One thing Florida FWC does that I really like is sends out e-mails/surveys where you can comment on proposed changes. I'm going through them now here is one of the items proposed:
(https://i.imgur.com/x3HdHQS.png)
Currently, a non-resident only needs a ~$27 WMA permit to apply for quota hunts. If this regulation passes, NR would need an additional $125 turkey permit each year just to apply! So NR would be looking at $150 each year to apply for WMA quotas. WOW! Seeing as a lot of quota hunts now take 2-3+ points to draw, a NR could easily be looking at $500 in fees to hunt their desired area.
Their draw system needs modifications, but I don't think this is the best route to start pricing out turkey hunters. They could simply put a cap on the amount of NR drawn per hunt. But that isn't going to make them as much money as this proposal would.
As many of us on here have been saying for years, the mass commercialization and exploitation of our public land resources is slowly turning wild turkey hunting into western big game hunting. I'd really like to see a proposal to prohibit commercial filming on Florida's WMAs. I can only imagine the extra interest in south Florida turkey hunting after the Meateater episode filmed down there on a WMA this past spring hits the air. One YouTube channel already did substantial damage, and there seems to be no end in sight.
For those of you who wish to comment on Florida's proposed rules, go to this link:
https://www.research.net/r/2024-25-FWC-Proposed-Rules
For assistance on turkey harvest in Florida contact the Florida state chapter nwtf they will help you.
Florida state chapter nwtf district biologists
I have 0 problems with that. Except....they will have to do this for all WMA and public, otherwise we all know what will happen to those.
They have the only Osceola turkey in the country, come and pay for it on public ground.
The question is to me, what will this do to lease prices if anything.
I go to FL most years. I feel for the FL resident turkey hunters. This doesn't upset me, FL will probably become more restrictive in coming years.
With the urban expansion in Florida and elsewhere, we one day may wish we'd have paid more if those lands get developed and lost. It does however seem a little expensive for a turkey but...
Buying, keeping, and managing public properties isn't cheap. The cost of the average wma permit is along the lines of thievery for what if provides us access too. Sadly that won't be realized until it's one day gone.
Nathan, and idea of what kind of money that would equate to yearly for the state? Anyone know how many NR been applying to do the math?
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That's sad news! Now the outfitters will really jack up their already outrageous hunting prices. Unless I hit the lottery I will probably never go back.
Seems shrewd to me. This is a good start at controlling Osceola public land craziness. Should satisfy residents by giving them an edge and stands to generate more money (who knows, maybe for tags and habitat work). I'll pay it and maybe have a chance at going back sooner. Hope they do more.
I don't like tit-for-tat but it cost $500 just for non-res licenses in GA. So seems like a small price to pay considering most states fees.
Quote from: Crghss on October 17, 2023, 07:39:13 PM
I don't like tit-for-tat but it cost $500 just for non-res licenses in GA. So seems like a small price to pay considering most states fees.
Georgia definitely needs to revamp their quota hunt system. I'm sitting on like 8 turkey points as a non-resident since its free to apply. Even collecting deer points now, because why not? It is free!
I "voted" no on that. I don't think jacking up prices is the answer. We have enough inflation these days. NR permits should just be capped like other states do imo.
I wonder how many points Rinella had when he pulled that permit?
Quote from: FLTurkHntr on November 12, 2023, 07:15:45 PM
I "voted" no on that. I don't think jacking up prices is the answer. We have enough inflation these days. NR permits should just be capped like other states do imo.
I wonder how many points Rinella had when he pulled that permit?
I didn't see anything in their proposal about increasing ANY of the prices of permits. The permit prices haven't changed in years, while everything else certainly has. Instead, it's a proposal to require a permit (that is already required anyway when hunting) when applying.
Like you, I'm okay with capping the number of permits but that apparently isn't on the table. Something needs to be done. For those reasons, I "voted" yes.
