Green Swamp West Unit WMA

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

GREEN SWAMP WEST UNIT
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
2000-2001
REGULATIONS SUMMARY AND AREA MAP
A COOPERATIVE PUBLIC WILDLIFE
AND RECREATIONAL AREA
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
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 Green Swamp-West Unit Wildlife Management 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, or the 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. Special-Opportunity Archery and General Gun Permits: A $100 special-opportunity permit is required to hunt on this area during each special-opportunity hunt period; there are no exemptions. There are 54 special-opportunity permits available by application for each hunt. Special-opportunity applications are available from regional offices of the Commission on or about May 1.
4. Special-Opportunity Hog-Still and Hog-Dog Permit: A $75 special-opportunity permit is required to hunt on this area during each special-opportunity hunt period; there are no exemptions. There are 200 special-opportunity hog-still permits available by application for each hunt, and 100 special-opportunity hog-dog permits available by application for each hunt. Special-opportunity applications are available from regional offices of the Commission on or about May 1.
5. Small Game Daily Hunt Permit: A quota of 60 permits has been established for each hunt. A no-cost daily hunt permit for each hunt is required of all hunters entering the area. This permit may be picked up at the hunt headquarters the day of the hunt on a first-come, first-served basis.
6. Special-Opportunity Turkey Permit: A $100 special-opportunity permit is required to hunt on this area during the special-opportunity turkey season; there are no exemptions. There are 54 special-opportunity permits available by application for each hunt. Special-opportunity turkey permit applications are available from regional offices of the Commission on or about December 29.
Transfer of Permits: Special-opportunity hunt permits are transferable, except that any exempt permit is transferable only to another exempt person. The sale or purchase of any special-opportunity hunt permit is prohibited.
7. Archery Permit: This $5 permit is required when hunting during the archery hunts.
8. Wild Turkey Permit: This $5 permit is required if hunting turkeys.
9. State Waterfowl Permit: This $3 permit is required while hunting ducks.
10. Federal Duck Stamp: Any hunter 16 years of age or older must possess a federal duck stamp while hunting ducks. This $15 stamp is available at post offices.
11. Migratory Bird Permit: This free permit is required when hunting migratory game birds.

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

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. Public access is prohibited in areas posted as "RESTRICTED" for protection of threatened or endangered species or environmentally sensitive areas.
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 wildlife management area.
5. The wanton or willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
6. 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.
7. 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).
8. No person shall release any wildlife on this wildlife management area.
9. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this wildlife management area.
10. Taking or attempting to take game with the aid of live decoys, traps, snares, nets, drugs, lights or recorded game calls is prohibited.
11. Hunting, trapping or possession of dogs is prohibited in areas posted as "CLOSED."
12. A valid special-opportunity permit shall be required for every person entering the area during special-opportunity hunts, except a non-permitted individual may accompany a permittee during the special-opportunity hog-dog season. Non-permitted individual may accompany a permittee and participate in hunt but shall not occupy a vehicle separate from permittee or possess a gun and shall be within 25 feet of the permittee.
13. Taking any turkey while it is on the roost is prohibited.
14. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight flourescent-orange material above the waistline as an outer garment. This is not required when hunting during an archery-only season.
15. Deer and turkey may be dismembered in the field or camp, but each portion shall have a tag affixed to it identifying the name, address and hunting license number of the person who killed it; the date and location at which it was taken; and shall be readily traceable to the portion of the animal bearing the sex identification.

GUNS OR DOGS:
16. Hunting with gun and light is prohibited.
17. Hunting with bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less is allowed during small game season.
18. Dogs may be used during the special-opportunity hog-dog hunts. No more than three dogs per special-opportunity permit may be used during the special-opportunity hog-dog season.
19. Fully-automatic firearms, silencer-equipped firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and setguns are prohibited.
20. The possession of any firearm containing shells or cartridges is prohibited on any public campsite or hunt headquarters area. The discharge of firearms is prohibited on, from or across any campsite or hunt headquarters.
21. Guns are allowed only during periods in which their use for hunting is allowed.
22. No person shall have a gun in manual possession while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
23. Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a firearm unless in the presence of a supervising adult.
24. Dogs on leash may be used for trailing wounded game. 25. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest wildlife during any period in which hunting with dogs is prohibited.

