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This brochure is designed to
provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to
hunting and other recreational use on the Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 (STA 3/4)
Public Small Game Hunting Area. Regulations that are new or differ substantially
from last year are shown in bold print. Area users should familiarize
themselves with all regulations. For exact wording of the wildlife laws and
regulations, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s
wildlife code, on file with the Secretary of State and state libraries. This
brochure and the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook should provide the
information necessary for you to plan your hunting activities. These
publications are available from any Commission office, county tax collector and
at MyFWC.com.
Persons using public small game
hunting areas are required to have appropriate licenses, permits and stamps.
The following persons are exempt from all license and permit requirements
(except for the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp [federal duck
stamp]): Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older; residents who
possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate;
residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida, while home on
leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders; and children under 16
years of age. Children under 16 years of age are exempt from the federal duck
stamp.
Licenses and permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, license agents, by telephone at 888-486-8356, or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. A no-cost Migratory Bird Permit is available when purchasing a hunting license. Any waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must possess a federal duck stamp (available where hunting licenses are sold, at most post offices, or at www.duckstamp.com).
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License and Permit Requirements:
1. Valid
Florida hunting license (or other license that includes a hunting license),
Florida waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp, STA waterfowl quota permit,
management area permit, and migratory bird permit (unless exempted by law).
2. Licenses and permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, license agents, by telephone at 888-486-8356, or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Federal duck stamps are available at U.S. Post Offices and online at www.usps.com.
3. 40
STA 3/4 Waterfowl Quota Permits will be available for each hunt day: 20 for the
morning hunt and 20 for the afternoon hunt.
4. 20
STA 3/4 Standby Opportunities will be available for each morning hunt.
5. Hunters
must submit electronic applications for STA waterfowl quota permits and
stand-by opportunities at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Application periods,
deadlines, worksheets, instructions, and other information regarding waterfowl
permits are available at MyFWC.com, FWC offices, or county tax collector’s
offices. Any waterfowl quota permits remaining after the drawing held in Phases
1 and 2 will be available during Phase 3 on a first-come, first-served basis
until the quota is met. Hunters who are unable to use their waterfowl quota
permit may return it. The availability of returned waterfowl quota permits is
reflected in real time and these returned permits are included in weekly
reissue drawings throughout the season. Any standby opportunities remaining
after the Phase 1 drawing will be available in Phase 2 on a first come,
first served basis until all chances have been issued. Standby opportunities
will not be available for return/reissue.
6. Each
permit or opportunity holder may bring up to two guests, either hunting or
non-hunting. The hunt party shall not exceed three persons, except during youth
waterfowl hunts when a youth hunter must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult,
per F.S. 790.22. One or two youth hunters per permit may be supervised by one
or two non-hunting adults.
7. Children
under the age of 16 may apply for the special September duck and regular
seasons in addition to the youth waterfowl hunt.
8. STA Waterfowl Quota Permits are non-transferable. |
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Area Regulations
- General
General Area Regulations:
All general laws and regulations
relating to wild animal life or freshwater aquatic life shall apply unless
specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish
on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons, and in accordance
with the following regulations:
1. Taking or attempting to take any game with
the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial
light, net, trap, snare, drugs, or poison is prohibited.
2. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is
prohibited.
3. Public access is prohibited on any portion
of the area posted as “Closed” or “Restricted.”
4. Taking or herding wildlife from any
motorized vehicle, aircraft, or boat which is under power is prohibited, until
power and movement from that power, has ceased.
5. The release of any animal is prohibited,
without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. It is
unlawful for any person to leave any garbage, refuse, or litter in
the area.
7. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest,
grass, or woodland.
8. A Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle, or boat in accordance
with law.
9. Spent shell casings and all materials used
for temporary blinds must be removed after each hunt.
Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited.
10. Tampering with or destruction of equipment,
improvements, or water control structures is prohibited.
11. Cutting or damaging fences is prohibited
12. Fires are
prohibited.
- Parking
Parking:
1. Hunters must park their vehicles at designated parking spaces and parking assignments must be displayed on the windshield or dashboard of the permitted vehicle.
2. Parking spaces will be selected by waterfowl hunters prior to entering the area from the list of available parking spaces maintained by check station staff.
3. Waterfowl quota permit holders will be able to select their parking space according to the order their permits were awarded during the waterfowl quota drawing.
4. The check station operator maintains an ordered list of waterfowl quota permit holders and will call each permittee by name (roll call) to check-in and select their parking space starting at 4 a.m. for morning hunts and at 12:30 p.m. for afternoon hunts. Waterfowl quota permit holders should arrive on time to avoid missing their initial chance to select a parking space. Waterfowl quota permit holders arriving after their name has been called, but before 5 a.m. for morning hunts or 1 p.m. for afternoon hunts, will be checked-in after the check station operator has completed the initial roll call.
