Commission meeting news : 

News Release

FWC considers quota hunt system changes

September 18, 2008
Contact: Henry Cabbage, 850-528-1755

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed changes to the quota hunt system at its meeting in Jacksonville on Wednesday. The FWC uses the quota hunt system to control the number of hunters on wildlife management areas during high-demand periods.

After considering several options, including a list of proposals from a stakeholder working group for overhauling the agency's quota hunt system, the Commission asked staff to continue analyzing other possible options.

Proposals to alter the way the FWC issues the permits and to make permits non-transferable among hunters drew compelling reactions from both sides of the issue. Some argued the current system leads to abuses; others said the abuses are limited to a few individuals and do not warrant changes that would make the system less user-friendly to ethical hunters. Florida is the only state that allows transferring quota hunt permits. The state does not allow the purchase or sale of quota hunt permits.

Commissioners directed FWC staff to develop additional options that could have more universal support among affected hunters, while addressing fair and flexible considerations that limit potential for abuse.

"This meeting helped us focus on the best way to achieve fair access for hunting on wildlife management areas in Florida," said Diane Eggeman, director of the FWC's Division of Hunting and Game Management. "We look forward to bringing back a new proposal in the near future for the 2009-10 hunting season."