FLORIDA HUNTERS!!

[BRL]

Quota Hunt Public Meetings

The Quota Permit Working Group, in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium at Florida State University, is evaluating the Wildlife Management Area quota permit system in respect to various problems believed to be affecting hunter recruitment and retention. Draft recommendations for changes to the quota permit system have been prepared which address several issues including: permit transferability, guest permits, expanding quota permit choices, etc. These recommendations are advisory to FWC and may change, as a result of public input. If approved, any changes will not be effective until the 2009-10 hunting season. The current recommendations and information about the Quota Permit Working Group are available online at http://consensus.fsu.edu/FWC/quotahunt.html As part of this process, public meetings are being conducted to discuss the draft recommendations and to receive additional public input. Public comment is very important, so your participation and input at these public meetings is strongly encouraged. The dates, times and locations for these public meetings are listed below.

April 16, 2008  Gulf Coast Community College
5 - 9 P.M. Central Time Gibson Lecture Hall
 5230 West U.S. Hwy 98

 Panama City, FL 32401


April 22, 2008  IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame
6 - 10 P.M. Eastern Time  300 Gulf Stream Way
 Dania Beach, FL 33004


April 29, 2008  Columbia County School Board
6 - 10 P.M. Eastern Time Administrative Auditorium
 372 West Duval Street

 Lake City, FL 32055


May 13, 2008  Bass Pro Shops
6 - 10 P.M. Eastern Time  5156 International Dr.
 Orlando, FL 32819


If you can not attend one of the public meetings and still want to comment on the Quota Permit Working Group's recommendations you can post your comments at: http://consensus.fsu.edu/FWC/quotahunt.html click on Comments.

[Land_Owner]

Thanks BRL.  I hope that many will take advantage and be heard.  I appreciate the work of the FWC in attempting to reach and retain hunters.  Their careers and livelihoods are ultimately on the line here. 

Florida has been very good at transitioning from rural cattle, citrus, and other farming regimes to "Growing Tourists".  The Big Rat House in the center of the State is one such transition. 

Cold weather in the north and the dream of living/retiring in the Land of Sunshine brings with it another transition from rural acreage to Town homes, Condominiums, Tract Development, and Urban sprawl.  The cost to hunt is going up. 

The crap shoot of being drawn for an FWC quota hunt and the prospect that 90% or better of the quota hunters are going home empty handed (statistics made up on the spot), will ultimately keep many at home.