Outdoors - Lake Wales Daily News

FWC Releases Results of 2025 Black Bear Hunt

Maria Iannucci — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 03:39:49 +0000

Credit: FWC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, known more commonly as the FWC, is the state agency managing Florida’s wildlife, fisheries, and boating regulations. This week, the FWC released the preliminary results of the controversial permitted bear hunt approved earlier this year.

The following is the press release from FWC regarding some details of the result of the state bear hunting season in 2025:

FWC: After FWC staff presented options on highly regulated black bear hunting and the public provided their comments at the August and November 2025 Commission meetings, FWC Commissioners approved final proposed amendments to bear hunting rules, which took effect during the 2025 hunting season.

The new rules established Bear Hunting Zones (BHZ) within four of the seven existing Bear Management Units. Through a random drawing a total of 172 permits were issued across the East Panhandle, North, Central and South BMUs, and each permit allowed the harvest of one bear within the assigned BHZ.

There were 52 bears harvested during the 2025 bear hunt, which is a hunter success rate very close to other states with similar hunt parameters. All harvested bears were physically checked by FWC staff and bear response contractors, providing valuable data that will influence future management strategies. Analysis of the data collected is underway, and a full harvest report will be released in the coming months.

“The 2025 black bear hunt, rooted in sound scientific data, was a success. We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “The limited number of permits issued in areas with the largest bear populations and other components of the hunt prioritized a conservative approach that ensures the long-term health of bear populations in Florida, while providing opportunity for hunters.”

“Hunting is an effective tool for managing wildlife populations around the world and is a key part of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation,” said FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen. “It’s about helping bears succeed over the long term in our state and is a way for us to guide an iconic Florida species into the future, for their benefit and ours.”

The FWC Division of Law Enforcement allocated additional resources to support a productive hunt while maintaining accountability among participants. Increased officer engagement and hunter education led to strong compliance with hunting regulations. Out of numerous positive interactions between officers and hunters, only one hunter received a warning for a minor Wildlife Management Area violation, and no citations were issued. Additionally, the Division of Law Enforcement investigated all reported wildlife violations, and no wildlife violations were found.

“Our officers maintained a strong, engaged presence throughout the hunt to help ensure it was conducted safely and legally,” said Colonel Alberto Maza, Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “While our officers were there to uphold the rules, the primary focus was education. I’m proud of our officers for protecting this important resource and supporting the goals of the agency’s Bear Management Plan.”

As one of the management tools included in the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan, regulated hunting allows the FWC to manage population growth rates in areas with the largest bear subpopulations. Balancing wildlife numbers with suitable habitat keeps populations healthy. Hunting is an important and effective tool for managing wildlife populations worldwide, but it is essential to recognize that managing bear populations does not necessarily mitigate human-bear conflicts. Conflict prevention and bear management practices will still need to continue.

For more information on regulated bear hunting, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit MyFWC.com/hunting/bear. Tips to reduce conflicts and general information about bears are available at MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats followed by selecting “Wildlife” and then “Black Bears” and at BearWise.org.

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Washington Park: A Hub for Sports and Family Fun in Lake Wales

Allison — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:38:21 +0000

Washington Park, located at 6000 Washington Avenue in Lake Wales, is a community favorite offering a wide range of recreational amenities.

The park features a baseball field, football field, and basketball courts perfect for league play or casual games.

Families can enjoy the playground, open play areas, and shaded picnic spots with tables and shelters ideal for gatherings. Convenient restrooms and a pavilion make it easy to spend the day outdoors.

Whether you’re looking to join a local sports league or enjoy a relaxing afternoon with friends and family, Washington Park offers something for everyone in the heart of Lake Wales.

Photo source Polk County Parks & Rec

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Explore the Natural Beauty and History of SUMICA in Lake Wales

Allison — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:30:57 +0000

Located at 14020 Hwy. 60 E., Lake Wales, SUMICA is the largest of Polk County’s Environmental Lands and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 4,000 acres along the shore of Lake Weohyakapka, SUMICA offers stunning landscapes of pine flatwoods, scenic marshes, and shaded oak hammocks—perfect for hiking, biking, or nature photography.

Photo source Polk County Parks and Rec

Climb the former railroad bed that rises six feet above the land for a beautiful view of the countryside. Visitors can also enjoy horseback riding trails, picnic areas, and a primitive campsite for an immersive nature experience.

