Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

February/March FWC’s Hunting Hot Sheet The latest hunting and conservation news and events from the  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Spring turkey season - the call of the wild! Hearing the springtime chorus of birds at daybreak is one of many things that makes turkey hunting so special. But there's no sound that will make the heart race as fast and no conversation that's listened to more intently than the gobble of the wild turkey. Spring turkey season south of S.R. 70 runs March 3 through April 8. In the rest of the state, it runs March 17 through April 22. Planning to go? Get your license and permits. Following are the tools and information you need to help plan your season. Photo courtesy of Jim Turlington Where the wild turkeys are The Sunshine State is home to two wild turkey subspecies. The only place in the world the Osceola subspecies lives is the Florida peninsula while the eastern wild turkey subspecies is found in north Florida and throughout the eastern U.S. Both populations are flourishing in Florida, a testament to FWC’s science-based management efforts. Wondering where wild turkeys occur in Florida? Check out this interactive wild turkey map for estimates on their distribution across the state. Spring turkey hunting on public hunting areas (without a quota permit!) We offer 43 public hunting areas statewide where you can “walk on” to hunt spring turkeys. We provide that information as well as what license and permits are required and a map showing wild turkey population densities in Florida. Photo courtesy of FWC's Chad Weber Take a young person turkey hunting! The Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Weekends are Feb. 24-25 south of State Road 70 and March 10-11 north of State Road 70. These Saturday-Sunday hunts are held the weekend prior to the opening of spring turkey season on private property and many wildlife management areas (WMAs). Of the 81 WMAs hosting a youth spring turkey hunt, 26 of them do not require a quota permit. Photo courtesy of Gary Jenson Safe and successful turkey hunting Turkey hunters recognize that understanding wild turkey behavior, good calling, and an effective shotgun pattern are all keys to success. Did you know that practicing safe turkey hunting strategies also can put you in the best position to take a gobbler? These tips will ensure turkey hunting remains a safe activity while setting you up for success. Wild turkey conservation success story in Holmes County This spring, Holmes County hunters can enjoy their first full-length spring turkey season in 20 years – a result of a successful wild turkey restoration project and partnership between the FWC, National Wild Turkey Federation and local landowners. Wild turkeys had virtually disappeared in Holmes County in the mid-1990s. With help from the NWTF, a turkey trapping and restocking program was initiated during the winters of 1998-99 and 1999-2000. By 2006, habitat improvements and other restoration efforts had paid off and turkey hunting in Holmes County was reopened with a limited 3-day spring season. Over the past decade, spring turkey season in Holmes County has been extended incrementally, and today, hunting success in Holmes County is as good or better than that in surrounding counties. CWD detected in Mississippi The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks recently announced a deer in that state tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD has not been found in Florida. The FWC takes CWD very seriously and is taking an aggressive approach to prevent it from entering Florida. To guard against importing CWD from other states, it’s illegal to bring into Florida the whole carcass of any deer, elk or moose from 25 states (including Mississippi now) and two Canadian provinces where CWD has been detected. Importing live deer, elk and moose from any state is prohibited. In addition, the FWC has been monitoring deer for CWD since 2002. If you see a deer that seems sick, abnormally thin or dead from unknown causes, call the toll-free CWD hotline, which is available seven days a week, at 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) to report the animal's location. CWD is a fatal, infectious neurological disease of white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose that is extremely difficult to control once it becomes established in a natural population. Learn more including where CWD has been detected and what hunters can legally bring back from CWD-affected states. Short Cuts Hunting season opportunities in February/March Spring turkey season South of S.R. 70 -  March 3 through April 8. North of S.R. 70 - March 17 through April 22. Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Weekends South of S.R. 70 -  Feb. 24-25 North of S.R. 70 - March 10-11 Zone D late muzzleloader season runs Feb. 19-25 Gray squirrel season runs through March 4 Quail season runs through March 4 For more season dates information, see: 2017-2018 Florida hunting season dates and bag limits Final rule changes related to hunting and to FWC-managed areas At its February meeting, the Commission approved rule changes related to hunting and FWC-managed areas around the state. Most of the rule changes expand or enhance hunting opportunities based on hunter preference and sound science to ensure sustainability. Events Tallahassee Ducks Unlimited Greenwings Event When: Feb. 24 Where: Ayavalla Airfield off Gardner Road, Tallahassee, Florida For more information Traditional Bowhunters of Florida State Championship When: March 2-4 Where: Ocala Conservation Center, Silver Springs, Florida For more information Youth Hunter Education Challenge The Florida Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is a program for hunter safety course graduates to learn more about leadership, ethics and safety while expanding their knowledge about conservation, target shooting and hunting. Check out the following events: Archery and hunter responsibility classes When: Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Tenoroc Public Gun Range, 3760 Tenoroc Mine Rd., Lakeland For more information: Jason.Tackett@MyFWC.com .22 rifle, shotgun, skills trail classes When: Sunday, March 25 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Where: Tenoroc Public Gun Range, 3760 Tenoroc Mine Rd., Lakeland For more information: Jason.Tackett@MyFWC.com Sign up for a hunter safety course Hunter safety courses cover firearms safety, wildlife conservation, responsible hunting and more. Students can attend a no-cost traditional classroom course. Or they can complete the classroom portion online. FWC’s website offers several online courses including a FREE option. After the online classroom portion is complete, students must sign up and attend a skills day. Bookmark these links to find information fast! Get your hunting license and permits 2017-2018 Florida Hunting Regulations New hunter information  Find a FWC-Managed Shooting Range Conservation Organizations There are several organizations in Florida working diligently on behalf of conservation and creating opportunities for others to experience hunting. Learn more about how you can get involved in Florida! National Wild Turkey Federation events in Florida Ducks Unlimited Events in Florida Florida Sportsmen Conservation Association The Future of Hunting in Florida United Waterfowlers-Florida Quality Deer Management Association in Florida Quail Forever in Florida Safari Club International in Florida

