Where can I hunt wild hogs in Florida?

by Wes M.
(Indiana)

QUESTION:
I usually go to Tennessee and go hog hunting but a couple friends of mine suggested that we go to Florida. I was wondering if at any of the Blackwater units or at Apalachicola areas if there were any wild hog hunt? I live in Indiana, and was wanting to come down to Florida and hunt wild hogs. I am just trying to find out some info about hunting down there. Hopefully we can get down there and shoot some pigs. Thanks a lot for the info.


ANSWER:
Since you didn't say when you want to come to Florida to hunt hogs, I'm going to break it down like this. You'll need to apply for the permits depending on where you choose to hunt. If you choose the Blackwater Hutton Unit, you will need to apply for the quota permit. The Hutton Unit has enough hogs that they have quota hunts strickly for hog. The remaining season is May and June 2010. Or you can hunt hogs during the general gun season in January 2010. A quota permit and Management Area permit are required.

In order to put in for a quota permit you must already have a State Management Area permit when you apply. You can apply for your quota permit, your Management Area permit, and your Florida hunting license on-line at www.wildlifelicense.com

select Florida and choose limited entry/quota
permits and applications. Quota permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. If you apply now you will be applying under Phase 3 rules which started August 20, 2009, and runs until all permits are issued.

You also mentioned possibly hunting in the Apalachicola area. The Apalachicola National Forest covers 6 Wildlife Management Areas. I'm not a hog expert on any, but do know that in the Apalachicola National Forest during the general gun season, which runs Thanksgiving weekend with a break afterwards, starting again December 12, 2009 through February 3, 2010, you can find hogs and camping at Pine Creek. Pine Creek is off Highway 375, approximately 12 miles south of Highway 20.

There's several hunters that have had success in this area. It's still hunt only; no hog dogs allowed. There were still hogs in that area at the end of last hunting season. There is no quota permit required, but a Florida hunting license and Management Area permit are required. You can apply for these on-line at
www.wildlifelicense.com.

I hope you find this information helpful.

kenny
hunting-with-kenny.com