Arthur R. Marshall LoxahatcheeHunting |
Hunting at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Florida. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee
National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting Regulations 2020–2021
Welcome
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National
Wildlife Refuge was established in 1951,
and is home to the northernmost section
of the Everglades in Palm Beach County,
Florida. Public hunting is permitted on
approximately 140,705 acres during
specific times of the year.
Permits
You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit (signed brochure) while hunting. You
must have on your person at all times all applicable licenses, permits, and/or CITES tags.
Entrance Fee
An entrance pass is required. A current signed Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Conservation
Stamp (Duck Stamp) covers entrance fees to all national wildlife refuges. Passes may be
obtained at the self-pay stations, seasonally at the fee booths, or at the visitor center from
9 am – 4 pm daily.
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33473
561/732 3684
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ARM_Loxahatchee/
Firearms
Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System
lands must comply with all provisions of Federal and State law. Persons may only use
(discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge
regulations in 50 CFR Part 32).
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm with the
exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas
July 2020
This brochure contains special regulations
that supplement Federal and State laws
with Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations.
These refuge specific regulations are in
place to protect our natural resources
while providing a rewarding outdoor
experience. These refuge specific
regulations may be more restrictive
than, and supersede State law. Careful
adherence to these regulations and due
respect for others will ensure the future of
hunting on Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee
National Wildlife Refuge.
Commercial Guided Hunting
Commercial hunting guide operations within the refuge are regulated and managed through
issuance of a Special Use Permit and special conditions. This activity provides recreational
opportunities for hunters who desire a successful, quality experience, but who may lack the
necessary equipment, skills, or knowledge to hunt within the environment of the refuge.
Boating Regulations
• There is a 35 mph speed limit in all waters of the refuge. A 500-foot (150-meter) Idle Speed
Zone is at each of the refuge’s three boat ramps.
• Motorized vessels are permitted in the Motorized Zone, south of latitude line N 26°
27.130’, and Perimeter Canal. Non-motorized vessels are permitted throughout the Refuge
Interior.
• All boats operating in the Refuge Interior, outside of the Perimeter Canal, are required to
display a 10-inches by 12-inches (25 cm x 30 cm) orange flag 10-feet (3 meters) above the
vessel’s waterline.
This is a unit of the National Wildlife
Refuge System, a network of lands
and waters managed for the benefit of
wildlife and people.
• Hunters may only use boats equipped with factory-manufactured water-cooled outboard
motors, boats with electric motors, and non-motorized boats. We prohibit boats with aircooled engines, fan boats, hovercraft, and personal watercraft (jet skis, jet boats, wave
runners, etc.).
Season 2020 - 2021
A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife
Refuge Hunt Permit
• We allow airboats by permit only during designated times of the year. Contact the refuge
headquarters for airboat permitting information. (Special Use Permit Application, FWS
Form 3-1383-G)
Name ____________________________
Address ___________________________
• We prohibit unrestricted airboat travel not associated with hunting.
_________________________________
I have read and understand A.R.M.
Loxahatchee NWR Hunt Regulations.
Hunting Regulations
Hunting regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through the
wise use of renewable wildlife resources. Hunting is permitted in accordance with Federal
regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the
Code of Federal Regulations.
Hunting will be in accordance with applicable Federal and State of Florida regulations subject
to the conditions stated on the next pages.
Signature (This permit valid only when signed.)
1
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Specific Hunting Regulations
• The possession or use of alcohol while hunting is prohibited.
Safety
Be prepared. Watch for changing weather
conditions.
• Hunters must leave the hunt area once their bag limit is filled.
• Non-toxic ammunition is required during all hunts.
• Licenses, permits, hunting equipment, effects and vehicles, vessels and other conveyances
are subject to inspection by law enforcement officers.
Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
• Hunters may only enter and leave the refuge at designated entrances.
Tell a relative or friend where you are
going and when you should return. Carry
water, snacks, foul weather clothing, insect
repellent, and emergency light. Bring a GPS
navigation system and know how to use it.
Cell phone coverage can be sporadic and is
sometimes unreliable.
• Hunters must remove decoys and other personal property from the refuge at the end of
each day’s hunt.
• No-entry and/or limited activity buffer zones or closures may be created to protect
threatened or endangered species and other trust species.
