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Lake Wales Ridge - Royce Unit PSGHA
  pfs  3973

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 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 at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Quota Permit Information:

Dove Hunt - 25, no-cost, daily quota permits (no exemptions) are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Each permit allows one adult and one child under age 16 to hunt and each may take a daily bag limit.

 

Transfer of permits: Quota permits are transferable.

Area Regulations
  • General
  • Public Access and Vehicles
  • Hunters
  • Guns
  • Dogs
  • Camping
  • Bag and Possession Limits

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.  Fires are prohibited.

2.  Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited.

3.  Tampering with or destruction of equipment, improvements, and water control structures is prohibited.

4.  Public access is prohibited in portions of public hunting areas that are posted as “Closed” or “Restricted.”

5.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from 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.

7.  The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.

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.  It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse, or in any way litter in the area.

10.  It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands.

11.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.

Public Access and Vehicles:

1.  Public recreational access is allowed year-round.

2.  All individuals shall enter and exit the area at a designated entrance.

3.  Vehicles may be operated only on named and numbered roads and may be parked in designated parking areas or within 25 feet of a named or numbered road.

4.  Vehicles may not be operated on named and numbered roads designated as closed to vehicular traffic.

5.  Horses and bicycles may be used only on firebreaks and named or numbered roads. 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.

6.  Airboats, outboard motors larger than 10 horsepower, tracked vehicles, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.

Hunters and Check Stations:

1.  Dove hunters must check in at the designated dove field check station upon entering and check out upon leaving the area and check all game taken.

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

Guns:

1.  Hunting with firearms other than shotguns is prohibited.

2.  While hunting migratory birds, shotguns capable of holding more than three shells must be plugged to a three-shell capacity with a one-piece filler which cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.

3.  Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm 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.  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.  Dogs may be used for hunting.

2.  Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.

Camping:

Prohibited.

Bag and Possession Limits:

1.  Dove (aggregate of mourning and white-winged doves) - Daily limit 15.

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

    hunter may leave their birds with another person if the birds are tagged with the hunter’s signature, address, the total number of birds,

    by species, and the date of harvest.

2.  African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon – No bag limits.
 
Seasons ( Count: 1)
  • Dove Season
 
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.