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Three Lakes
	pfs 4034

	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 Three Lakes 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, the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp [federal duck stamp], and the WMA Deer-Dog Hunting permit 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: Archery (first 2 days) - 625, no-cost, quota permits. Archery (after the first 2 days) - 625, no-cost daily quota permits are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. Muzzleloading Gun - 625, no-cost, quota permits. General Gun (first 2 days) - 625, no-cost, quota permits. General Gun (after the first 2 days) - 625, no-cost, daily quota permits are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. General Gun-Dog (east of the Florida Turnpike) - 100, no-cost, quota permits (no exemptions) for each of 2 hunts. General Gun-Dog (west of the Florida Turnpike, no deer dogs allowed) - 100, no-cost, daily quota permits are available first-come, first-served at the check station each day of the season. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun (except the general gun-dog and general gun mobility-impaired hunts), small game, raccoon and spring turkey seasons, the quota of hunters that will be admitted daily is as follows: U.S. 441 check station - 375, Canoe Creek check station - 50 and State Road 60 check station - 200. 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. 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; ATVs may be ridden independently. 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. 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 a youth under 16 years of age. The sale or purchase of any quota permit, guest permit or antlerless deer permit is prohibited.


	Daily-Use Permit Information: Persons engaged in recreational activities other than hunting must possess a daily-use permit or a management area permit. Daily-use permits may be purchased at designated entry points of the management area. A daily-use permit is $3 per person, $6 per non-commercial vehicle, $75 per group of 25 to 100 people and $150 for groups of 101 people or more. Cash and personal checks are acceptable methods of payment. Members of a management area permit holder’s immediate family (spouse and dependent children) while traveling in the same vehicle or in the company of a permit holder, persons through-hiking on the Florida Trail and persons exempt from the management area permit requirement, are exempt from this permit requirement for recreational uses other than hunting.



	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 under 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 skull plate with any attached antler, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested deer. The head and beard, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested turkey. See the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. 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. Public Access and Vehicles Public Access and Vehicles: 1. Open to public access year round. 2. All users shall enter and exit the area through designated entrances except persons through-hiking on the Florida Trail. 3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads or named or numbered trails except vehicles used by persons participating in the general gun for mobility-impaired season. During the general gun dog season, only individuals participating in the hunt may operate vehicles on established firebreaks in that area east of the Florida Turnpike. 4. Airboats, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited, except that airboats may be transported to and from Lake Jackson Public Boat Ramp and may be operated on that portion of Lake Jackson outside the area posted as restricted to airboat access for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas. 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. All-terrain vehicles may only be operated on roads open to other motor vehicles. 7. 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: https://myfwc.com/ebike/. 8. Horses may only be ridden on named or numbered roads, except that horses may be ridden on firelanes during the general gun-dog season in that portion of the area east of the Florida Turnpike by hunters participating in the hunt. During the small game season, persons hunting from horseback are not restricted to named or numbered roads. 9. A marked footpath called the Florida Trail traverses the area. This trail is open to hikers throughout the year. 10. Alligator hunt participants may operate airboats throughout the area when hunting alligators except that airboats are not allowed in those portions of the area posted as restricted to airboat access for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas. Hunters Hunters, Check Stations and Harvest Reporting: 1. Tree stands and elevated shooting platforms may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a.m. 7 days prior to the opening of any hunt and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 7 days after the end of each hunt. 2. Hunters (except permitted alligator hunters and during designated raccoon hunts) must check in at a check station upon entering and check out upon leaving the area and check all game harvested. 3. No deer or wild hog shall be dismembered until it has been checked and tagged at a check station. 4. Check station hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time. 5. Hunting quail in the Quail Enhancement Area (see map) is prohibited except during the quail season. 6. In addition to checking all game at the check station, hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any harvested 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 firearm or archery equipment on or from the rights-of-way of all paved roads is prohibited. 2. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS. 3. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited. (See exception for raccoon season.) 4. 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. 5. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited. 6. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. 7. 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. 8. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed. 9. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult. 10. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 11. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles, muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. 12. 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. 13. 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. 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. A WMA Deer-dog Hunting Permit is required to hunt deer with the aid of dogs. 3. Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs, is prohibited except dogs with a shoulder height of 17 inches or less may be used for deer hunting east of the Florida Turnpike during the general gun-dog season; dogs may be used to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds during the small game season; and dogs may be used to hunt raccoon during the raccoon season. 4. 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. 5. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game. 6. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. Camping Camping: 1. Camping is allowed only at designated hunter campsites during hunting periods and at designated campsites on the Florida Trail year round. 2. Camping equipment may be taken onto the area after 8 a.m. 7 days prior to the opening of the archery season and shall be removed before 6 p.m. 7 days following the end of the spring turkey season. 3. Camping shall be allowed from 8 a.m. 1 day prior to each season through 6 p.m. 1 day following each season. 4. Only tents, trailers and self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping. 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. General gun mobility-impaired season - the bag limit for antlerless deer is 1 per certified mobility-impaired hunter and only certified mobility-impaired hunters are allowed to take antlerless deer. 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. 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, except in the quail enhancement area, the daily bag limit for quail is 6 per person. Possession limit 24. 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. Public use of the Prairie Lakes Unit is covered in a separate brochure. 2. Water in wells is not certified for human consumption. 3. Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA. 4. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 352-732-1225 (TDD 800-955-8771). 5. The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property. 6. 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. 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 under 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 skull plate with any attached antler, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested deer. The head and beard, if applicable, shall remain with any harvested turkey. See the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. 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.

