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Twin Rivers - Blue Springs Unit
  pfs  3502

Regulations Summary and Area Map

July 01, 2023 - June 30, 2024
 
 
This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Blue Springs Unit of the Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area. For information and regulations pertaining to other tracts of the Twin Rivers WMA (not the Blue Springs Unit), please see the Twin Rivers WMA brochure. 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 (FWC) 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 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. 

Quota Permit Information:

Bird Dog Training - 14, no-cost quota permits (no exemptions) are available for the November-December time frame (4 persons per permit); however, only 1 permit will be issued for each day. Hunters may apply for these permits by calling the FWC's North Central Regional office at 386-758-0525 beginning at 10 a.m. on October 3. Permits will be issued first-come, first-served and will be mailed to permit holders. Each applicant may receive no more than 1 permit for this November-December time frame. 

 

Quail - Up to 2, no-cost quota permits (no exemptions) for up to 8 hunts (up to 2 hunters per permit). Hunters may apply for these permits by submitting electronic applications as described below. The number of quota permits issued will be based on a fall population survey. It is possible that no permits will be issued.

 

Permit applications: Hunters must submit electronic applications for quota permits at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, except when applying for bird dog training permits for the Blue Springs Unit of the Twin Rivers Wildlife Management Area. 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.

 

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.

 

Transfer of permits: Quota 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 is prohibited.

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.  It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
    2.  Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
    3.  No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
    4.  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.
    5.  The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
    6.  Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
    7.  People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action. 
    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.  Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
    10.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
    11.  The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
    12.  Littering is prohibited.
    13.  Fires are prohibited.
    14.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
    15.  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.  Public access is allowed year round by persons on foot, bicycle or horse.
    2.  Use of motorized vehicles is prohibited, except by persons in possession of a valid quota permit, only on days the permit is valid and only on roads shown on the brochure map.
    3.  For vehicle access, persons in possession of a valid quota permit may use the lock combination (found on their quota permit) to unlock the designated entrance gate only on days the permit is valid.
    4.  Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
    5.  No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
    6.      Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.
  • Hunters
    Hunters:
    Bird dog trainers and quail hunters must enter and exit at the entrance designated on the brochure map.
  • Guns
    Guns:
    1.  During the quail hunts, quail may be hunted only with shotguns; bird dog trainers may only use blank-firing pistols.
    2.  Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
    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.  Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
    6.  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 with dogs is prohibited, except that bird dogs are allowed during the bird dog training and quail seasons.
    2.  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.
    3.  Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
  • Camping
    Camping: 
    Camping is allowed only during non-hunting periods and only by permit from the Florida Forest Service (386-208-1460; see Florida Forest Service Rules and Information below).
  • Bag and Possession Limits
    Bag and Possession Limits:
    Quail - Daily limit 6 per quail quota permit.
  • General Information
    General Information:
    1.  Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.
    2.  This land was acquired under the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program. The purpose of CARL is to conserve and protect unique and irreplaceable lands, and restore areas to their original condition as much as possible, and allow controlled multiple recreational and educational uses consistent with this purpose.
    3.  Local camping facilities include Gibson Park, located at 6884 SW CR 751 in Jasper, FL. Tent and RV camping is allowed for a small fee. Amenities include: water, cold showers, picnic shelters and handicap facilities.
    4.  If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 386-758-0525 (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.  It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
2.  Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
3.  No person shall cut, damage or remove any natural, man-made or cultural resource without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
4.  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.
5.  The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
6.  Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities.
7.  People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action. 
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.  Most game may be hunted from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset.
10.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager.
11.  The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager.
12.  Littering is prohibited.
13.  Fires are prohibited.
14.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
15.  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.  Public access is allowed year round by persons on foot, bicycle or horse.
2.  Use of motorized vehicles is prohibited, except by persons in possession of a valid quota permit, only on days the permit is valid and only on roads shown on the brochure map.
3.  For vehicle access, persons in possession of a valid quota permit may use the lock combination (found on their quota permit) to unlock the designated entrance gate only on days the permit is valid.
4.  Parked vehicles may not obstruct a road, gate or firelane.
5.  No motor vehicle shall be operated in areas designated as closed to vehicular traffic.
6.  Class 1 electric bicycles may be operated according to rules for traditional, non-motorized bicycles. For more information visit MyFWC.com/ebike.
Hunters:
Bird dog trainers and quail hunters must enter and exit at the entrance designated on the brochure map.
Guns:
1.  During the quail hunts, quail may be hunted only with shotguns; bird dog trainers may only use blank-firing pistols.
2.  Hunting at night with a gun is prohibited.
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.  Hunting with full-automatic firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and set guns is prohibited.
6.  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 with dogs is prohibited, except that bird dogs are allowed during the bird dog training and quail seasons.
2.  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.
3.  Dogs are allowed during periods or in areas closed to hunting, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times.
Camping: 
Camping is allowed only during non-hunting periods and only by permit from the Florida Forest Service (386-208-1460; see Florida Forest Service Rules and Information below).
Bag and Possession Limits:
Quail - Daily limit 6 per quail quota permit.
 
Seasons ( Count: 4)
  • Bird Dog Training Season

    November through December (maximum of 14 days).
    Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Bird dog training quota permit (call 386-758-0525 after 10 a.m. October 2    ), hunting license and management area permit.
    Legal to Take - The shooting of wildlife during this period is prohibited.
    Regulations Unique to Bird Dog Training Season - 
    1.  Only 1 bird dog training quota permit will be issued for a given date. Until a total of 14 permits have been issued, a caller may select any date in November-December. If a permit has not been issued for that date, the caller will be issued a permit.
    2.  A bird dog training quota permit allows 1 group of up to 4 persons and 6 dogs to participate in training on the date printed on the permit.
    3.  Only blank-firing pistols may be used while training bird dogs.
    4.  The release of quail is prohibited.
  • Quail Season

    January through February (Saturdays only; maximum of 8 days).
    Permit, Stamp and License Requirements - Quota permit, hunting license, and management area permit.
    Legal to Hunt - Quail.
    Regulations Unique to Quail Season - 
    1.  Each quail quota permit allows a hunting group of 2 persons to participate.
    2.  Hunting with archery equipment or guns, other than shotguns, is prohibited.
  • Trapping
    Prohibited.
  • Fishing and Frogging
    Prohibited.
 
General Information:
1.  Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.
2.  This land was acquired under the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program. The purpose of CARL is to conserve and protect unique and irreplaceable lands, and restore areas to their original condition as much as possible, and allow controlled multiple recreational and educational uses consistent with this purpose.
3.  Local camping facilities include Gibson Park, located at 6884 SW CR 751 in Jasper, FL. Tent and RV camping is allowed for a small fee. Amenities include: water, cold showers, picnic shelters and handicap facilities.
4.  If you have any questions about this material, please call the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 386-758-0525 (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.
Florida Forest Service Rules and Information:
1.  Most Florida State Forest campsites are reservable on any mobile device or computer by visiting FloridaStateForests.ReserveAmerica.com, or by calling ReserveAmerica at (877) 879-3859. 
2.  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 386-208-1460.
3.  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, 386-208-1460.

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.
 FWC programs receive Federal financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Fish and 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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC) at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399, Ph: (850) 488-6411, or you may write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.