FWC adopts new seasons for gag grouper in Gulf

Gag grouper. Photo courtesy FWC.

Changes will make state gag grouper season same as federal – July 1 through Oct. 31 offshore in Walton area

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted Feb. 8 to change how gag grouper is managed in Gulf of Mexico state waters (excluding Monroe County).

The decision, which came during day two of the three-day February Commission meeting, will achieve consistency with federal management efforts while potentially providing a region-specific recreational season in four counties.

The FWC manages marine fish from the shore to nine nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council manages Gulf of Mexico waters farther than nine nautical miles out. The following changes will make state gag grouper management efforts the same as recent federal gag grouper management efforts in the Gulf of Mexico: setting the recreational open season from July 1 through Oct. 31 and lowering the minimum commercial size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches total length.

The Commission also authorized Chairman Kathy Barco and Executive Director Nick Wiley to issue an executive order opening gag grouper season in the state waters off Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass. This gag grouper recreational season, if implemented, will open harvest in state waters during April, May and June, and close harvest in those waters during the July-to-October season. These changes will better align fishing opportunity with fish availability.

“I think we have to be sensitive to the economic side and the natural resource side,” said Commissioner Charles W. Roberts III. “I don’t think there is anybody here, especially in this room, who would like to jeopardize gag grouper. This isn’t an easy decision. We have to rely on the data we have available and make good decisions.”

Gag grouper has been closed in Gulf of Mexico state waters since Nov. 16, 2011.

The FWC believes applying these management changes will allow gag grouper populations to rebuild quickly while balancing the needs of anglers.

To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings” and “Agenda.”

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Posted on February 8, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Walton County fishing and hunting report for Feb. 8

Fishing and weather are great, deer are in rut!

Choctawhatchee Bay: Lots of hybrids near the mouth of the river. One group of folks reeled in 75 in one day. Trout still abundant but small. Some sheepshead being caught
Creeks/river: Bass, crappie, and a few stripers being caught.

Deer are on the move, in full rut.

Danny Copeland wants to remind folks that the contrary to what FWC has stated about not printing the regulation books, plenty of the new 2012 books have been delivered to the shop. Come by and pick one up. Also, a reminder that new regulations include no closure of season for trout and redfish limit has been upped to two.
Click here for fishing forecast

Bay and river report brought to you by Copeland’s. “Where the locals shop and the tourists are welcome.” Click here to find out more about Copeland’s.
Copeland’s Gun Shop
17290 U.S. Hwy. 331 S
Freeport, Florida 32439
(850) 835-4277
Store hours:
Mon. – Fri.: 5:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat.: 5:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sun.: Closed

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Posted on February 8, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Davis Properties in Seagrove caters to bicyclists, butterflies, and bees

Davis Properties offers a refreshing stop along Scenic Hwy. 30A. Photo courtesy Jamie Conley/Davis Properties

New real estate office provides a friendly and welcome rest stop along 30A

Next time you are in Seagrove, stop by the new Davis Properties office and rest a while. The company’s new outdoor surroundings are a welcome repose for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The location is hard to miss with a whimsical, brightly colored Watermelon bench out front.

When owner Larry Davis planned the company’s new digs, he wanted to create something inviting for folks passing by. And indeed it is, as their new office exterior boasts an inviting rest stop for bicyclists, butterflies, and bees alike.

Brass hopscotch grid in front of Davis Properties. Photo courtesy Jamie Conley/Davis Properties

In addition to a fun, whimsical watermelon park bench out front, there’s also a water fountain, complete with “doggie dish” and a bicycle pump for road weary tires. They even have a brass hopscotch grid imbedded into the sidewalk for the playful at heart.
Once you get past the Watermelon bench your attention is drawn to three raised beds planters designed and maintained by local garden experts. Each garden serves a special purpose; a butterfly flower garden, an herb and a vegetable garden. The garden area is topped off with purple martin gourd houses and bird feeders.

“We wanted the new location to be something more meaningful than just another commercial building. My hope was to create a way to “give back” to our community, and make a positive and aesthetically pleasing contribution to the Scenic 30A corridor. And who knows, maybe other businesses here will think about doing the same. The response to the new office from locals and visitors alike has been amazing. People really like what we’ve done and we couldn’t be happier about it,” said Davis.

