FWC: Guide To Northwest Florida’s Fall Hunting Seasons
November 24, 2016
The Thanksgiving weekend means hunting in North Escambia. Here’s a loook at fall hunting information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC):
General Gun Season
The general gun seasons begins Thanksgiving day and last four days (through Sunday). Two weeks later, the gun season reopens December 10 and runs through February 19.
During general gun season, only legal-to-take bucks as they are defined in each deer management unit may be harvested, but don’t forget that you need to purchase the $5 deer permit first. On private land, the daily bag limit on deer is two. Bag limits and other regulations for deer on wildlife management areas can differ, so before you hunt download the specific WMA brochure by going to MyFWC.com/Hunting.
You can hunt wild hogs on private lands year-round with no bag or size limits. Similarly, on most public lands there are no bag or size limits, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On a few public hunting areas, specific bag and size limits do apply, so check the WMA brochure to be certain.
Hunters are allowed to take deer and wild hogs over feeding stations on private land, but that’s not the case on WMAs, no matter the season or the game.
It’s illegal to take deer using rimfire cartridges or non-expanding, full-metal case ammunition. Shooting a swimming deer also is against the law.
Private Land Does Days
Within the general gun season are antlerless deer days, better known to us hunters as “doe days.” These dates differ for each of the state’s 12 DMUs. To learn when these antlerless deer opportunities occur in your DMU, please refer to the “2016-2017 Florida Hunting Regulations” handbook, which you can pick up at your tax collector’s office, FWC regional office or by downloading it online at MyFWC.com/Hunting.
During these doe days, the daily bag limit is one legal antlered deer and one antlerless deer, or two legal antlered deer. You may not take two antlerless deer in one day as is allowed during the archery season, unless you have antlerless deer tags issued for the private land you hunt. Also, regardless of the season, deer gender or the number of permits, hunters are never allowed to harvest more than two deer per day under any circumstances. And except for a few WMAs, most do not have antlerless deer days.
Deer Dogs
Folks hunting deer with dogs on private or public lands, where it is allowed, must have their names and addresses displayed on their dogs’ collars. Hunters must confine their dogs to the tract of land on which they have permission to hunt and not allow them to wander off that land.
Hunters using dogs to take deer on private property must register the tract of land they will be hunting. The statewide deer-dog registration program doesn’t apply for training or hunting with deer dogs on WMAs.
The registration number may be issued to hunting clubs, landowners or anyone having permission to hunt deer with dogs on a particular tract of land upon filling out the required application. Application forms are available from all regional FWC offices and at MyFWC.com/Deer.
Once you’ve registered the property, you’ll be issued a number that must be attached to the collars of all dogs used to run deer on that property, when taking deer with dogs is permitted. All individuals must have a copy of the registration with them while they’re engaged in training or hunting with deer dogs.
Fall Turkey And Quail
Fall turkey season starts December 10, the same day as general gun season, and ends January 15.
Hunters may take only bearded turkeys and gobblers, and they must have a turkey permit ($10 for residents, $125 for nonresidents) to hunt them.
You may harvest up to two turkeys per day, if you’d like, but that would tag you out for the entire fall season – because you’re only allowed to harvest a total of two turkeys during the archery, crossbow, muzzleloading gun and fall turkey seasons combined. In Holmes County, the harvest of fall turkeys is not allowed at all. And there’s not a fall turkey season on WMAs, however, on a half-dozen areas, you are allowed to take turkeys during general gun season.
You’re not permitted to hunt turkeys with dogs or with recorded turkey calls, and you’re not permitted to shoot them while they’re on the roost or when you’re within 100 yards of a game-feeding station when feed is present.
The excitement the uproar a covey of bobwhite quail cause when suddenly taking to the air in front of a pointing bird dog is enough to thrill even the most seasoned veteran hunter. Quail season this year runs Nov. 12 – March 5, and the daily bag limit is 12. Bobwhites prefer a patchwork of brushy fence rows, weedy fields and open upland forests that are frequently burned. A good bird dog is essential in quail hunting and, for many hunters, watching the dog work and seeing its enjoyment is the most rewarding part.
Other Regulations
Shooting hours for deer, turkeys and quail are a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. All legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows and handguns may be used to take each of these resident game animals during the general gun, fall turkey and quail seasons.
llegal firearms and ammunition are defined as centerfire, semiautomatic rifles having magazine capacities of more than five rounds, and fully automatic firearms. Other prohibited methods for taking game include shooting from a moving vehicle and herding or driving game with a vehicle.
