News Release

Camp Blanding WMA now has “hunter hotline”

September 20, 2007
Contact: Karen Parker (386) 758-0525

Hunters who are interested in the opportunities available on Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area can call a new hunting hotline to get the most up-to-date information about the area.

The hotline, (904) 291-9912, is up and running, according to Scott Johns, district wildlife biologist at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Olustee Field Office.

“This is something we developed at the request of the military folks at Camp Blanding. They kept getting calls about the hunts but didn’t have the information to keep up with the hunt dates, closures, re-openings, license, stamp, permit requirements and such,” Johns said.

Hunting this area can be confusing, due to the variety of hunts and military training requirements. The wildlife management area consists of 56,197 acres in Clay County.

“This hotline gives us the ability to provide hunters with up-to-the-minute changes in hunting opportunities. For example, we can let hunters know when an area has been closed for training by the military and when hunts are cancelled,” Johns said.

For instance, on still hunt area 2, archery and muzzleloading gun hunts have been canceled because of military training. These hunts will be conducted on still hunt area 1 only.

“We can also let hunters know when the areas are opened again if the training is completed early or other changes are made. Jim Garrison, our biologist at Camp Blanding, is responsible for the hotline and will update it as necessary,” Johns said. “I hope folks will take advantage of this service. It should prevent misunderstandings and misinformation that have occurred in the past and will provide better customer service to our Camp Blanding hunters.”

For hunting dates and area regulations, visit MyFWC.com/hunting/wma/2007-08/North-Central/CampBlanding.pdf or call the regional office, (386) 758-0525, for a brochure.