5. Hunters can use their customer identification number to check their place on the list of permit holders and stand-by participants, which will be posted at MyFWC.com/STA.
6. To avoid crowding, only permit holders and standby participants should approach the check station when checking in, declaring hunt guests, and selecting parking spaces.
7. For morning hunts only and beginning at 5 a.m., each standby hunter will select their parking space according to the order their opportunity was awarded via the standby drawing, provided a waterfowl quota permit becomes available.
8. For afternoon hunts only and beginning at 1 p.m., walk-in hunters will select their parking spaces in the order in which they are chosen via the on-site walk-in lottery.
9. Parking locations adjacent to boat ramps are available by disabled parking permit only.
- Public Access and Vehicles
Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Authorized hunters and guests must enter and exit only at the designated entrance and at the same time on waterfowl hunt days (Fridays and Sundays during "waterfowl season" in this brochure).
2. Access to the STA is allowed for hunting waterfowl only unless authorized by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Other specific uses may be permitted by the SFWMD.
3. Access is prohibited on structures and equipment and in areas posted as “Closed” or “Restricted”.
4. Vehicles may not be operated on roads or levees posted as closed. Do not block gates or levees with vehicles or equipment. Use of motorized vehicles is prohibited except by authorized hunters on established waterfowl hunt days.
5. Possession of bicycles or electric bicycles is prohibited on all waterfowl hunt days. On all remaining days, use of bicycles or electric bicycles is prohibited from ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise.
6. Only one vehicle per authorized hunting group may access the area on scheduled hunt dates, except during youth waterfowl hunts when up to two vehicles per authorized hunting group may access the area.
7. Motorized vessels, including gas and electric-powered boats, and boat trailers are prohibited.
8. All boats must be equipped with required boating safety equipment.
9. Airboats, tracked vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, and swamp buggies are prohibited.
- Hunters
Hunters and Check Stations:
1. Authorized hunters and guests must report at the check station together when entering and leaving the area and check all harvested game. To avoid crowding, only authorized hunters should approach the check station when checking in, declaring hunt guests, and selecting parking spaces.
2. The check station will open at 4 a.m.
3. Hunters who have waterfowl quota permits for the morning hunts must report at the check station between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and must declare their hunting guests to the check station operator prior to 5 a.m. All hunters participating in a morning hunt must check out by noon.
4. Hunters who have waterfowl quota permits for the afternoon hunts must report at the check station between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. and must declare their hunting guests to the check station operator prior to 1 p.m. All hunters participating in an afternoon hunt must check out by 1 hour after sunset.
5. Waterfowl quota permit holders who do not check in during the required time intervals forfeit their permit.
6. Waterfowl quota permit holders who do not declare their hunting guests during the required time intervals will forfeit their ability to take hunting guests on their hunt.
7. For morning hunts only and beginning at 5 a.m., standby participants will replace no-show waterfowl quota permit holders in order of the random drawing until the quota is met. There is no guarantee that persons with a standby opportunity will be allowed onto the area to hunt. Standby hunters must decide if their position on the standby list is worth showing up at the check station on the hunt day. Selected standby hunters must report at the check station immediately upon being chosen (or forfeit their opportunity) and immediately declare their hunting guests (or forfeit their ability to take hunting guests on their hunt).
8. For morning hunts only, standby participants who show up the morning of the hunt, but are not chosen to replace a no-show waterfowl quota permit holder may remain at the check station and check in as other hunters check out such that a quota of 20 authorized hunters (not including guests) is not exceeded throughout the duration of the hunt. No additional replacement hunters will be admitted within 1.5 hours before legal shooting time ends for the morning hunt.
9. For afternoon hunts only and beginning at 1 p.m., a lottery system will be used to determine the order and distribution of any unissued or forfeited permits to walk-in hunters. Hunters selected during the lottery must report at the check station immediately upon being selected (or forfeit their permit) and will immediately declare their hunting guests (or forfeit their ability to take hunting guests on their hunt).
10. During afternoon hunts, replacement walk-in hunters will be allowed to check in as the initial walk-in hunters check out such that a quota of 20 authorized hunters (not including guests) is not exceeded throughout the hunt. The order in which the replacement walk-in hunters may enter the area will be determined by the same lottery system used to select the initial walk-in hunters. No additional replacement walk-in hunters will be admitted within 1.5 hours before legal shooting time ends for afternoon hunts. Any walk-in hunters who arrive after the lottery has begun must form a separate line (in the order of arrival) until after the initial walk-in lottery is completed. If additional openings occur, hunters in this line will be let in on a first come, first served basis.
