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Myakka State Forest PSGHA
  pfs  3975

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 Myakka State Forest 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.

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,” 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.

Daily-Use Permit Information:

Persons engaged in hunting must obtain a Daily Hunt Report Card upon entry and retain it in their possession. Report Cards are available at the self-service check station located on Shell Road.

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

General Area Regulations:

In addition to the regulations that follow, all general laws and regulations relating to wildlife and fish shall apply unless specifically exempted for this area.

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

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

6.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.

7.  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.

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

9.  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.

10.  Wild hogs may not be transported alive.

11.  A hunting license is not required for the take of 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 law.

Public Access and Vehicles:

1.  Public recreational access is allowed year-round but only from sunrise until sunset, unless camping at designated campsites.

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 operated only on named or numbered roads.

4.  Vehicles may be parked in designated parking areas only.

5.  Airboats, tracked vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited.
6.  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, Check Stations and Harvest Reporting:

1.  Hunters must enter at the designated entrance at the intersection of River Road and Shell Road and obtain a Daily Hunt Report Card at the self-service check station and retain it in their possession.

2.  After obtaining a Report Card, hunters may enter the area at the designated entrances on East River Road, Foresman Boulevard and Jennings Boulevard.

3.  Hunters must check out and report all game taken by depositing their Report Card at the check station before leaving the area at the end of the day.

4.  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, unless camping at designated campsites.

5.  Hunting is prohibited in that portion of the area located west of Winchester Boulevard.

6.  Any lost or abandoned property (including, but not limited to hunting equipment) on the area is subject to disposal in accordance with 5I-4.005, F.A.C. and Chapter 705 F.S., except hunting equipment is allowed beginning 48 hours prior to a hunting season until 48 hours after that season closes.

Guns:

1.  Hunting is allowed only with bows (including compound and recurve bows) or crossbows (with a disabled crossbow permit) during archery season.

2.  Hunting is allowed only with muzzleloading guns during muzzleloading gun season.

3.  Hunting with archery equipment or guns, other than air guns, centerfire or muzzleloading shotguns, crossbows, bows (including compound and recurve bows) or falconry is prohibited during small game season.

4.  Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details on hunting with air guns.

5.  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.

6.  Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.

7.  Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult.

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

9.  Hunting with full-automatic firearms, rifles, handguns, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.

10.  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.  Dogs may be used for hunting during small game season.

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

Camping:

Primitive camping is available at Myakka State Forest. All reservations are made through Reserve America. Visit https://FloridaStateForests.ReserveAmerica.com or call 877-879-3859.

Bag and Possession Limits:

1.  Wild hog - No size or bag limit.

2.  Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit - Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each game species.

3.  Migratory birds - See Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet.
4.  Non-protected birds (African and Eurasian collared-doves, common pigeon, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, and common starling) – No bag limits. 
 
Seasons ( Count: 4)
  • Archery Hog Hunt
  • Muzzleloading Hog Hunt
  • Small Game Season
  • Fishing and Frogging
 

Florida Forest Service Rules:

1.  The Florida Forest Service requires a fee at some day-use areas and all campgrounds. Hunters are exempt from paying day-use fees 2 weeks prior to and during scheduled hunts. All campground and other fees apply. For information on general recreation and fees, please contact the Florida Forest Service at 941-460-1333.

2.  Florida Forest Service management includes prescribed burning and timber management most months of the year, including hunting seasons. Area users should contact the Florida Forest Service for information and location of burn areas, 941-460-1333.

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.