VEHICLES:
26. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads. Horses and bicycles may travel only on designated trails.
27. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates or fire lanes.
28. The use of tracked vehicles, airboats, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles prohibited.
29. Horses are prohibited during periods when hunting is allowed.
30. No motor vehicle shall be operated on any part of the wildlife management area designated and posted as "CLOSED" by administrative action because of inclement weather, poor road conditions, construction, management activities or wildlife surveys.
31. Individuals in possession of a valid special-opportunity permit shall have vehicle access to the area from sunrise to sunset on the day preceding the hunt. CAMPING:
32. Camping is permitted at designated campsites during hunting season and at other times by permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
33. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, unless contained in mobile campers are prohibited. Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials is prohibited.
34. Each camper shall assure that their campsite is clean at all times.
35. The alteration , defacing, moving, tampering in any way with official markings of campsites is prohibited.

HUNT HEADQUARTERS:
36. Hunters must enter and exit the area at the designated entrance and register at hunt headquarters.
37. All game must be checked at the hunt headquarters prior to being dismembered and taken from the area.
38. Hunt headquarters hours are 5 a.m. through 9 p.m. during Eastern Daylight Saving Time and 5 a.m. through 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard time except during the special-opportunity turkey season when hours are 4:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY ARCHERY:
September 23 through 26 and October 3 through 6.
Permit, Stamp and Licence Requirements--Hunting license, special-opportunity archery permit, migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory game birds).
Legal to Take--Deer with at least one antler having 4 or more points, antlerless deer (except spotted fawn) by antlerless permit only, wild hogs, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria and migratory game birds in season.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity Archery Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area
Regulations shall apply, and the possession of firearms or crossbows is prohibited.

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY GENERAL GUN:
November 11 through 14, 18 through 21 and December 12 through 15.
Permit, Stamp and Licence Requirements--Hunting license, special-opportunity general gun permit, state waterfowl permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit (if hunting migratory game birds).
Legal to Take--Deer with at least one antler having 4 or more points, antlerless deer (except spotted fawn) by antlerless permit only, wild hogs, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria and migratory game birds in season.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity General Gun Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.

SMALL GAME:
January 5 through 7 and 12 through 14.
Permit, Stamp and Licence Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife management area permit, daily hunt 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, beaver, coyote, skunk, nutria, migratory game birds in season, bobcat, mink and otter.
Regulations Unique to the Small Game Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Bird dogs are permitted.
2. Possession of centerfire rifles is prohibited.

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY HOG-STILL:
February 9 through 11.
Permit, Stamp and Licence Requirements--Hunting license and special-opportunity hog-still permit.
Legal to Take--Wild hogs only.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity Hog-Still Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY HOG-DOG:
February 21 through 23.
Permit, Stamp and Licence Requirements--Hunting license and special-opportunity hog-dog permit.
Legal to Take--Wild hogs only.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity Hog-Dog Hunt--In addition to these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply.
1. No more than three dogs per quota hunt permit are allowed.
2. A permit shall be required for each group of two hunters.
3. Only one gun may be possessed per permit.

SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY TURKEY:
March 17 through 20, 27 through 30 and March 31 through April 3, 10 through 13 and April 14 through 17.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, special-opportunity turkey permit, 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 and only shotguns may be used.

TRAPPING:
Trapping is prohibited.

FISHING AND FROGGING
Permitted throughout the year.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Fishing license (not required for frogging).
Legal to Take--See Florida Freshwater Fishing Regulations summary.
Regulations Unique to Fishing and Frogging--In addition to this regulation, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations shall apply and the use or possession of any gun is only permitted when hunting is permitted.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Florida Statute 267.13 prohibits digging in or otherwise defacing Indian mounds, collecting artifacts or disturbing archaeological and historic sites on state-owned lands.
2. Defacing, molesting or destroying signs or other property on or about this management area is punishable by law.
3. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 must have passed a Commission-approved hunter safety course prior to being issued a hunting license.
4. If you have any questions about this material, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (863) 648-3203 {(800) 955-8771 (TDD)}.

COOPERATION REQUESTED:
Please do not drive vehicles from sunrise to 9 a.m. during the special-opportunity turkey hunts.
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.
Since you have the privilege to use this wildlife management area, go the extra mile to exercise great caution and care while hunting, fishing, sightseeing or using the area in any way--leave the area better than you found it. Hunters, wildlife, the environment and conservation in general can only benefit.
Your conduct on this area may determine your future use of the area.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. TAKE TRASH OUT WITH YOU.
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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