Apply for Dove Hunt Permits Aug. 24

From News Release

August 11, 2010
Media Contact: Tony Young, 850-488-7867

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will accept applications to be included in a random drawing for daily dove hunt permits from 10 a.m. Aug. 24 through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 7.

Application worksheets are available at MyFWC.com/Hunting under "Limited Entry Hunts." There is no cost to apply. Sportsmen may apply for these permits at www.fl.wildlifelicense.com, by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356), or in person at county tax collectors' offices or license agents.

Permits are available for the following special-opportunity public dove fields:

• Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Martin County;
• Caravelle Ranch WMA in Putnam County;
• Combs Farm Public Small-game Hunting Area (PSGHA) in Baker County;
• Hilochee WMA in Lake County;
• North Newberry PSGHA in Alachua County; and
• Frog Pond WMA in Miami-Dade County (Lead shot is prohibited on this area. Hunters are required to use U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved, non-toxic shot).

If successful in the random drawing, sportsmen will have to purchase their permits by Sept. 26, or the permit will be offered to the public on a first-come, first-served basis during Phase II. The cost for a permit is $35, which entitles one adult and one youth (under age 16) to hunt together, but allows only one daily bag limit of doves to be harvested between them.

Successful applicants also will have the option of buying a $10 youth permit at the same time they purchase a daily dove hunt permit. This entitles the youth (under age 16), while hunting under the supervision of the adult permit holder, to harvest his own daily bag limit of birds.

"These dove fields are planted and managed by the FWC and offer great hunting opportunities in a friendly, social atmosphere that provides the perfect setting for friends and family, including youngsters, to hunt together," said Kurt Hodges, FWC small-game biologist.

Beginning Sept. 30, up-to-date information on field conditions and bird numbers will be available from the Dove Hunter's Hotline at MyFWC.com/Dove.

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For more information on the permits, call the FWC's Office of Licensing and Permitting, 850-488-3641. To learn how you and your family can get involved in these unique special-opportunity dove hunts, visit MyFWC.com/Dove.

To get more children involved in the outdoors, the FWC has launched the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network initiative. These centers will provide traditional outdoor opportunities for young people that strengthen connections with and support for fish and wildlife conservation.