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Special Event Authorization

A Special Event Authorization is used to request use of, or activities on, wildlife management areas and other regulated areas when the FWC has primary management authority (see list of Lead Areas) that are not consistent with statewide or area-specific rules and/or may involve any of the issues enumerated below.

  1. May significantly impact fish and wildlife or their habitat
  2. Significantly impede other users or activities on the area
  3. Pose a risk to public safety for participants or other visitors
  4. Pose a substantial risk of liability to the FWC
  5. Requires, or will include, additional infrastructure such as restrooms, signage, provision of water
  6. Include food or beverage sales or other vendors
  7. May harm cultural or historical resources
  8. May damage facilities (roads, water control structures, etc.)
  9. Require FWC personnel, equipment and/or expenditures

What this authorization allows:

  • The holding of an event when the applicant proposes natural or cultural resource-related activities that do not unduly impact the resource, interfere with other users, or impose significant costs to the Commission.

What this authorization does NOT allow:

  • Access to wildlife management areas when they are closed due to weather or other emergency closures.
  • Hunting or fishing without the required licenses and permits.

For wildlife management area uses in which the FWC is not the lead land manager (see "Cooperative Areas") or uses related to hunting or fishing that are not consistent with statewide or area specific rules, use the Special Use-Other application process.

Requirements and conditions:

  1. The Special Event Authorization will specify what is allowed, when it is allowed, and any other special conditions, details or prohibitions.
  2. The authorization will specify such reasonable conditions as are necessary to assure that the use or activity authorized will limit liability to the FWC and protect fish, wildlife, and natural and cultural resources.
  3. The authorization must be in the physical possession of the event organizer when engaged in the authorized activity and must be presented to any law enforcement officer, FWC personnel, Forest Service personnel or other law enforcement personnel upon request.

Information you must have available to apply for this authorization:

  1. All details (what, when, where, etc.) of the event that you are requesting a Special Event Authorization for.
  2. Contact and identification information, including a daytime telephone number where you can be reached during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8am-5pm Eastern time).
  3. An email address if you would like to receive updates and notifications of approval or denial of the event application.  If you do not supply an email address, please return to the application site periodically to determine your status and, if approved, to print your authorization.

How to apply for this authorization:

  1. Click on the Apply for Special Event Authorization Now link below to be directed to the login screen.
  2. Returning customers (who have previously applied online for an FWC specialized permit or certification) may enter their username and password, or other identifying information, to login.  Those who have not previously applied for an FWC permit should click on Register to create an account.
  3. Once logged in, choose to Apply for a New Permit.
  4. Enter all requested information. 
  5. Submit your application.  Please allow 10 business days for processing time, though requests are typically handled expediently.

What happens next:

  1. Your application will be reviewed by FWC staff.  
  2. If you provided an email address, you will receive notifications, including approval or requests for additional information.  If you do not supply an email address, please return to the site periodically to determine your status.
  3. If approved, sign on to the application site by clicking the link below and print the authorization.
  4. Read and sign the authorization.
  5. This authorization must be in the physical possession of the event organizer when engaged in the event and must be presented to any law enforcement officer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel, Forest Service personnel or other law enforcement personnel upon request.

Apply for Special Event Authorization Now