Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
JOHN G. AND SUSAN H. DUPUIS, JR.
WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AREA
1999-2000
REGULATIONS SUMMARY AND AREA MAP
A COOPERATIVE PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECREATIONAL AREA
SOUTH 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 John G. and Susan H. DuPuis Jr.
Wildlife and Environmental 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
fish and wildlife laws and regulations, see the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission's Wildlife Code on file with the
Secretary of State and state libraries.
For additional information pertaining to hunting, trapping and
fishing, consult the current editions of the Florida Hunting
Handbook and the Florida Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide. These
publications are available from any Commission office as well as
county tax collectors and their subagents.
PERMIT, STAMP AND LICENSE INFORMATION:
Persons utilizing the wildlife and environmental 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 the age of 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 and environmental
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 Hunt Permit: A no-cost, special quota hunt permit is
required for each person (no exemptions) to hunt on this area
during the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons. There are 75
special quota hunt permits available by application for each
three-day period during the archery and muzzleloading gun
seasons.
A no-cost, regular quota hunt permit is required for each person
(no exemptions) to hunt on this area during the general gun and
general gun hog hunts. There are 75 regular quota hunt permits
available for each hunt period during general gun season and 100
regular quota permits for each general gun hog hunt. A
mobility-impaired quota hunt permit is required to hunt ( no
exemptions) during the mobility-impaired general gun hunt. There
are 25 mobility impaired quota permits available by application
for the mobility-impaired general gun hunt.
Special and regular quota hunt permit applications are available
from county tax collectors or their subagents on or about June 1.
Mobility-impaired quota hunt applications are available from
regional offices of the Commission on or about June 28.
To apply for a quota hunt permit, obtain an application and
follow the printed instructions.
A spring turkey quota hunt permit is required to hunt on this
area (no exemptions) for each spring turkey hunt. There are 35
spring turkey quota hunt permits available by application for
each three-day hunt. Spring turkey quota hunt applications are
available at regional offices of the Commission and county tax
collectors' offices on or about January 3.
Transfer of Permits: Quota hunt and antlerless deer permits are
transferable, except that any exempt permit is transferable only
to another exempt person. Mobility-impaired quota hunt permits
are non-transferrable except to persons who have been issued a
mobility-impaired certificate by the Commission. The sale or
purchase of any quota hunt permit or antlerless deer permit is
prohibited.
4. Archery Permit: This $5 permit is required when hunting during
the archery season.
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 when 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. Fishing License: Information on the categories and costs of
fishing licenses is available in the Florida Freshwater Fishing
Regulations Summary.
OPEN SEASONS:
1. Fishing--Permitted when the area is open for public use.
2. Archery--September 11 through 13,
18 through 20 and 24
through 26.
3. Muzzleloading Gun--October 9 through 11,
16 through 18 and 22
through 24.
4. General Gun--October 30 through November 1
and November 6 through 8.
5. General Gun for Mobility-Impaired--November 13
through 14.
6. General Gun Hog Hunt--November 16 through 18,
23 through 25, November 30
through December 2 and 7
through 9.
7. Small Game--December 11 through January 30.
8. Spring Turkey--March 7 through 9,
18 through 20, and 25
through 27.
9. Trapping is prohibited.
10. Frogging is prohibited.
LEGAL TO TAKE:
Only those species listed below are legal to take.
1. White-tailed Deer--Deer with at least one forked antler (at
least two points one inch or greater in length) and having one or
more antlers at least five inches in length visible above the
hairline may be taken during the muzzleloading gun,
mobility-impaired general gun and general gun hunt Any
deer (except spotted fawns and spike bucks with one or more
antlers exceeding five inches in length) may be taken during the
archery season. Antlerless deer ( except spotted fawns) may be
taken by antlerless deer permit only during other seasons. (see
No. 2 under General Information)
2. Turkey--Bearded turkeys or gobblers only may be taken during
the spring turkey season.
3. Wild Hogs--(No size or bag limit.) May be taken during the
archery, muzzleloading gun, mobility-impaired general gun,
general gun and special hog hunts.
