Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

DEXTER/MARY FARMS UNIT
LAKE GEORGE
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
2000-2001
REGULATIONS SUMMARY AND AREA MAP
A COOPERATIVE PUBLIC WILDLIFE AND RECREATIONAL AREA
DIVISION OF FORESTRY
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
An Equal Opportunity Agency

This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Dexter/Mary Farms Unit of the Lake George Wildlife Management Area. To make it easier to learn about regulation changes on this area, regulations that are new or differ substantially from last year are shown in bold print. Area users still should familiarize themselves with all regulations for the area. For the exact wording of the wildlife laws and regulations, see Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's wildlife code on file with the Secretary of State and state libraries. This brochure and quota hunt application forms should provide the information necessary for you to plan your hunting activities.
For information pertaining to hunting on private lands and trapping, consult the current Florida Hunting Handbook. This publication is available from any Commission office as well as county tax collectors and their subagents.

PERMIT, STAMP AND LICENSE INFORMATION:
Persons utilizing the wildlife management areas are required to have appropriate licenses, stamps and permits. Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older, and residents certified totally and permanently disabled as determined by a licensed Florida physician, Armed Forces or Veterans Administration, may obtain exemption certificates for most licenses, stamps and permits from the county tax collector. Hunters under age 16 and Florida residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida and home on leave with orders in possession, are exempt from most permit, stamp and license requirements on this area.
Hunting License, Trapping License, Fishing License and Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Wildlife Management Area, Wild Turkey and State Waterfowl permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, their subagents or by telephone.
Unless exempted, all hunters on this wildlife management area must have the following in their possession and display them upon request of any Commission employee.
1. Hunting License: Information on the categories and costs of hunting licenses is available in the Florida Hunting Handbook.
2. Wildlife Management Area Permit: This $25 permit is required to hunt on this area, except during special-opportunity hunts.
3. Quota Hunt Permit: A no-cost regular quota hunt permit is required to hunt this area during the general gun hog hunts. There are 120 regular quota hunt permits available by application for each hunt. Regular quota hunt permit applications are available from county tax collectors or their subagents on or about June 1. To apply for a quota hunt permit, obtain a quota hunt permit application and follow the printed instructions.
Special-Opportunity Dove Hunt Permit: All hunters, except minor children as described below, must possess a special-opportunity dove hunt permit, a special-opportunity dove hunt combination permit, or a annual special-opportunity dove field permit to hunt the special-opportunity dove field.
A special-opportunity dove hunt permit may be purchased for $35. This permit will allow the permittee to hunt on the specified date. One minor under 16 years of age may accompany an adult permittee and may hunt under the supervision and in the presence of the permittee, providing that the minor and the adult permittee collectively may take only one daily bag limit.
A special-opportunity dove hunt combination permit may be purchased for $45. This permit will allow one minor under 16 years of age to accompany an adult permittee and hunt under the supervision and in the presence of the permittee. This permit will allow the minor and the adult to each take a daily bag limit of doves.
An annual special-opportunity dove field permit may be purchased for $150. Under this permit, one minor child under 16 years of age may accompany an adult permittee and may hunt under the supervision and in the presence of the permittee, providing that the permittee and minor may each take one daily bag limit of doves. This permit is non-transferable and shall be valid only for the dove field specified.
There are 25 permits available for each hunt. Special-opportunity permits are available at Parramore's Campground, 1675 South Moon Road, Astor, FL 32102 (904) 749-2721. Permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for refunds must be made at the dove field on the date it was valid, and will only be accepted if the permit was not used. The Commission will make every effort to manage the dove field for successful hunting; however, we cannot guarantee the doves will cooperate. If you purchase a permit and decide you cannot use it, you can transfer the permit to another hunter prior to entering the area.
Special-Opportunity Turkey Hunt Permit: A $175 special-opportunity permit is required to hunt on this area during the spring turkey season, there are no exemptions. There are 12 permits available by application for each spring turkey hunt. Special-opportunity permit applications are available at regional offices of the Commission on or about December 29.
Transfer of Permits: Quota hunt and special-opportunity permits are transferable. The sale or purchase of any quota hunt or special-opportunity permit is prohibited.
4. Wild Turkey Permit: This $5 permit is required if hunting turkeys.
5. State Waterfowl Permit: This $3 permit is required while hunting ducks.
6. Federal Duck Stamp: Any hunter 16 years of age or older must possess a federal duck stamp while hunting ducks. The $15 stamp is available at post offices.
7. Migratory Bird Permit: This free permit is required when hunting migratory game birds.

BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:
1. Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit--Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each game species.
2. Turkey --1 gobbler or bearded turkey per special-opportunity turkey permit.
3. Wild hog--No bag or size limit.
4. Bobcat, mink and otter--possession limit 1 unless in possession of a Trapping License.
5. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria--No bag limits.
6. Migratory game birds--See Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet.

GENERAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA REGULATIONS:
In addition to the regulations which follow, all general laws and regulations relating to wild animal life or freshwater aquatic life shall apply unless specifically excepted for this wildlife management area. Hunting or the taking of wildlife or fish on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in the manner set forth herein.
1. It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands or for any individual or group of individuals to build a warming fire or campfire and leave same unextinguished (Chapter 590, Florida Statutes).
2. No person shall cut or destroy any tree or remove any tree, shrub, or protected plant (as listed in F.S. 581.185) from any wildlife management area without written permission from the landowner or primary land manager.
3. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven is prohibited.
4. It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse or in any way litter in the management area.
5. Taking fox is prohibited.
6. Taking fox squirrel is prohibited.
7. Wild hogs may not be transported alive.
8. The wanton or willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
9. Non-migratory game may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. During spring turkey season, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. Shooting hours for special-opportunity dove hunts are from noon to sunset.
10. No person shall release any wildlife on this wildlife management area.
11. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this wildlife management area.
12. The use of live decoys, traps, snares, nets or recorded game calls is prohibited.
13. Hunting, trapping or the possession of dogs is prohibited in areas posted as "CLOSED."
14. Access is prohibited in areas posted as "RESTRICTED" for protection of threatened or endangered species or environmentally sensitive areas.
15. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, public access is allowed only to the Bluffton Recreation Area via St. Johns River Road. All other access shall be by permit from the Division of Forestry, except individuals in possession of a special-opportunity turkey hunt permit shall have vehicle access to the area from sunrise to sunset on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the hunt. The Bluffton Recreation Area shall be open for public access only from sunrise to sunset.
16. A special-opportunity hunt permit shall be required for every person entering the area during special-opportunity turkey season, except that a non-permitted individual may accompany a permittee. While hunting or scouting, a non-permitted individual may accompany a permittee and participate in the hunt but shall not occupy a vehicle separate from the permittee or possess a gun, and shall be in the immediate vicinity, (25 feet or less) of the permittee.

GUNS OR DOGS:
17. Hunting with gun and light is prohibited.
18. Fully-automatic firearms, silencer-equipped firearms, centerfire semi-automatic rifles having a magazine capable of holding more than five rounds, explosive or drug-injecting devices and setguns are prohibited.
19. Guns are allowed only during periods in which their use for hunting is allowed.
20. No person shall have a gun in manual possession while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
21. Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a firearm unless in the presence of a supervising adult.
22. Hunting wildlife or the display or use of a gun in any manner capable of taking wildlife on or from rights-of-way of paved roads is prohibited.
23. Hunting with dogs, except bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less during the small game season and on the posted dove fields during special-opportunity dove hunts, is prohibited.

VEHICLES:
24. Vehicles and bicycles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. All other roads are closed to vehicular traffic.
25. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates or firelanes.
26. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited.
27. The use of boats is prohibited on Jenkins Pond.
28. No motor vehicle shall be operated on any part of the wildlife management area designated and posted as "CLOSED" because of inclement weather, poor road conditions, construction, management activities or wildlife surveys.
29. Florida traffic laws relating to vehicles and operators apply on this area. The operation of an unregistered and unlicensed vehicle is prohibited. Commission off-road permits are not valid on this area.

CAMPING:
30. Camping is permitted at designated campsites during special-opportunity turkey hunts and at other times by permit from the Division of Forestry.

HUNT HEADQUARTERS:
31. Hunters shall enter and exit the area at designated entrances and register at the hunt headquarters. Hunt headquarters hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. during special-opportunity dove hunts, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the general gun hog hunts and 4:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the special-opportunity turkey hunts.