They are going to do it ...they are in a funding crisis and money talks , and they fully well know how valuable the permits are. ...don't even get me started on antis getting permits
People have done all kinds of nefarious activities with the permits up to and including all out selling them
The other major loophole is that Florida residents have been applying with just a 26 dollar management stamp and not buying the rest ...underfunding the fwc , and pushing out real hunters
Yeah, Florida is not Hunter friendly for a red state imo. Lots of issues. There should be plenty of money for a robust FWC.
I don't see this as a problem to curtail Nonresidents since many states are already doing this. My question is to the residents of Florida is, what are these fees going to be used for??? It's all well and good to raise and collect these fees but DNR needs to be accountable to the people of Florida and ONLY use these fees to keep and restore the Osceola Turkey population. Has DNR given an answer to this question or have the Resident Hunters ask for specifics???
Quote from: bbcoach on December 03, 2023, 07:30:24 AM
I don't see this as a problem to curtail Nonresidents since many states are already doing this. My question is to the residents of Florida is, what are these fees going to be used for??? It's all well and good to raise and collect these fees but DNR needs to be accountable to the people of Florida and ONLY use these fees to keep and restore the Osceola Turkey population. Has DNR given an answer to this question or have the Resident Hunters ask for specifics???
Hopefully more of the same type of habitat work... This is good use of permit money, in my opinion.
https://myfwc.com/media/30017/2021-22wildturkeypermitreport.pdf
alot of good info in that report
"FLNWTF contributed $65,500"
That was something that stuck out to me, that number is alot lower than I expected it to be
Nice report!
NWTF used to support a few southern WMAs so I supported; not so much now.
Swing and a miss with 0 points
Quote from: joey46 on December 07, 2023, 05:18:54 AM
Quote from: squidd on December 06, 2023, 07:15:06 PM
Swing and a miss with 0 points
Good luck in the future. Between myself and my buddy (when drawn we go as each other's guest and the other banks his points) we figure one good draw every four years minimum. I drew in 2017, he drew in 2022, I drew for 2024 with the 6 points built from 2017. Hope everyone is noticing the results of Grand Slam Fever. It is a very frustrating game at times especially for the residents who get no edge in these type drawings.
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When the subject came up earlier this year on how to do a records request, I requested the applicants for the special opportunity hunts. I was blown away by the amount of out of state people pouring money into that system for only 10% of the permits. I was even more blown away by seeing the same names (locals) putting up piles of money on every single wma, especially knowing one of them sells Osceola hunts. Makes we wonder how long it will be before more of our WMA's are in the special opportunity system
Quote from: joey46 on December 07, 2023, 05:18:54 AM
Hope everyone is noticing the results of Grand Slam Fever. It is a very frustrating game at times especially for the residents who get no edge in these type drawings.
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Not just grand slam fever. I've been tracking draw data for a long time. Just so happens non-resident applications to south zone WMAs started to sky rocket when those WMAs started being pimped out on YouTube. Drastic difference in NR applicants once we entered the YouTube/social media era. One particular south zone WMA saw non-resident apps increase 8x from 2018 to 2021. The increase was 230% for all south zone WMAs combined.
At this point it is like modern day market hunting. Pimping out public lands and killing wildlife for profit.
Quote from: deerhunt1988 on December 07, 2023, 07:52:00 PM
Quote from: joey46 on December 07, 2023, 05:18:54 AM
Hope everyone is noticing the results of Grand Slam Fever. It is a very frustrating game at times especially for the residents who get no edge in these type drawings.
.
Not just grand slam fever. I've been tracking draw data for a long time. Just so happens non-resident applications to south zone WMAs started to sky rocket when those WMAs started being pimped out on YouTube. Drastic difference in NR applicants once we entered the YouTube/social media era. One particular south zone WMA saw non-resident apps increase 8x from 2018 to 2021. The increase was 230% for all south zone WMAs combined.
At this point it is like modern day market hunting. Pimping out public lands and killing wildlife for profit.
Dwindling supply in a what's basically free market economy has a way of doing that. There might be a few things to slow it down but it's foolish to expect the trend will reverse.