The name SUMICA stands for Société Universelle Mining Industrie, Commerce et Agriculture, a French company that once harvested timber here. Founded in 1917, the town of SUMICA thrived on lumbering and turpentine before disappearing in 1927. Today, this preserved land protects valuable ecosystems and cultural history, serving as a modern-day tribute to Florida’s natural heritage.

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Bear Harvest Permit Applications Open Sept. 12

Maria Iannucci — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:14:34 +0000

Photo credit: Florida Sportsman

Bear harvest permit applications for the 2025 regulated bear hunting season will open at 10 a.m. EDT on Sept. 12 and can be submitted through Sept. 22 at 11:59 p.m. A bear harvest permit is required to harvest a bear in one of the four selected Bear Harvest Zones from Dec. 6-28. A hunting license is also required to hunt bears, unless exempt.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old by Oct. 1 to apply and may apply as many times as they want for $5 per application, plus handling fees. Permits will be distributed by random drawing. Only one nontransferable permit may be issued per person, and permits will cost $100 for residents and $300 for nonresidents, plus handling fees. No more than 10% of all permits issued will be to nonresidents.

Hunters will be able to submit online applications at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com by logging into their account and choosing “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permits” or by completing an application worksheet and presenting it to a license agent or Florida tax collector’s office. Hunters can find more information on how to apply by going to MyFWC.com/License and clicking on “Limited Entry and Quota Permits.” Visit MyFWC.com/BearHunting for more information on bear hunting in Florida.

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Florida State Parks Foundation Launches New Membership Program

Maria Iannucci — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:36:02 +0000

The Florida State Parks Foundation has announced a “years-in-the-making” update to its membership program, according to a recent communication from the group.

The Foundation wants to see its parks “preserved, protected, sustained and grown for all time.”

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, there are 175 Florida State Parks, trails, and historic sites; these are managed by the Florida Park Service.

These properties encompass over 800,000 acres and include a variety of natural and cultural resources.

The new program has established new tiers and membership benefits, which are listed as follows:

Become a member!

As Florida State Parks Foundation member, you:

Maintain Florida’s award-winning 175 state parks and trails.
Preserve incredible beaches, magnificent wetlands and historic sites.
Support wildlife in the parks.
Increase accessibility across parks and trails.
Educate visitors about the value of state parks.
Encourage community engagement.
Provide financial support to supplement state funding.

All membership levels receive complimentary Florida State Parks day passes and a new Florida State Parks 2025 Member magnet.

Adventurer – $50
- Three Florida State Parks day passes, Florida State Parks membership magnet, Florida State Parks panther sticker.
Sandhill Crane – $100
- Six Florida State Parks day-passes, all “Adventurer” benefits, plus Florida State Parks Jelly Press fabric sticker.
Torreya – $250
- Nine Florida State Parks day-passes, all “Adventurer” and “Sandhill Crane” benefits, plus FSPF x Freehand Goods sticker pack.
Longleaf Pine – $500
- Twelve Florida State Parks day-passes, all “Adventurer,” “Sandhill Crane,” and “Torreya” benefits, plus Florida State Parks Jelly Press tote bag.
Sabal Palm – $1,000
- Twelve Florida State Parks day-passes, all “Adventurer,” “Sandhill Crane,” “Torreya” and “Longleaf Pine” benefits, plus Florida State Parks Jelly Press ornament and special donor recognition on FSPF website.
Cypress – $2,500
- Twelve Florida State Parks day-passes, all “Adventurer,” “Sandhill Crane,” “Torreya,” “Longleaf Pine” and “Sabal Palm” benefits, plus two “Explore Our State Parks” replica bike license plates.

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2025 Florida Python Challenge Kicks Off This Weekend, $25K in Prizes Available

Maria Iannucci — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 04:57:24 +0000

FWC – The 2025 Florida Python Challenge kicked off today, with competitors starting as early as 12:01 this morning, searching the Everglades to find and remove invasive Burmese pythons. While registration is still open, hundreds of people have already registered for a chance to win their share of up to $10,000 in prizes while working to protect Florida’s native wildlife and our incredible Everglades ecosystem. This year’s competition features the exciting addition of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge locations.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District host the annual python removal competition to increase awareness about invasive species in the state and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology. Want to compete but not yet registered? Registration will remain open until the last day of the competition, Sunday, July 20 — visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register and learn more. There is a $25 registration fee and participants must pass the required online training to complete their registration for this year’s event. Once registered, participants are invited to visit one of our Training Outposts during opening weekend for additional instruction from experts, located at each check station from 4-7 p.m., July 11-13.