Prohibited Activities
• Littering
Have all required U.S. Coast Guard approved
safety equipment.
• Camping without a permit
• Fires
Ensure your boat is seaworthy and carry
plenty of fuel. If you should become lost and/
or stranded, please observe the following
procedures which will aid law enforcement
personnel in locating you. Call the refuge
emergency number 1-800-307-5789.
• Overnight parking at Headquarters Area
• Taking of plants (or parts thereof)
• Taking of wildlife (or parts thereof) except where authorized (hunting and fishing)
• Baiting or hunting over bait
• Trapping
If you become stranded or broken down, try
to paddle to the canal or get to a levee. Do
not try to walk out. Stay with your vessel.
A boat, airboat, or aircraft, will be used
to reach you. Display a light, flag, or other
device to aid personnel in locating you. If a
search vessel nears you make noise to help
officers pinpoint your location. If you have
made cell phone contact, give the dispatcher
your current location and do not move unless
in an emergency.
• Marking trails with non-biodegradable flagging
• Blocking gates or roadways with vehicles
Alligator Hunting
• Season: We allow alligator hunting the first 2 weekends during Harvest Period 1 (August)
and the first 2 weekends during Harvest Period 2 (September). Following the close of
Harvest Period 2, the remaining weekends in October will be open for alligator harvest
permittees who possess unused CITES tags (OMB Control No. 1018-0093). Specific dates
for the alligator hunt are printed on the harvest permit issued by the State.
• Hunt Days: Weekend days only –Friday night through Sunday morning.
In connection with the above procedures, we
strongly urge that each hunter have a light,
flare gun or flares which may be fired from a
shotgun.
• Shooting Hours: One hour before sunset Friday night to one hour after sunrise Saturday
morning and one hour before sunset Saturday night to one hour after sunrise Sunday
morning.
Hunt Closure
Refuge hunts may have to be terminated
early, or some of the hunt area closed,
should unusual climatic conditions result
in threats to visitor safety, management
activities, possible degradation of habitat by
visitor use, or a concentration of endangered
species within the hunt area. The refuge’s
first obligation is to protect the visitor,
habitat, and listed species such as snail kites
and wood storks.
• Hunt Area: Motorized Zone and Perimeter Canal south of latitude line 26° 27.130’ (see
map). We prohibit hunting from all refuge structures and levees; within one-half mile of
canoe trails, campsites, and boat ramps; and areas posted as closed.
• Bag limit: Two alligators per permit
• All hunters must enter and leave the refuge from Hillsboro Area or 20 Mile Bend Area.
• You must have on your person all applicable licenses and permits, including CITES tags.
• Alligator hunters age 18 and older must be in possession of all necessary State and
Federal licenses, permits, and CITES tags, as well as a signed refuge hunt permit while
hunting on the refuge. They must possess an Alligator Trapping License with CITES tag or
an Alligator Trapping Agent License, if applicable.
• Persons younger than age 18 may not hunt, but may only accompany an adult age 21 or
older who possesses an Alligator Trapping Agent License (state-issued).
2
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alligator Hunting - continued
• You may take alligators using hand-held snares, harpoons, gigs, snatch hooks, artificial
lures, manually operated spears, spear guns, and crossbows. We prohibit the taking of
alligators using baited hooks, baited wooden pegs, or firearms. We allow the use of bang
sticks (a hand-held pole with a pistol or shotgun cartridge on the end in a very short barrel)
with approved nontoxic ammunition (see §32.2(k)) only for taking alligators attached to a
restraining line.
Signs Protect Visitors and Resources
Millions of people visit national wildlife
refuges each year. The impact of human
activity, if not regulated, can degrade
these wild lands. Signs control recreational
activities while protecting natural resources
on the refuge.
• Once an alligator is captured, it must be killed immediately. We prohibit catch-and-release
of alligators. Once the alligator is dead, you must lock a CITES tag through the skin of
the carcass within 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) of the tip of the tail. The tag must remain
attached to the alligator at all times.
Please respect the following signs:
Refuge Boundary
Sign - National Wildlife
Refuge - unauthorized entry
prohibited.
NATIONAL
WILDLIFE
REFUGE
• Alligators must remain in whole condition while on refuge lands.
