A previous thread on here discussed the proposed changes for Florida WMA turkey hunting.
https://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php?topic=119282.0
One of those changes was restricting non-resident hunting during the first 3 days of the season on the following WMAs:
Big Cypress (non-quota portion)
Herky Huffman/Bull Creek
Jumper Creek
J.W. Corbett
Three Lakes
They are voting on the changes at this month's commission meeting, Feb. 26-27.
While reviewing the agenda for the meeting, I noticed FWC has now proposed to " prohibit non-residents from hunting wild turkey during the first 9 days of the zonal spring turkey season " for those WMAs.
So they've upped the ante from 3 days, to 9 DAYS!!!
You can view the agenda at the following link. The turkey related items are under Section 6.
https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/draft-meeting-agenda-february-2025/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=campaign
Other notable changes include:
-Restricting non-residents to 10% of quota permits (long overdue in my opinion)
-Make non-residents buy an annual hunting license to hunt turkey (no more 10-day hunting licenses for turkey hunting)
FWC's recommendation is to pass all the changes, so it'll happen.
Amazing how fast we are losing hunting opportunities these days. You can bet other states will take notice and start drumming up their own plans.
The future is VERY, VERY grim for public land turkey hunting across the nation. Its almost like something happened in the late 2010s when all this came crashing down. Hmmm..
Your obsession with restricting and price gouging turkey hunters is a bit alarming.
Be an interesting meeting. At the very least the requirement of an annual license should pass. I'm betting the 10% quota won't. Too much $$$ involved. We'll see.
Remember these changes won't take effect until 2026.
Quote from: deerhunt1988 on February 13, 2025, 06:08:34 PM... Its almost like something happened in the late 2010s when all this came crashing down. Hmmm..
Agree, the crashing of polt survival rates was alarming and continues to this day.
Well could see it coming a long time ago. Been going down every other year since first year in 92. Made some terrific friends down there, a lot of great stories around the campfires. Looks like one of them major turns on the road of life. In this case it may be a crash.
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Quote from: arkrem870 on February 14, 2025, 06:22:52 AMYour obsession with restricting and price gouging turkey hunters is a bit alarming.
Think you talking about someone else. Or maybe their post got deleted?
I'm very concerned with it all. Prohibiting ANY non-resident hunting the first 9 days is WILD. The initial proposal of 3 days, OK. I could live with that. But 9?!? They could have just made those WMAs draw for non-residents. This sets a bad precedent for the future if it passes. Very bad.
Turkeys cycle up and down. Timing of spring weather is a major driver in poult production/survival. Of course predation is a major piece of the puzzle and kudos to those out trapping. Burning. Etc I appreciate the current push study/protect wild turkeys for future generations. They are magical birds.
Unfortunately, as it usually does.....greed has reared its ugly head more than ever in the ranks of turkey hunters. For profit Commercial turkey hunting productions on public lands is rampant and competition is ever growing. The slams. Chasing the states etc is putting stress on turkey hunters through crowding and increasing license sales
It is my hope the popularity will decline to a more reasonable demand over the next decade. And states will not make knee jerk regulations and price gouge fellow hunters. I'm afraid once this really starts it's could get out of control fast....we are already starting to see it
For the 2024 spring turkey season, an estimated 14,513 turkeys were harvested, which is a 28% increase from 11,382 in 2023, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report; that's from an estimated 31,085 hunters.
Ive seen this type of behavior over the last 40 years
One southern state will raise the out of state hunters license to $200 , then all the others retaliate with similar up charges
Since the state in its infinite wisdom has decided to quota everything ...and left a corrupt "buddy system intact ...its impossible to attain quotas so the 2 early phase solitary WMAS that don't require permits ...get slammed ...now those are going to be hands off by the looks of it for non residents
35 years ago the early phase was 1 week earlier than the rest of the state ...they changed it .... to 2 weeks ...several states have inched up their seasons so now that early phase is almost a month earlier...
If this does pass... when is it scheduled to go into affect?
Quote from: slave601 on February 18, 2025, 03:28:04 PMIf this does pass... when is it scheduled to go into affect?
For the 2026 season, not this spring.
I was figuring not this season being so close to it but ya never know! Thanks for the info!
I filled it out. Thanks for posting.
Let me lend you some insights with the FWC ...