4. Small Game--Quail, gray squirrel, rabbit, armadillo, bobcat,
raccoon, opossum, coyote and skunk. Migratory game birds may be
taken when small game season coincides with the migratory bird
season.
5. Fish--See Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide and Regulations
Summary.
BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:
1. Deer--One antlered deer per quota hunt permit, one antlerless
deer per antlerless deer permit.
2. Wild hog--No bag or size limit.
3. Turkey--One per quota hunt permit.
4. Gray squirrel, quail or rabbit--Daily limit 12, possession
limit 24 for each species
5. Armadillo, coyote, opossum, raccoon and skunk--No bag limits.
6. Bobcat--Possession limit 1 unless in possession of a trapping
license.
7. Migratory game birds--See Migratory Game Bird Hunting
Regulations pamphlet.
GENERAL 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
and environmental area. Hunting, the taking of wildlife or fish,
and participating in other recreational activities on this area
shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in the manner
set forth herein.
1. During the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, general
gun for mobility impaired, spring turkey and general gun hog
seasons, no person shall enter or exit the area except through
Gate 3, and all such persons shall possess a quota hunt permit
for the area. During small game season and the remainder of the
year, vehicle access is through Gate 6 and hiking access is
through Gate 2 by foot only.
2. Driving a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree
into which a metal object has been driven is prohibited.
3. Unauthorized removal or cutting of live or dead trees or
plants is prohibited.
4. Unauthorized planting of trees, shrubs or other vegetation is
prohibited.
5. Hawks, owls, ospreys, eagles, kites and other birds of prey
are protected by federal and state law.
6, The taking of fox or fox squirrel is prohibited.
7. Wild hogs may not be transported alive.
8. Fires are prohibited except at designated areas.
9. It is unlawful for any person to leave any garbage or refuse
or in any way litter in the area.
10. The wanton or willful waste of wildlife is prohibited.
11. 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.
12. The head and evidence of sex may not be removed from the
carcass of any deer or turkey on the area.
13. No person shall release any wildlife on this area.
14. It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other
food for wildlife on this area.
15. Killing swimming deer is prohibited.
16. The use of live decoys, traps, snares, nets or recorded game
calls is prohibited.
17. Hunting is prohibited in areas posted as "CLOSED."
18. The possession or consumption of intoxicating beverages is
prohibited.
19. Public access is prohibited in areas posted as
"RESTRICTED" for the protection of endangered or
threatened species or environmentally sensitive areas.
20. 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.
21. Each hunter participating in the general gun for mobility
impaired season is required to attend a pre-hunt orientation
meeting.
22. Mobility-impaired hunters may be accompanied by another
person who shall not be required to meet hunting license, permit
or stamp requirements, provided he or she assists the
mobility-impaired hunter in a non-hunting capacity.
23. If hunting ducks, coots, snipe or doves, all regulations in
the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulation pamphlet shall apply.
24. The disturbance or removal of any manmade, cultural or
natural materials or features, or non-renewable resources is
prohibited.
GUNS AND DOGS:
25. Hunting with gun and light is prohibited.
26. For taking non-migratory game, only shotguns, rifles,
pistols, longbows (including compound and recurved bows), 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, or setguns are prohibited.
30. Guns are allowed only during periods in which their use for
hunting is allowed.
31. No person shall have a gun in manual possession while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
32. Children under the age of 16 may not be in possession of a
firearm unless in the presence of a supervising adult.
33. Hunting with dogs or allowing them to pursue or molest
wildlife is prohibited, except that retrievers may be used during
the small game season.
34. Guns are prohibited in areas posted as "CLOSED."
35. The possession of any firearm containing shells or
cartridges, or any capped or primed muzzleloading gun is
prohibited at the check station or designated campsite.
36. Shooting from a moving vehicle is prohibited.
37. The possession or use of firearms other than shotguns is
prohibited during the small game season.
38. The discharge of firearms within a 1/4 mile of the hiking
trail campsites is prohibited.
