JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Alligator hunting adventure
The alligator hunting season runs from
Aug. 15 – Nov. 1, 2008. More than
4,000 alligator harvest permits will be
available on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served
basis.
Phase I - Permits will be issued
on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis
beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern
Time on June 3 through midnight
June 9, 2008; applicants are limited
to one permit.
Phase II - Applicants may obtain
additional permits (if available)
beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern
Time on June 10, 2008.
Applicants have their preference of
applying at any county tax collector’s
offi ce, license agent (retail outlet that
sells hunting and fi shing licenses), or
online at www.wildlifelicense.com.
On or after June 3, 2008, applicants
must submit payment for an alligator
trapping license and two alligator-hide
validation tags, or provide proof of an
alligator trapping license valid through
Nov. 1, 2008 and pay the fee for the
two tags. No other hunting licenses
or permits are required. Successful
applicants will receive a transaction
receipt, and their permit and tags will
be mailed by the FWC within two to
three weeks.
The cost for a resident alligator
trapping license and hide validation
ALLIGATOR HUNTING ADVENTURE
The FWC is offering
a great opportunity
to take part in its
annual statewide
alligator harvest.
Since 1988, Florida
has offered alligator
hunts, which provide
a thrilling, handson
adventure unlike
any other outdoor
experience.
tags is $271.50, and nonresidents
pay $1,021.50. The cost for additional
permits is $61.50 regardless of
residency. All persons seeking a
harvest permit must be at least 18
years of age by Aug. 15, 2008. All
sales are fi nal.
Any hunter who takes an alligator must
submit an alligator harvest report.
The information gathered from these
reports enables FWC biologists to
monitor population trends and impacts
of the annual harvest.
An alligator trapping agent license also
is available for $51.50, which allows
the license holder to assist a trapper
in taking alligators, but only when in
the presence of the trapper with whom
they are licensed to assist.
The FWC offers no-cost, threehour
alligator harvest training and
orientation classes during July and
August at locations throughout the
state. Permit recipients are not
required to attend, but fi rst-time
participants are strongly encouraged
to do so. Permit holders will receive, by
mail, a manual that lists the dates and
locations. This list will also be online at
MyFWC.com/gators.
For more information on how to get
involved in these exciting alligator
hunts, visit MyFWC.com/gators and
click on “Statewide Hunts.”
Gobbler, continued from page 21
elapsed. After another fi ve minutes of real
time had passed, I couldn’t stand it any
longer and made another call.
Another gobble immediately followed,
but this time – it was louder.
This bird actually was coming to me!
My fi rst spring turkey hunt was beginning
to play out in text-book fashion.
I sat just as still as could be for another
10 or 15 minutes and called out for a
third time.
The “GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE,
GOBBLE” reply sounded like it was being
screamed into my ears. This Eastern
turkey was right on top of me!
I couldn’t see him, but he had to be
just out of my sight behind the brushy
terrain.
A few moments later, the long-beard
stepped out from behind a galberry
thicket in full strut, and my heart starting
pounding. I couldn’t see its legs because
its gold, iridescent feathers were covering
them, but the bird seemed to glide like an
apparition as it cautiously made its way
toward the decoys.
The way its head was changing colors
from red to blue and back again, and the
show this gobbler was putting on, was
truly a sight to behold. Now I realized
what Todd’s and so many other turkey
hunters’ infatuation was all about.
Its instinctive, ritualistic courtship
dance was so beautiful I almost didn’t
want to end it, but the big tom was getting
too close, and I knew I’d better take the
shot soon for fear he’d spy me.
The opportunity to raise my Remington
Model 870 pump 12-gauge shotgun came
when he went behind a palmetto clump
at 12 steps, and I fi red just one shot when
he stepped out the other side.
What a rush!
It was my fi rst spring gobbler, and it
had a 9-inch beard. But what was so hard
about taking a spring turkey, I thought?
After all it was only 8 a.m., and I already
had my daily bag limit after calling just
three times.
But like every turkey hunter knows,
I learned over the next six seasons that
spring turkey hunting rarely happens that
way. Maybe it was beginner’s luck, but
whatever it was – I was hooked from that
moment on. ■
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2008-2009 23