JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY DOVE HUNTS
Special-opportunity dove hunts
Quality dove hunting opportunities are in
high demand but often hard to fi nd. The
FWC has created some exceptional dove
hunting opportunities throughout the state.
The friendly, social atmosphere surrounding
dove hunts makes for the perfect setting for
friends and family to hunt together.
■ Special-opportunity dove club permits enable
an adult permit holder and one youth
(under age 16) to participate in all scheduled
hunts for a designated dove fi eld.
When a permit holder is accompanied by
a youth, both can take a daily bag limit of
birds. Permits are sold on a fi rst-come,
fi rst-served basis. These permits cost $150
and provide a savings of more than 50
percent when compared to buying daily
dove permits for the entire season. Dove
Club permits are not transferable. Obtain
a Dove Club Worksheet (see page 36) for
information relating to when and where to
apply for these permits.
■ Special-opportunity daily dove permits enable
an adult permit holder and one youth
(under age 16) to participate in one hunt
on a designated dove fi eld. Permits are
sold on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. The
cost is $35 and enables one adult and one
youth to hunt together, but only allows one
daily bag limit of birds to be harvested between
the two. These permits are transferable.
Obtain a Dove Club Worksheet (see
page 36) for information relating to when
and where to apply for these permits.
■ Special-opportunity youth daily dove permits
are $10 and it enables a youth (under
age 16) to be able to harvest their own
daily bag limit of birds while hunting with
the adult daily dove permit holder.
■ Dove hunts are half-day hunts and available
at various statewide locations. For
more information, contact an FWC regional
offi ce (see page 4) or visit MyFWC.
com/dove.
Dove
hunters’
online
updates
Information on
Florida’s public dove
fi elds is available
in late September
2008. Visit MyFWC.
com/dove to get the
latest information on
special-opportunity
dove hunts and dove
fi elds on Florida’s
WMAs. Information is updated every Thursday
throughout dove season and includes dove
densities, previous week’s harvests and fi eld
conditions.
Nongame wildlife regulations
General prohibitions:
■ No wildlife or their nests, eggs, young, homes or dens shall be taken, transported, stored,
served, bought, sold or possessed in any manner at any time, except as specifi cally permitted
by State of Florida rules.
■ No one shall take, poison, store, buy, sell, possess or wantonly or willfully waste wildlife, unless
specifi cally permitted or authorized to do so.
■ Gasoline or any other chemical or gaseous substances used to drive wildlife from their retreats
is prohibited.
■ It is prohibited to intentionally placing food or garbage, allowing the placement of food or
garbage, or offering food or garbage in such a manner that it attracts black bears, foxes or raccoons
and in a manner that is likely to create or creates a public nuisance.
■ Intentional feeding of sandhill cranes is prohibited.
■ Intentional feeding or the placement of food that attracts pelicans and modifi es the natural
behavior of the pelican so as to be detrimental to the survival or health of a local population is
prohibited.
Birds: State and federal laws protect native species of birds. Native birds may not be taken or
harassed, except as described in these rules. Migratory nongame birds that cause damage to
trees, crops, livestock or wildlife, or that are concentrated in such numbers that they are nuisance,
may be taken with permits issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by calling (404) 679-7070.
Blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds and crows can be taken without permits when they are causing
damage.
Unprotected birds: State and federal wildlife laws do not protect non-native birds that have
become established in Florida by accidental releases or unauthorized stockings. Unprotected species
include English sparrows, European starlings, rock doves (pigeons) and Muscovy ducks. If
you are uncertain whether a bird is native to Florida, contact an FWC regional offi ce (see page 4).
Unprotected mammals: Armadillos, Norway rats, black rats and house mice
Frogs: Frogs can be taken throughout the year by gigs, clubs, blowguns, hook and line or manually;
or by shooting during daylight hours. Licenses are not required to take frogs for noncommercial
purposes. A Commercial Fishing License is required to sell frogs. Frog species classifi ed as
threatened or endangered may not be taken or possessed.
Turtles: Licenses and permits are not required to take freshwater turtles. Most freshwater
turtles may be taken year-round by hand or with baited hooks, bows, dip nets, traps (designed
where freshwater fi sh can escape) or by spearing (from boats or shore during daylight hours
only). Taking turtles with bucket traps, snares or fi rearms is prohibited. All species of sea turtles
are protected by State and Federal laws (see Endangered or Threatened Species below).
River cooters may not be taken from April 15 through July 31, 2008. Softshell turtles or their
eggs may not be taken from the wild from May 1 through July 31, 2008. No more than 50 eggs, in
any combination, from all native freshwater turtle species can be possessed, except as authorized
by permit from the FWC executive director. Purchasing or selling turtle eggs taken from the wild
is prohibited.
Eggs from the following restricted freshwater turtle species are subject to the same possession
limits which apply for those turtles. Possession limits for turtles and eggs: river cooters - two;
alligator snapping turtles - one; loggerhead musk turtles - two; box turtles - two; Barbour’s map
turtles - two; Escambia River map turtles - two; diamondback terrapins - two. No one may buy, sell
or possess for sale alligator snapping turtles, box turtles, Barbour’s map turtles, river cooters, loggerhead
musk turtles, Escambia River map turtles, diamondback terrapins or parts thereof.
Gopher tortoises: Buying, selling, taking or possessing gopher tortoises, or parts thereof, is
prohibited, except by permit from the FWC executive director.
Venomous snakes: Possessing or exhibiting any poisonous or venomous reptile is prohibited
without fi rst obtaining an FWC permit or license. A permit can be obtained from the Division of
Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee,
FL 32399-1600 or call (850) 488-6253 or visit MyFWC.com/permits.
Endangered or threatened species: Killing or attempting to kill or wound an endangered
or threatened species is prohibited under both state and federal law. Capturing, harming,
harassing, possessing, selling or offering for sale any endangered or threatened species or their
nests, eggs or parts is prohibited, except by permit from the FWC and, if applicable, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. Current state listings of endangered or threat¬ened species can be obtained
at an FWC regional offi ce (see page 4) or visit MyFWC.com/imperiledspecies. For a current
Federal listing of endangered or threatened species visit: www.fws.gov/endangered/wildlife.
html#Species.
Species of special concern: Taking, capturing, possessing, selling or offering for sale
any species of special concern or their nests, eggs or parts is prohibited, except by specifi c FWC
regulations or by permit from the FWC executive director. A listing of species of special concern
can be obtained at an FWC regional offi ce (see page 4) or visit MyFWC.com/imperiledspecies.
38 2008-2009 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission