FWC SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON DEER MANAGEMENT IN THE PANHANDLE
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announces a series of public meetings on deer management in the Florida Panhandle to which all persons are invited.
Times and Locations:
January 29th, 2013, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Agricultural Conference Center, 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Marianna, FL 32448
January 30th, 2013, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Burns Building Auditorium, Florida Department of Transportation, 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announces a series of public meetings on deer management in the Florida Panhandle to which all persons are invited.
Times and Locations:
January 29th, 2013, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Agricultural Conference Center, 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Marianna, FL 32448
January 31st, 2013, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the University of West Florida, Commons Auditorium, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514
Two separate “Deer Management Units” (DMUs) are proposed for the Panhandle, one unit would cover the area south of Interstate 10 and the other would be north of I-10. The new DMUs are intended to allow FWC more flexibility with deer management based upon the deer population, habitat conditions, and public preference within each of the units. At the meeting, the plans for DMUs will be explained and all persons present will have an opportunity to provide input. We seek public comment in order to determine if the plans for the DMUs have the support of the public. In particular, we need to learn if members of the public are happy with the number of deer that live in their area, are happy with the current hunting regulations or if they seek changes.
In addition to public meetings, FWC has completed a statewide survey on their DMU plans and has received close to 5,000 responses from hunters, farmers and residents. For people who cannot attend any of the meetings, there will be follow-up opportunities to join a conference call to make comments on the plans. Following public comment, a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) will be established and will meet for further consideration and direct input into the new plan. Twenty to twenty five TAG members will be chosen based upon their expertise, their representation of an important interest group and their willingness to serve. All persons interested will be able to apply to become a TAG member at the public meetings.
More information about the proposed DMUs, the TAG and a meeting agenda may be obtained at http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/deer/dmu/.
The public meetings will be coordinated by staff of Normandeau Associates. FWC staff members will be present to provide detailed information, to answer questions and to assist with running the meeting. For more information, you may contact: Cory Morea of the FWC at (850) 617-9487 or Peter Colverson of Normandeau Associates in Gainesville at (352) 327-3270
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR FLORIDA LANDOWNERS INTERESTED IN LONGLEAF PINE
Landowners in Florida who want to establish or improve longleaf pine on their properties can take advantage of cost-share funds offered through the NRCS. In addition to the potential cost-share funds, landowners will receive a wildlife management plan and maps for their property. Longleaf pine forests are the South’s most unique ecosystem. These forests provide an important and diverse habitat that is home to 26 federally listed endangered species such as the indigo snake, red-cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise. They also provide outstanding habitat for white-tailed deer and wild turkeys, along with many non-game species. Cost-share programs such as this are vital to restoring the longleaf pine to its former grandeur and to helping landowners maintain their lands as working forests. Working forests provide clean water, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, which benefit landowners, wildlife, hunters and anyone who enjoys the outdoors. This longleaf restoration and management opportunity is available thanks to a cooperative agreement between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Wild Turkey Federation. Landowners do not have to be NWTF members to participate. Landowners in Florida who are interested in this cost-share opportunity should contact NWTF regional biologists Derek Alkire at (352) 262-2373 or dalkire@nwtf.net or Ricky Lackey at (229) 378-0003 or rlackey@nwtf.net for more information.
2012 TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS NOW AVAILABLE
Tax Tips for forest landowners for preparation of 2012 tax returns available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/tax.shtml.
SUPPORT THE NEW AUSTIN CARY FOREST LEARNING CENTER
A new Learning Center will be built to replace the Conference Center that burned in July 2011. More information about this new facility and how you can help are at this link:
http://sfrc.ifas.ufl.edu/Learning_Center/fundraising.html
FWC REQUESTS REPORTS OF PANTHER AND CHIPMUNK SIGHTINGS
Report chipmunk sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/chipmunk/getlatlong.aspx
Report panther sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/PantherSightings/getlatlong.aspx
Report chipmunk sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/chipmunk/getlatlong.aspx
Report panther sightings here: https://public.myfwc.com/hsc/PantherSightings/getlatlong.aspx
COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
Over the next 3 years (2012-2014), the University of Florida will be conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup. If you have fewer than 5 animals or are going to be coming through Gainesville, arrangements can be made to get carcasses from you at the University or combine your animals with others in your area for a pickup. Carcasses or stomachs and intestines should be frozen in a suitable bag or container, and include the name of contributor, animal sex, date harvested/obtained, and location harvested/obtained. We have obtained a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for this project, and will keep information provided by you for this project anonymous to the extent possible by law. We greatly appreciate your help with this valuable study!
FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES WEBINARS
For a calendar of upcoming webinars in a variety of land management topics see:
http://www.forestrywebinars.net/webinar-calendar/month#.T-zLkBhgZys.blogger
ONLINE EVENTS / EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/online_events.html
