Hunters looking to do some turkey hunting on most of Florida’s wildlife management areas during the 2009 spring turkey season need to apply for quota hunt permits beginning 10 a.m. (EDT), Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Quota hunt permit worksheets are available now from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) online at MyFWC.com/hunting under “Quota Hunts” and at all FWC regional offices.
Applicants must apply through the FWC’s Total Licensing System. Hunters may apply online at www.wildlifelicense.com or present their completed worksheets to any tax collector or license agent, and they can submit it for you.
All applicants, regardless of when they apply, have the same chance of being selected, as long as they submit their applications within the application period. Applicants must apply by 11:59 p.m. (EST), Thursday, Nov. 6, to be included in one of two random drawings.
Hunters who were included in the random drawing last year but were not issued a quota hunt permit will be included in this year’s first drawing, known as the “preference drawing.”
“When you submit your application, you will receive a receipt showing the hunts you have applied for and your preference status,” said FWC quota hunt coordinator Eddie White. “If you are eligible for the preference drawing, your receipt will indicate ‘Preference: Yes.’ Those not eligible for the preference drawing will be included in the second drawing.”
Hunters also may apply as a group. A group leader must first apply to create the group. The group’s number will be printed on the group leader’s receipt. Each person wishing to join the group must submit his own application using the unique group number assigned to the leader.
If chosen, applicants will receive, by mail, a spring turkey quota hunt permit before Phase 1 of the selection process begins Dec. 3. Applicants not chosen in Phase I may re-apply during Phase 2 on a first-come, first-served basis for any hunts not filled and will still be eligible for the preference drawing next year. Applicants may check to see if they were successful by clicking on “Check Permit Availability and Drawing Results” at MyFWC.com/hunting after Nov. 20.
For more information on how to apply for spring turkey quota hunt permits, visit the Hunting section of MyFWC.com.