They have these "meetings" " stake holder meetings " and propose them for rule change under the disguise that it will be democratic process ....the real fact is ...most of the time it's a (DONE DEAL ) They will push ahead with the rule change , the only thing that will delay the rule ammendment is
a huge public outcry , even then they will circle back and push it through...this is decades of observation
I am ..publicly OPPOSED to the 9 day deal , I am quite familiar with all the management areas , and trust me when I tell you it is crowded ...it
certainly wasn't like that in 1984 , we had the whole place to ourselves ! And I mean THE WHOLE PLACE
I have been standing on tables yelling about the season dates for decates ...they need to first take the south zone , and put it back to 1 week before the rest of the state not 2 weeks ...I TOLD YOU SO! THIS WOULD HAPPEN , and I said it 30 years ago!
They need to eliminate the "guest feature '" on all quotas ...this was a scam put in 10 years ago I TOLD YOU SO
They need to make anyone applying for any permit , to BUY ALL THE STAMPS , hunting , management. Turkey and archery, muzzleloader if applicable ...people are defrauding the state out of MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
The 10 percent non resident, was done decades ago ..i don't know what they are talking about that rule has allready been in place 30 years
They need to remove all of the turkey hunting "propaganda " off of the fwc website that blatantly advertising and selling out the WMA's with the harvist figures ...they the FWC has been spamming the internet with that for 25 years!!! the first time i saw it i was like they are treating Osceolas like its a tourist trap like disney , only about 500 are killed on wmas in the osceola range ! I TOLD YOU SO !!!
after all those things are done ...and it will cost 0$ to do and will net the fwc back millions in lost license sales revenue...then...then we can talk about out of state hunters
The FWC'S BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE .....FWC, they did this !!
I guess all the license holders for Floridas emails were published.....I just got a email with a link to the Florida petition and encouragement to vote against non resident regulations (which I did)
Other states should counter this move with RECIPROCITY!
I sure SC will reciprocate with all the Fla hunters that enjoy our natural resources.
We can ban em from duck hunting in Arkansas. Then they'll hit us with a Florida beach quota draw. We can just all regulate ourselves to nothing. It's past time for Arkansas to hammer Mississippians that flood Arkansas public duck hunting. Need to do a quota like they do us. Imagine if you can...Arkansas has more non resident duck hunters than resident duck hunters. And no quotas....
am i crazy?
my answer has always been to quit moving season dates and leave residents alone, make all non residents delayed on public land even if its a weekend only and limit every non resident to 1 adult male turkey.
i just feel like as a resident i should at least get to enjoy my states resource before non residents.
am i wrong for thinking that should be the nationwide standard?
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on February 22, 2025, 06:30:52 AMam i crazy?
my answer has always been to quit moving season dates and leave residents alone, make all non residents delayed on public land even if its a weekend only and limit every non resident to 1 adult male turkey.
i just feel like as a resident i should at least get to enjoy my states resource before non residents.
am i wrong for thinking that should be the nationwide standard?
I agree on the one turkey for non resident. And I could have live with the first three days of any season opener. And reciprocity for what ever a state charges for price.
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Quote from: kytrkyhntr on February 22, 2025, 06:30:52 AMam i crazy?
my answer has always been to quit moving season dates and leave residents alone, make all non residents delayed on public land even if its a weekend only and limit every non resident to 1 adult male turkey.
i just feel like as a resident i should at least get to enjoy my states resource before non residents.
am i wrong for thinking that should be the nationwide standard?
Personally, I find no issue with residents getting first crack at their public land.
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Quote from: kytrkyhntr on February 22, 2025, 06:30:52 AMam i crazy?
my answer has always been to quit moving season dates and leave residents alone, make all non residents delayed on public land even if its a weekend only and limit every non resident to 1 adult male turkey.
i just feel like as a resident i should at least get to enjoy my states resource before non residents.
am i wrong for thinking that should be the nationwide standard?
Nope, not crazy and not wrong either. I think along those same lines myself.
Wait..... so we support non residents being shut out and limited on public lands? How are you suppose to adapt and overcome to close season or a one gobbler limit?
Poaching more gobblers? Have your buddy drop ya off during the closed season?
Do y'all support for profit filming on your states public lands?
Maybe we ought to petition states to get a handle on that....
i dont really consider that shutting them out. but giving the locals who pay those state taxes year around 72 hours at least to utilize a resource before the rest of the nation??? yes i like that idea. not saying im right or wrong
and i fully support a 1 bird limit for non residents ill never waiver on that.
Aren't some of these areas in question federal and supported by federal dollars rather than state?