SEARCH:
32. A wildlife officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat when he or she reasonably believes a violation has been committed.

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY DOVE:
The first, second and fourth Saturdays only during the first phase; the first and third Saturdays only during the second phase; and the first, third and fifth Saturdays only during the third phase of the mourning dove and white-winged dove season (see Migratory Game Bird Regulations pamphlet.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, special-opportunity dove permit, migratory bird permit.
Legal to Take--Mourning and white-winged doves.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity Dove Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Persons shall possess a special-opportunity dove permit to hunt in posted dove fields.
2. Shooting hours are from noon to sunset. Hunters may enter the area one hour before shooting time and shall exit the area by one hour after sunset.
3. Hunters shall hunt from assigned hunt stations in the posted dove fields. Hunt station assignments may be transferred at the hunt headquarters.
4. No dove hunting on posted dove fields is permitted other than on established dates.

SMALL GAME:
November 11 through December 3 and December 23 through January 7.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit, state waterfowl permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory game birds).
Legal to Take--Gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, skunk, beaver, coyote, nutria and migratory game birds in season. Bobcat, mink and otter after November 30. Taking of wild hogs is prohibited.
Regulations Unique to the Small Game Hunt--In addition to these regulations all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply and the possession of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

GENERAL GUN HOG:
January 13 through 16, January 17 through 22 and January 23 through 28.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, regular quota hunt permit and wildlife management area permit.
Legal to Take--Hogs only.
Regulations Unique to the General Gun Hog Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY TURKEY:
March 17 through 23, March 31 through April 6 and April 14 through 20.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, special-opportunity turkey permit and a wild turkey permit.
Legal to Take--Bearded turkey or gobbler.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity Turkey Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Hunters may only hunt in the Hunt Management Zone designated on their special-opportunity hunt permit.
2. Turkeys must be checked at the hunt headquarters prior to being dismembered or taken from the area.

TRAPPING:
Trapping is prohibited.

MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS:
Rails, common moorhens, mourning doves, white-winged doves, snipe, ducks, coots, woodcock and crows may be hunted during open seasons established by the Commission for these species which coincide with the small game season.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit, state waterfowl permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit.
Legal to Take--See Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet.
Regulations Unique to Migratory Game Birds--All General Wildlife Management Area Regulations and Migratory Game Bird Regulations shall apply and the use of lead shot for taking ducks and coots is prohibited.

FISHING AND FROGGING:
Permitted throughout the year.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Fishing license (not required when frogging).
Regulations Unique to Fishing and Frogging--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area and statewide fishing regulations shall apply.
1. The possession of guns is permitted only during periods when hunting is allowed.
2. Jenkins Pond: Fish may be taken only by hook and line or rod and reel and only during daylight hours. No person shall kill or possess any black bass. No person shall take in any one day more than 20 panfish, in aggregate. No person shall kill or possess any bluegill or redear sunfish less than eight inches in total length.

DIVISION OF FORESTRY REGULATIONS:
1. A valid fuel wood permit from the Division of Forestry is required before firewood may be removed from the area.
2. Construction of permanent or semipermanent structures on state forests is prohibited.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 must have passed a Commission-approved hunter safety course prior to being issued a hunting license.
2. Water in wells is not certified for human consumption.
3. Defacing, molesting or destroying signs or other property on or about this management area is punishable by law.
4. For information regarding general recreational use of the area, please call the Division of Forestry at (904) 446-6785.
5. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (352) 732-1225 {(800) 955-8771 (TDD)}.

COOPERATION REQUESTED:
Please do not discharge firearms at anything other than legal game while in a wildlife management area. Target practice and random discharge of firearms have become increasing threats to the quality of the hunting experience.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. TAKE TRASH OUT WITH YOU.
Please do not drive vehicles from sunrise to 9 a.m. during the special-opportunity turkey hunts.
Your conduct on this area may determine your future use of the area.
The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: The Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.20240.
The project described in this publication is part of a program funded by federal dollars under the Wildlife Restoration Act. Federal funds pay $2,095,005 or 33 percent of the cost of the program.

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