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IMPORTANT: Upcoming management activities may impact
equestrian users on this area. Please click here for more information on recreational closures.
This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Econfina Creek Wildlife Management 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, 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 using wildlife management areas are required to have appropriate licenses, permits and stamps. The following persons are exempt from all license and permit requirements (except for quota permits when listed as “no exemptions,” recreational use permits, antlerless deer permits, released quail permits and the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp [federal duck stamp], if applicable): 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 duck stamp. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 and 16 years of age or older must have passed a Commission-approved hunter-safety course prior to being issued a hunting license, except the Hunter Safety Mentoring exemption allows anyone to purchase a hunting license and hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter, 21 years of age or older.
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. 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. Mobility-impaired certificate applications are available from regional offices of the Commission and at MyFWC.com. Released quail permits may only be obtained online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
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Quota Permit Information:
Archery (Cat Creek area) - 30, no-cost, quota permits for each of 2 hunts.
Archery (Fitzhugh Carter area) - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts.
Muzzleloading Gun (Cat Creek area) - 30, no-cost, quota permits.
Muzzleloading Gun (Fitzhugh Carter area) - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
General Gun (still hunt area, first 13 days) - 50, no-cost, quota permits.
General Gun (dog hunt area) - 80, no-cost, quota permits.
General Gun (Cat Creek area) - 30, no-cost, quota permits for each of 3 hunts.
General Gun (Fitzhugh Carter area) - 15, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
Mobility-impaired General Gun - 20, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 5 hunts.
Youth Turkey (still hunt and dog hunt areas) - 10, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
Youth Turkey (Cat Creek area) - 3, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
Youth Turkey (Fitzhugh Carter area) - 3, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions).
Spring Turkey (still hunt and dog hunt areas, first 9 days) - 25, no-cost, quota permits.
Spring Turkey (Cat Creek area) - 5, no-cost, quota permits for each of 3 hunts.
Spring Turkey (Fitzhugh Carter area) - 5, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 3 hunts.
Permit applications: Hunters must submit electronic applications for quota and special-opportunity 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 archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog, spring turkey and mobility-impaired quota permit issued through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, a quota permit holder (host) may take a guest hunter by obtaining a guest permit. Guest hunters are not allowed during youth turkey hunts. 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. During a hunt that allows exemptions, a non-exempt supervisor of a youth must have a quota permit to hunt.
Assistant for mobility-impaired hunters: Mobility-impaired hunters may be accompanied by a guest hunter, as specified above, and 1 non-hunting assistant that may participate in the hunt (no license required), but the assistant may not harvest wildlife with archery equipment or a gun.
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 youth under 16 years of age. The sale or purchase of any quota permit or guest permit is prohibited. |
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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. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange material as an outer garment, above the waistline. These provisions are not required when hunting with a bow and arrow during archery season.
2. Taking of spotted fawn, swimming deer or roosted turkey is prohibited.
3. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
4. Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
5. No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. 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 furbearers, wild hog and crows.
7. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
8. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
9. People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action.
10. 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.
11. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions for each season).
12. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
13. The head and evidence of sex shall remain with any deer harvested on the area and shall not be removed from the carcass of any turkey harvested on the area.
14. The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
15. Wild hog may not be transported alive.
16. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
17. Littering is prohibited.
18. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
19. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat in accordance with law.
20. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access. Falconers are not exempt from quota permits during hunts requiring them.
21. The possession or consumption of intoxicating beverages is prohibited. - Public Access and Vehicles
Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Open to public access year round, except access to improved recreation areas from sunset to sunrise is only allowed for individuals participating in authorized hunting and/or fishing activities, actively launching/retrieving a boat or authorized to camp within the area.
2. All persons entering or exiting the Fitzhugh Carter area may do so only at a designated entrance (see map).
3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except in the mobility-impaired area. During periods open to hunting in the mobility-impaired area, vehicles are not restricted to named or numbered roads, but only persons participating in the hunt are allowed vehicular access.
4. From May through September, vehicular access is prohibited on dog roads 1-8, 10, 13-17, 19-28 and 33-37, Enfinger Road and numbered roads in the mobility-impaired area. Detailed maps of dog roads and the mobility-impaired area are available at www.nwfwater.com.
5. Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
6. No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
7. The use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited except in the mobility-impaired area by persons possessing mobility-impaired certificates.