You’ll find the Davis Properties office at 4130 E. County Hwy 30A in Seagrove. For more information go to: www.davisprop.com

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Posted on February 8, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Find a Florida boat ramp on FWC website

FWC promotes boating access with new database

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) introduced a new feature on its website. Users can now view and search a database of Florida boat ramps.

“Providing safe, convenient access to Florida’s waterways is one of our goals,” said Pat Harrell, the FWC’s Boating Access Coordinator. “This database is designed to help keep boaters informed about facilities that are currently available.”

Boaters can visit the Public Boat Ramp Finder site to locate and obtain details for more than 1,600 publicly accessible boat ramps.

“People can look for boat ramps within a certain county, on a lake they’d like to visit or even search for boat ramps near a specific street address or GPS coordinates,” Harrell said. “The database provides a map, details and often photos of the ramps.”

The database was created from an inventory conducted for the Statewide Boating Access Inventory and Economic Assessment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration’s Boating Access Program. Working with boating access management partners, including Florida’s counties and the Department of Environmental Protection, the FWC identified and indexed approximately 3,440 boat ramps around the state.

To access the database, visit MyFWC.com/Boating. To help the FWC improve and update this database, the public is asked to email BoatRamps@MyFWC.com to report errors or new information.

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Posted on February 3, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Camellia Fest and Heritage Day at Eden Gardens State Park Feb. 25

Learn all about camellias and history at Eden

Location: Eden Gardens State Park
Sat. Feb. 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.mEden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden State Gardens, Inc. would like to invite everyone to the annual Camellia Fest.
Visitors are invited to stroll through amazing camellias, discover heritage handicraft demonstrations on the grounds, learn air layering, (a camellia propagating technique), and camellia waxing for bloom preservation.  Attend demonstrations on camellia care and other plant related topics by longtime camellia growers Dr. Gordon Eade and Manson Markette.  Camellias, air layered from Eden plants, will be available from the nursery.

Terri Carr from “Connect with Flowers” in Shalimar will do a floral arrangement demonstration using Camellias at 11:00am, presentations by Dr. Eades at 12 noon and 1pm, Camellia waxing at 11:45 and 12:30, and air-layering 10:30, and 1:30.

Heritage demonstrations will also be available including demonstrations on candle and soap making, butter and cracklin’ production, moonshining, old time toys and games, and much more.

Donations to the Friends of Eden will be accepted. There will be no additional fees for the event.

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Fees: Admission to the park is free the day of the event.
Contact: (850) 267-8320
Directions: Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395. ::MAP::

Posted in Eco tourism adventure, Home/Garden, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
Posted on February 2, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Black Creek Buddy Boat Bass Tournament dates announced

photo courtesy FWC.

Black Creek Buddy Boat Bass Tournament officials have announced their 2012 tournament dates: Mar. 10, Apr. 14, May 12, June 9, Jul. 14 and a fish off on Aug. 11, 2012.

$100.00 Entry Fee Per Boat
Annual fee $25 per boat
Big fish option $20 per boat
(1st & 2nd big fish)
75% payback with 10% going to end of the year fish off tournament,
Pay back is 1/5
Top 6 boats will fish in fish off tournament on August 11, 2012
(total weight from 4 tournaments: must fish 4 tournaments to qualify for fish off) Each team may fish with alternate partner in one  (1) tournament.
(No alternate in fish off tournament)

Click here to download 2012 entry form. For more information, contact Carson Sweeney at (850) 865-7800

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Posted on February 2, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Chautauqua 5K Fun Run/Walk in DeFuniak Springs Feb. 25

Fun for the entire family

The DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club has announced that the fifth annual Chautauqua 5K Fun Run/Walk will be held Sat., Feb. 25, 2012. The event is open to all runners and walkers, men, women and children. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. at the amphitheater and the race will start promptly at 8 a.m.

The course will run through the Historic District and along the DeFuniak Springs Lake Yard. The entry fee on the day of the race is $20. An Early Bird registration fee of $15 is available to those who mail their form and entry fee by February 11, 2012. Registered participants will receive a,Chautauqua 5K Run T-shirt. Cash prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded to the walkers and,runners in several different categories.

All proceeds will benefit the DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club, the oldest civic group in this historic town. It was established in 1915 to better the community. The club hosts the Christmas Parade and Halloween Trick or Treating around the Lake. They donate food to a local elementary school’s backpack buddies program and are a sponsor for the new Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center soon to open in DeFuniak Springs.

