Pensacola Meeting: FWC Considers License Requirement For Hunting Public Lands
September 6, 2013
Update:
Hunters may be required to have licenses when tracking any game on public lands in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a proposal to go before state lawmakers next year that would require hunters to have licenses for each species of wildlife they intend to pursue on public lands.
Fish and Wildlife Executive Director Nick Wiley said Thursday during a meeting in Pensacola that the proposal was initially considered for hunting hogs, the second most hunted species in Florida after white-tail deer, but expanded in part for general safety concerns of people using public lands.
Currently, a license is not required to hunt hogs and most wildlife on public lands.
A question remains how the proposal will be accepted politically, which is why Wiley said the details “still need to be fleshed out.”
“It doesn’t seem like you’d have a problem if it was tied to safety,” said Commissioner Ronald Bergeron. “People can be on public land hunting without a safety course, whether for hogs or pythons.”
Lane Stephens, executive director of the Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida, said the proposal may be more acceptable for lawmakers and hunters than an effort a year ago when the discussion was to change the designation of hogs, which could have made it more difficult to hunt hogs.
“My organization, I think, we would fully support (the current proposal), you should have a hunting license if you’re out with the public,” Stephens said.
The Fish and Wildlife proposal would require the hunting licenses to be acquired on a species-by-species basis.
The fiscal impact is anticipated to be small. Fish and Wildlife officials believe most people who hunt now on public lands already have licenses to hunt other game or believe that licenses are already required.
Looking ahead to the 2014 legislative session, the commission may also ask lawmakers to allow those who violate certain boating laws — including boating under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless boating — to take the mandatory safety course online.
Another proposal from the commission would allow counties to use their portions of vessel registration fees for the removal of debris that inhibits navigation and for the construction of boat piers, docks and mooring buoys. Currently, the money is limited to the removal of derelict vessels and to provide uniform waterway markers, public boat ramps, and other public launching facilities.
On Thursday, the commission approved a new recreational hunting and fishing license exemption for active and disabled veterans and their immediate family members. \
SWAT Standoff Ends Peacefully With Two Jailed
September 6, 2013
A man and his girlfriend were jailed Thursday afternoon after a standoff with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.
When deputies attempted to serve a felon violation of probation warrant on 28-year old Joshua Randell Mauldin on Appaloosa Avenue, he barricaded himself in the home and refused to exit. Deputies said he was armed with a gun and was inside his home with his girlfriend, Brittany Slay.
Mauldin and Slay were ordered several times to exit to the home but did not. The Santa Rosa County SWAT team arrived and began to make entry into the home. Both suspects surrendered, and a gun was located inside the residence.
While in the back of a patrol car, Mauldin began to kick both rear doors of the vehicle, causing permanent damage to the law enforcement vehicle.
In addition to an outstanding felony violation of probation warrant, Mauldin was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure, two counts of grand theft, two counts of dealing in stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, forgery of a check, uttering a forged instrument. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Slay was charged with possession of listed chemicals and manufacturing a controlled substance. Her bond was set at $25,000.
Pictured above and below: The scene of a SWAT standoff Thursday afternoon in Santa Rosa County. Photos courtesy Rodayne Hart WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Baker Beats Northview In Girls Volleyball
September 6, 2013
The Baker Gators beat the Northview Chiefs Thursday in high school volleyball action.
The Gators’ JV team down North in two, 12-25, 15-25. And the varsity Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs in varsity action, 12-25, 14-25, 12-25.
The Northview Lady Chiefs will host Central Tuesday, with the junior varsity schedule for4:30 and the varsity set for 5:30 p.m.
Vehikle? Does Spelling Count In Bridge Work?
September 5, 2013
Does spelling count in bridge work? Several readers pointed out the “BIDGE” and “VEHIKLE” spelling errors to us Wednesday on electronic warning signs near a bridge undergoing work this week on Arthur Brown Road (above). We went by Wednesday night to see for ourselves, and we found the word “bridge” had been corrected. An attempt was made to correct the word “VEHIKLE”, but they still just didn’t get it quite right.
Escambia County is expected to continue work on the bridge again today and Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Arthur Brown Road at Boggy Creek, near the Walnut Hill Baptist Church. Drivers can expect lane closures and delays.
NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Adds Veterans Day As Official Town Holiday
September 5, 2013
Beginning this year, the Town of Century will observe Veterans Day as an official holiday, closing town offices and giving employees the day off.
Other than the county landfill and emergency services, Century was the only government or governmental agency in the area that previously did not take the holiday.
The town is also planning a public ceremony for Veterans Day at the town’s Veterans “Wall of Honor” at the Nadine McCaw Park on Highway 29. The exact date and time of the event have not yet been announced. To have a veteran’s name added to the wall of honor, print and complete this form and return it to the Century Town Hall.
Work Release Inmate Indicted For First Degree Murder
September 5, 2013
A work release inmate has been indicted with first degree murder in connection with a shooting last month at a Pensacola car dealership.
Justin Princes Taylor, 24, is accused of the August 14 murder of 53-year old Adnan Mohamed Dali Glelati in his office at 7 Stars Auto at 5401 North W Street, next door to the Fast Eddies Fun Center on Michigan Avenue.
Taylor is being held without bond and will face an arraignment hearing on Friday.
At the time of the murder, Taylor was assigned to the Escambia County Work Release program. His arrest history includes grand theft auto, grand theft, burglary and battery.