Learn more about hunting in Florida at MyFWC.com/Hunting. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web Page.

Bobby Thomas Jr @ MOCA Feb 23

presenta: EL BOBBY THOMAS, JR. QUINTETO Viernes 23 de febrero de 8 ~ 21:15  GRATIS Y dos veces nominado al Grammy Robert “Bobby” Thomas Jr., ha cautivado a audiencias en todo el mundo durante más de tres décadas. Ampliamente considerado como uno de los percusionistas más importantes en la historia de la música sus manos la velocidad del rayo y la pirotecnia de percusión, impulsaron el gran Joe Zawinul derramar sobre él el título de “Mano El batería.” Después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria, Thomas estudió en el Miami-Dade Community College. Durante este tiempo, descubrió el jazz, y empezaron a jugar con el saxofonista Jet Nero en el salón del polvo de oro y otros artistas como Ira Sullivan, Billy Marcus, Zoot Sims, Thad Jones, Monty Alexander y Mel Lewis. A finales de los años 70, Thomas jugó en un beneficio con Jaco Pastorius en Miami Springs. Poco después, Thomas hizo una prueba con Joe Zawinul y Wayne grupo de jazz fusión Shorter Weather Report en una presentación en vivo en New Haven, Connecticut. Bobby jugó con el informe del tiempo y su actualización bandas sucesoras tiempo, Zawinul Syndicate, y de boca en boca Banda Jaco Pastorius. Ha grabado y girado con los gustos de Stan Getz, Ahmad Jamal, Monty Alexander, Sir Roland Hanna, Zoot Sims, Herbie Mann, Eddie Harris, Branford Marsalis, Ahmad Jamal, Junior Mance, Paul Desmond, Johnny James, Monty Alexander, Wes Montgomery, y Roberto Perera. Artistas del mundo que ha jugado con el intérprete de sitar incluyen Amitava Chatterjee, y el artista africano Vinx. Actualmente es miembro del núcleo de La Banda Zawinul legado, Thomas ha publicado varios discos en solitario, en la que interpreta a una mezcla ecléctica de instrumentos, incluyendo congas, instrumentos de viento, la guitarra y el arpa arco africano. También dirige un nuevo grupo, los hermanos extranjeros: 7º Mundial, que están poniendo juntos un álbum de debut que pronto será liberado. con: Bobby Thomas, Jr. - percusión Abel Pabon - Teclado Armando Gola - bajo Jonathan Joseph - tambores Jesse Jones, Jr. - Sax

Florida PTA Hosting Statewide Candlelight Vigils February 19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     February 19, 2018 Contact Information: Cindy Gerhardt, President president@floridapta.org 407-855-7604 FAX 407-240-9577 www.floridapta.org  On Monday, February 19th, Florida PTA will be hosting statewide candlelight vigils to remember the 17 lives taken on Valentine's Day last week.  At least 15 counties will hold over 20 vigils at schools, community centers, places of worship and public parks.  This will be a time where communities can come together to mourn, to grieve, and to honor those whose lights were extinguished far too early. We invite all who have been touched by this tragedy to attend a vigil nearby.  The information on locations of vigils throughout the state can be found by visiting the website: floridapta.org. We will be using the hashtag #NoMore to symbolize our hope that no more innocent lives will be lost due to gun violence. Those in an area where no vigil is planned are encouraged to express their condolences by changing their social media profile to a candle to symbolize solidarity.    Florida PTA comprises hundreds of thousands of families, students, teachers, administrators and business and community leaders devoted to improving the lives of children/youth in our state. PTA is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in the state of Florida, as well as the nation. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children. More information is available by contacting Florida PTA (407/855-7604 or executive.director@floridapta.org). For more information visit our website www.floridapta.org and/or our Facebook page for programs available in your community.