Quote from: Stick on February 22, 2025, 08:56:39 AMAren't some of these areas in question federal and supported by federal dollars rather than state?
I didn't think of it that way.. if so that complicates my argument.
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Quote from: Stick on February 22, 2025, 08:56:39 AMAren't some of these areas in question federal and supported by federal dollars rather than state?
Yes they are. The usual reply is "they've been doing it out west for years". Currently MS locks non-residents out of their National Forest for the first TWO weeks of the turkey season. That's TWO weeks of a six week season. Lots of BS to go around on this issue. Even seen replies that say "well you aren't really locked out you just can't hunt" LOL. As we are seeing from our current political climate it is only going to take one federal judge to turn this into a circus.
Add - remember this would not take effect until at least 2026 in Florida.
Quote from: Jbird22 on February 21, 2025, 04:19:43 PMOther states should counter this move with RECIPROCITY!
that's allready happened ...every bordering state has delayed its seasons by several weeks .
.those hunters have been pounding florida for a few seasons now ..so this is a reaction to that
what happened in the early 1990's when Georgia went to $200 non resident licenses ...very quickly every state in the area....did the same..
North dakota has a resident season for waterfowl...earlier ...then they allow non residents
One breaks ranks them the rest follow
No residents delayed hunting will become the standard in most the southern/Midwest/mid Atlantic states in the next 5 years...
Spot on Shannon! SC raised their non-resident license shortly after GA and that's the last time I hunted there. Also have seen the "public" forums in NC to "discuss" proposed changes = we are already doing this but making you feel like we listen to you, with we = the state DNR. We all agree that the land and birds are a finite resource and need to managed, but in more sensible and fair ways with an emphasis on residents. Maybe the Trump effect will eventually trickle down to wildlife management and common sense will enter the equation.
Quote from: bwhana on February 22, 2025, 11:20:12 AMSpot on Shannon! SC raised their non-resident license shortly after GA and that's the last time I hunted there. Also have seen the "public" forums in NC to "discuss" proposed changes = we are already doing this but making you feel like we listen to you, with we = the state DNR. We all agree that the land and birds are a finite resource and need to managed, but in more sensible and fair ways with an emphasis on residents. Maybe the Trump effect will eventually trickle down to wildlife management and common sense will enter the equation.
Trust me, Trump just nominated Kathleen Sgamma to run the BLM. Read up on that... lol
Y'all are all correct. On our current trajectory travel turkey hunting is going to be over as we've known it for the last 30 years
Why? You dang well know why.....but you can deny the facts.
What can we do from here.
1. Push to ban filming on public lands
2. Push for responsible social media
3. Push for turkey hunting to return to a secret fraternity and not celebrate loose lip policies.
4. HOPE. Hope the fad that started 5-6 years ago fades to some degree and we can avoid losing our hunting privileges
5. Take a stand against harsh knee jerk reactions and policies that pit states and hunters against other states /hunters.
Quote from: Old Gobbler on February 22, 2025, 10:26:17 AMQuote from: Jbird22 on February 21, 2025, 04:19:43 PMOther states should counter this move with RECIPROCITY!
that's allready happened ...every bordering state has delayed its seasons by several weeks .
.those hunters have been pounding florida for a few seasons now ..so this is a reaction to that
what happened in the early 1990's when Georgia went to $200 non resident licenses ...very quickly every state in the area....did the same..
North dakota has a resident season for waterfowl...earlier ...then they allow non residents
One breaks ranks them the rest follow
I'm a MS resident. I know all about having a season that opens earlier than the bordering states.
Quote from: joey46 on February 22, 2025, 10:02:42 AMQuote from: Stick on February 22, 2025, 08:56:39 AMAren't some of these areas in question federal and supported by federal dollars rather than state?
Yes they are. The usual reply is "they've been doing it out west for years". Currently MS locks non-residents out of their National Forest for the first TWO weeks of the turkey season. That's TWO weeks of a six week season. Lots of BS to go around on this issue. Even seen replies that say "well you aren't really locked out you just can't hunt" LOL. As we are seeing from our current political climate it is only going to take one federal judge to turn this into a circus.
Add - remember this would not take effect until at least 2026 in Florida.
You can apply for the natl forest draw if you're non res. They draw a very generous # of non res from what I've been told.
As for our WMAs, non res can apply for the same draws that I do as a res. I have the same chance of being shut out on WMAs as a non res for the first 2 weeks.