	Public Access and Vehicles: 1. Open to public access year round. 2. All users shall enter and exit the area through designated entrances except persons through-hiking on the Florida Trail. 3. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads or named or numbered trails except vehicles used by persons participating in the general gun for mobility-impaired season. During the general gun dog season, only individuals participating in the hunt may operate vehicles on established firebreaks in that area east of the Florida Turnpike. 4. Airboats, tracked vehicles and unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles are prohibited, except that airboats may be transported to and from Lake Jackson Public Boat Ramp and may be operated on that portion of Lake Jackson outside the area posted as restricted to airboat access for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas. 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. All-terrain vehicles may only be operated on roads open to other motor vehicles. 7. 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: https://myfwc.com/ebike/. 8. Horses may only be ridden on named or numbered roads, except that horses may be ridden on firelanes during the general gun-dog season in that portion of the area east of the Florida Turnpike by hunters participating in the hunt. During the small game season, persons hunting from horseback are not restricted to named or numbered roads. 9. A marked footpath called the Florida Trail traverses the area. This trail is open to hikers throughout the year. 10. Alligator hunt participants may operate airboats throughout the area when hunting alligators except that airboats are not allowed in those portions of the area posted as restricted to airboat access for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
	Hunters, Check Stations and Harvest Reporting: 1. Tree stands and elevated shooting platforms may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a.m. 7 days prior to the opening of any hunt and shall be removed by 6 p.m. 7 days after the end of each hunt. 2. Hunters (except permitted alligator hunters and during designated raccoon hunts) must check in at a check station upon entering and check out upon leaving the area and check all game harvested. 3. No deer or wild hog shall be dismembered until it has been checked and tagged at a check station. 4. Check station hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time and 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time. 5. Hunting quail in the Quail Enhancement Area (see map) is prohibited except during the quail season. 6. In addition to checking all game at the check station, hunters must log each harvested deer or turkey prior to moving it from the point of recovery and report any harvested 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: 1. Hunting with a firearm or archery equipment on or from the rights-of-way of all paved roads is prohibited. 2. The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS. 3. Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited. (See exception for raccoon season.) 4. 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. 5. Hunting deer with rimfire or non-expanding, full metal jacket (military ball) ammunition is prohibited. 6. Hunting wildlife (other than migratory birds) with air guns is allowed. See Florida Hunting Regulations handbook for details. 7. 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. 8. Hunting turkey with air guns is prohibited, except PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow are allowed. 9. Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm or air gun must be in the presence of a supervising adult. 10. No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 11. For hunting non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles, muzzleloading guns, pistols, air guns, bows, crossbows or falconry may be used. 12. 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. 13. 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.
	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. A WMA Deer-dog Hunting Permit is required to hunt deer with the aid of dogs. 3. Hunting with dogs, other than bird dogs, is prohibited except dogs with a shoulder height of 17 inches or less may be used for deer hunting east of the Florida Turnpike during the general gun-dog season; dogs may be used to hunt small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) and non-protected birds during the small game season; and dogs may be used to hunt raccoon during the raccoon season. 4. 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. 5. Dogs on leashes may be used for trailing wounded game. 6. Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting with dogs, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
	Camping: 1. Camping is allowed only at designated hunter campsites during hunting periods and at designated campsites on the Florida Trail year round. 2. Camping equipment may be taken onto the area after 8 a.m. 7 days prior to the opening of the archery season and shall be removed before 6 p.m. 7 days following the end of the spring turkey season. 3. Camping shall be allowed from 8 a.m. 1 day prior to each season through 6 p.m. 1 day following each season. 4. Only tents, trailers and self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.
	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. General gun mobility-impaired season - the bag limit for antlerless deer is 1 per certified mobility-impaired hunter and only certified mobility-impaired hunters are allowed to take antlerless deer. 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. 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, except in the quail enhancement area, the daily bag limit for quail is 6 per person. Possession limit 24. 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.


