Message from the FWC
Message from the FWC by Chairman Rodney Barreto
Hunter-funded research paves way to a healthy future for Florida’s game species
Having up-to-date knowledge about Florida’s game species is important for good conservation and the future of hunting, which is why we’re excited about the many research projects underway this year throughout the state. With current research spanning topics such as deer population dynamics, wood duck nesting success, snipe genetics, wild turkey ecology and more, there’s something of interest for all of Florida’s hunters.
We’re especially pleased about a new project focusing on gobbling and nesting chronology of wild turkeys in south Florida. This project is a three-year study that began this past winter, at the Okaloacoochee Slough Wildlife Management Area in Hendry County and DeLuca Preserve in Osceola County. The objectives of this research project are to determine the relationship between gobbling, nesting and hunting season dates to ensure Florida’s spring turkey hunting season is set to maximize hunter satisfaction and the sustainability of Florida’s wild turkey population.
Wild turkeys trapped at the two study sites will allow biologists to gather basic information (weight, size, age, sex, etc.) about each bird. In addition, they’ll band all captured birds and outfit a select number of hens with GPS transmitters. Biologists will regularly monitor hens that received GPS transmitters to determine nesting behavior including when and how many nests are initiated and the success of the nesting effort.
This research project is the result of a partnership between the FWC and the University of Florida D.E.E.R. Lab. It is funded by money generated from the sale of turkey permits, as well as contributions from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
We invite you to learn more about wild turkey management at MyFWC.com/Turkey.
Florida's CWD Watch
866-CWD-WATCH (293-9282)
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious disease of the brain and central nervous system that is always fatal to members of the deer family. CWD has not been detected in Florida. You can help guard against CWD by reporting sick or abnormally thin deer or deer dead of unknown causes to the CWD hotline at 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282).
Learn more at MyFWC.com/CWD.
Sign up for free hunting and shooting range email updates
3 easy steps!
1. Visit MyFWC.com/News and click "Sign Up for News Releases"
2. Enter your email address and hit "Submit" button
3. Under "Subscription Topics" select “Hunting” and check box for "FWC Hunting News"
Florida Buck Registry
The Florida Buck Registry recognizes hunters for taking quality deer in Florida. A minimum Boone and Crockett score of 100 for typical antlers and 125 for nontypical antlers is required for entry into the registry. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Deer.
Florida Wild Turkey Registry
The Florida Wild Turkey Registry recognizes quality wild turkeys taken in Florida.
- To qualify for an “Outstanding Gobbler Certificate,” the beard must be 11 inches or longer and both spurs must be
1¼ inches or longer. - A “First Gobbler Certificate” also is awarded to hunters age 15 or younger for harvesting their first gobbler, regardless of beard and spur measurements.
Applications are available at MyFWC.com/Turkey.
Wildlife Alert Reward Program
Help conserve our fish and wildlife resources and maintain public safety by reporting hunting, fishing or boating violations to the FWC.
Call 888-404-3922 or visit MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
The Wildlife Alert program provides financial rewards to concerned citizens when their information leads to citations or arrests for hunting, fishing or boating violations in Florida. Those reporting violations can remain anonymous!
