Message from the FWC

Message from the FWC by Chairman Rodney Barreto

A Season of New Opportunities

We’re excited to announce the establishment of six new public hunting areas this season: C-44 STA PSGHA in Martin County, Deep Creek WMA in St. Johns County, Dinner Island Ranch WMA – Caracara Unit in Hendry County, Green Heart of the Everglades PSGHA in Collier County, Lake Apopka North Shore PSGHA in Lake County, and Rice Creek WMA in Putnam County. These additions will contribute over 45,000 new acres to Florida’s 6 million-acre WMA system, expanding public access to hunting opportunities for deer, wild turkey, wild hog, and small game.

This season also brings important rule changes that increase opportunities for harvesting antlerless deer. These changes increase the number of antlerless deer season dates on lands outside the WMA system within hunting zones B, C, and D.

As Chairman of the Commission, I’m proud of our continued efforts to expand hunting opportunities. Your input is invaluable to this process, and I encourage you to get involved—whether through stakeholder meetings, online commenting tools, or public comment sections at Commission meetings.