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Goethe PSGHA
  pfs  3476

Regulations Summary and Area Map

July 01, 2023 - June 30, 2024
 
 
This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Goethe Public Small Game Hunting Area (PSGHA). 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, the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook, and quota permit worksheets should provide the information necessary for you to plan your hunting activities. These publications are available at MyFWC.com. 
 
Persons hunting wild hog on Goethe PSGHA are required to have a valid quota permit and management area permit. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog. The following persons are exempt from all license and permit requirements (except for quota permits when listed as “no exemptions,”: 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.
 
Youth and mentor license holders are required to be accompanied by a supervisor during any hunt. A youth hunter (less than 16 years of age) must be supervised by a person at least 18 years of age. A mentor license holder must be supervised by a licensed hunter at least 21 years of age. Unless exempt, only those supervisors with proper licenses and permits may hunt.
 
Licenses and permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, license agents, by telephone at 888-486-8356 or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Quota Permit Information:
Wild Hog-Dog - 25, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of the 2 hunts.

Permit applications: Hunters must submit electronic applications for quota permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Worksheets listing hunts, application periods, deadlines and instructions are available at county tax collector’s offices, FWC offices or MyFWC.com. Quota application periods occur throughout the year beginning April 1; please refer to the hunting handbook or MyFWC.com for specific dates. Worksheets will be available about 2 weeks prior to each application period.

Guest hunters: For each non-transferable wild hog quota permit issued through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, a quota permit holder (host) may take a guest hunter by obtaining a guest permit. A guest hunter must possess a completed guest permit while hunting except the following persons may be a guest hunter without a guest permit: a youth under 16 years of age, a youth supervisor, a mentor license holder or a mentor license supervisor. A host may only bring 1 guest hunter at a time and may only use 1 guest permit per day. The following persons are not considered to be guest hunters: other quota permit holders, non-hunters and exempt hunters (on areas and during seasons that allow exemptions). The guest hunter and host must enter and exit the area together and must share a street-legal vehicle while hunting on the area. The guest hunter may hunt only while the host is on the area. Refer to the quota hunt worksheets for additional information.

Youth and mentor license holders: If a youth or mentor supervisor is hunting during any hunt for which quota permits are issued, at least 1 person in the party must be in possession of a quota permit.

Transfer of permits: Quota and guest permits are not transferable. A positive form of identification is required when using a non-transferable permit, except for a youth under 16 years of age. The sale or purchase of any quota permit or guest permit is prohibited.

Area Regulations
  • General
    Public Small Game Hunting 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, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager. 
    4.  Taking or attempting to take wild hog with the aid of live decoys, set guns, artificial light (see exception for wild hog-dog season), net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds may 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.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
    10.  The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
    11.  Wild hog may not be transported alive.
    12.  A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
    13.  Littering is prohibited.
    14.  Fires are allowed only at locations specified by the Florida Forest Service (FFS).
    15.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
  • Public Access and Vehicles
    Public Access and Vehicles:
    1.  Open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, unless participating in Goethe PSGHA wild hog-dog season hunts or in possession of a valid camping or special use access permit from the FFS (352-566-5225).
    2.  Vehicles must enter and exit the area at a designated entrance. Walk-in access is allowed from public roads.
    3.  Motor vehicles shall be operated only on roads shown on the brochure map. Vehicles may not be operated on any road that has been gated or posted as closed to vehicular traffic.
    4.  Use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles and tracked vehicles is prohibited.
    5.  Horses are allowed only on roads and designated horse trails.
    6.  Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
    7.      Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.
  • Hunters
    Hunters:
    1.  Hunting is prohibited during the day (from 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset).
    2.  Hunting is prohibited in those portions of the area labeled as “CLOSED TO HUNTING” on the attached brochure map.
    3.  Hunting on or from the rights-of-way of State Road 121 or County Roads 326, 336, 337 and 343 is prohibited.
    4.  Hunting equipment may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a.m. the day before the opening of any season and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of every season.
  • Guns
    Guns:
    1.  Only shotguns, rifles, pistols, air guns, bows or crossbows may be used for hunting. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details on hunting with air guns.
    2.  Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
    3.  No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
    4.  Hunting with full-automatic firearms, centerfire semi-automatic rifles having a magazine capable of holding more than 5 rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
    5. 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.  Wild hog may be hunted with dogs of any size or breed.
    2.  The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox or coyote with dogs is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and correction devices.
    3.  Hunting with more than 3 free-running dogs per quota permit hunting group is prohibited.
    4.  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.
    5.  Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded wild hogs.
    6.  For purposes other than hunting, dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
  • Camping
    Camping: Camping is allowed only by permit from the FFS (352-566-5225).
  • Bag and Possession Limits
    Bag and Possession Limits: Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
  • General Information
    General Information:
    1.  Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.
    2.  This land was acquired under the Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) program. The purpose of CARL is to conserve and protect unique and irreplaceable lands and water resources, restore areas to their original condition, as much as possible, and allow controlled multiple recreational and educational uses consistent with this purpose.
    3.  As a courtesy to other forest users, please remove your flagging at the end of each hunt.
    4.  If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 386-758-0525 (TDD 800-955-8771).
    5.  The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property.
    6.  Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.
Public Small Game Hunting 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, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager. 
4.  Taking or attempting to take wild hog with the aid of live decoys, set guns, artificial light (see exception for wild hog-dog season), net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited. Recorded calls and sounds may 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.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
10.  The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
11.  Wild hog may not be transported alive.
12.  A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
13.  Littering is prohibited.
14.  Fires are allowed only at locations specified by the Florida Forest Service (FFS).
15.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
Public Access and Vehicles:
1.  Open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, unless participating in Goethe PSGHA wild hog-dog season hunts or in possession of a valid camping or special use access permit from the FFS (352-566-5225).
2.  Vehicles must enter and exit the area at a designated entrance. Walk-in access is allowed from public roads.
3.  Motor vehicles shall be operated only on roads shown on the brochure map. Vehicles may not be operated on any road that has been gated or posted as closed to vehicular traffic.
4.  Use of airboats, all-terrain vehicles and tracked vehicles is prohibited.
5.  Horses are allowed only on roads and designated horse trails.
6.  Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
7.  Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. All other electric bicycles may be operated only on roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.
Hunters:
1.  Hunting is prohibited during the day (from 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset).
2.  Hunting is prohibited in those portions of the area labeled as “CLOSED TO HUNTING” on the attached brochure map.
3.  Hunting on or from the rights-of-way of State Road 121 or County Roads 326, 336, 337 and 343 is prohibited.
4.  Hunting equipment may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a.m. the day before the opening of any season and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 1 day after the end of every season.
Guns:
1.  Only shotguns, rifles, pistols, air guns, bows or crossbows may be used for hunting. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details on hunting with air guns.
2.  Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
3.  No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
4.  Hunting with full-automatic firearms, centerfire semi-automatic rifles having a magazine capable of holding more than 5 rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
5. 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.  Wild hog may be hunted with dogs of any size or breed.
2.  The taking or pursuing of deer, wild hog, fox or coyote with dogs is prohibited unless each dog is equipped and monitored with devices that allow remote tracking and correction devices.
3.  Hunting with more than 3 free-running dogs per quota permit hunting group is prohibited.
4.  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.
5.  Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded wild hogs.
6.  For purposes other than hunting, dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
Camping: Camping is allowed only by permit from the FFS (352-566-5225).
Bag and Possession Limits: Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
 