Click here to download registration form. Registration forms are available at The Nook and Cranny on Baldwin Avenue. You may also request a form by emailing dfswomansclub@gmail.com. For further information on registration, sponsorship or to join the Woman’s Club call Chris Guzowski at (850) 892-5615.

Posted in Outdoor Family Fun | 1 Comment
Posted on February 2, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Learn about sharks at Topsail Feb. 3

Learn about these fascinating creatures of the Gulf

Thurs. Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be having a presentation on sharks. Sharks are fascinating creatures that can range in size from 6 in. small to an enormous 39 ft. long. Come out and join Topsail for a presentation to learn more about the sharks that roam the coastal waters of Florida. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.

Fees: Program included in the park admission fee of $6.00 per vehicle. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. For more information, call (850) 267-8330

::MAP::

 

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Posted on January 31, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Beautiful redheads residing at Regatta Bay pond

More than 200 redhead ducks are occupying a pond at Regatta Bay in Desitn. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoos

Brightly colored ducks a welcome sight

More than 200 Redhead ducks are spending a bit of migratory time at a pond at Regatta Bay in Destin. The Redhead (Aythya americana) is an aptly named diving duck, the Redhead can be easily identified by its bright red head and gray back. Many female Redheads make no nests of their own, but instead lay their eggs in the nests of other ducks.

These North American natives spend their summers in the northwest United States and Canada. The redheads spend the winter months across the southern United States and northern Mexico.

Cool Fact:
The Redhead is known to lay eggs in the nests of other Redheads, at least 10 other duck species, and even nests of the American Bittern and Northern Harrier.

Information courtesy allaboutbirds.org

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Posted on January 29, 2012 by Walton Outdoors

Florida Sportsman Expo comes to Northwest Florida Fairgrounds Feb. 25-26

Everything fishing, hunting and boating

Florida Sportsman magazine will be hosting the popular Florida Sportsman Expo at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach the weekend of Feb. 25-26, 2012.

The expo is like a three-ring circus for anglers, boaters and hunters, featuring continuous seminar stages, casting ponds, kids’ events, a hands-on rigging table, free fly and net-casting lessons, the newest line-up of boats in all sizes, and exhibits by Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Rows and rows of booths will fill the 50,000-square-foot fairgrounds and offer show specials on tackle, gear, electronics and gadgets for outdoors enthusiasts of every age.

“It’s back by popular demand,” said Expo Director Doug Kelly. “The variety of things to do and see is remarkable, particularly all the exhibits and the stages set up for featured experts who deliver fast-paced seminars on inshore and offshore fishing, hunting and kayaking.”

The speaker roster for the two fishing stages includes Capt. Mike Eller on “Swordfishing the Northern Gulf,” Mark Nichols on “Advanced Lure Fishing,” Brian Lowman on “Best Pier Fishing Techniques,” Capt. Rick Ryals on “Targeting Trophy-Size Snapper & Grouper,” and Capt. Larry Finch on “Beach & Bridge Strategies,” whose tricked-out beach cart will assuredly get the phone cameras snapping.

Another favorite show attraction is the Riggin’ it Right Academy. Anglers take turns sitting at learning stations with all supplies, tackle and baits provided for free while Florida Sportsman staff give hands-on instruction on properly rigging the baits and lures that work best in the Panhandle.

A cast-net pit features lessons on how to cast a net and expert fly fishermen teach casting techniques (advanced and basic, depending on skill level) at a casting pond. Kids have their own events at a spin-cast pond with free “can’t-lose” prizes by Zebco – there’s even a booth that does face painting.

The hunting stage will present accomplished hunters showing the latest in gear and offering tips for more success in the woods and fields. Attendees will also see and hear rattling and turkey-calling techniques as well as two of Backwoods Camping’s tricked-out camping trailers.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will display exhibits of interest to boaters and hunters as well as the Florida Sportsman Grand Slam Tank, a 500-gallon mobile aquarium. In addition, Florida Sportsman staff writers and editors will be on hand to talk a little fishing.

“Everything’s included in the admission price,” noted Kelly. “It’s going to be a great event that people from all portions of the Panhandle will really enjoy.” Tickets at the fairground box office are $8 for adults and kids 12 and under with parents are free. Show hours run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. For more details, visit www.FloridaSportsman.com/Expo.

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Posted on January 29, 2012 by Walton Outdoors