	Seasons ( Count: 12) Archery Season September 14-15, September 16 - October 13 Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Quota permit (if hunting first 2 days) or daily quota permit (if hunting after first 2 days), hunting license, management area permit, archery permit, deer permit (if hunting deer), wild turkey permit (if hunting wild turkey), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl). Legal to Hunt - The take of antlerless deer is prohibited. Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, wild hog, turkey of either sex, gray squirrel, quail (prohibited in the Quail Enhancement Area), rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season and non-protected birds. Regulations Unique to Archery Season - Only archery equipment may be used for hunting, except that centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for hunting migratory birds and non-protected birds. Hunting with crossbows is prohibited (except by disabled crossbow permit). Muzzleloading Gun Season October 19-21 Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Quota permit, hunting license, management area permit, muzzleloading gun permit, deer permit (if hunting deer) and migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds). Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail (prohibited in the Quail Enhancement Area), rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season and non-protected birds. Regulations Unique to Muzzleloading Gun Season - Hunting with archery equipment or guns, other than muzzleloading guns, is prohibited, except that centerfire shotguns are allowed for hunting migratory birds and non-protected birds. General Gun Mobility-Impaired Season October 25-27 (East of Canoe Creek Road) Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Hunting license, management area permit, deer permit (if hunting deer) and migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds). Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, antlerless deer (which includes does and bucks with antlers less than 5 inches in length, but not spotted fawn), but only certified mobility-impaired hunters are allowed to take antlerless deer, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail (prohibited in the Quail Enhancement Area), rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season and non-protected birds. Regulations Unique to Mobility-Impaired General Gun Season - 1. All hunt participants are requested to attend a pre-hunt orientation meeting at the U.S. 441 check station 5 p.m. the day before the hunt. 2. All hunt participants shall check in and out at the U.S. 441 check station when entering and exiting the hunt area. 3. Hunting is allowed only in that portion of the area east of Canoe Creek Road. 4. Vehicles are not restricted to named or numbered roads or named or numbered trails. 5. Mobility-impaired hunters may be accompanied by a hunting guest (guest permit not required) and 1 non-hunting assistant that may participate in the hunt (no license required), but the non-hunting assistant may not harvest wildlife. 6. All guests must enter and exit the area with the mobility-impaired hunter and share the same vehicle. 7. The guest hunter cannot hunt on the area unless the mobility-impaired hunter is present on the area. 8. The guest hunter and non-hunting assistant may not bring additional hunters on the area. 9. The guest hunter and mobility-impaired hunter must share the bag limit of a single person. The mobility-impaired hunter shall be responsible for both parties complying with the bag limit. 10. Mobility-impaired hunters shall have their valid mobility-impaired certification cards in possession. General Gun Season November 2-3, November 4 - December 29 Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Quota permit (if hunting during first 2 days or if hunting east of the turnpike Dec. 5-8 or Dec. 26-29) or daily quota permit (Nov. 4 through Dec. 4, Dec. 9-25, and if hunting west of the turnpike Dec. 5-8 or Dec. 26-29), hunting license, management area permit, deer permit (if hunting deer), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds), and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl). Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, wild hog, gray squirrel, quail (prohibited in the Quail Enhancement Area - see Quail Season), rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in season and non-protected birds. Bobcat and otter beginning December 1. General Gun Dog Season December 5-8, 26-29 Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Quota permit (if hunting east of the turnpike) or daily quota permit (if hunting west of the turnpike), WMA deer-dog hunting permit (if hunting deer with dogs), hunting license, management area permit, deer permit (if hunting deer), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory birds) and state waterfowl permit and federal duck stamp (if hunting waterfowl). Legal to Hunt - Deer with at least 1 antler having 3 or more points (each point 1-inch or more in length) OR a main beam length of 10 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail (prohibited in the Quail Enhancement Area - see Quail Season), rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, bobcat, otter, migratory birds in season and non-protected birds. Regulations Unique to General Gun-Dog Season - 1. Dogs with a shoulder height of 17 inches or less may be used for deer hunting east of the turnpike (between the Florida Turnpike and U.S. 441) only. 2. Hunting with dogs is prohibited west of the turnpike. 