Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
BIG CYPRESS
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
1999-2000
REGULATIONS SUMMARY AND AREA MAP
A COOPERATIVE PUBLIC WILDLIFE AND RECREATIONAL AREA
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
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 Big Cypress 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 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 areas 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.
3. Quota Permits: A no-cost regular quota hunt permit is required
to hunt on the Bear Island, Stairsteps, Loop, Corn Dance and
Turner River units of this wildlife management area during
November 13 through 21,
November 22 through 28 and
December 22 through January 2
of the general gun season. A no-cost special quota hunt permit is
required to hunt on the Bear Island Unit from October 9
through 17 of the muzzleloading gun season and
on the Deep Lake Unit November 13 through 21,
November 22 through 28
and December 25 through January 2
of the second archery season.
A daily hunt permit (available at the check station) is required
for hunting each day during non-quota periods of general gun and
muzzleloading gun seasons on the Bear Island Unit (no
exemptions). There are 200 daily hunt permits available on a
first-come, first-served basis at the check station. Regular
quota permits are available in the following numbers by
management unit: Bear Island 200, Stairsteps 1,000, Corn Dance
300, Turner River 500 and Loop 250. There are 200 special quota
permits available for the muzzleloading gun hunt in the Bear
Island Unit and each of the 3 segments of the second archery
season in the Deep Lake Unit.
Regular and special quota hunt permit applications are available
from county tax collectors or their subagents on or about June 1.
To apply for either permit, obtain a regular or special quota
hunt application and follow the printed instructions.
Transfer of Permits--Quota hunt permits are transferable. The
sale or purchase of any quota hunt permit is prohibited.
4. Archery Permit: This $5 permit is required when hunting during
any archery season outside of the South Zone general gun season
dates.
5. Muzzleloading Gun Permit: This $5 permit is required when
hunting during the muzzleloading gun season.
6. Wild Turkey Permit: This $5 permit is required if hunting
turkeys.
7. State Waterfowl Permit: This $3 permit is required while
hunting ducks.
8. 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.
9. Migratory Bird Permit: This free permit is required when
hunting migratory game birds.
10. National Park Service Off-Road Vehicle Registration Permit:
Any vehicle used off roads on the Big Cypress Wildlife Management
Area shall have a National Park Service registration. This
includes any four-wheel-drive vehicle having a current license
plate. The National Park Service off-road vehicle registration
permit is available at the Visitor Center. Call for more
information: (941) 695-4111.
BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:
1. Deer, wild hogs and bearded turkeys--Daily limit 1, season
limit 2 for each game species (all hunts combined).
2. Gray squirrel, quail or rabbit--Daily limit 12, possession
limit 24, for each game species.
3. Raccoon, opossum, armadillo, beaver, coyote, skunk and
nutria--No bag limit.
4. 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. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree
into which a metal object has been driven is prohibited.
2. It is illegal to cut or damage cattle fences.
3. Wild hogs may not be transported alive.
4. Fires are permitted only on designated camping areas or in
back country campsites and must be completely extinguished prior
to the user leaving the campsite.
5. It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse
or in any way litter in the management area. This includes
dumping or draining of refuse or waste from any vehicle or
trailer.
6. Hunters using the Bear Island Unit shall enter and exit ONLY
through the designated entry point at the north end of Turner
River Road or designated entry points along I-75. The I-75 access
points are walk-in only and equipped with self-check sation
boxes.
7. Entering any fenced area within the Jetport area is
prohibited.
8. The wanton or willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
9. The removal of plants, rocks, minerals, animals or other
natural objects is prohibited, except by written permit from
National Park Service.
10. The head and evidence of sex may not be removed from the
carcass of any deer on the area. Portions of the carcass may be
removed immediately prior to cooking.
11. No person shall release any wildlife on this wildlife
management area.
12. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other
food for wildlife on this wildlife management area.
13. Taking fox is prohibited.
14. Taking fox squirrel is prohibited.
15. Taking any turkey while it is on the roost is prohibited.
16. Killing swimming deer is prohibited.
17. Taking or attempting to take game with the aid of live
decoys, traps, snares, nets, drugs, lights or recorded game calls
is prohibited.
18. Any person hunting deer or accompanying another person
hunting deer shall wear at least 500 square inches of daylight
fluorescent-orange material above the waistline as an outer
garment. This is not required when hunting during an archery-only
season.
19. 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 is was taken; and shall be readily
traceable to the portion of the animal bearing the sex
identification.
20. Constructing a building or other structures is prohibited.
GUNS OR DOGS:
21. The use or possession of a loaded firearm while under the
influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances or
controlled substances is prohibited (F.S. 790.151).
22. Hunting with gun and light is prohibited.
23. Hunting wildlife or the display or use of a gun in a manner
capable of taking wildlife on or from the rights-of-way of County
Roads 837, 839, 841, State Roads 84, 94, U.S. 41 and Burns Road
is prohibited.
24. The use of guns other than muzzleloading guns or bow and
arrow is prohibited in the Deep Lake Unit.
