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Hilochee PSGHA
  pfs  3967

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 Hilochee Wildlife Management Area Dove Field. 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.

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 quota permits when listed as “no exemptions”, 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 federal 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.


Quota Permit Information:

Dove - 30, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 10 hunts. Permits are transferable. One youth under 16 years of age may accompany an adult dove permit holder and may hunt under the supervision and in the presence of the permit holder, provided that the permit holder and youth may each take one daily bag limit of doves.

 

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.

Area Regulations
  • General
  • Public Access and Vehicles
  • Hunters
  • General Hunting Regulations
  • Guns
  • Dogs
  • Bag and Possession Limits
  • Direction
  • Report a Band

General Area Regulations:

Please consult the 2024-25 Hilochee Wildlife Management Area Brochure for area specific regulations at MyFWC.com.

Public Access and Vehicles:  

1.   Public access within the dove field is prohibited except by dove hunt permit holders and their guests.  Access at any other time prior to the last dove hunt is prohibited.

2.   Dove hunters may enter the area no earlier than one (1) hour before sunrise and exit the area no later than 1 hour after sunset.

3.   All vehicles must be parked in the designated parking area(s).
4.  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.

Hunters and Guests:

1.  Each permitted hunter may be accompanied by one youth hunter and one non-hunting guest.  The non-hunting guest shall remain under the supervision and in the presence of the permitted hunter at all times during the hunt.

Regulations Specific to Dove Season:

1.   Dove hunting is allowed only within the posted dove field boundaries.

2.   Hunters must pick up all shotgun shells and other trash before leaving the dove field.

Guns:

1.   Hunting with firearms other than shotguns is prohibited.

2.   Shotguns shall not be larger than 10 gauge and shall be incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.

3.   Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a firearm unless in the presence of a supervising adult.

4.   The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s.790.15 FS.

5.   No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Dogs:

1.  Dogs are allowed for hunting on the posted dove fields during dove hunts.

Bag and Possession Limits:

1.  Aggregate of mourning and white-winged dove - Daily limit 15.

     Only one daily bag limit of mourning/white-winged dove may be possessed while in the field or returning from the field. A hunter may

     leave his or her birds with another person if the birds are tagged with the hunter’s signature and address, the total number of birds, by

     species, and the date birds were harvested.

2.  African collared-dove, Eurasian collared-dove and rock dove - no limit.
 
Seasons ( Count: 1)
  • Dove Season
 

Directions to the Hunting Area:

The Hilochee Dove Field is located 13 miles south of Clermont in Lake County (see area map). From intersection of US 27 and CR 474, travel west approximately 3.7 miles and turn left onto dirt road (Lake Road). The dove field will be on the left (east) of Lake Road (look for the dove field).

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 & 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, Dept. of the Interior, 1849 C St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.