Florida’s deer herd is an invaluable component of its natural resources, and FWC biologists regularly conduct monitoring of herd conditions, sex ratios and fawn production.
Deer in Washington are divided into harvest zones (DMUs). These zones are determined by population and habitat quality; to hunt legally in each DMU zone, hunters must know its rules.
Antlered deer
Deer are a beloved species in Florida. Hunting seasons for deer vary throughout the year and regulations on harvest include season dates, bag limits and deer point restrictions. Climate, habitat and predators all play a role in whether a hunt will succeed; so it is wise to research these aspects prior to hunting deer.
FWC has also implemented specific antler regulations based on each Deer Management Unit’s goals, so hunters may now harvest bucks with three points or more in certain units while two-point bucks may only be accepted in others. These changes were designed to increase both deer numbers and quality while increasing youth participation in hunting.
Deer in Florida are exposed to multiple sources of stressors, such as competition for food and water resources, parasites, disease transmission and mortality related to hunting activities and human activities. All these issues can have detrimental impacts on reproductive success; leading to reduced litter sizes or in some cases no offspring at all being produced from each litter resulting from so much stress that reproduction simply ceases altogether.
Whitetail deer in Florida tend to be smaller and shorter-legged compared to their counterparts in other states, typically weighing 100 kg (254 lb) at shoulder and standing over 90 cm (36 in), while adults from northern states often weight over 100 kg (254 lb). Adult buck deer from northern states are often over 90 cm (36 inches); deer found throughout Florida tend to be smaller and more compact in stature.
Deer are herbivorous animals, similar to cattle. Deer consume large quantities of plant matter that they process through a complex, four-chambered rumen with 20 meters (66 feet) of intestines – this allows deer to consume food more efficiently and selectively while at the same time acting as selective feeders. Along with the rumen, deer have various digestive tracts which break down and digest material ingested; also as with many grazing animals they are susceptible to infectious diseases – biologists have identified over 120 different infectious agents and conditions found within deer bodies – many transmitted by biting midges (known as “no-see-ums”).
Antlerless deer
Are You Searching For Big Deer With Impressive Racks in Florida? Florida’s Panhandle region boasts numerous whitetail deer species – including trophy bucks – making Florida a premier hunting location each year. However, before making your journey make sure that you research Florida’s complex deer regulations and hunting zones.
Deer are an intriguing part of nature and serve many important purposes. Deer are integral components of reproduction processes; mating, courtship and fighting for territory and mates all depend on them. Furthermore, deer provide food sources for other animals in the local ecosystem and serve as major food sources themselves. But these creatures remain vulnerable to numerous factors that can cause death and injury – for instance when colliding with cars and/or being hit by other vehicles; drowning incidents; becoming entangled in fences etc… These incidents can be prevented; first step should be informing people about these dangers so as to understand them better.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is taking steps to boost deer population health across Florida by enacting new antler regulations across the state. Hunters will now have to carefully examine any buck antlers they find to ensure they comply with legal standards – this, according to FWC hopes, will lead to healthier deer with better reproduction rates and result in matured and healthier individuals being harvested by hunters.
Hunters who wish to harvest antlerless deer must obtain a permit from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), available online via their deer permit website. To apply, applicants must possess either a resident deer hunting or combination hunting/fishing license as well as be at least 16 years old and register their permits once purchased; once registered they can view and update their permits as well as upload all required documentation directly into FWC database for review before being informed about their status by FWC.
Seasons
Florida deer hunting seasons vary by region and zone, typically starting in late July for southern areas and ending around mid-October in the northern regions. Bucks and does are hunted at different times with different restrictions attached. Before purchasing licenses and permits to hunt deer in Florida, it is essential that hunters understand which season they are hunting in as this will impact when licenses and permits must be purchased and permits purchased; to hunt deer legally requires having valid hunting license, deer tag and hunter safety certification – any equipment needed depending on target deer being targeted should also be purchased prior to hunting deer in Florida.
Florida hunters must also comply with restrictions regarding age and size restrictions when harvesting deer in Florida. Typically, hunters must harvest deer that are 1.5 years old or older to ensure herd health and promote growth; however there may be exceptions for hunters hunting certain zones and wildlife management areas.
The FWC also regulates the maximum point count that any male deer can attain in order to ensure its health and readiness for breeding, and reduce the chances of chronic wasting disease spreading further.
Deer herds in the northern states tend to boast more antlers than their southern counterparts due to Bergmann’s rule, which states that males from colder climates typically grow larger antlers than their counterparts in warmer regions. Adult whitetails found throughout northern states often weigh over 90 kg (200 lb), standing about 100 cm at their shoulders.
Deer populations in Florida have seen a gradual decrease since 1800 due to unregulated hunting and cattle fever ticks; in order to restore populations, the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission started stocking deer from various sources across Florida to restore herd numbers; along with eliminating screwworm fly infestations and banning adult female killing, this helped deer herds regain strength.
Bag limits
FWC recently implemented changes to bag limits that will impact deer hunters across Florida. Under these regulations, annual bag limits for antlerless deer hunters have been set at five and all harvest locations must be reported within 24 hours after hunting has taken place.
The rules cover both public and private lands, including wildlife management areas. However, they do not apply to hunts conducted on licensed game farms or hunting preserves or deer harvested via private lands antlerless program permits/tags (which do not count towards your annual deer limit).
Youth 15-years-old or younger may take any deer except spotted fawns under supervision from an adult 18 years or older. Young hunters can use rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders and bows with legal sighting devices. Furthermore, all hunters must possess both antlerless permit and state deer permit validly issued before hunting begins.
Hunters in Unit CWD may take three antlered deer during any general gun season (one per day up to three total). This limit can be exceeded through Earn-A-Buck program deer harvesting or replacement bucks; all deer must also be checked in by end of day.
Florida law makes it illegal to import whole or undressed deer carcasses legally killed elsewhere into Florida, even if hunted. This includes deer transported by hunters from counties with Chronic Wasting Disease infected wild or captive populations. To reduce further spread, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has restrictions in place based on each county’s status for moving carcasses around; please see CWD Carcass Transportation Restrictions for more details.
Dogs
Dog hunting can be controversial in Florida. Although using dogs to increase deer harvest rates can be effective, using these animals in violation of regulations carries with it risks that could see you fined up to $1,000 and losing hunting privileges for three years; their use also poses dangers to both wildlife and people alike.
Deer are typically crepuscular in their activity patterns, being most active between dusk and dawn. This behavior serves to avoid predation from panthers who tend to be most active at these times. Deer have developed keen senses of smell and hearing which provide additional protection, survival and mating opportunities.
As part of their annual antlered deer bag limit, there are also restrictions in certain deer management units (DMUs) which determine which deer may be harvested on private lands and state/federal WMAs. Youth hunters 15 years of age or younger are permitted to harvest one antlered deer annually that does not meet antler requirements on such land.
Florida white-tailed deer herds tend to produce lower birthrates due to the energy costs associated with lactation and its subsequent nursing of calves, as well as tropical climate making forage scarce and birth rates unpredictable. Florida deer breeding cycles may also be affected by weather factors like rainfall and seasonal flooding that affect foal production rates.
