll down to “Turkey Cost Share Program.”

Source: FWC

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Where to Hunt
Waterfowl hunting is permitted on private property with landowner permission and on any water body that has public access (public boat landing/launch). However, some public water bodies may be closed for specific reasons, such as being in a park or in an area where the discharge of firearms is prohibited.

Many wildlife management areas that allow migratory game bird hunting are available for those who wish to participate in the Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Hunting Days. Some of these areas require an Active Military and Veteran Waterfowl Quota Permit in addition to the other license and permit requirements.

Regulations Information
Only veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves, may hunt ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, and common gallinules (moorhens).

Veterans and active military may be accompanied by a person who is not a veteran or active-duty service member, however, the person accompanying the hunter may not harvest or attempt to harvest waterfowl. If non-veteran/non-active military guests plan to accompany hunt participants to assist with activities such as setting out decoys, calling, and retrieving harvested ducks, they must have a hunting license and required permits (unless exempt).

Bag and possession limits for each species are the same as the regular season. All shotguns must be plugged to a 3-shell capacity, and only non-toxic (steel, iron, bismuth-tin, tungsten-alloy) shot maybe be used or in your possession.

Hunters are required to have a hunting license, migratory bird permit, Florida Waterfowl Permit, and Federal Duck Stamp to participate during this special weekend, unless exempt from license and permit requirements. You can buy your license and permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

In addition, wildlife management areas, water management district lands, and national wildlife refuges that offer duck hunting may have special permit requirements and restrictions on when and where you can hunt. It’s important to carefully review the WMA regulations brochure for the area you want to hunt for information about license and permit requirements, bag limits, and other rules.

Content Source and Photo: FWC

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“This event is a great way to cap off a record-setting Season 9 for TrophyCatch, and a fantastic reward for one of our many TrophyCatch citizen-scientists,” said Tom Graef, Director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries. “This program provides trophy bass data that is guiding our research and helping identify Florida’s premier bass waters.”

Although participating in TrophyCatch by documenting and submitting a trophy bass increases the chances of winning, anglers need only to register for the program to be automatically included in the boat drawing. This was just the case for Bernard, who avidly participates in fishing tournaments but had not yet submitted a bass to the program.

The reverse drawing was conducted and Bernard’s name was the last one pulled from the bucket. James’ response to learning he had won was “This is better than super, spectacular, and awesome!”

The Phoenix boat package is a brand-new Phoenix 819 powered by Mercury ProXS 200, guided by Lowrance electronics and trolling motor and anchored by Power-Pole. Finalist prizing includes items such as a Mercury visor, a Phoenix hat, a Lure Lock storage box as well as $50 of Bass Pro Shops Gift Cards, among others.

The TrophyCatch program rewards anglers who provide documentation of their catch and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier in Florida. To be eligible for prizes, anglers are required to submit photos or videos of their catch to TrophyCatch.com, showing the entire fish and its weight on a scale, before releasing it back into the water.

FWC biologists use TrophyCatch data for bass research to make informed decisions about the management of Florida bass fisheries and to promote the catch and release of trophy bass. The associated TrophyCare program promotes best handling practices for trophy bass to ensure that each TrophyCatch bass is released alive. For more information about the TrophyCatch program, email KP Clements at Kp.Clements@MyFWC.com.

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“In Florida, we have put Freedom First – protecting Floridians’ freedom to earn a living, to operate businesses and to choose educational options tailored for their children,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As a result of our commitment to freedom, Florida’s economy continues to thrive and Floridians are better able to provide for their families. Today, I am proud to announce my budget proposals that will build on our foundation of freedom by investing in priorities that matter to our residents. This budget puts Floridians and their freedoms first, keeps taxes low, and addresses key priorities – all while maintaining record budget reserves.”

The budget recommends four tax holidays and the permanent elimination of a fee to allow working Floridians to keep more money in their pockets. 