This year, a total of $25,000 in cash prizes is available. Participants have the opportunity to win the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize for the removal of the most pythons during the competition. Participants also have the opportunity to win other cash prizes for most and longest pythons removed in three different categories, including novice, professional and military categories. Prizes will be awarded at a later date after the competition courtesy of our sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

We thank our three different Platinum Level Sponsors – Inversa, Rotary Clubs of Florida, and Mrs. Daphne and Mr. Martin C. Wood III – for donating $10,000 each to support conservation efforts in Florida through the Florida Python Challenge. We also thank our three Gold Level Sponsors – Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands and The Garcia Companies – for their donations of $5,000 each in support of conservation efforts through this event. All prizes support conservation efforts in Florida through the 2025 Florida Python Challenge.

Want to get involved in removal of invasive species at any time of the year? In addition to year-round python removal opportunities on 32 Commission-managed lands, Burmese pythons may be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission — no permit or hunting license required. The FWC encourages people to remove and humanely kill invasive pythons from private lands whenever possible.

About Invasive Burmese pythons

Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. More than 23,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the state since 2000. For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python.

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UF/IFAS Extension Office to Host Land Management Workshop July 15

Maria Iannucci — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 21:25:27 +0000

Calling all landowners, hunters, and property managers; are you interested in learning practical strategies to optimize your land for wildlife, hunting, and conservation?

Join the “What’s Your Game Plan?” Habitat and Game Management Workshop hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County on July 15 from 6-8 PM at Brennéan Auditorium, UF/IFAS Extension Office.

Learn how to enhance natural habitat, boost game populations, and plan for long-term wildlife management on your Central Florida property

Topics include: Native habitat enhancement, Wildlife management, Sustainable land-use practice and more.

Questions? Contact Hanley Renney at hanleyrenney@ufl.edu.

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FWC: New Law in Effect Will Make Boat Owners More Accountable

Maria Iannucci — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 03:26:02 +0000

Lake Mariana boat ramp, Polk County. Photo: Polk County

FWC: The agency is preparing to implement a new law to improve vessel accountability and reduce derelict vessels.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is preparing to implement a new law aimed at strengthening vessel accountability and enhancing protections for Florida’s waterways. Senate Bill 164, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 19, will go into effect on July 1, 2025.

This legislation is designed to help reduce the number of at-risk and derelict vessels across the state and improve enforcement tools for FWC officers and partner agencies. Key provisions of the new law include:

Clarified Ownership Standards: The definition of “vessel owner” is clarified, and a valid vessel title will now serve as prima facie (presumed) evidence of ownership.
Stronger Requirements for At-Risk Vessels: Vessel owners must now complete an Effective Means of Propulsion (EMP) evaluation upon request by law enforcement. If an officer has reason to believe the vessel lacks an effective means of propulsion and the owner is present, the evaluation must be conducted immediately or within 48 hours if notified otherwise.
Public Nuisance Vessel Designation: A vessel may now be declared a public nuisance — subject to removal like a derelict vessel — if the owner receives three citations related to any at-risk conditions within a 24-month period, including unpaid citations or failures to appear in court.
Expanded Noncriminal Infractions: Violations such as expired registration and long-term anchoring may now be addressed through mailed noncriminal citations from law enforcement.
More Flexible Use of Removal Funds: Derelict Vessel removal funding may now be used not only for removing DVs but also for preventive removals under the Vessel Turn-In Program and for public nuisance vessels.
Harsher Penalties for Repeat DV Offenders:
First offense: First-degree misdemeanor
Second offense: Third-degree felony
Third offense: Second-degree felony
No Liveaboard on Derelict Vessels: It is now a first-degree misdemeanor to live aboard a vessel that has been declared derelict by the court or the owner has not requested an administrative hearing.