25. Authorized hunting equipment or dogs may be taken onto the
area after 8 a.m. one day before the opening of the hunt and
shall be removed from the area before 6 p.m. one day after the
hunt.
26. For taking non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles,
pistols, longbows (including compound and recurved bows),
crossbows (during the general gun hunt only) or birds of prey may
be used.
27. For hunting deer, muzzleloading guns firing a single bullet
must be at least .40 caliber; those firing two or more balls must
be 20 gauge or larger.
28. Hunting deer with full-jacketed bullets or any rimfire
cartridge is prohibited.
29. 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.
30. Guns or dogs are allowed only during periods in which their
use for hunting is allowed.
31. Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a
firearm unless in the presence of a supervising adult.
32. The possession of any firearm containing shells or cartridges
or any capped or primed muzzleloading gun is prohibited at
campsites or check stations. The discharge of firearms is
prohibited on, from or across any campsite or check station.
33. Hunting deer or hogs with dogs is prohibited. All dogs are
prohibited in the Loop unit. The possession of dogs customarily
used for hunting (other than bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers)
is prohibited during any period.
34. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest wildlife
during any period in which hunting with dogs is prohibited.
35. No person shall possess any dog during any period in which
hunting with dogs is prohibited, unless the dog is a non-hunting
breed which is kept restrained.
VEHICLES:
NOTICE: You are strongly encouraged to contact the Big Cypress
National Preserve office, HCR 61, Box 11, Ochopee, FL 33943 (941)
695-4111 regarding vehicle use regulations prior to your use of
the preserve.
36. All vehicles, including airboats, used off roads shall have a
National Park Service off-road vehicle registration permit. See
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements for more information.
37. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct
roads, gates, trails or firelanes.
38. Vehicle access or use for the purposes of hunting, fishing or
frogging is prohibited except by all-terrain vehicles with 3 or
more rubber tires, the front tire(s) of which shall be at least 7
inches wide and the rear tires of which must be at least 9 inches
wide, and other vehicles with three or more rubber tires of
9-inch minimum width. Airboats are permitted except in the Bear
Island, Deep Lake and Loop units. Vehicles are prohibited on Loop
and Deep Lake units. In the Bear Island unit vehicles shall not
be operated off designated roads and trails or outside designated
vehicle access areas. Vehicles may be operated throughout the
Corn Dance and Turner River units. For information on vehicle and
airboat use in the Stairsteps Unit contact the NPS.
39. All airboats used for taking wildlife, frogs or fish or for
other recreational use must fly an orange flag at least 10 inches
wide by 12 inches long at least 10 feet above the bottom of the
vessel.
40. Only vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be operated
on Jetport Road. Parking on the paved portion of Jetport Road is
prohibited.
41. Vehicular use by the public on Eleven-Mile Road or the
Florida Trail is prohibited. Vehicles may cross Eleven-Mile Road
at designated and marked points only. Maps showing the location
of crossings over Eleven-Mile Road are available at the Visitor
Center.
42. 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.
CAMPING:
43. Camping on the Bear Island Unit is permitted only at
designated campsites by the use of tents, trailers or
self-propelled camping vehicles. Camping is permitted on
designated campsites on other units. Primitive camping is not
limited to designated campsites except on Bear Island.
CHECK STATIONS:
44. Hunters shall check in at a designated check station when
entering the area and check out at the same check station when
exiting the area. A check station pass, issued at the check
station, shall be retained in possession while hunting.
45. All game taken must be checked and tagged at a check station
prior to removal from the area. It is important that as much of
the animal as possible remains intact and that it be brought to
the check station as soon as possible. Important biological data
are obtained from the following animals or animal parts: deer
(head, heart, kidney, liver), hog (head), turkey (wings and
tail). If the animal is processed in the field, the above items
should be brought to the check station along with the meat. Deer
jawbones shall be saved and brought to the check station.
SEARCH:
46. A wildlife officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat when
he or she reasonably believes a violation has been committed.
ARCHERY:
September 4 through October 3,
in all units and November 13 through January 2,
in the Deep Lake Unit only.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit, archery permit (not required November 13
- January 2 in Deep Lake Unit), state waterfowl
permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory
bird permit (if hunting migratory game birds), quota hunt permits
(see No. 3 under Permit, Stamp and License Information).
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches
in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder
height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit,
opossum, raccoon, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria, and
migratory game birds in season.
Regulations Unique to the Archery Hunt--In addition to these
regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations
shall apply.
1. Possession of firearms or crossbows is prohibited, except that
during the early duck season shotguns are permitted for duck
hunting on all units except Bear Island and Deep Lake.
2. The transportation of archery equipment on airboats during the
archery season is prohibited.
MUZZLELOADING GUN:
October 9 through 24, except in
the Deep Lake Unit.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit, muzzleloading gun permit, special quota
permit (if hunting on the Bear Island Unit during the first 9
days) or daily permit (after first 9 days in Bear Island Unit).
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches
in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder
height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit,
opossum, raccoon, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk and nutria.
Regulations Unique to the Muzzleloading Gun Hunt: In addition to
these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area
Regulations shall apply.
