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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 5/6 (STA 5/6) 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. 80 STA 5/6 Waterfowl Quota Permits will be available for each hunt day: 40 for the morning hunt and 40 for the afternoon hunt.
4. 40 STA 5/6 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 standby 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.
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 40 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 40 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.
Persons with Disabilities Duck Blind:
1. One "Persons With Disabilities" (PWD) duck blind permit shall be issued for each hunt. Each PWD permit holder for the duck blind may bring two guests, either hunting or non-hunting.
2. Only hunters with a PWD Duck Blind Qualifying Card issued by the Commission may apply for a permit to use the blind. Visit MyFWC.com or call 850-488-5878 for information on obtaining a Qualifying Card.
3. Qualified hunters
wishing to apply for a permit for the PWD duck blind must call the south
regional headquarters at 561-625-5122 beginning at 10 a.m. the Wednesday prior to the hunt. The
permit will be issued via random draw (or first come, first served
if less than two people have applied) by 4 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hunt.
4. PWD duck blind
permits not issued by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to the hunt will be made
available at the check station the day of the hunt on a first come,
first served basis to a qualified hunter.
5. Hunters
permitted to use the blind may only hunt from the blind. Waterfowl may only be
hunted from the blind when a PWD hunter is present.
- 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. All boat ramps,
parking areas, roads, levees, and adjacent powerline pads are closed to
hunting.
3. The discharge of
a firearm outside periods open to hunting or in areas designated as closed to
hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
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. Taking
wildlife from STA levees is prohibited.
- 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 standby 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.
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 40 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 40 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.
Persons with Disabilities Duck Blind:
1. One "Persons With Disabilities" (PWD) duck blind permit shall be issued for each hunt. Each PWD permit holder for the duck blind may bring two guests, either hunting or non-hunting.
2. Only hunters with a PWD Duck Blind Qualifying Card issued by the Commission may apply for a permit to use the blind. Visit MyFWC.com or call 850-488-5878 for information on obtaining a Qualifying Card.
3. Qualified hunters
wishing to apply for a permit for the PWD duck blind must call the south
regional headquarters at 561-625-5122 beginning at 10 a.m. the Wednesday prior to the hunt. The
permit will be issued via random draw (or first come, first served
if less than two people have applied) by 4 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hunt.
4. PWD duck blind
permits not issued by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to the hunt will be made
available at the check station the day of the hunt on a first come,
first served basis to a qualified hunter.
5. Hunters
permitted to use the blind may only hunt from the blind. Waterfowl may only be
hunted from the blind when a PWD hunter is present.
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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. All boat ramps,
parking areas, roads, levees, and adjacent powerline pads are closed to
hunting.
3. The discharge of
a firearm outside periods open to hunting or in areas designated as closed to
hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
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. Taking
wildlife from STA levees is prohibited. |
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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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