Additional requirements, including an annual electronic permit issued by FWC for vessels anchoring long-term, will go into effect on July 1, 2026. The penalty for unauthorized long-term anchoring will consist of fines ranging from $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for the third or subsequent offense. If a vessel owner receives three violations within a 2-year period, the vessel may be declared a public nuisance and removed as if it were derelict. Some exemptions apply and include vessels that are government-operated, construction vessels, actively engaged in commercial or recreational fishing, docked at a public or private facility, or moored at permitted moorings.

“We have seen increasing success in our efforts to combat the ongoing derelict vessel problem in Florida’s waters,” said Capt. Travis Franklin, leader of the FWC Derelict Vessel Removal and Prevention Program. “This new legislation enhances our efforts to not only remove derelict vessels but also prevent at-risk vessels from becoming derelict.”

Derelict vessels remain a priority for the FWC, and the multi-year initiative to reduce the number of derelict vessels on Florida’s waterways is ongoing. These vessels pose serious risks to seagrass beds, marine life, navigation, public safety and property. The Boating and Waterways Section is leading this statewide effort in partnership with local governments and law enforcement.

Leaving a vessel in a derelict condition is a crime. Derelict vessels, including those that are sinking, grounded, stripped or lacking vital systems, threaten both people and Florida’s natural resources.

For more information on derelict or vessels at risk of becoming derelict, visit MyFWC.com/Boating and select “Waterway Management” followed by “Derelict Vessel Removal Program.”

The FWC has removed nearly 200 vessels through the Vessel Turn-In Program and is actively taking applications from at-risk vessel owners. Vessel owners can call VTIP specialists at the FWC for more information on the program at 850-488-5600 or visit the VTIP website at MyFWC.com/boating and click on “Vessel Turn-In Program” on the second slider at the top of the page.

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Be GatorWise This Summer, Says FWC

Maria Iannucci — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:29:11 +0000

Be GatorWise this summer

FWC

FWC – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding Floridians and visitors to be GatorWise as alligators become more active and visible throughout the state. GatorWise is a new public awareness campaign that aims to promote realistic public perceptions about alligators and assist the public in taking appropriate actions to minimize conflict. The initiative includes information from 11 state wildlife agencies within the American alligator’s range.

“Florida has seen tremendous population growth in recent years, with many people living or recreating near water,” said Matthew Nichols, FWC Alligator Management Program Coordinator. “Because alligators can be found in nearly any waterbody in Florida, it’s safest to always assume they’re present. GatorWise provides consistent, science-based information from across the Southeast to help people safely share the landscape with these important animals.”

Florida is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators, which play a vital role in Florida’s freshwater wetlands by keeping aquatic animal populations in balance. People can reduce the chances of conflict with alligators by never feeding or approaching them, properly disposing of fish scraps, keeping pets away from the water’s edge, supervising small children near water, and maintaining a safe distance if an alligator is spotted. To learn more about how to be GatorWise, visit GatorWise.org.

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FWC: Win Big This Summer in the Triple Threat Throwdown!

Maria Iannucci — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:11:53 +0000

FWC – Summer fishing is in full swing, and Catch a Florida Memory is making it even more exciting with Season 3 of the Triple Threat Throwdown—running now through September 7th!

One lucky Catch a Florida Memory participant will win an unbeatable Kayak Fishing Bundle valued at over $4,500, featuring top-tier prizes from Bonafide Fishing, Mustad Fishing, Yak Attack, Power-Pole and more!

Are you ready to take on the challenge? New anglers only need to earn Triple Threat status during the challenge period. Current Triple Threat Club members earn an entry for each new recognition during the challenge. Both brand new catches and older photos of previous catches can count toward these recognitions, as long as you haven’t previously submitted the older photos.

Showcase your fishing versatility, contribute to Florida’s marine conservation, join a vibrant community of anglers and celebrate the state’s rich saltwater fishery! For more information on program specifics, how to submit catches and to learn more about earning recognitions, visitCatch a Florida Memory or reach out via email atAnglerRecognition@MyFWC.com. Follow Catch a Florida Memory onFacebookandFishbrain.

Remember to handle fish responsibly and adhere to all fishing regulations. Your fishing licenseand best fishing practices ensure the sustainability of Florida’s fisheries. Learn more atMyFWC.com/SFR.

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