Commission Approves Hunting Rules, Plus Turkey Season Resources

At the February 2021 meeting, the Commission approved 2021-2022 rule changes related to hunting and FWC-managed areas. Most rules will take effect July 1, 2021.

Included in this package are rules that establish hunting seasons and regulations at Orange Hammock WMA, a new 5,777-acre WMA in Sarasota County and at Everglades Headwaters WMA, Kissimmee Bend Unit, a new 3,992-acre WMA in Okeechobee County. Both of these areas provide new deer, turkey, and small game hunting opportunities in counties that currently have no public hunting options. 

Rule changes are based on requests from staff, cooperators and stakeholders. The FWC seeks input on proposed changes throughout the rulemaking process to achieve regulations based on hunter preference and sound science to ensure sustainability. Learn more about the rulemaking process.

For those of you who thrill to the sound of a gobble thundering through the woods and seeing a tom in full strut, you don’t have much longer to wait! Spring turkey season dates on lands outside of the wildlife management area (WMA) system are March 6 through April 11 south of State Road 70 and March 20 through April 25 in the rest of the state.

We offer the following tools and resources to help you make the most of your spring wild turkey season.

• Find public hunting areas even if you didn’t draw a spring turkey quota permit. Florida has over 40 WMAs that offer spring turkey hunting without a quota permit. 
• See a summary of spring wild turkey hunting regulations. For more information, visit the Florida hunting regulations.
• Check out the FWC’s updated map showing the predicted quality of habitat and distribution of wild turkeys across the state.
• Get started turkey hunting or fine tune your skills with FWC’s tips on what license and permits are required, where to hunt, what to wear, how to call wild turkeys, and advice for creating healthy and delicious meals.
• Buy your hunting license and permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida. Find hunting license and permit information and fees at MyFWC.com/License.
• Introduce a young person to turkey hunting during the Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Weekends held Feb. 27-28 south of State Road 70, and March 13-14 north of State Road 70.
• Review turkey hunting safety tips or take a hunter safety course to learn more about safe, responsible hunting.
• Apply for an Outstanding Gobbler Certificate if you’ve harvested an especially nice bird. The FWC’s Wild Turkey Registry recognizes gobblers that meet certain minimum beard and spur length requirements. There’s also a First Gobbler Certificate for hunters under 16 years of age at the time the turkey is harvested.
• Celebrate a successful hunt with these wild turkey recipes.

Get more information at MyFWC.com/Turkey.

Photo courtesy of Jim Turlington

The FWC is hosting two Youth Hunting Program python hunts this summer – June 25-27 and July 23-25 – to educate the next generation about conservation. Before both hunts, youth participants will receive training about why and how to safely remove these invasive constrictors from the wild. Then they’ll get a chance to use their new skills with oversight by mentors from our Python Action Team and the South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program.

If you know a youth who would be interested in hunting but doesn't have the opportunity, let them know about these and other youth hunts. Spots on these python hunts are limited so register for the following events today!

• Register here: June 25-27
• Register here: July 23-25

Learn more about the Youth Hunting Program.

Learn more and register NOW, spots are expected to fill up fast!

At its February meeting, the FWC approved 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. These rule changes continue the FWC's work to protect Florida’s deer populations by reducing the risk of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreading into the state. The new rules replace FWC Executive Order 19-41 and do not include the permit option allowed under EO 19-41 to import whole deer or high-risk parts from properties in Georgia or Alabama provided certain requirements are met. Learn more about the new carcass importation rules, which go into effect July 1, 2021.