Hunting opportuniities on SWFWMD lands

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Hunt Evaluation 2010–2011

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Hunting Evaluation FAQs

Other Related Documents

• Hunting Working Group Meeting Notes - January 28, 2011
• No-Net-Loss of Hunting Lands Report - September 15, 2010
• United Waterfowlers Hunting Presentation - July, 2010
• United Waterfowlers Hunting Proposal - July, 2010
• United Waterfowlers Framework and Use Proposal - July, 2010
• Assessment of Hunting Opportunities on District Lands - 2006

Initial Evaluation Results:

• Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps
• Cypress Creek Preserve
• Green Swamp East Hampton Tract
• Green Swamp East Non-Wildlife Management Area
• Green Swamp West Non-Wildlife Management Area
• Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve
• Lake Panasoffkee Non-Wildlife Management Area
• Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve
• Weekiwachee Preserve

The District is currently evaluating District-managed lands to determine if there are additional hunting opportunities available. This is a multi-step process with numerous opportunities for public comment. After a public meeting to discuss proposals for four properties, the District’s Governing Board voted to expand hunting on both the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve and the Green Swamp West Non-Wildlife Management Area (WMA) properties. Proposals are currently being finalized for four additional properties and will be discussed at a public meeting before being presented to the District’s 13-member Governing Board at its January 31 meeting for consideration. Public comment will be accepted at both of these meetings.
Public Meetings
Hunt Evaluation Proposals - Public Meeting
January 5, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Lecanto Government Building
3600 West Sovereign Path, Suite 166, Lecanto, FL 34461-8070 (Google map)
For additional info, contact Will Miller, ext. 4472
This meeting is to present the proposed hunting proposals for the Lake Panasoffkee (Non-Wildlife Management Area), Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps and Weekiwachee Preserve properties. The public will be able to review proposals and comment. Governing Board and Advisory Committee members may attend.
Agenda: agenda

Draft Proposals
Below are the draft proposals that will be discussed at the January 5 public meeting.

• Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps
• Weekiwachee Preserve
• Lake Panasoffkee
• Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

Approved Recommendations
Expanded hunting opportunities were approved for both the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve and the Green Swamp West (Non-WMA) properties. The approved proposals are below:

• Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve
• Green Swamp West (Non-WMA)

Evaluation Information

• The District is currently evaluating District-managed properties for additional hunting opportunities.
• This is being done in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Background

• In 2009 the District met with its land use stakeholders group, which is made up of citizens and representatives from various interest groups and other agencies, to discuss land use. One of the issues identified by the group was existing and potential hunting opportunities on District lands.
• In 2010 the District agreed to take an objective look at current and potential hunting opportunities and developed a hunting working group. A variety of interested stakeholders participate in the working group, including representatives from environmental and government organizations, hunting and equestrian groups and other concerned citizens.
• In January 2011 the hunting working group developed criteria that will be used to evaluate future hunting opportunities on District lands.
• This spring, given the large number of properties to review, staff met with some of the hunters in the working group to further narrow the initial list of lands. Eight properties were identified for the initial evaluation.