Emerald Coast Outdoors

Applications for the first supervised youth hunts at Babcock Ranch Preserve are now available at all tax collectors’ offices and online from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Ten lucky youngsters will be chosen for each of the two quail hunts and seven for each of the two spring turkey hunts. All hunters will be chosen through a random drawing. All hunts are three-day events.
To be eligible for these hunts, applicants must be at least 12 years old by the first day of the hunt they are applying for and under 16 years old on the last day of the hunt for which they apply. Each permit allows only one youth to hunt, who must be accompanied by an adult supervisor who must be at least 18 years old. The accompanying adult is not permitted to hunt. No license or permit is required of the supervising adult. Permitted youths and adults will be guided during the hunts. The youths and adults are required to attend an orientation the Friday evening before the scheduled Saturday and Sunday hunts. Primitive campsites for selectees will be assigned. Quail hunt applications may be submitted from 10 a.m. EST, Dec. 22, through 11:59 p.m. EST, Jan. 15. Quail hunts will occur Feb. 20-22, and Feb. 27- March 1 Spring turkey hunt applications may be submitted from 10 a.m. EST, Jan. 20 through 11:59 p.m. EST, February 6. Turkey hunts will occur March 20-22 and March 27-29.
Online applications can be obtained and submitted by visiting www.wildlifelicense.com then selecting “Florida” and choosing “Quota Hunt Permits.” If you would like more information on Florida hunting opportunities, visit MyFWC.com/hunting/ or contact your nearest FWC regional office.