FWC Seeks Comments On Proposed Rule Changes

October 28, 2022

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is soliciting feedback on proposed rule changes for 2023-24 hunting seasons and FWC-managed lands.

To provide input, click or tap here.

Proposed statewide rule changes include shooting hours for dove and changes to the approval process for setting the annual number of limited entry and special-opportunity quota permits and antlerless deer permits.

In the Escambia River Wildlife Management area, the rule changes will establish an additional 3-day wild hog-dog hunt each month from May – September; establish a trapping season opening Dec. 1 and closing March 1; and close the general gun season during the 2-day family hunt to allow hunting with dogs throughout the area during the 2-day family hunt.

In the Blackwater WMA, the rule changes will expand the field trial area (FTA) using a portion of newly acquired acres; extend the archery season in the FTA by allowing archery hunting during the general gun season dates (except during existing FTA quota hunts); prohibit take of antlerless deer and wild turkey during the proposed extended archery season dates; and increase the antler point restriction in the FTA from 3 points or a 10-inch main beam on a side to 4 points or 14-inch main beam on a side.

Comments

8 Responses to “FWC Seeks Comments On Proposed Rule Changes”

  1. Grady carroll on November 13th, 2022 9:58 pm

    I believe this stems from deer hunting clubs bordering Blackwater that they want us to apply to their rules. While they are sitting on a green food plot and a big shooting house with corn all over the ground .While i work trails, tracks and signs. When i see a buck he is in such a thick mess i have only moments to count points and measure
    beams. I am against I never get the 5 limit

  2. Grady carroll on November 13th, 2022 9:31 pm

    The hunting is hard . I’ve hunted for years this small deer in these thick and hot climate. On public land there is no good food source to make this deer a big trophy. Stop trying. I’m against.

  3. David Pinkerton on October 29th, 2022 9:51 am

    Yep. 4 on one side or 14 inch main beam will help these deer. Let the deer get older. Get smarter. Makes a hunter out of you. Young deer are easy to kill. They have the potential to get big. No mineral, no food, whatever the deer will get big. Stop the night hunting and shining. 2 deer a year and a tag system. Stop. Hell we eat 4 deer a year now.

  4. CCHGN on October 29th, 2022 8:10 am

    IMO, tree stands should be illegal, as well as baiting. 3 out of the 4 crops that are rotated around here, Deer eat. Speaking of that no one has mentioned the hunting loophole that farmers can shoot any animal, any time, that’s in their crops. That makes ANY rules kinda moot.

    BTW, I second the “tag system”, it works for everything else. Peer pressure will prevent taking a 6 ” spike. Anyway, how in the world are folks measuring 14″ vs 10 inches (much less 10 vs 9,8,7 ) from 100+ yards away? AFAIK, no scope nor range finder provides that detail,

  5. Michael Fleming on October 28th, 2022 4:41 pm

    No it will not work too much sand .I am against it

  6. Not working on October 28th, 2022 3:03 pm

    Three on one side didn’t work. Four on side will not work. What will be next? Five on one side? Six? The only thing that will work is a tag system. Hunter gets two buck tags a year. If they want to use a tag on a spike or a cowhorn then more power to them. But only two and STRICTLY enforce it. All the states with good deer hunting use a tag system. These rules are designed to stop people from hunting not make the population of deer healthier or older.

  7. Michael Fleming on October 28th, 2022 11:12 am

    No it is hard to kill Three point or better on one side or a ten inch main beam the deer are small in north Escambia the mineral an the food will not a four point or better I am against it.It was at one time when it broke the hair line then it went to three in on one side then three on one side then three points on one side or ten in main beam .if you want to help stop the man driving on black water wildlife management area

  8. Buddy Garrett on October 28th, 2022 8:47 am

    This sounds like they are putting a backdoor anti hunting rule in place. 4 points on one side and 14 main beam limits you to just the bucks that should be breeding stock.