Email from FWC

As someone who has hunting privileges in
Florida we thought you may be interested in the following information. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a Strategic Plan for Deer Management in
Florida : 2008-2018 on February 2008. FWC’s Deer Management Program has been working since to initiate high priority components of the strategic plan. Please visit http://myfwc.com/deer to review several updates regarding deer management in
Florida .

These include:

New deer hunting zones and seasons – The Commission approved changes to deer hunting zones and seasons on February 17. New season dates will apply to the 2010-2011 hunting season for private lands. The process of aligning WMAs and other public lands with new zonal seasons has begun and public meetings have been scheduled around the state.

Crossbows during archery season – The Commission is considering allowing the use of crossbows during the regular archery season. Be sure to take the survey.

Proposed deer harvest reporting system - The FWC is proposing to implement a deer harvest reporting system for
Florida in an effort to collect accurate harvest data. The proposal would require hunters to report any deer harvested using a telephone or computer. Hunters would need to enter some basic information regarding their harvest within a certain amount of time of taking a deer. More information will be available on the Deer Program’s website in the near future. Be sure to look at the public meeting schedule.

Rut maps - Mean conception date maps for
Florida 's panhandle and peninsula.

2009 Deer breeding chronology study - A preliminary report on a project looking at breeding chronology of deer in the panhandle.

Please continue to monitor the Deer Management Program’s website for updates regarding deer hunting regulations.