FWC Makes Major Changes To Deer Hunting In Northwest Florida
April 21, 2014
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has passed changes that divide the state’s Hunting Zone D (from Pensacola to Tallahassee) into two deer management units (DMUs), each with a unique set of antler-point requirements and antlerless deer harvest days.
These changes take effect during the 2014-15 hunting season and are part of a larger, statewide project aimed at managing deer on a more local level and providing stakeholders with a greater say in deer management.
The FWC conducted a public outreach and input process in northwest Florida beginning in early 2013. Since then, the Commission has received substantial input and comments from hunters, farmers and the general public regarding how they would like to see deer managed in the newly proposed DMUs.
As a result of this outreach process, the FWC passed rules for both public and private lands in both of the DMUs in Zone D, with Interstate 10 being the dividing line between the two DMUs. South of I-10 will be called DMU-D1, and north of I-10 is DMU-D2.
Now bucks harvested south of I-10 in DMU-D1 must have antlers with at least 2 points (each point having to be at least 1 inch long) on one side and at least one antler 5 inches or more in length.
North of I-10 in DMU-D2, the minimum antler requirement is now 3 points (each point having to be at least 1 inch long) on one side and have at least one antler 5 inches or more in length, or have an antler with a main beam length of 10 inches or more.
The rule includes an exception for youth to the increased antler requirements in both DMUs whereby hunters 15 years old and younger may continue to harvest bucks that have at least one antler 5 inches or more in length.
The Commission’s action also changes the antlerless deer season (“doe days”) on private lands within Zone D. During antlerless deer season, does may be harvested as well as bucks with less than 5-inch antlers. But it is illegal to take spotted fawns.
In DMU-D1 (south of I-10), the antlerless season was reduced to four days consisting of two popular holiday weekends (the weekends after Thanksgiving and Christmas).
In DMU-D2 (north of I-10), antlerless deer season was lengthened to eight days distributed across four weekends (Saturday-Sunday after Thanksgiving, first weekend of muzzleloading gun season, third weekend of general gun season and the weekend after Christmas).
The purpose of modifying the antlerless deer season was to spread out the hunting opportunity, so that more hunters could participate without reducing deer populations. These changes will be monitored to measure any impacts they may have on deer harvest and hunter satisfaction within each DMU.
Suns Hand Wahoos Fifth Straight Loss
April 21, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied back from three runs down to tie the game at four in the top of the ninth Sunday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, only to have the Suns respond with the game-winning run in the bottom of the inning. The Wahoos have now dropped five straight. Rich Poythress singled home J.T. Realmuto from third with two outs in the ninth handing the Suns the 5-4 win. His game-winning hit marked the second day in a row Poythress has delivered a big hit against the Wahoos. He delivered a three-run home run on Saturday night.
Travis Mattair came up with a clutch two-out two-strike two-run double down the left field line to pull the Blue Wahoos within one in the top of the ninth. A batter later, Juan Duran’s infield single scored Yorman Rodriguez from third to even the game.
The Suns were in control early with three runs over the first five innings behind Marlins No. 1 prospect Andrew Heaney. Pensacola got to him for a run in the third when Rey Navarro singled home Brodie Greene, but the lefty retired the final 13 batters he faced. He was finished after 7.0 innings allowing just the 1R/ER while matching his career high with nine strikeouts.
Daniel Corcino started strong for Pensacola striking out the side in order to open the game. He then labored through his 4.2 innings. He walked and struck out five and surrendered 3R/ER on five hits. Drew Hayes took the loss allowing 2R/ER over 1.2 innings despite three strikeouts. Though he only faced and retired one batter in the top of the ninth, Greg Nappo earned the win for Jacksonville. The three game-tying runs were charged to Suns closer Nick Wittgren. He gave up 3R/ER on five hits in just 0.2 innings.
Navarro and Rodriguez led the Wahoos offensively with two-hit games in the losing effort.
Pensacola will look to get back in the win column on Monday with RHP Robert Stephenson (1-1, 5.56) on the mound against Suns RHP Angel Sanchez (0-3, 4.20). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Sunds Burn Wahoos 9-4 In Series Opener
April 20, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos battled back from four runs down to tie the series opener with the Jacksonville Suns in the sixth inning on Saturday night, but the Suns countered with a five-run rally to put away Pensacola 9-4 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
With Pensacola trailing 4-1 in the top of the sixth, Sean Black singled in his first professional at bat to extend the inning for Juan Duran. He proceeded to blast his second homer of the season, a three-run shot to tie the game at four. The Suns answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning against Wahoos relievers Black and Fabian Williamson. The Suns used four hits, three were doubles, and two walks to build the rally.
Brodie Greene broke out of his drought with a two-hit game including a double and a run scored. Yorman Rodriguez (3-for-4, RBI, R) and Duran (3-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI) led the way offensively for the Wahoos.
Daniel Renken got the start for Pensacola and went 3.0 innings allowing 4R/3ER on six hits with three strikeouts. Black took the loss after allowing 3 R/ER over 2.1 innings. Suns starter Anthony DeSclafani earned his third win of the year with 6.0 innings of work. He allowed eight hits, a walk and 4R/ER with six punchouts.