Make sure you tell all of the facts and not just the ones that support your narrative.
Quote from: Old Gobbler on February 21, 2025, 01:38:18 PMThey have these "meetings" " stake holder meetings " and propose them for rule change under the disguise that it will be democratic process ....the real fact is ...most of the time it's a (DONE DEAL ) They will push ahead with the rule change , the only thing that will delay the rule ammendment is
a huge public outcry , even then they will circle back and push it through...this is decades of observation
The 10 percent non resident, was done decades ago ..i don't know what they are talking about that rule has allready been in place 30 years
Unfortunately that is the case with A LOT of wildlife commissions.
The 10% cap on non-rez is currently only for Special Opportunity hunts, not quota hunts.
Quote from: Jbird22 on February 21, 2025, 04:19:43 PMOther states should counter this move with RECIPROCITY!
!!!!!!!!
I mean, if they want to TOTALLY block non-rez..Fair is fair...
I think a better move on FL's part would be a Non-Resident Public Lands draw like MS has. Non-Rez can hunt, but they WILL BE LIMITED.
Quote from: arkrem870 on February 21, 2025, 07:56:06 PMWe can ban em from duck hunting in Arkansas. Then they'll hit us with a Florida beach quota draw. We can just all regulate ourselves to nothing. It's past time for Arkansas to hammer Mississippians that flood Arkansas public duck hunting. Need to do a quota like they do us. Imagine if you can...Arkansas has more non resident duck hunters than resident duck hunters. And no quotas....
lol @ Florida beach quota draw
All the regulating really is starting to get old. Its tiring. Part of me hopes the current Federal happenings will trickle down into some state regulation.
Quote from: joey46 on February 22, 2025, 10:02:42 AMQuote from: Stick on February 22, 2025, 08:56:39 AMAren't some of these areas in question federal and supported by federal dollars rather than state?
Yes they are. The usual reply is "they've been doing it out west for years". Currently MS locks non-residents out of their National Forest for the first TWO weeks of the turkey season. That's TWO weeks of a six week season. Lots of BS to go around on this issue. Even seen replies that say "well you aren't really locked out you just can't hunt" LOL. As we are seeing from our current political climate it is only going to take one federal judge to turn this into a circus.
Add - remember this would not take effect until at least 2026 in Florida.
One SUBSTANTIAL difference though. Non-residents can still hunt public land the first 2 weeks in MS. They just have to draw. This Florida proposal would COMPLETELY ELIMINATE non-resident hunting on said areas for a specified amount of time.
Quote from: bwhana on February 22, 2025, 11:20:12 AMMaybe the Trump effect will eventually trickle down to wildlife management and common sense will enter the equation.
I'll be danged. Glad to see others are thinking it as well!
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on February 22, 2025, 11:38:05 AMQuote from: bwhana on February 22, 2025, 11:20:12 AMSpot on Shannon! SC raised their non-resident license shortly after GA and that's the last time I hunted there. Also have seen the "public" forums in NC to "discuss" proposed changes = we are already doing this but making you feel like we listen to you, with we = the state DNR. We all agree that the land and birds are a finite resource and need to managed, but in more sensible and fair ways with an emphasis on residents. Maybe the Trump effect will eventually trickle down to wildlife management and common sense will enter the equation.
Trust me, Trump just nominated Kathleen Sgamma to run the BLM. Read up on that... lol
That's a no bueno appointment for sure. I knew something like that would happen.
I used to buy archery tackle from an outfit in Montana that sold t shirts the said "help protect wildlife habitat shoot a land developer".
I am going to whine a little....
It is what it is and it is only going to get more restrictive as time goes on. I think we can all agree on that. We can argue the reasons for these happenings.
I would like to see the current states mandating permits,quotas, special hunts, get their act together.
There is no excuse for Florida to still be having limited access drawings going on now. There is no excuse for Mississippi to wait until March 3rd to draw their non res public land permits.
South Florida will start in days, Above 70 and Mississippi start March 15th. Logistically this a PIA for anyone wanting/trying to travel to any state that does this horse crap!
Quote from: WV Flopper on February 22, 2025, 02:18:54 PMThere is no excuse for Mississippi to wait until March 3rd to draw their non res public land permits.
Mississippi got delayed this year due to moving to a new licensing system. The system was supposed to go live in January (when turkey draws normally are), but got delayed by measures beyond their control. It sucks, but it is what it is. Guarantee you non-resident application numbers still won't suffer.