Pictured: The owner of 7 Stars Auto was found dead at the business on W Street in Pensacola in August. Photos by Amber Southard, WEAR 3, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Solari Wins District Youth Farm Bureau Speech Contest, Headed To State
September 5, 2013
Northview High School senior Courtney Solari won the 2013 District Youth Farm Bureau Speech Contest Wednesday afternoon in Bonifay.
She now advances to the state competition in Ponte Vedra Beach near Jacksonville next month. Solari was named the Escambia County Farm Bureau winner in late August.
Students between 14-18 years old were invited to take part in the contest, delivering a speech about five minutes long on the topic ““Over the past 500 years, how has technology influenced Florida agriculture?”
“Changes in…technology here in Florida have been occurring since the first European settlers introduced Native Americans to new practices and livestock. The Native Americans quickly adapted to these practices, and Florida agriculture has been changing ever since,” Solari said in her speech.
“Technology has helped increase production of many crops, while also diminishing the production of others. These advancements in agriculture are all in an effort for Florida farmers to produce more food while utilizing less land and protecting the environment. No matter how many changes occur though, one thing will remain consistent. Florida agriculture will continue to grow and thrive throughout the future as it has for the last 500 years,” she said.
The 2013 Escambia County Youth Farm Bureau Speech contest was sponsored by the Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, in collaboration with Escambia County Extension, EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Escambia County Women’s Committee.
Pictured: Courtney Solari delivers her Farm Bureau speech Wednesday afternoon in Bonifay. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Phones Out, Other Systems Damaged After Lightning Storm
September 5, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School’s phone system is still down today, following a lightning storm Tuesday afternoon that left damage in a portion of the Walnut Hill campus.
In addition to the phone system problems, the lightning storm left the administration building without air conditioning, new roof leaks and damage to several computer systems. Principal Nancy Perry said a couple of trees on the campus were also splintered during the electrical storm.
Do It For 32: Tate Aggies Host PHS Friday Night
September 5, 2013
Coming off what Coach Ronnie Douglas called a “tough” loss, the Tate Aggies are working to rebound this week as they face Pensacola High. The West Florida Jaguars defeated Tate 45-3 last Friday night.
Douglas said the Aggies have been forced to make some changes due to injuries, including senior linebacker Jesse Samuel, carried off the field on a stretcher and transported to the hospital by ambulance last Friday night. He may have suffered a season ending knee injury. Douglas said Samuel underwent surgery on Wednesday and is “doing well”.
Senior cornerback Rashan Johnson said the loss of Samuel will be motivation for the Aggies (0-1) as they host Pensacola High (0-1). This week’s motto, Johnson said, is “Do It For 32″, referring to Samuel’s No. 32 jersey number.
“We have been working hard this week trying to come back from that (loss), and they are always fast and talented,” senior Brett Blackwelder, strong safety, said about the Pensacola High Tigers.
Pensacola High School is “big and fast and we look forward to playing them at home”, Douglas said, adding that his players have been working hard to prep for their meeting with the Tigers.
Friday night’s game between Tate and Pensacola High kicks off at 7:30 at Tate’s Pete Gindl Stadium.
by Darryl Singleton
FWC To Consider Deer Importation Ban At Pensacola Meeting
September 5, 2013
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will meet Thursday and Friday in Pensacola to consider several items, including a ban on importing out of state deer due Chronic Wasting Disease.
“Please accept this letter as acknowledgement that the scientific case for closing the border is stronger than we had originally understood,” Senate President Don Gaetz, Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Sen. Greg Evers wrote in a letter recently to the FWC. “We now believe that moving forward with (the ban) is the prudent course of action.”
Chronic Wasting Disease is similar to Mad Cow Disease and is fatal to deer. If a deer is found with the disease, the entire population — free-ranging or farmed — must be eradicated to prevent it from spreading.
Marion Hammer of the National Rifle Association, which backs the ban, says the disease could wipe out all the state’s deer.
“Some folks say it’s manageable. It’s not manageable,” Hammer said. “Why should you wait to try to manage something when you can take action to prevent getting it in the first place?”
But opponents of the ban said the move is unnecessary.
“I think it’s a shame,” said Chris Winsey, president of the Southeast Trophy Deer Association. “We’re just being prejudiced toward the deer versus any other animal that’s being moved in our state.”
“They don’t have enough data to close the border,” said Mike Vizcaino, a deer farmer in the St. Augustine area. “If these guys were really afraid of CWD, they would be promoting a statewide testing requirement rather than closing the borders.”
Currently, to reduce chances of the disease entering Florida, the state bans deer from being imported from those states and Canadian provinces where infected deer have been found. The ban also prohibits deer killed in those areas from being brought into Florida unless they have first been deboned or treated and mounted by taxidermists outside the state.
The state also requires that imported deer come from herds that have been certified disease-free for five years. Opponents of the ban have recommended the state consider doubling that time frame.
But Hammer said the disease is so deadly that if it spread to Florida, deer hunting would become too dangerous to continue.
“If we got Chronic Wasting Disease in the state of Florida, I’d never eat another piece of venison,” she said. “The risk is too great. So we need to take the steps that are best to prevent ever getting the disease to begin with.”
The disease is not known to affect people.
Backers of the ban include not only the NRA but the Florida Wildlife Federation, United Sportsmen of Florida, Florida Deer Association, Florida Zoo Association and the Humane Society.
The FWC meeting will take place Thursday and Friday at the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand Hotel at 200 East Gregory Street with sessions convening at 8:30 a.m. The Chronic Wasting Disease item appears on the agenda for Friday. The meeting is open to the public, and public comments will be allowed.