39. The possession of a firearm or crossbow is prohibited during
archery season.
40. Only muzzleloading guns are allowed during muzzleloading gun
season.
VEHICLES:
41. Vehicles shall be operated only on named or numbered roads,
except during the mobility-impaired general gun season when ATVs
may be used off roads. All other roads are closed to vehicle
traffic.
42. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct
roads, gates or firelanes.
43. The use of tracked vehicles, buggies, airboats, motorcycles
or all-terrain vehicles is prohibited. (except ATVs may be used
during the mobility-impaired general gun season).
44. Florida traffic laws relating to vehicles and vehicle
operators apply on this area. The operation of an unregistered
and unlicensed vehicle is prohibited. Commission off-road vehicle
permits are not valid on this area.
45. Horses are prohibited during periods of the archery,
muzzleloading gun, general gun, general gun hog, general gun for
mobility impaired and spring turkey seasons. During the remainder
of the year, horses may be used only on designated horse trails
and named or numbered roads. The use of horses on all other roads
and trails is prohibited. Persons horseback riding on the area
shall enter and exit only at Gate 3.
CAMPING:
46. Camping is permitted during quota-permit hunts for those
possessing a current Dupuis quota hunt permit. Camping during
quota hunts is restricted to the campsite adjacent to Gate 3.
47. During periods closed to quota-permit hunts, camping is
allowed only at designated primitive sites on hiking trails, at
the designated equestrian staging area at Gate 3, and the
drive-in campsite on Jim Lake Grade. Camping for small game
hunters is restricted to the Jim Lake Grade Site or primitive
sites on hiking trails.
48. Only tents, trailers or self-propelled camping vehicles may
be used for camping.
49. During quota-permit hunts, authorized camping equipment may
be taken on the area after 8 a.m. one day before each three-day
hunt of the archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, general gun
hog, general gun for mobility-impaired and spring turkey seasons.
Authorized camping equipment shall be removed from the area
before 5 p.m. one day following each three-day hunt of the
archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, general gun hog, general
gun for mobility-impaired and spring turkey seasons.
CHECK STATIONS:
50. During archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, general gun
hog, general gun for mobility-impaired and spring turkey seasons,
all hunters shall check in and out at the check station at Gate 3
when entering or leaving the area and check all game taken.
51. No deer, hog or turkey may be dismembered until checked at
the check station.
52. Check station hours are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Daylight
Saving Time, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Eastern Standard Time, and 5
a.m. to 2 p.m. during spring turkey season. During the small game
season, hunters should register harvested game at the self-check
station when leaving the area through Gate 6.
SEARCH:
53. A wildlife officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat when
he or she reasonably believes a violation has been committed.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. This land was acquired under the Save Our Rivers (SOR)
program. The purpose of a wildlife and environmental area is to
conserve and protect unique and irreplaceable wildlife habitats,
restore areas to their original condition as much as possible,
and allow controlled multiple recreational and educational uses
consistent with this purpose.
2. Any hunter desiring to take an antlerless deer must submit a
quota hunt application during the application period for random
drawing and have checked the box provided for the random drawing
of antlerless permits. Antlerless deer permits will be issued
from the Tallahassee office and will be valid only on the area
and for the dates indicated on the permit.
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 (561)
625-5122 {(800) 955-8771 (TDD)}.
COOPERATION REQUESTED:
Please do not discharge firearms at anything other than legal
game while in this area. Random discharge of firearms has become
an increasing threat to the quality of hunting and the general
outdoor experience.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. TAKE TRASH OUT WITH YOU.
Since you have the privilege to use this wildlife and
environmental area, go
the extra mile to exercise great caution and care while
fishing, hunting, sightseeing or using the area in any way--leave
the area better than you found it. People, wildlife, the
environment and conservation in general can only benefit.
During the mobility-impaired general gun season, hunters are
requested not to drive vehicles a half-hour before sunrise to 9
a.m. and 4 p.m. to a half-hour after sunset.
The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination
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.