Duck and Coot Hunting
• Season: State regulations
UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY
PROHIBITED
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
• Shooting Hours: State regulations
• Bag limit: State regulations
AREA
• Hunt Area: Motorized Zone and Non-motorized Zone (see map). We prohibit duck and coot
hunting from all refuge structures, canals, and levees; within one-half mile of canoe trails,
campsites, and boat ramps; and areas posted as closed.
R
M
E
R
R
T
IO
PA
BEYOND
THIS
SIGN
U.S.
FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
DE
Area Beyond This Sign
Closed - No entry of any
kind allowed beyond this
sign.
EN
N
T OF T HE I
CLOSED
T
All public entry prohibited
• All duck and coot hunters must possess a valid Florida State Hunting License and Florida
State Duck Stamp, except children under 16. In addition, all hunters age 16 and older must
possess a signed valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Conservation Stamp.
AREA
CLOSED
U.S.
FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
• All hunters younger than age 18 must be supervised by a licensed and permitted adult age
21 or older, and must remain with the adult while hunting. Hunters younger than age 18
must have completed a hunter education course.
R
R
TM
IO
PA
To pursuing,
hunting,
capturing,
taking or
killing of
migratory
birds.
DE
Area Closed to Hunting
- No hunting allowed in the
area beyond this sign.
EN
T OF T HE I N
TE
R
By order of the
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
Title 50, Code of Federal
Regulations Section 32.4
Idle Speed – No
Wake - There is a 35
mph speed limit in all
waters of the refuge.
• We allow only temporary blinds of native vegetation that must be removed at the end of
each day’s hunt.
• We allow airboats with a Duck and Coot Hunting Airboat Permit during Phase 2 of the
State duck and coot season only. We will issue airboat permits through a separate lottery.
Contact the refuge headquarters for airboat permitting information.
• Motorized vessels used while duck and coot hunting must be stopped and shut off for 15
minutes prior to shooting. Motorized vessels must be in place one hour before sunrise and
not move until one hour after sunrise.
A 500-foot (150-meter)
Idle Speed Zone is at each
of the refuge’s three boat
ramps
• The use of dogs is encouraged to retrieve dead or wounded waterfowl. Dogs must remain
under the control of their handlers at all times.
For emergencies or to report violations, contact law enforcement personnel at
1-800-307-5789.
Non-motorized Zone Non-motorized vessels are
permitted throughout the
Refuge Interior. Motorized
vessels are permitted in the
Motorized Zone, south of
latitude line N 26° 27.130’.
Please Read This Important Message: Attention Hunters!
Hunting on a national wildlife refuge is a privilege and your behavior while participating in
this hunt may affect future hunting on refuges. Every national wildlife refuge in this state
provides habitat for several endangered or threatened species. Federal and State laws
prohibit any activity that might harm endangered or threatened plants or animals. We believe
that these hunts can be conducted without harming any endangered species and have taken
certain precautions to make it so. We cannot, however, prevent irresponsible acts by hunters,
and if such acts do occur, we may be forced to discontinue the hunt.
Remember: Your hunt permit authorizes you to take only the species list on the permit.
Harming or needlessly disturbing any other wildlife, including any birds, mammals, turtles,
frogs, lizards, or snakes is a violation of federal law and is cause for prosecution.
3
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
2020 Hunt Area Map
Southern Blvd
E Canal St S
Twenty Mile Bend
Boat Ramp Road
Forest H ill
Blvd
ATTENTION HUNTERS
Not all species can be
hunted in all areas.
See attached regulations
for your specific hunt area.
Wellington
20 Mile Bend
Lantana Rd
Non-motorized Watercraft Only
at
St
Boynton
Beach Blvd
e
Ro
ad
27
Headquarters Area
Lee Road
N 26° 27.130'
Atlantic Ave
Refuge Boundary
US-441 S / State Road 7
Legend
Motorized Zone
Motorize d Zone
(non-motorized watercraft allowed)
Non- mot orized Zone
No Hunting
Hillsboro Area
Refuge He adquarte rs
Glades Rd
Park ing
WCA2
(South of refuge)
Rest room
Lox a
Fe e Kiosk
0
Roa ds
4
5
5
Kilometers
Perim ete r Ca nal
hee
Rd
W. Hillsboro
Blvd
Miles
0
Boa t Ram p
hatc