• The budget includes a Fuel Tax Holiday to provide a reprieve from increasing gas prices and save Florida Families over $1 billion.
• Additionally, it proposes the elimination of fees charged for the issuance of a Florida Identification Card to save Florida families $14.7 million.

Florida’s economy has enjioyed 18 consecutive months of job growth. The Governor’s budget includes:

• $105 million, an increase of $100 million over the current year, for the Rural Infrastructure Fund to support local rural infrastructure projects such as roads, storm, wastewater systems, and internet access for rural communities.
• $100 million for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to support projects that create workforce training opportunities and invest in critical infrastructure.
• $50 million in recurring funding for VISIT FLORIDA, Florida’s tourism marketing agency.

Investments in highways, bridges, and ports give Floridians the freedom to open and operate businesses, knowing that their goods will swiftly travel through our ports and on our roads. The Freedom First Budget provides $9.27 billion for the State Transportation Work Program.

The budget invests $25 million to maintain and restore the Freedom Tower, to ensure that the Freedom Tower continues to be a beacon of freedom and serves as a symbol of the democratic values we hold dear.

Governor DeSantis is proposing higher funding for K-12 education and for teachers and students. Included in the Freedom First Budget are:

• A second round of $1,000 bonus checks for approximately 179,000 teachers and principals in Florida. He is also proposing $600 million – a $50 million budget increase over the past year – for teacher pay, continuing Florida’s efforts to reach a minimum teacher salary of $47,500.
• An increase in per-student funding to raise this year’s budget to $8,000 per student. This will represent the highest amount of per-student funding in Florida’s history.
• The Base Student Allocation increase is $124 per student. 
• $421 million for school safety and mental health initiatives. That funding includes $210 million for the safe schools program – an increase of $30 million over the previous year, $140 million for mental health – a $20 million increase over the previous year, $42 million for school hardening grants, and $4 million for safety initiatives at Jewish Day Schools.
• To fully eliminate the Florida Standards Assessment and implement progress monitoring in its place, Governor DeSantis is proposing $15.5 million in recurring funding to provide progress monitoring tools to schools.
• $500,000 to expand access to the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative into every school district in the 2022-2023 school year.
• To make Florida the number one state for Workforce Education by 2030, $534 million in funding to support workforce education programs is included in the proposed budget.

The Freedom First Budget backs the blue. Governor DeSantis’ Freedom First Budget includes:

• $226.7 million to provide salary increases for those working in public safety – including 25% raises for all veteran state sworn law enforcement; 20% salary increases for entry-level state sworn law enforcement.
• A $5,000 signing bonus for every recruit who is new to the law enforcement profession in Florida once they complete their training and they officially become a law enforcement officer.
• Providing the State Officer Certification Exam free of charge to law enforcement officers relocating to Florida and covering the cost of any necessary equivalent training programs for relocating officers, up to $1,000 per officer.
• Creating a law enforcement academy scholarship program to cover the cost of enrollment for men and women seeking to serve their state and communities through police work.

Florida is also committed to supporting those who serve. Our National Guard has been called upon time and time again during times of emergency, and we must ensure they are ready to serve Floridians. Governor DeSantis is proposing more than $100 million in our National Guard which includes:

• $87.5 million to build three new readiness centers.
• $2.2 million for a new headquarters building for the National Guard Counter Drug Program.
• $5.1 million to fully support Florida National Guardsmen seeking higher education degrees.
• The budget also includes $5.4 million to establish the Florida State Guard to serve Floridians.

The Freedom First Budget also includes $8 million to implement a program to protect against harms from illegal immigration, and $2.4 million in E-Verify enforcement.

Florida’s natural resources are the foundation of our state’s communities. The environment drives tourism, affects property values, anchors many local economies, and is central to our quality of life. The Freedom First Budget reaffirms Governor DeSantis’ commitment by recommending more than $4.4 billion to protect our environment and natural resources.

