News Releases

Deer hunting auxiliary check stations announced

News Release

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Media contact: Joy Hill, 352-258-3426

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announces 11 auxiliary check stations for hunters to use to check the deer and turkey they harvest during the upcoming hunting seasons on Ocala Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Gores Landing Unit of the Ocklawaha River WMA.

Hunters are required to check all deer and turkey harvested from the Ocala WMA at one of the following check stations prior to field-dressing or transporting the carcass out of the hunt area:

• Advantage Sports Center in Salt Springs;
• Country Store in Altoona;
• Lake Feed and Farm in Umatilla;
• Forest Hills Grocery in Forest Hills;
• J & S Cowart Bait, Tackle, Etc. in Eureka;
• Ocklawaha River Country Store in Hog Valley;
• Wiggler's Bait and Tackle in Lynne;
• South Moon Fish Camp in Astor;
• All American Deli and Country Store in Altoona;
• Astor Arms and Outdoor Supplies in Astor; and
• Scrambletown Country Store in Scrambletown.

Hunters using Gores Landing Unit are not required to check their deer, but the FWC asks that they do. They can check them in any of the 11 check stations listed, but most convenient to the Gores Landing Unit is J & S Cowart Bait, Tackle, Etc. in Eureka.

The data collected at the check stations is valuable to wildlife biologists to help them manage the deer populations in those areas. Of particular interest is the number of deer taken, general physical condition and weight.

Below is a list of check stations with names, addresses and phone numbers.