8. Horses are allowed on designated horse trails only, except horses are prohibited in the Fitzhugh Carter Area.
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 or numbered roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike. The use of bicycles and electric bicycles is prohibited in the Fitzhugh Carter Area.
10. A marked footpath called the Florida National Scenic Trail (Florida Trail) traverses the area. This trail is open to hikers throughout the year. - Hunters
Hunters, Check Stations and Harvest Reporting:
1. Hunters using the Fitzhugh Carter area must check in at the check station when entering and check out when leaving and check all game harvested.
2. 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.
3. In addition to checking all game at the check station (Fitzhugh Carter Area only), hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any deer or turkey they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook or MyFWC.com for deer and turkey harvest reporting instructions. - Guns
Guns:
1. Hunting with a gun or archery equipment on or from rights-of-way of Thomas, Rattlesnake, Strickland, Porter Pond, Duma Jack/Deadening, Greenhead, Cat Creek and Enfinger roads, Hampshire Boulevard, S.R. 20 or C.R. 388 is prohibited.
2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see exception for the raccoon season).
3. Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer must be .30 caliber or larger if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
4. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
5. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
6. Hunting deer with air guns is prohibited, except pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt, arrow or bullet .30 caliber or larger are allowed.
7. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
8. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
9. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
10. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
11. For hunting migratory game, only shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
12. 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.
13. 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. 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 behavior correction.
2. Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited in the still hunt, Cat Creek, Fitzhugh Carter, and mobility-impaired areas, except any dog may be used to hunt raccoons in the still hunt area during raccoon season.
3. 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.
4. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.
5. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. - Camping
Camping:
1. Camping is allowed only at designated campsites (see map). A permit from the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) is required and camping is subject to permit provisions. To make a camping reservation, please visit www.nwfwater.com.
2. Hikers using the Florida National Scenic Trail may camp at designated hike-in campsites along the trail without obtaining a camping permit.
3. Camping is limited to 14 days within any consecutive 30-day period and prohibited where posted as “no camping.”
4. Camping is limited to tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles only. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators and freezers are prohibited, unless contained in mobile campers. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials are prohibited. - Bag and Possession Limits
Bag and Possession Limits: A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit for deer, turkey, and quail, except when these bag limits are specified as per person. The host is responsible for violations that exceed the bag limit.
1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - See statewide limits below, except only mobility-impaired certified hunters may take antlerless deer in the mobility-impaired area (2 per quota permit; daily limit 1).
B. Statewide limits - Annual limit 5 deer (only 2 of which may be antlerless), daily limit 2, possession limit 4.
C. As part of the statewide annual deer limit, youth less than 16 years of age may harvest 1 deer annually not meeting antler point requirements but having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.
2. Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
3. Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - Daily limit 1.
Youth turkey - 1 per quota permit.
B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
4. Gray squirrel and rabbit - Daily limit 12 per person, possession limit 24 for each.
5. Quail - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 (No bag limit for released quail).
6. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
7. Bobcat and otter - Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a trapping license.
8. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
9. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common starling) - No bag limits. - 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 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-265-3676 (TDD 800-955-8771).
3. The FWC is not responsible for 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.
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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. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent-orange material as an outer garment, above the waistline. These provisions are not required when hunting with a bow and arrow during archery season.
2. Taking of spotted fawn, swimming deer or roosted turkey is prohibited.
3. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
4. Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
5. No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
6. 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 furbearers, wild hog and crows.
7. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
8. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
9. People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action.
10. 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.
11. Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset (see exceptions for each season).
12. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
13. The head and evidence of sex shall remain with any deer harvested on the area and shall not be removed from the carcass of any turkey harvested on the area.
14. The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
15. Wild hog may not be transported alive.
16. A hunting license is not required to hunt wild hog.
17. Littering is prohibited.
18. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.
19. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat in accordance with law.
20. Falconers may hunt during the statewide falconry season anytime a management area is open for public access. Falconers are not exempt from quota permits during hunts requiring them.
21. The possession or consumption of intoxicating beverages is prohibited. |
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Public Access and Vehicles:
1. Open to public access year round, except access to improved recreation areas from sunset to sunrise is only allowed for individuals participating in authorized hunting and/or fishing activities, actively launching/retrieving a boat or authorized to camp within the area.