Snipe and Dove
lorida ranks second in the nation in the number of snipe harvested each year, and the season always runs Nov. 1 – Feb. 15. Snipe hunting can offer unparalleled excitement as snipe fly with a fast, erratic flight pattern, presenting a challenge for hunters. The skill it requires to shoot a moving snipe is probably the main reason many hunters trounce through mud and muck to locate and flush snipe. The common snipe is a migratory game bird that is found in Florida only during the winter months, mostly in shallow wetlands, low pastures and open shorelines of lakes, ponds and streams. Hunting strategy is simple – find their habitat and walk until you flush one. And a close-working bird dog or retriever can be helpful in finding, flushing and retrieving snipe.
The second phase of the mourning and white-winged dove season this year runs Nov. 12 – Dec. 5. Shooting hours for both dove and snipe is a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
There’s an eight-bird daily bag limit on snipe and a 15-bird bag limit on dove, and you must have the no-cost migratory bird permit if you want to hunt either of these migratory game birds.
The only firearm you’re allowed to hunt snipe and doves with is a shotgun, although you can’t use one larger than a 10-gauge. Shotguns also must be plugged to a three-shell capacity (magazine and chamber combined).
You may hunt either of these birds over an agricultural field, as long as the crop has been planted and manipulated by normal agricultural methods. However, you’re not allowed to scatter agricultural products over an area for the purpose of baiting.
If you’re up for the challenge, you may even use a bow or crossbow. Birds of prey also can be used to take snipe and doves by properly permitted individuals practicing falconry.
Some things you can’t do while hunting snipe and doves include using rifles or pistols, shooting from a moving vehicle, and herding or driving birds with a vehicle.
The FWC provides an online update that gives the latest information on Florida’s public dove fields. The address is MyFWC.com/Dove, and it’s updated throughout dove season. Information includes dove densities, previous week’s harvests and field conditions.
License And Permit Requirements
Florida ranks second in the nation in the number of snipe harvested each year, and the season always runs Nov. 1 – Feb. 15. Snipe hunting can offer unparalleled excitement as snipe fly with a fast, erratic flight pattern, presenting a challenge for hunters. The skill it requires to shoot a moving snipe is probably the main reason many hunters trounce through mud and muck to locate and flush snipe. The common snipe is a migratory game bird that is found in Florida only during the winter months, mostly in shallow wetlands, low pastures and open shorelines of lakes, ponds and streams. Hunting strategy is simple – find their habitat and walk until you flush one. And a close-working bird dog or retriever can be helpful in finding, flushing and retrieving snipe.
The second phase of the mourning and white-winged dove season this year runs Nov. 12 – Dec. 5. Shooting hours for both dove and snipe is a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
There’s an eight-bird daily bag limit on snipe and a 15-bird bag limit on dove, and you must have the no-cost migratory bird permit if you want to hunt either of these migratory game birds.
The only firearm you’re allowed to hunt snipe and doves with is a shotgun, although you can’t use one larger than a 10-gauge. Shotguns also must be plugged to a three-shell capacity (magazine and chamber combined).
You may hunt either of these birds over an agricultural field, as long as the crop has been planted and manipulated by normal agricultural methods. However, you’re not allowed to scatter agricultural products over an area for the purpose of baiting.
If you’re up for the challenge, you may even use a bow or crossbow. Birds of prey also can be used to take snipe and doves by properly permitted individuals practicing falconry.
Some things you can’t do while hunting snipe and doves include using rifles or pistols, shooting from a moving vehicle, and herding or driving birds with a vehicle.
The FWC provides an online update that gives the latest information on Florida’s public dove fields. The address is MyFWC.com/Dove, and it’s updated throughout dove season. Information includes dove densities, previous week’s harvests and field conditions.
Northview Honors Cross Country Team
November 21, 2016
The Northview High School Cross Country team recently celebrated their season at Sky Zone in Pensacola. Awards presented included (listed below each photo):
Coach’s Award winners: Brandon Korinchak, Lexxi Baggett.
Most Improved: Starla Weaver.
Fastest: Brandon Korinchak and Marissa Rothrock.
Jumni Ross Award: Sara McCreary.
Seniors: Brandon Korinchak, Sara McCreary, Adrian King. Not pictured: Lettering: Jace Weber, Josiah Stilwell, Marissa Rothrock, Cheyenne Johnson, Kirsten White.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Road To State Ends With Loss To Navarre
November 19, 2016
The Navarre Raiders defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night 60-28 in the 6A regional semifinal.
It was the first playoff game hosted by the Aggies since 1977.
Navarre was on the board first with a 65-yard touchdown, 7-0 with 8:39 in the first. The Aggies quickly answered 16 seconds later with a 60-yard touchdown on a pass from Jake Henry to Shermari Jones, 7-7.
