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Lake Panasoffkee PSGHA
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	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 Lake Panasoffkee 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, 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 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,” recreational use permits, antlerless deer 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 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. 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. Shooting hours for legal game shall be one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. 2. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area. 3. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been driven is prohibited. 4. Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited. 5. Tampering with or destruction of equipment, improvements, and water control structures is prohibited. 6. Public access is prohibited in portions of public hunting areas that are posted as “Closed” or “Restricted.” 7. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager. 8. 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 and crows. 9. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited. 10. Wild hogs may not be transported alive. 11. A hunting license is not required to take wild hog. 12. It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse, or in any way litter in the area. 13. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands. 14. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with the law. Public Access and Vehicles Public Access and Vehicles: 1. Public recreational access is allowed year-round from sunrise until sunset. 2. During periods open for hunting, public access is allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. 3. Vehicles may be parked in designated parking areas only. 4. Motorized vehicles and vessels are prohibited on the area. 5. 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 Hunters: 1. Hunters must enter at the designated entrance. 2. Hunters may enter the area no earlier than 1.5 hours before sunrise and shall exit the area no later than 1.5 hours after sunset. Guns Guns: 1. Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited. 2. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details on hunting with air guns. 3. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult. 4. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 5. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles (rimfire only), muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. 6. For hunting migratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading 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. 7. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, centerfire rifles, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited. 8. 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. Any dog may be used to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds. 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 with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. During non-hunting periods, the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Camping Camping: Prohibited. Bag and Possession Limits Bag and Possession Limits: 1. Wild hog - No size or bag limit. 2. Gray squirrel, quail, and rabbit - Daily limit 12 per person, possession limit 24 for each. 3. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook. 4. Armadillo - No bag limit. 5. 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. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 352-732-1225 (TDD 800-955-8771). 2. The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property. 3. 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. Shooting hours for legal game shall be one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. 2. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area. 3. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been driven is prohibited. 4. Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited. 5. Tampering with or destruction of equipment, improvements, and water control structures is prohibited. 6. Public access is prohibited in portions of public hunting areas that are posted as “Closed” or “Restricted.” 7. The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager. 8. 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 and crows. 9. The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited. 10. Wild hogs may not be transported alive. 11. A hunting license is not required to take wild hog. 12. It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse, or in any way litter in the area. 13. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands. 14. A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with the law.

	Public Access and Vehicles: 1. Public recreational access is allowed year-round from sunrise until sunset. 2. During periods open for hunting, public access is allowed from 1.5 hours before sunrise until 1.5 hours after sunset. 3. Vehicles may be parked in designated parking areas only. 4. Motorized vehicles and vessels are prohibited on the area. 5. 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: 1. Hunters must enter at the designated entrance. 2. Hunters may enter the area no earlier than 1.5 hours before sunrise and shall exit the area no later than 1.5 hours after sunset.



	Guns: 1. Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited. 2. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details on hunting with air guns. 3. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult. 4. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 5. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles (rimfire only), muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. 6. For hunting migratory game, only centerfire and muzzleloading 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. 7. Hunting with full-automatic firearms, centerfire rifles, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited. 8. 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. Any dog may be used to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds. 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 with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. During non-hunting periods, the possession of dogs shall only be as authorized by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
	Camping: Prohibited.
	Bag and Possession Limits: 1. Wild hog - No size or bag limit. 2. Gray squirrel, quail, and rabbit - Daily limit 12 per person, possession limit 24 for each. 3. Migratory birds - See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook. 4. Armadillo - No bag limit. 5. Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common starling) – No bag limits.


	Seasons ( Count: 2) Small Game Season January 17 - March 2 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only) 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, quail, rabbit, migratory birds in season, armadillo, and non-protected birds. Regulations Unique to Small Game Season - Hunting with centerfire rifles is prohibited. Migratory Bird Season Migratory game birds and crows may be hunted during their respective statewide seasons that coincide with the season listed in this brochure. See migratory game 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. Non-protected birds may also be taken. Regulations Unique to Migratory Bird Seasons - All Migratory Bird Regulations shall apply. 1. Hunting ducks, geese and coot with lead shot is prohibited. 2. Hunting with any dog is allowed. 3. Shooting hours for mourning and white-winged doves are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. 4. Non-hunting assistants with required licenses and permits may actively participate in the Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Hunting Days, provided they may not harvest wildlife. 5. Adults with required licenses and permits may actively participate in Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, provided they may not harvest wildlife.


	General Information: 1. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 352-732-1225 (TDD 800-955-8771). 2. The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property. 3. Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.



	Southwest Florida Water Management District Rules and Information: 1. Public use of District lands is regulated by Chapter 40D-9 of the Florida Administrative Code, in addition to the above-listed FWC rules. For detailed information regarding public-use rules and recreational opportunities on District lands, please visit WaterMatters.org/recreation or contact the District at 352-796-7211, 800-492-7862 (FL only), or Recreation@WaterMatters.org. 2. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on this area. 3. The District's management includes prescribed burning and timber management most months of the year including hunting seasons. Area users should visit the check station daily for information and location of burn areas or contact the District's Land Management office at 352-796-7211. Please do not park vehicles or leave any equipment in or adjacent to these areas.
	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. All persons hunting during small game hunts are requested to wear blaze-orange headgear and/or vests. 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.