Next spring the draws will be back to January.
For the record Florida's turkey quota draws closed November 30th. Those selected were notified within a week. What is going on now is a lottery type draw for returned permits. There are no non-resident restrictions for any general quota hunts for the 2025 season. The odds of drawing a redraw permit rival the Powerball.
Quote from: joey46 on February 22, 2025, 02:41:01 PMThe odds of drawing a redraw permit rival the Powerball.
Quote from: joey46 on February 22, 2025, 02:41:01 PMFor the record Florida's turkey quota draws closed November 30th. Those selected were notified within a week. What is going on now is a lottery type draw for returned permits. There are no non-resident restrictions for any general quota hunts for the 2025 season. The odds of drawing a redraw permit rival the Powerball.
I received one in over 10 years of applying for redraws.
Never pulled a redraw but fun to apply. For those still interested these redraws of returned permits go on throughout the season. They allow the original permit winner to return a permit they no longer want and receive their preference points back for the 2026 application period. To receive their preference points back the permit must be returned in time to be reissued . Not a bad system but permit "gaming" is often hinted at. Preference points do not apply to redraws. All luck of the computer draw.
Got email from FWC. All changes passed. 9-day nonresident ban on south Florida wma's, gotta buy annual license to hunt turkeys and 10% non resident quota.
It was fun while it lasted.. Now, while I am young to most and didn't find out about south Florida until 2018 when I was 18, I've been going for 3 years and this will be my 4th and for some reason it has sunk its claws in me. I know people that have went and had luck and will never go back. That wasn't my experience, I can say with confidence that it's my favorite place to hunt. What happened probably needed to happen, but I would like to see a draw system put in place like here in Mississippi for nonresidents.
Seems extreme but it is what it is.
Quote from: joey46 on February 26, 2025, 06:44:47 PMSeems extreme but it is what it is.
Reciprocity awaits!!!
I told you last year when you brought that word up to be careful what you wish for.
Like I said, other states will take notice. Now we get to wait and see what state will be first in the chain reaction!!
We had a good run, unfortunately a few have caused it to come crashing down for us all in recent years. I'll get to tell my kid "Back in my day, we could actually hunt public land across the U.S. without having to draw!!! Can you believe that!!"
It won't be reciprocity but just a general non-resident attack throughout the country. Any state that balks will be overrun. Be an interesting next few years for those able to travel. Makes a joke out of the word "National" when the National Forest and National Recreation Areas are involved.
Just remember how we got to this point. You can't adapt to a closed season. Unless you poach it
llss
Cove, where you at?
can a florida resident on here give me an honest thumb up or thumb down on these changes?
do you approve of these changes?
Quote from: joey46 on February 26, 2025, 08:06:37 PMIt won't be reciprocity but just a general non-resident attack throughout the country. Any state that balks will be overrun. Be an interesting next few years for those able to travel. Makes a joke out of the word "National" when the National Forest and National Recreation Areas are involved.
Make no mistake, it WILL indeed be reciprocity! FL just set the precedent. They could've opted for a non-res draw like MS but they decided to up the stakes instead. It's imminent that other states will soon call their raise.
I bet it would be interesting to sit at one of these State Gub'ment tables and listen to the conversation.
In Georgia they lowered the limit because of lowering turkey numbers, at the same time paying THP to hunt GA WMAs and pimp the resource with advertising. On purpose. Paid to do it. Almost like they want more licenses to sell and more of the resource to do it with. Hats off to FL for at least doing something to do the opposite.
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on February 27, 2025, 08:25:58 AMcan a florida resident on here give me an honest thumb up or thumb down on these changes?
do you approve of these changes?
Why would residents be anything but elated? If I were a resident, I'd be doing cartwheels down Alligator Alley.
I'm a Florida native and resident. I have mixed feelings about this. I have no problem with the 10% quotas for non-residents, we should have first dibs and the majority of permits.
Even though I rarely hunt public land, I do like to travel and hunt some seasons, and this will eventually impact when I am able to travel as I'm sure other states will follow.
I'd also like to point out that the WMAs that were restricted are NOT all in the South zone. 3 of the 5 are above SR 70.
Quote from: Jbird22 on February 27, 2025, 09:34:58 AMQuote from: joey46 on February 26, 2025, 08:06:37 PMIt won't be reciprocity but just a general non-resident attack throughout the country. Any state that balks will be overrun. Be an interesting next few years for those able to travel. Makes a joke out of the word "National" when the National Forest and National Recreation Areas are involved.
