Nature Coast

Around the bay

By RODNEY PAGE, Times Staff Writer
Published January 19, 2008

FWC to meeton hunting, fishing rules

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold a meeting Feb. 6-7 in Panama City Beach to discuss hunting and fishing regulations. That might be far away from Tampa Bay, but some of the proposals discussed will affect local fishing. Among the items on the agenda include a final public hearing on proposed rule amendments for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico state waters intended to be consistent with pending rules for gulf federal waters. These measures would reduce the daily recreational and commercial bag limit for gulf red snapper from four fish to two fish per person in state waters, establish a zero daily bag limit for captains and crews of gulf for-hire vessels and change the recreational red snapper fishing season in the gulf from April 15 through Oct. 31 to June 1 through Sept. 30. If these proposed rules are approved by the commission, they will be contingent upon final approval of pending federal gulf red snapper regulations.

Program offered on living green

The Hernando County Extension Service, which works with the University of Florida to provide education about natural resources, is offering a program Jan. 29 on how to live green and establish a Florida-friendly environment. The program starts at 10 a.m. at the Hernando County Extension office (19490 Oliver St., Brooksville). The event is free, but registration is required. Call (352) 754-4433.

Remember changes in hunting seasons

A reminder to hunters that general gun season ends Monday in the Central Zone. There are now just a few hunting seasons open in the zone: bobcat and otter and quail and gray squirrel seasons. Those seasons remain open until March 1 and 2, respectively. Spring turkey season opens March 15 and runs through April 20. For information on hunting seasons, check out www.myfwc.com.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

[Last modified January 18, 2008, 21:55:42]