Dear Fellow Resident,   The horrific tragedy in Parkland is the worst kind of reminder that communities need to be vigilant, especially with regard to protection of our children.   Here are some steps we are taking as a city to provide an umbrella of protection and reassurance today and in the days ahead: Miami Beach police officers were out in force this morning providing a highly visible presence outside our schools, particularly around arrival and dismissal times when children and parents are present outside in high numbers. This is in support of the enhanced coverage being provided by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. Our Miami Beach police officers will also be making regular and highly visible visits to all our schools throughout the day. Our officers want to provide the assurance of safety that our school children and their parents need at this difficult time. In addition to these enhanced patrols, our police department has six school liaison officers working full time in all of the Miami-Dade Elementary Schools and at Nautilus Middle School. These employees are retired police officers who work directly with the Miami Beach Police Department and their respective schools’ administration to address issues of safety on a daily basis. We have officers who patrol all areas of our City, with a dedicated cadre of assigned to each area. They know their communities and neighborhoods well. A Patrol Captain for each of these areas coordinates police activities that include high-visibility patrols and community engagement. Among their many skills, all our officers are well trained in how best to promptly respond to any critical incident in our schools, including the threat of a possible gunman. Because of the special concerns teens and their parents share after Parkland, Miami Beach Senior High School is receiving extensive police coverage, including the monitoring of bus arrivals and campus entry points. Our Police Chief was personally on scene this morning and met with Principal Rodriguez about security. The police department’s senior command staff has also been out today visiting other school principals in the city to make sure their concerns are being addressed. The most important contribution you can provide is your personal awareness and vigilance. As a community, we need to know right away when something is wrong. If you see something, say something. Call 911. The police department recently initiated a “See Something, Say Something” campaign that stresses this vital message that everyone must speak up immediately to alert law enforcement when something seems out of place or suspicious.   I would like our City to do more. So much more needs to be done. I would like to outright ban the possession and sale of the assault rifle that was used in the Parkland murders. I would like to create gun free zones in our City. Regrettably under current law these and other measures cannot happen because in 2011 the Florida Legislature passed, and our Governor signed, a bill that fully “preempted” the ability of local government to regulate in any manner firearm usage and sale. Courts will not enforce such measures and public officials that even try to implement them are subject to fines and penalties including removal from office. I know you share my anger and frustration. The notion that our own government would not do all it can to stop this senseless violence is beyond maddening. Despite the preemption, we are studying what can be done, and we are committed to doing all that we can. I will also be meeting with Miami Dade School officials to make sure all our efforts are coordinated and effective.   If you have any ideas or recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Chief Oates and our Manager, Jimmy Morales, and I along with my colleagues on the Commission are fully committed to making our City safe and secure for our residents.   Let’s keep the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers, but also honor them with action. Dan Gelber

Dear Fellow Resident,   The horrific tragedy in Parkland is the worst kind of reminder that communities need to be vigilant, especially with regard to protection of our children.   Here are some steps we are taking as a city to provide an umbrella of protection and reassurance today and in the days ahead: Miami Beach police officers were out in force this morning providing a highly visible presence outside our schools, particularly around arrival and dismissal times when children and parents are present outside in high numbers. This is in support of the enhanced coverage being provided by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. Our Miami Beach police officers will also be making regular and highly visible visits to all our schools throughout the day. Our officers want to provide the assurance of safety that our school children and their parents need at this difficult time. In addition to these enhanced patrols, our police department has six school liaison officers working full time in all of the Miami-Dade Elementary Schools and at Nautilus Middle School. These employees are retired police officers who work directly with the Miami Beach Police Department and their respective schools’ administration to address issues of safety on a daily basis. We have officers who patrol all areas of our City, with a dedicated cadre of assigned to each area. They know their communities and neighborhoods well. A Patrol Captain for each of these areas coordinates police activities that include high-visibility patrols and community engagement. Among their many skills, all our officers are well trained in how best to promptly respond to any critical incident in our schools, including the threat of a possible gunman. Because of the special concerns teens and their parents share after Parkland, Miami Beach Senior High School is receiving extensive police coverage, including the monitoring of bus arrivals and campus entry points. Our Police Chief was personally on scene this morning and met with Principal Rodriguez about security. The police department’s senior command staff has also been out today visiting other school principals in the city to make sure their concerns are being addressed. The most important contribution you can provide is your personal awareness and vigilance. As a community, we need to know right away when something is wrong. If you see something, say something. Call 911. The police department recently initiated a “See Something, Say Something” campaign that stresses this vital message that everyone must speak up immediately to alert law enforcement when something seems out of place or suspicious.   I would like our City to do more. So much more needs to be done. I would like to outright ban the possession and sale of the assault rifle that was used in the Parkland murders. I would like to create gun free zones in our City. Regrettably under current law these and other measures cannot happen because in 2011 the Florida Legislature passed, and our Governor signed, a bill that fully “preempted” the ability of local government to regulate in any manner firearm usage and sale. Courts will not enforce such measures and public officials that even try to implement them are subject to fines and penalties including removal from office. I know you share my anger and frustration. The notion that our own government would not do all it can to stop this senseless violence is beyond maddening. Despite the preemption, we are studying what can be done, and we are committed to doing all that we can. I will also be meeting with Miami Dade School officials to make sure all our efforts are coordinated and effective.   If you have any ideas or recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Chief Oates and our Manager, Jimmy Morales, and I along with my colleagues on the Commission are fully committed to making our City safe and secure for our residents.   Let’s keep the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers, but also honor them with action. Dan Gelber