September 17, 2012
By Florida Sportsman Newswire
From Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wild Turkey Management Program
If you hunt public land, you should know that many of Florida's wildlife management areas (WMAs) require a quota permit to hunt during archery, muzzleloading gun and all or part of the general gun season. Take note that this year, there have been some major changes to some of the application periods.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) contract with our current license/permit vendor is about to expire, and the agency has signed a new deal with Brandt Information Services of Tallahassee. This new contract begins on Oct. 1, 2012, and there's going to be a month-long transition period between systems.
What this means to you is this: some of the quota application periods that previously occurred in October are going to be moved up earlier, and others are going to be pushed back later.
For this year only, the application periods for Green Swamp general gun camping permits and these waterfowl permits – Merritt Island, Goodwin/Broadmoor, Ocklawaha Prairie, September waterfowl and the STAs – will be in September. And the application dates for St. Marks spring turkey and special-opportunity spring turkey permits will happen in November.
Updating to the new system also means there will be no issuing of guest permits, or the issuing of leftover quota permits and re-issues during the entire month of October for this year. So that means if you're planning on getting a guest permit for your friend for your October hunt, you had better make sure you get it in September; otherwise, your buddy won't be able to hunt with you.
As some of you may recall, we've had a couple hiccups in the past with our current vendor, regarding some of our first-come, first-served permits. That is one of the reasons why the agency wanted to partner with a new vendor – one that is using cutting-edge technology, so that Florida's hunters can receive the best possible service and product in the near future.
We ask you to please be patient with us, while we make this challenging transition from old to new vendor. In the end, we feel this change will be well worth it and greatly benefit our valued customers – Florida's hunters – who deserve the best we can provide.
Below are the application dates for just the affected wild turkey hunts. To see an updated list of all the limited entry/quota permit application dates, go to http://www.myfwc.com/license/limited-entry-hunts/application-periods/, and please help us spread the word about these upcoming changes.
Special Opportunity Spring Turkey |
Phase I Applications |
11/1/2012 |
11/30/2012 |
Round 1 Permit Pickups |
12/10/2012 |
1/21/2013 |
Round 2 Permit Pickups |
1/28/2013 |
2/25/2013 |
Round 3 Permit Pickups |
3/4/2013 |
4/21/2013 |
St. Marks Spring Turkey |
Phase I Applications |
11/1/2012 |
11/30/2012 |
Permit Pickups |
12/10/2012 |
1/21/2013 |
Phase II FCFS Leftovers |
1/28/2013 |
4/14/2013 |
