Chassahowitzka

General Hunting Regulations Hunting is prohibited within 100 yards of any navigable waterway or residential area. Boats Boats must be removed from the area daily. Conventional boats are allowed on all open areas of Chassahowitzka Refuge. Airboats are prohibited in all refuge waters in Citrus County except on the designated airboat routes, where a refuge airboat permit is required. (Airboat permits maybe obtained from the refuge office.) Firearms must be unloaded and encased and/or dismantled when transported by boat to and from the hunt areas. Target shooting or other forms of practice shooting are prohibited on the refuge. The use of dogs shall be in accordance with state regulations. Hunt Closures Hunts on Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge may be altered or closed in cases of emergency situations (floods, fire, or other circumstances) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The search or removal of any object of antiquity is prohibited. Hernando County Unit Public hunting in Hernando County will be in accordance with State regulations for the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area. A Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area stamp is required in addition to other state hunting stamps and licenses for upland hunting and big game. Citrus County Unit Public hunting in Citrus County will be in accordance with the following special hunting regulations and applicable State regulations. Season The open season for ducks and coots is concurrent with seasons established by the State of Florida. Hunt Days Waterfowl hunting is permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Huntable Species Only ducks and coots may be taken. Bag Limit State bag limits apply. Hunt Area Hunting is permitted in all areas of the Citrus County portion of the refuge except for the posted No Hunting Area. A map of the area open to hunting is found in this brochure. All hunters must possess a valid Florida Permits, Stamps, & State Hunting License and valid (signed) refuge hunting permit. Waterfowl hunters Licenses must possess a Florida Waterfowl Permit, except children under 16 and Florida residents 65 and older. In addition, all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must possess a valid (signed) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). Nontransferable permits are required for all hunters regardless of age or disability and must be carried on the person while hunting. Non-toxic shot Only steel or approved non-toxic shot may be used. Possession of lead or other toxic shot in any gauge is prohibited. Blinds Only temporary blinds are permitted. Hunters must not construct permanent blinds. Season The open season for small game, big game, and migratory birds is concurrent with seasons established by the State of Florida. Only steel or approved non-toxic shot may be used. Possession of lead or other toxic shot in any gauge is prohibited. Blinds Only temporary blinds are permitted. Hunters must not construct permanent blinds. Decoys Decoys must be removed from the area daily. Dogs The use of dogs shall be in accordance with Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area regulations. Fishing Regulations Open year-round. Season Permit Refuge permits are not required for fishing. License State regulations apply. State regulations apply. Creel limits, etc. Please respect the following signs This sign clearly marks all refuge property. It is your responsibility to know where the property lines are and hunt within the boundaries. Hunt Days The Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area regulations shall apply for Archery, Muzzeloading Gun, and General Gun hunt days. Huntable Species The Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area regulations shall apply for huntable species. No hunting is permitted in this designated area. Bag Limit Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area bag and possession limits apply. Hunt Area Hunting is permitted in all areas of the Hernando portion of the refuge. A map of the area open to hunting is found in this brochure. All hunters must possess a valid Florida Permits, Stamps, & State Hunting License and valid (signed) refuge hunting permit. Waterfowl hunters Licenses must possess a Florida Waterfowl Permit, except children under 16 and Florida residents 65 and older. In addition, all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older must possess a valid (signed) Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp). Nontransferable permits are required for all hunters regardless of age or disability and must be carried on the person while hunting. MANATEE ZONE SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE This sign designates a manatee slow speed zone. During the effective period, ensure vessel bow is completely settled in the water. Operate at a speed which does not produce a rolling wake. National Wilderness Area BOUNDARY U.S. FISH &WILDLIFE SERVICE R PA Firearms Dogs Non-toxic shot DE Airboats are confined to navigable waters in Hernando County. Operation of airboats through or over marsh vegetation is prohibited. Decoys must be removed from the area daily. R The regulations listed below supplement the general regulations which govern hunting on wildife refuge areas as set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Reguations, Part 32. Hunting will be in accordance with applicable State regulations. The taking of any plant or animal on the refuge for which there is no specific season is prohibited. Decoys T IO The primary objective of a national wildlife refuge is to provide habitat for the conservation and protection of all species of wildlife. The harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to manage wildlife populations. Carefully managed hunts maintain wildlife populations at a level compatible with the environment, provide wholesome recreational opportunities, and permit the use of a valuable renewable resource. Prohibited Camping, fires, and littering are prohibited. Activities Cutting of trees or removing dead/drift wood from the refuge is prohibited. M E This sign delineates the National Wilderness Area boundary. R Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Regulations & Permit General Provisions Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, one of a nationwide system of over 540 refuges, is on Florida’s Gulf Coast about 65 miles north of St. Petersburg. It comprises over 31,000 acres of saltwater bays and estuaries and brackish marshes with a fringe of hardwood swamps along the eastern boundary. EN N T O F THE I T Consult Manager for current regulations If you have any questions, please contact the Refuge Manager at: Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge 1502 Southeast Kings Bay Drive Crystal River, FL 34429 352/563 2088 http://www.fws.gov/chassahowitzka/ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service W. Halls's River Rd. St. Martins Keys H e Homosass Littl aR ive r sassa o om Homosassa Springs 490 Crystal River 10 miles Chassahowitzka 19 98 490 S. Yulee Drive National Wildlife Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations Homosassa Suncoast Blvd. n Brooksville 16 miles 98 480 Chassahowitzka Pt. Northwest Keys CITRUS COUNTY HERNANDO COUNTY Dog Island (pier boardwalk, picnic shelter, and composting toilet) Chassahowitzka Bay Black Rock Clearwater 57 miles Chassahowitzka BIRD ISLAND Legend Crawl Key Ocala 19 98 Refuge Boundary 40 Airboat Routes Chassahowitzka Maintenance Facility National Wildlife Refuge Raccoon Pt. Dog Island Recreation Area 0 Miles 0 Kilo 1 1 N GULF OF MEXICO Flo rid a 19 27 75 Tarpon Springs 4 Tampa Clearwater St. Petersburg TP K. 98 Ta m B a y pa Boat Ramp Consult maps and regulations for Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area when hunting in Hernando County portion of refuge. Crystal River Homosassa Springs Lakewood 60 0 Miles 0 Kilo 25 25 Chassahowitzka Hunting Permit Name (please print) I have read and understand the refuge hunting regulations. Signature (permits are not transferable) May 2009 Private Land National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD No Hunting Area 19 Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge 1502 Southeast Kings Bay Drive Crystal River, FL 34429 352/563 2088 http://southeast.fws.gov/chassahowitzka GULF OF MEXICO Report fish and wildlife violations to refuge staff or call 1/888/404 FWCC (3922). M a so Homosassa Bay This permit must be completed to be valid. It must be carried by the hunter during the hunts.