1. Only muzzleloading guns are allowed.
2. The transportation of muzzleloading equipment on airboats
during the muzzleloading gun season is prohibited.
GENERAL GUN:
November 13 through January 2,
except in the Deep Lake Unit.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit, regular quota hunt permit (if hunting
during November 13 - 28 and
December 22 - January 2), daily
hunt permit required on Bear Island Unit if hunting during
non-quota periods, state waterfowl permit and federal waterfowl
stamp (if hunting ducks), migratory bird permit (if hunting
migratory game birds).
Legal to Take--Deer with one or more antlers at least five inches
in length visible above the hairline, wild hogs with a shoulder
height of 15 inches or more, gray squirrel, quail, rabbit,
opossum, raccoon, beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria, and
migratory game birds in season.
Regulations Unique to the General Gun Hunt--All General Wildlife
Management Area Regulations shall apply and bird dogs and
retrievers are permitted except in Loop and Deep Lake units.
SMALL GAME:
January 3 through February 6.
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, opossum, raccoon,
beaver, coyote, armadillo, skunk, nutria, migratory game birds
when in season.
Regulations Unique to the Small Game Hunt--In addition to these
regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area Regulations
shall apply.
1. The possession of centerfire rifles is prohibited.
2. The use of guns other than muzzleloading guns or bow and arrow
is prohibited in the Deep Lake Unit.
3. Bird dogs and waterfowl retrievers are permitted, except in
the Loop and Deep Lake units.
SPRING TURKEY:
March 4 through April 9.
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit and wild turkey permit.
Legal to Take--Bearded turkeys or gobblers.
Regulations Unique to the Spring Turkey Hunt--In addition to
these regulations, all General Wildlife Management Area
Regulations shall apply.
1. Legal shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until 1
p.m.
2. The use of guns other than muzzleloading guns or bow and arrow
is prohibited in the Deep Lake Unit.
3. No person shall possess any dog, except dogs not normally used
for hunting kept restrained.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS:
Mourning doves, white-winged doves, snipe, ducks, coots, woodcock
and crows may be hunted during seasons established for these
species which coincide with the muzzleloading gun, general gun
and small game hunts. Ducks may also be taken during the early
duck season (except in the Bear Island and Deep Lake units).
Permit, Stamp and License Requirements--Hunting license, wildlife
management area permit, migratory bird permit, state waterfowl
permit and federal waterfowl stamp (if hunting ducks). Quota
permit if hunting during any designated quota period.
Regulations Unique to Migratory Game Birds--See Migratory Game
Bird Hunting Regulations pamphlet. In addition to these
regulations, all wildlife management area regulations contained
in this pamphlet shall apply and the use of lead shot for taking
ducks and coots is prohibited.
FISHING AND FROGGING:
Permitted throughout the year.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REGULATIONS:
This area is a national preserve. All of these Big Cypress
National Preserve regulations shall apply. For further
information, contact the Big Cypress National Preserve, HCR 61
Box 11, Ochopee, Florida 34141, (941) 695-4111 or visit the Big
Cypress National Preserve home page at http://www/nps.gov/bicy.
For current hunter information call the 24-hour telephone line
(941) 695-2040.
1. Any open container of an alcoholic beverage is prohibited in
or on all motor vehicles, including off-road vehicles and
airboats.
2. Loaded weapons cannot be carried in/on a motor vehicle,
including off-road vehicles. Weapons in a vehicle must be packed,
cased or stored, not available for ready use.
3. Weapons cannot be discharged from a motor vehicle, including
off-road vehicles. A weapon may, however, be discharged from an
airboat when the vessel is not under power and is stopped.
4. All private property owners in the preserve are required to
obtain a burning permit from the National Park Service prior to
conducting any burn on their property. Permits can be obtained by
calling (941) 695-4111 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily.
5. Target practice and random discharge of firearms is
prohibited.
6. The preserve is closed to the viewing of wildlife with an
artificial light. Frogging is permitted.
7. The destruction, detachment or removal of any natural or
cultural feature or non-renewable resource is prohibited.
8. Unattended property must be identified in a prominent location
with owner's name, address and telephone number.
9. Airboat use is allowed only in the Corn Dance, Turner River
and Stairsteps Units (except the area west from Barnes Strand)
from 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
10. Commercial taking of frogs is prohibited.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Small tracts of private property are located within the
boundary of the wildlife management area. These lands may be
posted against trespass and should not be considered as part of
the wildlife management area.
2. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 must have passed a
Commission-approved hunter safety course prior to being issued a
hunting license.
3. If you have any questions about this material, please call the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (561)
625-5122 {(800) 955-8771 (TDD)}.
COOPERATION REQUESTED:
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. TAKE OUT TRASH WITH YOU.
In recent years, unauthorized and uncontrolled fires have
caused severe damage to area wildlife and wildlife habitats.
Controlled fires are beneficial only when they are of the proper
size and location, and when area conditions are suitable.
UNCONTROLLED FIRES DO NOT BENEFIT WILDLIFE. Please use caution
with campfires, smoking materials and vehicles to prevent damage
to wildlife habitats.
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 $1,827,066 or 31 percent of the cost of
the program.