Florida Hog Hunts

[norman]

Here ya go Florida Hog hunters

News Release
FWC needs help with feral hogs on Hutton Unit

April 2, 2008
Contact: Fred Robinette, (850) 265-3676

Feral hogs have a reputation for destroying wildlife habitat with their foraging habits and high reproductive rates. Nowhere is that more clear than on the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area, Hutton Unit, near Milton.

Due to extensive damage and a growing number of hogs on the 5,243-acre area, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering five three-day hog hunts this spring and summer. The hunts are the product of an agreement between the FWC and the Florida Division of Forestry - the lead managing agency for Blackwater River State Forest.

Hunt dates are May 23-25, June 20-22, July 18-20, Aug. 22-24 and Sept. 19-21.  A total of five quota permits are available for each three-day hunt. Up to two people may hunt per quota permit.

And, the best thing yet for some hunters is that hog-dogs will be allowed during the hunts. Hunters will be limited to a total of three dogs, however.

Hog hunting has been legal on the Hutton Unit since the late 1990s, according to FWC wildlife biologist Fred Robinette.

"The trouble is they learn pretty quickly when still hunters are there, and hogs change their habits. It's impossible to harvest enough to control their numbers. I think they've taken a half-dozen or so over the years," he said.

Robinette said hogs come out mostly at night, destroying wildlife food plots of chufas, corn and wheat. Recent surveys show that ground-nesting birds, such as quail, have declined in numbers on the area, likely from hogs destroying their nests and ground cover.

Anyone interested in applying for the hunts can do so beginning April 22 at 10 a.m. EDT through the Total Licensing System at county tax collectors' offices or online on a first-come, first-served basis at MyFWC.com/license.

There will be no size or bag limit on hogs. No live hogs may be removed from the area.
 


http://myfwc.com/whatsnew/08/northwest/News_08_NW_FeralHogs.htm

[Land_Owner]

Thanks Norman.

This link provides specific Hutton Unit hog hunting information and the sign up sheet:
http://myfwc.com/hunting/quota_hunt/Docs/2008-09HuttonHog.pdf

I still have not found out the fee for this quota hunt.  Anyone?

Apparently the hunts are filled as the on-line system does not indicate ANY available Quota Hunts. 

I would still like to know how much it costs to just "sign up" to be considered for this hunt...not that you get your money back if you are not selected.  I am wondering how much money is garnered in fees from those that sign up, but not selected.  It's a mental itch.

[norman]

I don't get it...they need help controlling hogs but want to charge you for helping them.  Kinda like I need help on a load for some cartridge please send 50.00 and info?  Don't make sense to me.  But then again this is the guvment??!!??

[Land_Owner]

Local County Government, responsible for Quota Hunt sign up as Agent for the State, doesn't do anything for free.  The Counties usually charge a nominal State set $5.00 to $15.00 fee for sitting at their desk and electronically signing you up.  I suppose some of the collected fee goes to the State for Administration and potentially Wildlife Management. 

The fee also keeps the RIF RAF out of the system.  PETA does not usually sign up (and pay the fee) to eliminate Quota Hunt opportunities.

And I am still looking to determine whether a fee was/is collected for this hunt or not.

Did anyone sing up?  Did anyone get a permit?

[norman]

 According to the 2007-2008 Florida hunting regs the quota permits are free but you have to have a management area permit and that costs 26.50.  See page 27 of the hunting regs under quota permits.

[Land_Owner]

Well I'll be...that would be a logical place to look for fees.  Thanks norman.

[norman]

No problem Richard.  How's the hogs in Mims?  They still interfering with your deer?

[Land_Owner]

Apparently those two animal groups have come to a truce; the deer are routinely feeding and the hogs have gone elsewhere (temporarily I am sure).  My deer hunting partner shot a 138# boar on Sunday two weekends ago.  It was the first hog seen there in months.  There isn't any sign of hogs passing through, so they must be where the water is.  That is out on the flood plain of the river and over a mile west of me.  They'll be back.  On that I can bank.