The Blue Wahoos will look to snap their four-game skid on Easter Sunday with RHP Daniel Corcino (1-2, 3.92) going against LHP Andrew Heaney (2-0, 1.56). First pitch is set for 2:05 CT from the Baseball Grounds.
by Tommy Thrall
Tate Lady Aggies Win District 1-7A Championship
April 18, 2014
The Tate High School Lady Aggies won the District 1-7A championship Thursday night with a 8-1 win over the Navarre Raiders. The Aggies will now host Tallahassee Chiles in the quarterfinals next Thursday. Photos by Timothy Dunsford for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Lady Jags Win District 1-4A Championship
April 18, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars won the District 1-4A championship Thursday night with a 10-0 blowout of the Marianna Bulldogs. The Lady Jags will host Godby on Wednesday at 7p.m. in the Region 1-4A finals. Pictured: (bottom, L-R) Jibrasha Moore, Danyelle Black, Ealon Pyle, Korina Rosario, Jordaine Watkins, Nachelle Watson, Kristin Gunter, Kayla Miller, (back row, L-R))Maegan Freeman, Farrah Nicholas, Lauren Carnley, Breana Rogers, Emily Loring, Ali Cutaio, Coach Angie Johnson, Jasmyn Nguyen, Kathleen Smiley, Head Coach Jessica Smith, Coach Gary Jackson. Photos by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Lady Royals Claim District 3-1A Championship
April 18, 2014
The Jay Lady Royals won the District 3-1A championship Thursday night with a 5-2 win over Chipley. It was the third consecutive district championship for Jay.
Chassity McCraney pitched the win in seven for the Lady Royals, allowing five hits, striking out seven.
Jay hitters were Destiny Herring 2-4, R, RBI; Sydney Lowery 3-4, 2RBI; Samantha Steadham 1-3, R, 2B; Michaela Stewart 1-4, R, 2B; Harley Taggert 1-3, 2R.
Photos by Diann Penton Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Split Games With Washington
April 18, 2014
The Northview Chiefs wrapped up their regular season Thursday as they hosted the Washington Wildcats.
The junior varsity Chiefs defeated Washington 4-3, while the NHS varsity lost to WHS 5-0.
The varsity Chiefs finished the season at 15-5, 7-3 in the district. The district championship games being Monday in Chipley. Northview will play on Tuesday in Chipley against the Monday winner between Freeport and Holmes County.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Coaches Name Robinson To All-State First Team
April 17, 2014
The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches has named Northview’s Neino Robinson to the 2013-2014 Boys Class 1A All-State first team.
Robinson, a senior, was the only public school player from Escambia County named to any of the associations’ all-state teams in an classification. Players were selected based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selected by media from around the state, and recognition from the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches.
The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches includes coaches from the high school, junior college and four-year college levels.
Wahoos Fall 5-0 To Montgomery
April 17, 2014
On a crisp night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (7-6) dropped game three of the five-game series with the Montgomery Biscuits, 5-0. The Biscuits (7-6) were powered by a 5th inning grand slam from left fielder Jeff Malm, which appeared to put the game out of reach.
RHP Robert Stephenson (1-1) struggled in his second start of the season. He logged 4.1 innings and gave up 5 R/ER. Stephenson walked seven Biscuit batters and gave up a grand slam to Malm in the fifth, which ended up being his final batter of the evening. Reliever Daniel Renken had his longest outing of the season in relief of Stephenson. Renken pitched 2.2 innings and gave up no runs, three walks and struck out two. Wahoos pitchers combined to match a team record with 11 walks in the game.
Right fielder Juan Duran extended his hitting streak to eight games with a 1-for-4 performance at the plate. Left fielder Donald Lutz remained hot going 1-for-4 with a double. Shortstop Devin Lohman had his second multi-hit game of the season; Lohman went 2-for-4 with two singles for the Wahoos.
RHP Jared Mortensen (2-0) gave up no runs in his third start of the season; Mortensen pitched 5.0 innings and gave up just four hits while striking out five Wahoo batters. RHP Jake Thompson pitched three scoreless innings in relief for the Biscuits. Thompson gave up just one hit and struck out four in his longest outing of the season.
Thursday marks the fourth game of the series and first pitch is scheduled for 6:30. RHP Jon Moscot (0-0, 0.90) is set to start for the Wahoos and he will be opposed by Michael Colla (0-1, 6.52).
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lose 5-0 to the Montgomery Biscuits Wednesday night in Pensacola. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Freeport Out Of District 3-1A Softball Tourney
April 16, 2014
The Northview Lady Chiefs and Freeport were knocked out of the District 3-1A Softball Tournament at Jay.
In game one Tuesday afternoon, Holmes County defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs 3-0. In game two, the Baker Lady Gators defeated Freeport 11-4. Kyndall Hall and Danielle Steadham were both 1-3 at bat for Northview. Mallory Ryan pitched a complete seven innings for the Lady Chiefs, allow three hits and striking out seven.
Wednesday, Chipley will play Holmes County, and at 7 p.m. the Jay Lady Royals will take on Baker. Winners will advance to the championship game at 7 p.m. Thursday in Jay.