The Raider’s Michael Carter returned the kickoff nearly 100 yards, even knocking over a referee along the way, to give Navarre a 13-7 lead. Before the night was over, Carter racked up 330 plus rushing yards and had five touchdowns. He also had a 75-yard touchdown called back on a holding penalty.
With 8:56 to go in the half, Tate scored on a six-yard run from Corey Moorer. A good kick, and the Aggies were on top 14-13. But Navarre took the lead 19-14 on a Carter TD. Tate quarterback put the Aggie back on top with a 63-yard touchdown run with 2:42 remaining the second quarter. A 35-yarder from Carter made it 25-21 headed into the half.
By the end of three, Navarre was up 46-21.
With 7:24 remaining in the ballgame, Henry was in on quarterback keeper, 46-28. But Navarre went on to add a couple more touchdowns.
The Tate Aggies finished their season at 9-3.
Navarre (11-1) moves on to a road trip next week against the St. Augustine Yellow Jackets (11-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Playoff Final Scores
November 19, 2016
Here are Friday night playoff finals scores from around the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Navarre 60, Tate 28
Tallahassee Rickards 33, West Florida 30
Baker 21, Graceville 14
ALABAMA
Autauga 28, Escambia Academy 21
Northview Girls Out Lift Jay, Pensacola
November 17, 2016
The Northview Chiefs won a weight meet with Jay and Pensacola high schools Wednesday.
Results were as follows:
Northview 1st -53.5 points
Pensacola High 2nd -25.5 points
Jay 3rd -18 points
The following placed fire in their weight class
Crystal Douglas-Northview
Wynder, T-Pensacola
Myisha Syria- Northview
Tagert, H- Jay
Watson, H. –Jay
Kiara Baker- Pensacola
Mallory Gibson –Northview
Aubree Love –Northview
Savanna Roley –Northview
Summer Hodo -Northview
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Drops Two To Brewton Middle (With Gallery)
November 16, 2016
The Ernest Ward Eagles dropped two games to Brewton Middle School Tuesday night in Walnut Hill.
In girls action, Ernest Ward closed within one point with a buzzer shot, but Brewton Middle prevailed 22-21.
In boys action, Brewton Middle defeated Ernest Ward 50-28.
For a photo gallery with both girls and boys games, click here.
Next Tuesday, Ernest Ward hosts Perdido. Girls play at 5 p.m. followed by the boys at about 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, including photos by Delaney Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Drop Season Opener To Escambia Academy
November 15, 2016
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost their season opener at home Monday night to the Cougars of Escambia Academy 44-26.
The Catholic Lady Crusaders are up next for the Chiefs at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Pensacola, followed by a road trip to Freeport on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonus Pics: Tate Defeats Gulf Breeze
November 14, 2016
The Tate Aggies beat Gulf Breeze 42-38 in the final seconds of the Region 1-6A Quarterfinals Friday night in Gulf Breeze.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a game action summary, click here.
The Tate Aggies (9-2) will host the Navarre Raiders Friday night in round two of the playoffs.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Bonus Pics: Northview Falls In Round One Of Playoffs
November 14, 2016
The Northview Chiefs were knocked out of the first round of the 1A playoffs on the road Friday night by the Graceville Tigers 43-14.
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
For a game action summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Argoes Drop Season Finale To West Georgia
November 13, 2016
The UWF football team saw its inaugural season come to an end with a 69-0 loss to 2-time defending Super Region 2 champion West Georgia before 6,088 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium Saturday.
UWF (5-6, 3-5 Gulf South Conference) finished with five victories in 2016, tying the most by a first-year Division 2 program over the last 10 years. Florida Tech and New Haven each won five games in their first seasons.
The Argonauts completed the ultra-competitive GSC season tied for sixth place after being tabbed eighth in the preseason coaches poll.
UWF had three sellouts at Blue Wahoos Stadium and drew more than 31,000 fans to the downtown venue over five home dates. The 6,328 average attendance currently puts the program at 19th in the country. Each home game drew more than 6,000 with a football capacity of 6,288.
On Saturday, UWF finished with 138 yards of total offense. Graduate quarterback Kaleb Nobles surpassed the 3,000-yard mark with 72 yards on 11-of-23 passing. Freshman running back Chris Schwarz was the team’s leading rusher with 44 yards on nine carries.
UWG (7-4, 4-4) showed why it was the preseason pick to win the GSC, collecting 336 yards on the ground and 225 through the air. The Wolves scored 31 points off six Nobles interceptions and were 9-of-9 inside the red zone.
UWG scored on 11 of 14 possessions, including its first eight. The Wolves registered 21 points in the first quarter and 27 in the second for a 48-0 lead at the half.
UWF honored four seniors prior to the game and could return 20 starters and more than 70 other student-athletes when spring practice begins in March 2017.