June 1 Begins Quota Permit Application Period

Reminder to all Florida hunters: Friday, June 1, at 10 a.m., opens the month-long, Phase I Quota permit application period. Click here to see the list of hunts.

If you enjoy hunting on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) around the state, now's the time to investigate regulations for each WMA. Many of the seasons (Archery, Muzzleloading, General Gun and more) are governed by Limited Entry/Quota schedules, which limit the number of hunters, in the interests of maintaining a high quality hunt and optimal game management. Don't wait until hunting seasons open, only to find out you don't have the correct permit to take game from a nearby public WMA.

The Phase I application period runs June 1 through 11:59 p.m., June 30.  For remaining permits, there will be a Phase II period beginning July 14, and a Phase III period beginning in mid August.

Quota permits during the first two Phases will be issued on a random basis. For each Quota season in the first two application Phases, hunters may submit one application and receive up to one permit. For example, you might submit an application for a General Gun Quota Hunt, as well as one for Archery and Youth hunts. You may apply online, or print out the worksheet and submit it to a licensing agent or tax collector's office.  The worksheets (example shown) offer boxes in which to select your hunt preferences, keyed to a 4-digit number for each WMA (1002 for the Apalachicola Bradwell Unit, hunt dates 11/22-11/25, for instance).

The FWC Limited Entry page includes instant results for permit status, availability, and Preference Points.  If you apply for a hunt during Phase I or II, but aren't drawn, you receive 1 Preference Point, which advances your likelihood of being selected the following year.

Spend some time this week looking over the Website, and study up on each WMA to identify whether you need a Quota permit. To clarify details by phone, call your regional FWC office or (850) 488-3641.