Make no mistake, it WILL indeed be reciprocity! FL just set the precedent. They could've opted for a non-res draw like MS but they decided to up the stakes instead. It's imminent that other states will soon call their raise.
Wanna bet? No individual state will single out Florida residents specifically. They will start targeting all the non-residents from any state with shorter seasons and exorbitant fees. Even the magnanimous MS residents will suffer.
Quote from: joey46 on February 27, 2025, 10:51:09 AMQuote from: Jbird22 on February 27, 2025, 09:34:58 AMQuote from: joey46 on February 26, 2025, 08:06:37 PMIt won't be reciprocity but just a general non-resident attack throughout the country. Any state that balks will be overrun. Be an interesting next few years for those able to travel. Makes a joke out of the word "National" when the National Forest and National Recreation Areas are involved.
Make no mistake, it WILL indeed be reciprocity! FL just set the precedent. They could've opted for a non-res draw like MS but they decided to up the stakes instead. It's imminent that other states will soon call their raise.
Wanna bet? No individual state will single out Florida residents specifically. They will start targeting all the non-residents from any state with shorter seasons and exorbitant fees. Even the magnanimous MS residents will suffer.
MS didn't single out non-residents from FL with their decision just as FL didn't single out non-residents from MS with their decision. Other states will reciprocate your state's decision (including ALL non residents) is what I was implying, not that it would just affect non-residents from a particular state. You knew this already though.
What
Florida/mississippi/Kansas etc residents need to understand is this will negatively impact all turkey hunters that travel. It's setting a precedent for other states to follow.
Nothing would surprise me on this issue. Bottom line is that 30+ states have the Eastern species. Plenty of non-resident options for this big bird. Only one state has an Osceola option. Betting the Florida outfitters will be doubling their already excessive fees. This has the potential to snowball out of control.
Quote from: kytrkyhntr on February 27, 2025, 08:25:58 AMcan a florida resident on here give me an honest thumb up or thumb down on these changes?
do you approve of these changes?
Mixed feelings. The nine days is overkill. The 10% limit and annual license long overdue. Maybe now a resident not need 6 years of preference points to draw a good quota hunt.
Quote from: Ridge on February 27, 2025, 09:59:13 AMQuote from: kytrkyhntr on February 27, 2025, 08:25:58 AMcan a florida resident on here give me an honest thumb up or thumb down on these changes?
do you approve of these changes?
Why would residents be anything but elated? If I were a resident, I'd be doing cartwheels down Alligator Alley.
MY THOGUHTS EXACTLY... but i just was curious
Joey is spot on. Better get your Osceola now before its out of reach.I am doing one more try this year. If I don't connect then its probably the last chance I will get. He is also right that there ae turkeys in other states. Rumors are flying around about the state reciprocity regulations here too. The "49ers" will be the casualties here. Good luck to all and God Bless. Z
We all know that most public birds are taken in the first week or two of season. 9-days would keep me from going to another state, especially if it were FL.
I did not vote for the changes, as in life, you can work around anything if it is that important to you!
I do plan on hunting other states and it would have been hypocritical to vote for changes I would not like being made towards me as a NR.
In my opinion, I don't see the nine days as being an issue. I hunted a WMA in California back in 2005 and they had a first 9 day hunt by permit only regulation back then (before youtube). Although, I can't recall if the special permit was for residents only. However...It didn't bother me in the least and there were still a ton of birds to be found. But that's me, I tend to steer clear of open weekends/week when I travel if I'm hunting public, if at all possible. Again, that's just me.
Quote from: deathfoot on February 27, 2025, 05:45:27 PMIn my opinion, I don't see the nine days as being an issue. I hunted a WMA in California back in 2005 and they had a first 9 day hunt by permit only regulation back then (before youtube). Although, I can't recall if the special permit was for residents only. However...It didn't bother me in the least and there were still a ton of birds to be found. But that's me, I tend to steer clear of open weekends/week when I travel if I'm hunting public, if at all possible. Again, that's just me.
You can't compare California in 2005 to Florida in 2025. In no way are they even remotely similar, for a multitude of reasons. 2005 was THE time to be a turkey hunter. While the math says 20 years, the difference in the two are much greater. I would wager to bet your experience after the first nine days of season would be vastly different today.
