Here's what you need to know about the start of all the hunting seasons
A phenomenon never explored by the greats of yesteryear, your Fred Bears and Jack O’Connors and Ernest Hemingways, was how and why kids always fall ill before or during long-planned hunting adventures.
Two weeks ago while waterfowling in Montana, my daughter underwent a CT scan for a possible concussion caused from a soccer game only to reveal a serious sinus infection. Just throwing that medical bill in on the cost of the trip.
While preparing to leave for an annual excursion to North Carolina last week, my son contracted the flu and strep throat. When he could choke down food, he immediately released it back into the wild. I feared the smell lingering in the home would impregnate my hunting attire and spook any game within 100 yards.
I’m back from these trips now with the kids’ health on the mend and thankfully still married, but the Florida duck opener this weekend appears out of the question, as I write this on Wednesday, if I wish to remain so.
So, it’s been busy, and in that vein, I’m going to perform what we in the biz call “mailing this one in” with an easy, but un-Hemingway “Important Hunting Date Round-up” column, as the sun is rising on hunting seasons throughout the state this month.
(Remember, these seasons do not always apply to wildlife management areas. Check individual brochures.)
Deer: In Zone B, which includes portions of Polk County, Muzzleloading Gun season is Nov. 19 - Dec. 2. A Youth deer hunt weekend is Nov. 26–27 with General Gun following on December 3.
Turkey: Gobblers may be taken on private lands during any Fall deer season, but here is one final reminder to apply for limited-entry Spring Turkey hunts by November 30.
Alligators: All unused CITES tags were due on the 15th. Future permits may be denied to applicants who failed to return unused tags; however, select units affected by Hurricane Ian were granted an extension to Dec. 15. Unused tags must be returned for these units by Dec. 30.
Duck: The first phase of duck season is the 19th through 27th. The second phase will begin Dec. 10 and run through Jan. 29. Phase I applications for Period C of the Regular Season Waterfowl Limited-Entry Permit drawing are due any time between the 18th and 28th.
Migratory Birds: The second phase of dove season started the 12th and will end December 4th. Snipe season began Nov. 1 and runs until Feb. 15.
Small Game: Quail season opened on the 12th and ends March 5. Gray squirrel began October 8th and will also conclude March 5th. And if you’re by a newsstand, check out the November 2022 edition of Florida Sportsman magazine for an article I wrote on hunting bushytails.
FWC Meeting: The next FWC Commission meeting will be held in Panama City on Nov. 30 - Dec. 1. On the agenda are changes to hunting rules for 2023-2024. Staff will present proposed rule amendments to revise select statewide hunting regulations and specific area regulations on public lands. The Commission is offering the opportunity for stakeholders to provide advance comments that should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
For more information on all of this, please visit myfwc.com
Best of luck to all hunters over the coming month, no matter the game. And the best of health to you and yours!
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Here's what you need to know about the start of all the hunting seasons