The Freedom First Budget proposes more than $980 million for to restore the Everglades and protect Florida’s water resources. This would bring Florida’s four-year investment to $3 billion, surpassing our goal of $2.5 billion and doubling the investment of the previous four years. This includes:

• More than $660 million for Everglades restoration.
• $195 million for targeted water quality improvements.
• $35 million to improve water quality and combat the negative impacts of harmful algal blooms, including blue-green algae.
• This includes $5 million in additional funding dedicated to address red tide cleanup.

The budget also invests $3 million to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades and over $550 million to increase the resiliency of Florida’s coastal and inland communities.

Finally, the Freedom First Budget invests more than $151.7 million to protect our prized properties and waters in Florida, including:

• $100 million for the Florida Forever program.
• $51.7 million for infrastructure improvements and natural resource management at our award-winning state parks. 

To support health care the Freedom First Budget includes:

• More than $200 million in funding to support direct care workers with pay raises.
• $100 million – a $37 million increase – for cancer research. 
• $15 million, an increase of $10 million over current year, in funding for Alzheimer’s Disease research to enhance diagnosis and prevention strategies for those Floridians impacted by this disease.
• $188.6 million in behavioral health initiatives including mental health and substance abuse services to ensure Floridians get the help that they need.
• $133 million to provide services to those served by the child welfare system, including foster parent support and adoption subsidies, including:
• $8.9 million towards childcare subsidies for foster parents, assisting them in covering the cost of early education and child care by raising the foster care subsidy up to $300 per month.
• $11.2 million for maintenance adoption subsidies and adoption incentives to aid state employees who make the decision to adopt a child from foster care. 

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FWC biologists reviewed check station information from more than 40 wildlife management areas to analyze data from before and after antler point regulations went into effect in 2014 and 2015 on private and public lands, and WMAs statewide. The results of that analysis showed a shift in the age structure of harvested antlered deer with a 23% decrease in the harvest of 1.5-year-olds. Allowing yearlings a chance to grow and mature contributed to increases in the harvest of older age-class deer. During this same period, the average number of antler points increased 22% from 4.9 to 6.0. (Statewide, the average number of antler points steadily increased to 6.7 after antler points regs were implemented, based on data from the FWC’s annual harvest survey.) In addition, the antler index, which expresses antler quality, also increased 20%. The data also showed more venison for the table. The average live weight of deer increased 5.5%, from 109 pounds before antler point regulations were implemented to almost 115 pounds after they went into effect.

The FWC manages whitetails at the deer management unit level, tailoring antler point regulations (and other rules) based on habitat quality, characteristics of the local deer herd, and stakeholder preferences. Florida is divided into 12 DMUs, and eight of these units require all antlered deer to have at least three antler points on a side or have a main beam length of 10 inches or more to be legal to take. The remaining four DMUs have a two-point-on-a-side rule. Find DMU-specific information, including antler point regulations at MyFWC.com/Deer and click on “Deer Management Units.”

Interested in finding where top-scoring bucks were harvested in Florida? Check out the FWC’s interactive map, which shows Florida Buck Registry entries by county. Learn more by visiting MyFWC.com/Deer and click on “Buck Registry Interactive Map.”

Monitoring harvest information and hunter satisfaction

While science is the foundation of the FWC’s wildlife management efforts, hunter feedback also plays an important role. The FWC will continue to monitor the results of antler point regulations, bag limit rules and more through its annual scientific survey of licensed deer hunters in Florida, which measures deer harvest as well as hunter participation and satisfaction. Another important source of deer harvest data is obtained through the FWC’s requirements for hunters to log and report their harvested deer.