Seasons ( Count: 1)
  • Wild Hog-Dog Season
    2023 hunt dates: May 19-21, June 16-18
    2024 hunt dates: May 17-19, June 21-23
    Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Quota permit and management area permit.
    Legal to Hunt - Wild hog.
    Regulations Unique to Wild Hog-Dog Season -
    1.  Please read the "Dogs" section for important updates related to hunting with dogs.
    2.  Each wild hog-dog quota permit allows the quota permit holder, a guest hunter and one additional hunter.
    3.  Hunting with more than 3 free-running dogs per quota permit hunting group is prohibited.
    4.  Hunts begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday morning and end at 11:59 p.m. Sunday evening.
    5.  Hunting during the day (from 1 ½ hours before sunrise until 1 ½ hours after sunset) is prohibited.
    6.  Wild hog may be taken from 1 ½ hours after sunset until 1 ½ hours before sunrise by the aid of a light with dogs and a firearm, provided that no wild hog shall be shot until bayed by dogs. Hunting wild hog by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited.
    7.  Hunting is prohibited in those portions of the area labeled as “CLOSED TO HUNTING” on the attached brochure map.
    8.  Quota permits for the May and June 2023 wild hog-dog hunts were issued in 2022.
 
General Information:
1.  Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.
2.  This land was acquired under the Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) program. The purpose of CARL is to conserve and protect unique and irreplaceable lands and water resources, restore areas to their original condition, as much as possible, and allow controlled multiple recreational and educational uses consistent with this purpose.
3.  As a courtesy to other forest users, please remove your flagging at the end of each hunt.
4.  If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 386-758-0525 (TDD 800-955-8771).
5.  The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property.
6.  Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.
Florida Forest Service Rules and Information:
1.  Most Florida State Forest campsites are reservable on any mobile device or computer by visiting FloridaStateForests.ReserveAmerica.com, or by calling ReserveAmerica at (877) 879-3859. 
2.  The Florida Forest Service (FFS) requires a fee at some day-use areas and all campgrounds. Hunters are exempt from paying day-use fees 2 weeks prior to and during scheduled hunts. All campground and other fees apply. For information on general recreation and fees, please contact the FFS at 352-566-5225.
3.  The maximum speed limit on all forest roads is 30 MPH unless otherwise posted.
4.  The FFS management includes prescribed burning and timber management most months of the year, including hunting seasons. Area users should contact the FFS for information and location of burn areas, 352-566-5225.
5.  Goethe State Forest is a multiple-use forest and other recreational users may be on the WMA during hunting seasons. To reduce the potential for conflicts between user groups, hunters are encouraged to set up their stands and blinds away from the designated trails and open roads.

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.
 FWC programs receive Federal 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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC) at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399, Ph: (850) 488-6411, or you may write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.