LIVE OAK, FL, June 12, 2009 – Suwannee River Water Management (District) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have expanded hunting opportunities for the 2009-10 hunting season.
The Scanlon Tract, located 16 miles west of Perry on U.S. 98, will be added to the Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The tract will provide 617 additional acres to the WMA and that land will be open to hunters for the first time this hunting season. The land also will provide a river access point for fishing.
“We are pleased to provide more hunting and fishing opportunities to the public,” said Edwin McCook, District land management specialist.
The District owns about 160,000 acres of land that provide recreational opportunities to the public including, hunting, camping, boating, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and cycling. Roughly 95,000 acres are open to hunting and fishing during certain seasons of the year. FWC manages hunting opportunities on District lands.
While hunting and fishing opportunities are available at no cost to the public, the appropriate licenses, permits and stamps are required. Hunting, trapping and fishing licenses, as well as management area, archery, muzzleloading gun, wild turkey and state waterfowl permits may be purchased from county tax collectors or license agents. Hunters may also visit http://MyFWC.com/license or call 1-888-486-8356.
A migratory bird permit is available at no cost when purchasing a hunting license. Any waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must obtain a federal duck stamp, which is available where licenses are sold, at most post offices or at www.duckstamp.com.
To view a list of regulations for hunting in the Lower Econfina River WMA, visit http://MyFWC.com/docs/Brochures/09-10_LowerEconfina.pdf or call the FWC at 386-758-0525 (TDD 800-955-8771).
The following is a list of 2009-10 hunting seasons for the Lower Econfina River WMA:
ARCHERY SEASON: September 26 through October 11
MUZZLELOADING GUN SEASON: October 30 through November 1
SMALL GAME SEASON: January 25 through March 7
SPRING TURKEY SEASON: March 20-28
FISHING AND FROGGING: Allowed year-round
MIGRATORY BIRD SEASONS: Rails, common moorhen, mourning dove, white-winged dove, snipe, duck, geese, coot, woodcock and crows may be hunted during seasons established by the Commission for these species that coincide with the archery, muzzleloading gun or small game seasons.