Florida WMA Non-Resident Restriction - UPDATE

[joey46]

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.

[Swampmonkey]

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.

[MStrky]

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.

[joey46]

Seems extreme but it is what it is.

[Jbird22]

Seems 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.

[deerhunt1988]

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!!"

[Pelican]

Glad to see it pass. 5 years too late in my opinion. Its a full blown, 3 ring circus for the 1rst week down there. Like Shannon had mentioned, years ago there was only 1 week between South zone and Central, North zone openers and I would come down every year to get a jump on the season. Now, I just wait and hunt second week. Lot less hassle, and still am able to make it back up to the panhandle for the North zone opener. Win, win. Hope they impose these same regs up here in the panhandle as well. Resident hunters come first. Its common sense really

[joey46]

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.

[arkrem870]

Just remember how we got to this point.  You can't adapt to a closed season. Unless you poach it

llss