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News Release |
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Six new WMAs added for recreational activities February 6, 2008 More than 33,000 acres were added to the wildlife management area (WMA) system at the February Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting on Wednesday. The six new WMAs will provide additional recreational activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Five of the areas are in the FWC’s North Central Region. Belmore WMA, in Clay County, consists of approximately 8,737 acres. There will be three 3-day archery hunts, a 3-day muzzleloading gun hunt and a 2-day family hunt. For general gun, there will be one 4-day hunt and one 5-day hunt. Small game consists of six 3-day hunts, and there will be three 3-day spring turkey hunts. Fishing and frogging are allowed throughout the year. Tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs are prohibited. Camping is prohibited. Bird dogs are allowed during small game season. All other hunting with dogs is prohibited. Horses and bicycles are allowed on roads and designated trails only. Visitors must enter and exit at designated entrances. Four Creeks WMA is approximately 13,147 acres in Nassau County. Open seasons include:
Tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs are prohibited. Bird dogs are allowed during small game and waterfowl seasons. All other hunting with dogs is prohibited. Horses and bicycles are allowed on roads and designated trails only. Visitors must enter and exit at designated entrances, which include navigable waterways. Hatchet Creek WMA, in Alachua County, consists of approximately 2,760 acres. Open seasons are:
Tracked vehicles, airboats, unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs are prohibited. Hunting with dogs is prohibited. Bicycles are allowed on roads and designated trails only. A valid quota permit is required of all persons entering the area on hunt days. Hunters must enter and exit only through designated entrances and are required to check in and out at the check station. All game must also be checked. Log Landing WMA is in Dixie County and is approximately 1,147 acres. Open seasons will include:
Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Hunting deer or hogs with dogs is prohibited. Bird dogs or dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less are allowed only during the small game season. Dogs on a leash may be used for tracking. Fires are also prohibited, as is the taking of wildlife with centerfire rifles. Users must enter and exit at designated entrances or via the Suwannee River. Thomas Creek WMA, approximately 1,753 acres, is in Duval County. The area will have the following open seasons:
Hunting deer or hogs with dogs is prohibited. Bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of less than 15 inches are allowed. A valid quota permit is required of all persons entering the area on hunt days, except the small game season. Everyone entering or exiting the area must use designated entrances. The last area is in Polk County in the FWC’s Southwest Region. The Hilochee WMA - Osprey Unit consists of 6,336 acres. Open seasons for wild hogs will include:
There also will be two 2-day spring turkey hunts. Deer are not legal on this WMA at this time because of low populations. Users must enter and exit at a designated entrance. Airboats, tracked vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs and outboard motors larger than 10 horsepower are prohibited. Horses are allowed during non-hunting periods on designated trails and named or numbered roads. Bicycles are allowed year-round. Nets, fish traps, trotlines, set lines, minnow seines, cast nets and bush hooks are prohibited. Bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less for taking small game are allowed, and dogs of any size during the general gun hog-dog season are allowed. |
Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
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