11. Please be advised, submitting false information or using another person’s identity without their consent is considered identity theft and may result in felony charges and loss of hunting privileges.
- Guns
Guns:
1. Shooting hours
are ½ hour before sunrise until 11 a.m. for morning hunts and 2 p.m. until
sunset for afternoon hunts.
2. The discharge of a firearm outside periods open to hunting or in areas designated as closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 F.S.
3. All boat ramps, levees, parking areas, powerline pads, roads, and water control structures are closed to hunting, except that permitted alligator hunters may take alligators from levees during open seasons.
4. Hunting with
firearms other than shotguns is prohibited.
5. Hunting with
shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells is prohibited.
6. Use of non-toxic
shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required.
7. Non-native reptiles may be removed year-round by methods other than firearms. During waterfowl hunt days, non-native reptiles may be removed using shotguns, except in areas closed to hunting.
- Dogs
Dogs:
1. Dogs are
prohibited except waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs may be used while hunting.
2. Dogs must be kept
under physical restraint when not hunting.
3. When
hunters are at the check station, their dogs must be left restrained at the
hunter’s vehicle.
- Direction
COOPERATION REQUESTED
All or parts of the STA may be closed for construction or other water management reasons. Please help in protecting the integrity of stormwater treatment facilities – remove vegetation from boats before entering and leaving the area. Your support is appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact FWC at (954) 746-1789.
- Report a Band
Report your leg bands: 1-800-327-BAND
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General Area Regulations:
All general laws and regulations
relating to wild animal life or freshwater aquatic life shall apply unless
specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish
on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons, and in accordance
with the following regulations:
1. Taking or attempting to take any game with
the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial
light, net, trap, snare, drugs, or poison is prohibited.
2. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is
prohibited.
3. Public access is prohibited on any portion
of the area posted as “Closed” or “Restricted.”
4. Taking or herding wildlife from any
motorized vehicle, aircraft, or boat which is under power is prohibited, until
power and movement from that power, has ceased.
5. The release of any animal is prohibited,
without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. It is
unlawful for any person to leave any garbage, refuse, or litter in
the area.
7. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest,
grass, or woodland.
8. A Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle, or boat in accordance
with law.
9. Spent shell casings and all materials used
for temporary blinds must be removed after each hunt.
Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited.
10. Tampering with or destruction of equipment,
improvements, or water control structures is prohibited.
11. Cutting or damaging fences is prohibited
12. Fires are
prohibited. |
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Parking:
1. Hunters must park their vehicles at designated parking spaces and parking assignments must be displayed on the windshield or dashboard of the permitted vehicle.
2. Parking spaces will be selected by waterfowl hunters prior to entering the area from the list of available parking spaces maintained by check station staff.
3. Waterfowl quota permit holders will be able to select their parking space according to the order their permits were awarded during the waterfowl quota drawing.
4. The check station operator maintains an ordered list of waterfowl quota permit holders and will call each permittee by name (roll call) to check-in and select their parking space starting at 4 a.m. for morning hunts and at 12:30 p.m. for afternoon hunts. Waterfowl quota permit holders should arrive on time to avoid missing their initial chance to select a parking space. Waterfowl quota permit holders arriving after their name has been called, but before 5 a.m. for morning hunts or 1 p.m. for afternoon hunts, will be checked-in after the check station operator has completed the initial roll call.
5. Hunters can use their customer identification number to check their place on the list of permit holders and stand-by participants, which will be posted at MyFWC.com/STA.
6. To avoid crowding, only permit holders and standby participants should approach the check station when checking in, declaring hunt guests, and selecting parking spaces.
7. For morning hunts only and beginning at 5 a.m., each standby hunter will select their parking space according to the order their opportunity was awarded via the standby drawing, provided a waterfowl quota permit becomes available.
8. For afternoon hunts only and beginning at 1 p.m., walk-in hunters will select their parking spaces in the order in which they are chosen via the on-site walk-in lottery.
9. Parking locations adjacent to boat ramps are available by disabled parking permit only. |
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Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Authorized hunters and guests must enter and exit only at the designated entrance and at the same time on waterfowl hunt days (Fridays and Sundays during "waterfowl season" in this brochure).
2. Access to the STA is allowed for hunting waterfowl only unless authorized by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Other specific uses may be permitted by the SFWMD.
