Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
LAKE PANASOFFKEE
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 Lake Panasoffkee 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. 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 the 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 area are required to have appropriate licenses, stamps
and permits for hunting and/or fishing. 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. Special-Opportunity Archery Permit: A $100 special-opportunity permit is required to hunt on
this area during the special-opportunity archery season; there are no exemptions. There are 20
special-opportunity permits available by application for each hunt. Special-opportunity permit
applications are available from regional offices of the Commission on or about May 1. To apply,
obtain a special-opportunity permit application and follow the printed instructions.
4. Special-Opportunity Hog-Still and Hog-Dog Permit: A $75 special-opportunity permit is
required to hunt on this area during the special-opportunity hog-still and hog-dog seasons; there
are no exemptions. There are 30 special-opportunity permits available by application for each
hunt. Special-opportunity permit applications are available from regional offices of the
Commission on or about May 1. To apply, obtain a special-opportunity permit application and
follow the printed instructions.
5. 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 10
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.
6. A daily hunt permit is required to hunt during the small game season.
There are 30 daily hunt permits available on a first-come, first-served basis at the check station
each day.
7. Archery Permit: This $5 permit is required when hunting during the archery hunt prior to
November 11.
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 hunt permit.
2. Wild hog--No size or bag limit.
3. Turkey--1 gobbler or bearded turkey per special-opportunity turkey permit.
4. Gray squirrel, quail and rabbit--Daily limit 12, possession limit 24 for each game species.
5. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and nutria--No bag limits.
6. Bobcat, mink and otter--Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a Trapping License.
7. 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. 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 the special-opportunity spring turkey hunts, shooting hours are from 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 any turkey while it is on the roost is prohibited.
11. Taking or attempting to take game with the aid of live decoys, traps, snares, nets, drugs, lights
or recorded game calls is prohibited.
12. Hunting, trapping or the possession of dogs is prohibited in areas posted as "CLOSED".
13. A special-opportunity hunt permit shall be required for every person entering the area
during special-opportunity hunts, except that special-opportunity hunt permits shall be
required for each group of two hunters during the special-opportunity hog-dog season.
14. Killing swimming deer is prohibited.
15. Taking fox or fox squirrels is prohibited.
16. Wild hogs may not be transported alive.
17. 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;
date and location at which it was taken; and shall be readily traceable to the portion of the animal
bearing the sex identification.
18. During special-opportunity hunts, an individual may accompany a special-opportunity
permittee provided that while hunting or scouting the individual shall not occupy a vehicle
separate from the permittee, shall not possess a gun, and shall be in the immediate vicinity
(25 feet or less) of the permittee. All other persons must possess a special-opportunity
permit during special-opportunity hunts.
GUNS OR DOGS:
19. Hunting with gun and light is prohibited.
20. The use of dogs, other than bird dogs and dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less
during the small game season, is prohibited except that up to three dogs per special-opportunity
permit shall be allowed during the special-opportunity hog-dog season.
21. Fully-automatic firearms, silencer-equipped firearms, explosive or drug-injecting devices and
setguns are prohibited.
22. Guns are allowed only during periods in which their use for hunting is allowed.
23. No person shall have a gun in manual possession while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
24. Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a firearm unless in the presence of a
supervising adult.
25. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest wildlife during any period in which hunting
with dogs is prohibited.
26. Loaded, capped or primed guns are prohibited at campsites and the hunt headquarters. The
discharge of guns is prohibited on, from or across any campsite or the hunt headquarters.
27. Hunting wildlife or the display or use of a gun in a manner capable of taking wildlife on or
from rights-of-way of all paved roads is prohibited.
28. Hunting deer with full-jacketed bullets or any rimfire cartridge is prohibited.
29. Authorized hunting equipment may be taken onto the area from 8 a.m. one day before the
opening of each season and shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. one day following the
close of each season.
VEHICLES:
30. Operation of a vehicle on the area is prohibited during the period from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., unless
camping at designated campsites during special-opportunity hunts or by permit from the
Southwest Florida Water Management District.
31. During periods when the area is closed to hunting, vehicular access is restricted to the main
entrance road to the horse stable facility.
32. Individuals in possession of a special-opportunity turkey permit shall have vehicular access to
the area from sunrise to sunset on the Friday preceding the hunt.
33. Vehicles may be operated only on named or numbered roads and may be parked only at
designated parking areas. Horses may be ridden only on designated trails.
34. The use of tracked vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited. The use
of horses is prohibited during the special-opportunity hunts.
35. 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.
36. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct roads, gates or firelanes.
CAMPING:
37. Camping is permitted at designated campsites during hunting seasons and at other times by
permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, (352) 796-7211
38. Kitchen stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, unless contained in mobile campers are prohibited.
Lumber, sheet metal or other building materials is prohibited.
39. Each camper shall assure that their campsite is clean at all times.
40. The alteration, defacing, moving, or tampering in any way with official markings of campsites
is prohibited.
41. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may be used for camping.
42. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for each campsite shall be
visibly affixed to the camping shelter.
43. Camping equipment may be taken onto the area from 8 a.m. one day before the opening of
each season and shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. one day following the close of each
season.
HUNT HEADQUARTERS:
44. Hunters must enter and exit the area at the designated entrance and register at the hunt
headquarters.
45. No deer, turkey or hog shall be dismembered until checked at the hunt headquarters.
46. Hunt headquarters hours are 5 a.m. through 9 p.m. during Eastern Daylight Savings Time and
5 a.m. through 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time. During the special-opportunity turkey
season, check station hours are 4:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the small game season, check station
hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
SEARCH:
47. 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 28 through October 1, 5 through 8 and 17 through 20, November 2 through 5 and 14
through 17, November 30 through December 3 and December 12 through 15 and January 4
through 7.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, archery permit, special-opportunity
archery 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 Archery Hunt--All General Wildlife Management
Area Regulations shall apply and the possession of firearms or crossbows is prohibited.
SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY HOG-STILL:
February 2 through 4.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, special-opportunity hog-still permit.
Legal to Take--Wild hogs only.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity Hog-Still Hunt--All General Wildlife Management
Area Regulations shall apply.
SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY HOG-DOG:
February 14 through 16.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, special-opportunity hog-dog permit.
Legal to Take--Wild hogs only.
Regulations Unique to the Special Opportunity Hog-Dog Hunt--All General Wildlife Management
Area Regulations shall apply.
1. Only one gun may be possessed per permit.
2. Dogs may be used, but only three dogs per quota hunt permit are allowed.
3. Each permit holder may be accompanied by an assistant. However, the assistant must
possess all other licenses and permits.
SMALL GAME:
January 19 through 21 and 26 through 28.
Permit, Stamp and License 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--All General Wildlife Management Area Regulations
shall apply, and the possession of centerfire rifles is prohibited.
SPECIAL-OPPORTUNITY TURKEY:
March 22 through 25, April 3 through 6 and 19 through 22.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wild turkey permit, special-opportunity turkey permit.
Legal to Take--Bearded turkey or gobbler.
Regulations Unique to the Special-Opportunity Turkey Hunt--All General Wildlife Management
Area Regulations shall apply, only shotguns may be used.
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 seasons established by the Commission for these species which
coincide with the special-opportunity archery and small game seasons.
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 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--All General Wildlife Management Area Regulations
and statewide fishing regulations shall apply, and the possession of guns is permitted only during
periods when hunting is allowed.
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 (352) 732-1225 {(800) 955-8771 (TDD)}.
COOPERATION REQUESTED:
Please do not drive vehicles from sunrise to 9 a.m. during the special-opportunity 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.
This 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.
