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Dinner Island Ranch - Caracara Unit PSGHA
	Specific Area pfs 3950

	Regulations Summary and Area Map July 01, 2024 - June 30, 2025


	This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Dinner Island Ranch – Caracara Unit Public Small Game Hunting Area. 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. Permit, Stamp, and License Information: 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 888486-8356, 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. Quota Permit Information: Quota permits are not required for this area.







	Area Regulations General General Area Regulations: All general laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish 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. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area. 2. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited. 3. No person shall cut, damage, or remove any natural, manmade, or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager. 4. 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, drug, or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds can be used to hunt wild hog. 5. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited. 6. Hunting, fishing, or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities. 7. People, dogs, vehicles, and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action. 8. 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. 9. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions under each season). 10. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager. 11. The planting or introduction of any nonnative plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager. 12. Wild hog may not be transported alive. 13. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog. 14. Littering is prohibited. 15. Fires are prohibited. 16. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle, or boat in accordance with law. 17. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access. 18. Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited. 19. Tampering with or destruction of equipment, improvements, and water control structures is prohibited. 20. Hunting is prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Hunting”. Public Access and Vehicles Public Access: 1. Open to public access year round. 2. Motor vehicles shall enter and exit the area only at a designated entrance. 3. Motorized vehicle access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise. 4. Motor vehicles may be operated only on named roads. 5. Motor vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct a road, gate, or firelane. 6. No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic. 7. Airboats, outboard motors larger than 10 horsepower, all-terrain vehicles, swamp buggies, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited. 8. Horses are allowed only on named roads. 9. Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on named roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike. Guns Guns: 1. Hunting with firearms other than centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns is prohibited. 2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited. 3. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with airguns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. 4. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or airgun must be in the presence of a supervising adult. 5. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 6. For hunting nonmigratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns, airguns, bows, crossbows, or falconry may be used. 7. For hunting migratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns, bows, crossbows, or falconry may be used. Shotguns must be 10 gauge or smaller and incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. 8. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices, or set guns is prohibited. 9. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s.790.15 FS Dogs Dogs: 1. Hunting wild hog with dogs is prohibited. 2. Dogs may be used for hunting doves and waterfowl during their respective statewide seasons and to hunt gray squirrel, quail, rabbits, migratory game birds, and nonprotected birds during small game season. Non-protected birds may also be hunted with dogs during the statewide dove and waterfowl seasons. 5. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited. 7. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. Camping Camping: Prohibited. Bag and Possession Limits Bag and Possession Limit: 1. Wild hog: No bag limits or size restrictions. 2. Gray squirrel and rabbits: Daily limit: 12 per person, possession limit: 24 for each. 3. Quail: Daily limit:12, possession limit: 24 4. Migratory game birds: See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook. 5. Nonprotected birds: (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common starling) - No bag limits. Report a Band Report a Band: Report a band on the Internet: www.reportband.gov. General Information General Information: 1. Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA. 2. If you have any questions about this material, please call the FWC at 561-625-5122 (TDD 800-9558771). 3. The FWC is not responsible for the protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property. 4. Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.
	General Area Regulations: All general laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish 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. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area. 2. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited. 3. No person shall cut, damage, or remove any natural, manmade, or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager. 4. 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, drug, or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds can be used to hunt wild hog. 5. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited. 6. Hunting, fishing, or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities. 7. People, dogs, vehicles, and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action. 8. 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. 9. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions under each season). 10. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager. 11. The planting or introduction of any nonnative plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager. 12. Wild hog may not be transported alive. 13. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog. 14. Littering is prohibited. 15. Fires are prohibited. 16. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle, or boat in accordance with law. 17. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access. 18. Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited. 19. Tampering with or destruction of equipment, improvements, and water control structures is prohibited. 20. Hunting is prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Hunting”.

	Public Access: 1. Open to public access year round. 2. Motor vehicles shall enter and exit the area only at a designated entrance. 3. Motorized vehicle access is prohibited from 1.5 hours after sunset until 1.5 hours before sunrise. 4. Motor vehicles may be operated only on named roads. 5. Motor vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct a road, gate, or firelane. 6. No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic. 7. Airboats, outboard motors larger than 10 horsepower, all-terrain vehicles, swamp buggies, tracked vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited. 8. Horses are allowed only on named roads. 9. Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on named roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.




