Phase 2 Hog Hunt Registration Begins Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 9 a.m.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will open Phase 2 hog hunt registration Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 9 a.m. The District holds a series of hog hunts on District lands throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population.

What you need to know about Phase 2 hunts:

  • Phase 2 will include six hunts that occur in January 2020.
  • Permits are transferable.
  • The single top producer on each hunt of Phase 2 will be placed on the District’s “top producer” list and will be contacted between March and October 2020 to take part in feral hog management hunts on an as-needed basis, free of charge.

Feral hogs, which are not native to Florida, can cause damage with their broad snouts and can leave an area looking like a plowed field. They also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to other wildlife, livestock and humans. Additionally, hogs may facilitate the spread of exotic plant species by transporting seeds and/or providing germination sites through rooting.

The District has a three-phased hunting system. The first two phases of hunts have separate registration processes. The single top producer from each Phase 1 and Phase 2 hunt will be asked to participate in hog management activities for Phase 3.

For more information please visit our website at WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.

 

Subject
Nature & Land

Governing Board to Meet in Brooksville

Water supply planning workshop to start at 9 a.m.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. The meeting will immediately follow a water supply planning workshop. Both meetings will take place at the District Headquarters, located at 2379 Broad Street in Brooksville.

To view the Governing Board meeting online, visit WaterMatters.org and click on the “Live Video Stream” link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.

The meeting agenda and meeting materials are posted one week before the meeting, and can be found online at WaterMatters.org by clicking on the “Go to District Calendar” link.

 

 

 

Subject
Governing Board Archive

District’s Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract Closed for Hog Hunts Dec. 3-5

The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hampton Tract, including closed area tracts at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve in Polk County, will be temporarily closed to the public for feral hog hunts Dec. 3-5.

Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. Permit sales are closed.

The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve Hampton Tract is located at 14440 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland.

This activity is one of a series of feral hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being caused to the natural habitats.

The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause exceeds unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.

Feral hogs live throughout Florida in various habitats, but prefer moist forests and swamps, as well as pine flatwoods. They are omnivorous and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. In fact, they can leave an area looking like a plowed field.

Feral hogs are not native to Florida and are believed to have been introduced by explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as 1539. They can weigh more than 300 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.

For more information, please call the District’s Land Management section at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4467 or visit WaterMatters.org/HogHunts.

 

 

Subject
Nature & Land
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