The author with limit, including cinnamon teal.

Season Dates

Duck season dates have not yet been finalized, but stay tuned to www.floridasportsman.com for the season announcement. There are, however, proposed dates. Proposed dates for the September early “teal” season are Sept. 22-26. Proposed 1st phase is Nov. 17-25. Proposed 2nd phase is Dec. 8 through January 27. Proposed youth hunt is February 2-3.

STA Update

Waterfowl hunters in South Florida’s stormwater treatment areas will encounter new rules for the 2007-08 hunting season, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Area 2, a 9,195-acre tract in Palm Beach County, will open for the first time this year. Only a morning hunt will be allowed there, for which the FWC will issue 25 permits. The FWC will use a random-selection process to distribute unissued and forfeited permits. Walk-ins will not be allowed to replace hunters as they leave.

Preparing for an afternoon hunt.

Areas 1, 3/4 and 5 will be open for the special September duck season, both phases of the waterfowl and coot seasons, and the youth waterfowl hunt.

Area 1W is a 6,670-acre constructed wetland in western Palm Beach County. Area 3/4 is a 16,772-acre constructed wetland at the Palm Beach/Broward County line, and Area 5 is a 5,120-acre constructed wetland in eastern Hendry County.

The number of permits per hunt increased this year from 25 to 40 on Area 5 and from 50 to 60 on Area 3/4.

Last year, more than 4,500 hunters participated in waterfowl season on those areas.

Limit of teal including a drake cinnamon teal.

Check-in and check-out times and shooting hours are different this year, as are check station procedures. In addition, only one vehicle per permit is allowed, except during the youth hunt, when two vehicles per permit are allowed.

There will be a morning hunt and an afternoon hunt on all areas except Area 2.

Permits will become available at 10 a.m. Aug. 28. Prospective hunters, who must complete the stormwater treatment area worksheets prior to the application, can apply at any tax collector’s office, call (888) 247-4356 toll-free, or apply online at www.wildlifelicense.com/fl. Worksheets are available at this link: MyFWC.com/hunting/waterfowlWrkshts.html.

The rules are explained in brochures about each area, which are available online under the individual WMA regulations and maps link at MyFWC.com/hunting/.

For more information, visit myfwc.com/hunting/pdf/ProposedMigratory2007-08.pdf.