	Guns: 1. Hunting with firearms other than centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns is prohibited. 2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited. 3. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with airguns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. 4. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or airgun must be in the presence of a supervising adult. 5. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 6. For hunting nonmigratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns, airguns, bows, crossbows, or falconry may be used. 7. For hunting migratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns, bows, crossbows, or falconry may be used. Shotguns must be 10 gauge or smaller and incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. 8. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices, or set guns is prohibited. 9. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s.790.15 FS
	Dogs: 1. Hunting wild hog with dogs is prohibited. 2. Dogs may be used for hunting doves and waterfowl during their respective statewide seasons and to hunt gray squirrel, quail, rabbits, migratory game birds, and nonprotected birds during small game season. Non-protected birds may also be hunted with dogs during the statewide dove and waterfowl seasons. 5. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited. 7. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
	Camping: Prohibited.
	Bag and Possession Limit: 1. Wild hog: No bag limits or size restrictions. 2. Gray squirrel and rabbits: Daily limit: 12 per person, possession limit: 24 for each. 3. Quail: Daily limit:12, possession limit: 24 4. Migratory game birds: See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook. 5. Nonprotected birds: (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common starling) - No bag limits.


	Seasons ( Count: 4) Small Game Season October 12 - February 16 Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements: Hunting license, management area permit, migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl). Legal to Hunt: Wild hog, gray squirrel, rabbits, migratory game birds in season, and nonprotected birds. Quail may be hunted beginning November 9. Regulations Unique to Small Game Season: 1. Dogs may be used to hunt gray squirrel, quail, rabbits, migratory game birds, and nonprotected birds only. 2. Hunting with firearms other than centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns is prohibited. 3. Shooting hours for gray squirrel, quail, rabbits, wild hog, and non-protected birds are ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. Shooting hours for migratory game birds are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. Trapping Prohibited. Migratory Bird Season Migratory game birds other than doves and waterfowl may be hunted during statewide seasons that coincide with the seasons in this brochure for which migratory game birds are listed as legal to hunt. Doves and waterfowl may be hunted during their respective statewide seasons. See migratory bird hunting regulations. Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements: Hunting license, management area permit, migratory bird permit, and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl). Legal to Hunt: See migratory bird season dates, bag limits, and regulations. Nonprotected birds may also be taken. Regulations Unique to Migratory Game Bird Seasons: All Migratory Bird Regulations shall apply. 1. Hunting ducks, geese, or coot with lead shot is prohibited. 2. Centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for hunting migratory game birds during established area seasons when migratory game birds are legal to hunt. 3. Doves and waterfowl may be hunted with dogs during their respective statewide seasons. Non-protected birds may also be hunted with dogs during the statewide dove and waterfowl seasons. 4. Shooting hours for migratory game birds are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. Non-protected birds may only be taken until sunset when migratory game birds are the only species of small game that are legal to hunt. 5. Non-hunting assistants with required licenses and permits may actively participate in Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Hunting Days, provided they may not take wildlife with a gun. 6. Adults with required licenses and permits may actively participate in Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, provided they may not take wildlife with a gun. Fishing and Frogging Allowed year round. Permit, Stamp, and License Requirements: Fishing license (if fishing) or management area permit (if frogging). Legal to Take: See Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary. Regulations Unique to Fishing and Frogging: All General Freshwater Fishing Regulations shall apply. Shooting frogs is allowed only during the listed open hunting seasons and only with the legal methods of take during each season. Frogs may be taken by firearm during daylight hours only.


	General Information: 1. Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA. 2. If you have any questions about this material, please call the FWC at 561-625-5122 (TDD 800-9558771). 3. The FWC is not responsible for the protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property. 4. Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.


	Report a Band: Report a band on the Internet: www.reportband.gov.

	Cooperation Requested: If you see law violators or suspicious activities, contact your nearest Commission regional office or call 888-404-FWCC. You may qualify for a cash reward from the Wildlife Alert Reward Association. The FWC receives financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The DOI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or you need more information, please contact the FWC at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399, (850) 488-6411, or write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.