FWC moves forward on improving state's hunting quota system

FWC moves forward on improving state's hunting quota system

DECEMBER 3, 2008 - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) directed staff on Wednesday to proceed with developing a new set of rules to improve the state's regulation of hunting on wildlife management areas.

Recommended rule changes to the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Quota Hunt Permit Program include making quota permits nontransferable, adding new "guest" permits and adding more choices for the types of hunts.

After hearing input from mobility-impaired representatives and the public, the Commission also directed staff to include mobility-impaired hunts in the proposed rule changes.

These new rules will be considered for final adoption at the Commission's Feb. 4-5 meeting in Destin, and if adopted, will become effective for the 2009-10 hunting season.

It is believed that changes are needed to the current quota permit system that can have a positive effect on hunter recruitment and retention and will more fairly distribute public hunting opportunities.

For more than a year, a Quota Hunt Stakeholder Working Group, consisting of FWC staff and members of the hunting public, met to review the agency's quota permit system. Public meetings also were held throughout the state, and much input was received on how to make the quota permit system better.

Results of the working group's findings and recommendations can be viewed at consensus.fsu.edu/FWC/quotahunt.html.

These rule proposals do not include making any changes to the FWC's Blackwater WMA dog hunts.

A complete summary of the proposed rule changes and public comment opportunities can be found at MyFWC.com/Contact/Contact_Rules_intro.htm.