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FWC proposes changes to dog hunting laws

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission wants people to weigh in on many hunting season proposals, including changes to how dogs are used to hunt on public hunting areas across the state.
Currently, dogs can be used in taking game mammals and game birds on private lands and some wildlife management areas across the state, according to FWC’s website.

CENTRAL FLORIDA — FWC has set up a poll for people to answer questions on how they feel about the proposed changes.

Currently, dogs can be used in taking game mammals and game birds on private lands and some wildlife management areas across the state, according to FWC's website.

The northeast sector covers Central Florida, and FWC is considering changes to 19 different locations.
Dog hunting is already legal in Florida for hogs and deer with the proper permit in specific locations, FWC said. The proposed rules would allow hunters to use any species of dog.
Here is a list of some of the areas that could be impacted in Central Florida:

Buck Lake WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Charles H. Bronson WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Etoniah Creek WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Gores Landing WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Guana River WMA, Lake Ponta Vedra SGA – remove the existing WMA rules related to waterfowl hunting in Lake Ponte Vedra and authorize waterfowl quota hunts in the lake by establishing the Guana River - Lake Ponte Vedra Public Small Game Hunting Area through executive order.

Lake George WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Lake George WMA, Dexter Mary Farms Unit – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Lake Monroe WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Little Big Econ WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Marshall Swamp WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Matanzas WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Ocala WMA – require a quota permit for the entire general gun season on the Pipeline Unit (5,000 permits, exemptions allowed); allow trapping in that portion of the Pipeline Unit south of S.R. 40 and west of S.R. 19 during the statewide trapping season; allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Rock Springs Run WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Ross Prairie WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Seminole Forest WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Seminole Forest WMA, Lake Tracy Unit – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Seminole Ranch WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Tiger Bay WMA – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Tiger Bay WMA, Rima Ridge Unit – allow any dog for hunting small game (quail, rabbit, squirrel and migratory birds) during small game season.

Tosohatchee WMA – add gray squirrel as legal to hunt during the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and wild hog-dog seasons.

More information can be found here.