3. Access is prohibited on structures and equipment and in areas posted as “Closed” or “Restricted”.
4. Vehicles may not be operated on roads or levees posted as closed. Do not block gates or levees with vehicles or equipment. Use of motorized vehicles is prohibited except by authorized hunters on established waterfowl hunt days.
5. Possession of bicycles or electric bicycles is prohibited on all waterfowl hunt days. On all remaining days, use of bicycles or electric bicycles is prohibited from ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise.
6. Only one vehicle per authorized hunting group may access the area on scheduled hunt dates, except during youth waterfowl hunts when up to two vehicles per authorized hunting group may access the area.
7. Motorized vessels, including gas and electric-powered boats, and boat trailers are prohibited.
8. All boats must be equipped with required boating safety equipment.
9. Airboats, tracked vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, and swamp buggies are prohibited.
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Hunters and Check Stations:
1. Authorized hunters and guests must report at the check station together when entering and leaving the area and check all harvested game. To avoid crowding, only authorized hunters should approach the check station when checking in, declaring hunt guests, and selecting parking spaces.
2. The check station will open at 4 a.m.
3. Hunters who have waterfowl quota permits for the morning hunts must report at the check station between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and must declare their hunting guests to the check station operator prior to 5 a.m. All hunters participating in a morning hunt must check out by noon.
4. Hunters who have waterfowl quota permits for the afternoon hunts must report at the check station between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. and must declare their hunting guests to the check station operator prior to 1 p.m. All hunters participating in an afternoon hunt must check out by 1 hour after sunset.
5. Waterfowl quota permit holders who do not check in during the required time intervals forfeit their permit.
6. Waterfowl quota permit holders who do not declare their hunting guests during the required time intervals will forfeit their ability to take hunting guests on their hunt.
7. For morning hunts only and beginning at 5 a.m., standby participants will replace no-show waterfowl quota permit holders in order of the random drawing until the quota is met. There is no guarantee that persons with a standby opportunity will be allowed onto the area to hunt. Standby hunters must decide if their position on the standby list is worth showing up at the check station on the hunt day. Selected standby hunters must report at the check station immediately upon being chosen (or forfeit their opportunity) and immediately declare their hunting guests (or forfeit their ability to take hunting guests on their hunt).
8. For morning hunts only, standby participants who show up the morning of the hunt, but are not chosen to replace a no-show waterfowl quota permit holder may remain at the check station and check in as other hunters check out such that a quota of 20 authorized hunters (not including guests) is not exceeded throughout the duration of the hunt. No additional replacement hunters will be admitted within 1.5 hours before legal shooting time ends for the morning hunt.
9. For afternoon hunts only and beginning at 1 p.m., a lottery system will be used to determine the order and distribution of any unissued or forfeited permits to walk-in hunters. Hunters selected during the lottery must report at the check station immediately upon being selected (or forfeit their permit) and will immediately declare their hunting guests (or forfeit their ability to take hunting guests on their hunt).
10. During afternoon hunts, replacement walk-in hunters will be allowed to check in as the initial walk-in hunters check out such that a quota of 20 authorized hunters (not including guests) is not exceeded throughout the hunt. The order in which the replacement walk-in hunters may enter the area will be determined by the same lottery system used to select the initial walk-in hunters. No additional replacement walk-in hunters will be admitted within 1.5 hours before legal shooting time ends for afternoon hunts. Any walk-in hunters who arrive after the lottery has begun must form a separate line (in the order of arrival) until after the initial walk-in lottery is completed. If additional openings occur, hunters in this line will be let in on a first come, first served basis.
11. Please be advised, submitting false information or using another person’s identity without their consent is considered identity theft and may result in felony charges and loss of hunting privileges.
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Guns:
1. Shooting hours
are ½ hour before sunrise until 11 a.m. for morning hunts and 2 p.m. until
sunset for afternoon hunts.
2. The discharge of a firearm outside periods open to hunting or in areas designated as closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 F.S.
3. All boat ramps, levees, parking areas, powerline pads, roads, and water control structures are closed to hunting, except that permitted alligator hunters may take alligators from levees during open seasons.
4. Hunting with
firearms other than shotguns is prohibited.
5. Hunting with
shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells is prohibited.
6. Use of non-toxic
shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required.
7. Non-native reptiles may be removed year-round by methods other than firearms. During waterfowl hunt days, non-native reptiles may be removed using shotguns, except in areas closed to hunting. |
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Dogs:
1. Dogs are
prohibited except waterfowl retrievers and bird dogs may be used while hunting.
2. Dogs must be kept
under physical restraint when not hunting.
3. When
hunters are at the check station, their dogs must be left restrained at the
hunter’s vehicle. |
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