In 1941, the Commission of Game and Freshwater Fish, the predecessor agency of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, purchased land in Charlotte County for wildlife management. Today this land is part of the 79,013-acre Fred C. Babcock-Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area. Surrounded by residential development, citrus groves, and improved pasture, Babcock-Webb is among the last undeveloped expanses of hydric (wet) pine flatwoods in southwest Florida. Within 5 miles of Punta Gorda and 20 miles from Ft. Myers, here you can hunt bobwhite quail, participate in bird dog field trials, fish for trophy size bluegill, hike, mountain bike, and horseback ride. Resident and migratory birds and wildflowers are abundant. |