Quote from: Ridge on February 27, 2025, 07:57:03 PMQuote from: deathfoot on February 27, 2025, 05:45:27 PMIn my opinion, I don't see the nine days as being an issue. I hunted a WMA in California back in 2005 and they had a first 9 day hunt by permit only regulation back then (before youtube). Although, I can't recall if the special permit was for residents only. However...It didn't bother me in the least and there were still a ton of birds to be found. But that's me, I tend to steer clear of open weekends/week when I travel if I'm hunting public, if at all possible. Again, that's just me.
You can't compare California in 2005 to Florida in 2025. In no way are they even remotely similar, for a multitude of reasons. 2005 was THE time to be a turkey hunter. While the math says 20 years, the difference in the two are much greater. I would wager to bet your experience after the first nine days of season would be vastly different today.
No doubt. My point was. 9 days or 29 days. If I wanted to hunt that area I would. Like when I travel in late May to public. It's been hit hard. But guess what, I'm successful. So I'm not sure why 9'days is a big deal. At least from my seat. It's actually ideal. Let them have at it. I'll clean up after them
Well , apparently the fwc approved the changes
I am ...going on 41 spring seasons hunting several of the management areas mentioned....it took a few years before we ran into other turkey hunters in some of them ..that was the 80"s ..
I DO NOT APPROVE of the 9 day deal ...it will be the start of a back and forth trade of "localized " rules...it started with a handful of wmas. I'll go on the record stating that it will spread to the rest of the state within 5 years for all public wmas
What was amazing to me is the FWC finally..after a decade ...woke up and closed up the loopholes on the "stacking" of preference points ..this has the practice of people buying swarms of management stamps ALONE and flooding the permit system...then turning back in the permits to stack of preference points
..they would then use a the "buddy " aspect of the permit to perpetually hunt quota areas ...
It's all gone now ...
The dominos are starting to fall. I pray newtons 3rd law is wrong in this case. Loose lips sink ships
As a native south Floridian, I'm stoked on this. Sorry not sorry, but it's become a zoo down here. I will be cartwheeling my way down the alley in a few hours and seasons following. The season is also a month long down here, it will just thin out those who are dedicated to the sport and traveling vs the influencer look at me crowds. Having to save up half a decades + worth of points to hunt my backyard doesn't seem right. Times are changing, you can adapt and plow on, or not kill crying on the couch.
Quote from: Old Gobbler on February 28, 2025, 05:27:20 PMWell , apparently the fwc approved the changes
I am ...going on 41 spring seasons hunting several of the management areas mentioned....it took a few years before we ran into other turkey hunters in some of them ..that was the 80"s ..
I DO NOT APPROVE of the 9 day deal ...it will be the start of a back and forth trade of "localized " rules...it started with a handful of wmas. I'll go on the record stating that it will spread to the rest of the state within 5 years for all public wmas
What was amazing to me is the FWC finally..after a decade ...woke up and closed up the loopholes on the "stacking" of preference points ..this has the practice of people buying swarms of management stamps ALONE and flooding the permit system...then turning back in the permits to stack of preference points
..they would then use a the "buddy " aspect of the permit to perpetually hunt quota areas ...
It's all gone now ...
You're crazy. There is no way to "game the system" through the guest permit deal. If you think there is, please explain.
The 9 day deal will be interesting to see how it plays out.
I could see a scenario were the non residents are now forced to other wmas that did not have this nonresident restrictions which will put an overload in those wmas. So the residents that hunt the wmas without those restrictions all move to the wmas with the 9 day non resident restrictions. Which in turn just makes it the same old circus, just the circus will be residents on some wmas and non residents on the others.
The 10% quota hunts to non residents may be a good deal. I would need to see actual numbers of nonresident and resident application ratio to see if it will be as beneficial as one would believe. I think there are several wmas that have very low nonresident applicants.
The 10 day license to a yearly license isn't going to change anything. The added cost isn't going to keep anyone from coming.
I did vote for the 9 days, I know yall get hammered in the south end ,chasing the Osceola. But uo here in the north end of the state we are full up on out of state hunters. It needs to be 9 days on all public lands in Florida.
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The 9 days in certain areas will shift the log jam to other areas. The non resident rules will force reciprocity and NR license sales will go down, thus driving up the prices. I hope all " regular guys" like me are content hunting just your home state. Looks like the direction we are heading. $$ will ruin anything worth while if we let it. Z
I will learn to wait, I can't quit it altogether.