2. All persons entering or exiting the Fitzhugh Carter area may do so only at a designated entrance (see map).
3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads, except in the mobility-impaired area. During periods open to hunting in the mobility-impaired area, vehicles are not restricted to named or numbered roads, but only persons participating in the hunt are allowed vehicular access.
4. From May through September, vehicular access is prohibited on dog roads 1-8, 10, 13-17, 19-28 and 33-37, Enfinger Road and numbered roads in the mobility-impaired area. Detailed maps of dog roads and the mobility-impaired area are available at www.nwfwater.com.
5. Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
6. No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
7. The use of all-terrain vehicles is prohibited except in the mobility-impaired area by persons possessing mobility-impaired certificates.
8. Horses are allowed on designated horse trails only, except horses are prohibited in the Fitzhugh Carter Area.
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 or numbered roads open to motorized vehicles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike. The use of bicycles and electric bicycles is prohibited in the Fitzhugh Carter Area.
10. A marked footpath called the Florida National Scenic Trail (Florida Trail) traverses the area. This trail is open to hikers throughout the year.
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Hunters, Check Stations and Harvest Reporting:
1. Hunters using the Fitzhugh Carter area must check in at the check station when entering and check out when leaving and check all game harvested.
2. 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.
3. In addition to checking all game at the check station (Fitzhugh Carter Area only), hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any deer or turkey they harvest within 24 hours of recovery. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook or MyFWC.com for deer and turkey harvest reporting instructions.
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Guns:
1. Hunting with a gun or archery equipment on or from rights-of-way of Thomas, Rattlesnake, Strickland, Porter Pond, Duma Jack/Deadening, Greenhead, Cat Creek and Enfinger roads, Hampshire Boulevard, S.R. 20 or C.R. 388 is prohibited.
2. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited (see exception for the raccoon season).
3. Muzzleloading guns used for taking deer must be .30 caliber or larger if firing a single bullet, or be 20 gauge or larger if firing 2 or more balls.
4. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited.
5. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details.
6. Hunting deer with air guns is prohibited, except pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns propelling a bolt, arrow or bullet .30 caliber or larger are allowed.
7. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed.
8. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
9. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
10. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used.
11. For hunting migratory game, only shotguns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
12. 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.
13. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS. |
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Dogs:
1. 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 behavior correction.
2. Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs or retrievers, is prohibited in the still hunt, Cat Creek, Fitzhugh Carter, and mobility-impaired areas, except any dog may be used to hunt raccoons in the still hunt area during raccoon season.
3. 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.
4. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game.
5. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. |
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Camping:
1. Camping is allowed only at designated campsites (see map). A permit from the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) is required and camping is subject to permit provisions. To make a camping reservation, please visit www.nwfwater.com.
2. Hikers using the Florida National Scenic Trail may camp at designated hike-in campsites along the trail without obtaining a camping permit.
3. Camping is limited to 14 days within any consecutive 30-day period and prohibited where posted as “no camping.”
4. Camping is limited to tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles only. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators and freezers are prohibited, unless contained in mobile campers. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials are prohibited. |
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Bag and Possession Limits: A guest hunter must share the host’s bag limit for deer, turkey, and quail, except when these bag limits are specified as per person. The host is responsible for violations that exceed the bag limit.
1. Deer - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - See statewide limits below, except only mobility-impaired certified hunters may take antlerless deer in the mobility-impaired area (2 per quota permit; daily limit 1).
B. Statewide limits - Annual limit 5 deer (only 2 of which may be antlerless), daily limit 2, possession limit 4.
C. As part of the statewide annual deer limit, youth less than 16 years of age may harvest 1 deer annually not meeting antler point requirements but having at least 1 antler 5 inches or more in length.
2. Wild hog - No size or bag limit.
3. Turkey - No person shall exceed statewide bag limits.
A. Area limits - Daily limit 1.
Youth turkey - 1 per quota permit.
B. Statewide limits - All fall seasons combined limit 2, spring season limit 2, daily limit 2, possession limit 2.
4. Gray squirrel and rabbit - Daily limit 12 per person, possession limit 24 for each.
5. Quail - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 (No bag limit for released quail).
6. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria - No bag limits.
7. Bobcat and otter - Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a trapping license.
8. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook.
9. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common starling) - No bag limits. |
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