Don’t forget to log and report your harvested deer

Before you head afield this hunting season, make sure you have a plan to log and report harvested deer. This regulation, which went into effect in 2019, requires ALL hunters, including those who are exempt from license requirements, to log their harvested deer prior to moving it from the point of harvest, defined as the spot on the ground where the hunter located the harvested deer. In addition, they must report harvested deer: 1) within 24 hours of harvest, or 2) prior to final processing of the deer, or 3) prior to the deer or any parts of the deer being transferred to a meat processor or taxidermist, or 4) prior to the deer leaving the state, whichever occurs first.

You have options for logging and reporting:

Option A – Log and Report (Steps 1 and 2) on a mobile device with the FWC Fish|Hunt Florida App or at com prior to moving the deer.
Option B – Log (Step 1) on a paper deer harvest log prior to moving the deer and then report (Step 2) at comor Fish|Hunt Florida App or calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (888-486-8356) within 24 hours.
Learn more about how to log and report harvested deer at MyFWC.com/HarvestReport.

*New rules to protect Florida deer from chronic wasting disease

Hunters always have been proud to contribute to conservation by providing wildlife management funding, introducing others to hunting, and reporting fish and wildlife violations to MyFWC.com/Wildlife Alert. Another important way hunters can help is by adhering to the FWC’s new rules designed to reduce the threat of chronic wasting disease from spreading into the state and harming Florida’s deer populations. CWD is an infectious disease of the brain and central nervous system and is always fatal for members of the deer family. While CWD has been detected in 26 states, including most recently Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, we’re fortunate it hasn’t been detected in Florida. And we need to do everything we can to keep it that way.

If you’re planning to hunt outside of Florida, be aware of new rule changes that prohibit importing or possessing whole carcasses or high-risk parts of deer, elk, moose, caribou, and all other species of the deer family originating from any place outside of Florida.

Under the new rules, people may import into Florida:

De-boned meat.
Finished taxidermy mounts.
Clean hides and antlers.
Skulls, skull caps and teeth if all soft tissue has been removed.
The only exception to this rule is deer harvested from a property in Georgia or Alabama that is bisected by the Florida state line AND under the same ownership may be imported into Florida.

These rules went into effect July 1 and replaced FWC Executive Order 19-41. The new rules are similar to Executive Order 19-41 except they do NOT include a permit option to import whole deer or high-risk parts from properties located entirely in Georgia or Alabama. Learn more about the new rule at MyFWC.com/Deer and click on “NEW Carcass Importation Rules.”

We also have a robust program to monitor Florida deer for CWD. The FWC has tested over 16,500 hunter-killed, road-killed, and sick or diseased deer since 2002. Hunters have been and continue to be an essential part of that effort. We hope hunters will continue to support the FWC’s CWD testing efforts by voluntarily donating heads from deer harvested in Florida (you can remove and keep the skull cap and antlers). To donate, call the CWD hotline at 866-293-9282. In addition, if you harvest a sick or extremely skinny deer, avoid handling it and call the CWD hotline at 866-293-9282 or 866-CWD-WATCH.

Learn more about CWD at MyFWC.com/CWD.

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While we flock to the beach or cruise through our state’s waterways, we can all do our part to be respectful of wildlife. All Florida wildlife needs your help to keep them safe by remembering these helpful summer tips:

Stash your trash

Keep our beaches free of clutter including beach chairs and trash. If you brought it to the beach, remember to take it all with you when you leave and throw garbage in the proper trash bins.

Share the shore with nesting wildlife

Respect posted signage and keep your distance from all nesting wildlife. Shorebirds build nests in the sand and their tiny, camouflaged chicks can be hard to see. Be on the lookout for signs designating Critical Wildlife Areas on the beach or coastal islands – these areas are closed to public access to protect wading birds and shorebirds while they nest and raise their chicks.

Sea turtles are nesting on our beaches, too, and some baby turtles are emerging from their nests right now! Remember to give them space as they make their way to the water on their own. If you dig in the sand, fill in the holes before you leave so sea turtles do not fall into them.