3. A WMA deer-dog hunting permit is required to hunt deer with the aid of dogs. Small Game Season December 30 - March 2 Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Daily quota permit, 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 (prohibited in the Quail Enhancement Area except during established Quail Season - see Quail Season), rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory birds in and non-protected birds. Bobcat and otter through March 1. Regulations Unique to Small Game Season - Hunting with centerfire rifles is allowed. Raccoon Season January 10-12, 24-26, February 7-9 (only in that area between the Florida Turnpike and U.S. 441 and only 1½ hours before sunset on Friday until 1½ hours after sunrise on Sunday) Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Daily quota permit, hunting license and management area permit. Legal to Hunt - Raccoon and opossum. Regulations Unique to Raccoon Season - 1. Raccoon or opossum may be hunted at night by the aid of a light and dogs, with .22 rimfire firearms other than .22 magnum, or with a single-shot .410 gauge shotgun using shot no larger than No. 6. 2. Hunting raccoon or opossum by display or use of a light from a moving vehicle, boat or animal is prohibited. Quail Season (Quail Enhancement Area only): January through February (Wednesdays and Saturdays only, maximum of 16 days). For specific dates refer to: myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/quail/. Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Hunting license and management area permit. Legal to Hunt – Quail and small game in season (See Small Game Season). Regulations Unique to Quail Season - The daily bag limit for quail is 6 per person. Trapping Prohibited. Spring Turkey Season Youth Turkey: March 8-9 Spring Turkey: March 15 - April 20 Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Daily quota permit, hunting license, management area permit and wild turkey permit. Legal to Hunt - Bearded turkey or gobbler. Regulations Unique to Spring Turkey Season - 1. Legal shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. 2. Hunting other animals is prohibited. 3. Only bows, crossbows, PCP air guns propelling a bolt or arrow and centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns using a #2 or smaller shot size may be used for hunting. 4. During the youth turkey hunt, only youth under 16 years of age may hunt and must be under the supervision and in the presence of an adult not younger than 18 years of age. Adults with required licenses and permits may participate when in the presence of a youth, but may not harvest a wild turkey. Migratory Bird Season Migratory game birds and crows may be hunted during their respective statewide seasons that coincide with the September duck seasons or seasons where migratory birds are listed as legal to hunt in this brochure. See migratory game bird hunting regulations. Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Quota permit or daily quota permit (if hunting during any quota period), 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. Only Lake Jackson and the portion of the area between the Prairie Lakes Unit and Canoe Creek Road will be open for the September duck seasons. 3. Centerfire and muzzleloading shotguns are allowed for hunting during established area seasons when migratory birds are legal to take. 4. Shooting hours for mourning and white-winged dove are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. 5. Non-hunting assistants with required licenses and permits may actively participate in Veterans and Active Military Waterfowl Hunting Days, provided they may not harvest wildlife with a gun. 6. Adults with required licenses and permits may actively participate in Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, provided they may not harvest wildlife with a gun. Fishing and Frogging Allowed year round. Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Fishing license and daily-use or management area permit (if fishing) or management area permit (if frogging). Legal to Take - See Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations Summary. Regulations Unique to Fishing and Frogging - All General Freshwater Fishing Regulations shall apply. Shooting frogs is allowed only during the listed open hunting seasons and only with the legal methods of take during each particular season. Frogs may only be taken by firearms during daylight hours.


	General Information: 1. Public use of the Prairie Lakes Unit is covered in a separate brochure. 2. Water in wells is not certified for human consumption. 3. Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA. 4. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 352-732-1225 (TDD 800-955-8771). 5. The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property. 6. Please report the location of any sick or extremely skinny deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease hotline, toll free at 866-293-9282.




	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.