Attend an official fireworks show and leave personal fireworks at home

The loud sounds and bright lights of personal fireworks on Florida’s beaches and waterways can have catastrophic effects on nesting birds and their chicks, as well as nesting sea turtles.

Go slow in manatee zones and look out below for Florida manatees while boating

Manatees can be difficult to detect when they are underwater, so it is important for operators of boats and personal watercrafts to be vigilant. You can help protect manatees by following these simple guidelines:

• Wear polarized sunglasses to help spot manatees.
• Avoid boating in shallow areas to prevent damaging seagrass and to avoid resting and grazing manatees.
• Look for large circles on the water, also known as manatee footprints, indicating the presence of a manatee below.
• Look for a snout sticking up out of the water.
• Follow posted manatee zones while boating.

Report sick, injured, distressed or dead manatees, sea turtles or shorebirds, or any wildlife violations to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or by dialing #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone so trained responders can assist.

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You don’t need a hunting license to hunt wild hogs at a WMA, though you will need a management area permit, unless exempt. Many of these spring and summer wild hog hunts on WMAs don’t require a quota permit; however, some of them do. Take a moment to review the WMA regulations brochure for the area you want to hunt. These brochures also outline allowed methods of take, bag limits, and other pertinent rules. You can find a list of WMAs (with links to individual brochures) that offer spring/summer wild hog hunting by visiting c and clicking on the “Spring/summer wild hog hunting” banner at the top.

On lands outside the WMA system, wild hogs may be hunted year-round with landowner permission. A hunting license is not required, and there is no size or bag limit, and either sex may be harvested. Hunters may use dogs and any legal rifle, shotgun, crossbow, bow, pistol, or air gun (including airbow).

The FWC encourages people to take precautions when handling or field-dressing wild hogs. Learn more at MyFWC.com/hunting/wild-hog.

FWC-managed shooting ranges

Practicing your marksmanship at an FWC-managed shooting range is another way to get ready for upcoming hunting seasons. To meet the needs of recreational target shooters, hunters, and hunter safety students, the FWC manages public shooting ranges throughout the state. Several of the FWC-managed facilities are supervised by range safety officers, while Apalachicola, Ocala, and Osceola national forests provide unstaffed facilities. Each range offers a different menu of opportunities that includes archery, rifle, handgun, sporting clays, trap, skeet, and 5-stand. Find a map that shows where FWC-managed ranges are located and information about individual shooting sports facilities at MyFWC.com/Ranges. To find other ranges in Florida, head over to WhereToShoot.org.

Phase I application period for fall quota/limited entry hunts

Don’t forget to apply for opportunities to hunt deer or wild hog this fall at a Florida wildlife management area or national wildlife refuge. The phase I application period for fall quota hunts, special-opportunity fall hunts, and national wildlife refuge fall and winter hunts closes June 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Worksheets and permit details are at MyFWC.com/License, under “Limited Entry/Quota Hunts.” You can apply for these limited entry permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or in person at a license agent or tax collector’s office. To research individual WMAs, visit MyFWC.com/WMABrochures to access WMA Finder, an online tool that allows you to search for areas by species, season, and location. You can navigate directly to a specific WMA by using the “Search by Specific Area” button.

Report wild turkey sightings

We invite you to take part in FWC biologists’ efforts to learn more about Florida’s wild turkey populations by reporting all wild turkeys you see during your normal daily activities from June 1 to Aug. 31.

We’re interested in sightings of hens with and without poults, and jakes and gobblers from all regions of the state, including rural and developed areas. When reporting numbers of poults, be sure to look carefully because young birds may be difficult to see in tall grass or brush.

The Sunshine State is home to healthy wild turkey populations. They occur throughout Florida and prefer open forests, and forest edges and openings. Our biologists conduct this survey each year to learn more about annual nesting success, brood survival, and the distribution and abundance of wild turkeys.

Learn more about the FWC’s summer wild turkey survey at MyFWC.com/Turkey.

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