As fall approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding residents that the state's black bears are increasing their activity in search of food before winter. Following BearWise® practices such as securing garbage and removing food attractants can help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will convene in person on September 17-18 at the Hawks Cay Resort, located at 61 Hawks Cay Blvd., Duck Key, FL 33050. The meeting will commence at 8:30 a.m. ET each day and is open to the public.

The fall red snapper season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations in the Gulf of Mexico will be open on specific weekends from September 1 through November 30.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will hold a public meeting to discuss aquatic habitat management in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes on Wednesday, September 18. The meeting is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Office, located at 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee, FL, 34744.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is emphasizing boater safety as Labor Day weekend approaches. This period traditionally marks the unofficial end of summer, prompting many Florida residents and visitors to take to the water. FWC officers will be on heightened patrol during the holiday weekend, focusing on identifying reckless or impaired vessel operators and other hazardous boating behaviors.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued a reminder for beachgoers this Labor Day weekend about the ongoing nesting activities of sea turtles and shorebirds on Florida's beaches. The FWC emphasizes the importance of giving these species space, removing beach gear at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and filling in holes dug in the sand before leaving.

The 2024 recreational gag grouper season will be open from September 1 to September 15 and will close at 12:01 a.m. on September 16.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced today the reopening of the recreational bay scallop harvest in the Pasco Zone following a temporary closure. The zone will be open from August 28 through September 24, 2024. This area includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, encompassing the Anclote River.

With hunting season approaching, the urgency of addressing chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues as a primary concern for hunters and property owners in the Florida Panhandle. CWD is a contagious, fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Last year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed Florida’s first known case of CWD in a white-tailed deer in Holmes County and has since implemented new rules and regulations to control its spread. This disease poses significant economic and environmental risks for Florida’s...

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is organizing a rule development workshop to gather public input on potential modifications to existing manatee protection zones in Levy County. The workshop will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on September 5, at the Inglis Community Center, located at 137 Highway 40 West in Inglis.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will issue a School Fishing Club Grant to 50 schools for the upcoming school year. The School Fishing Club Program is an annual educational grant program that teaches youth anglers about best fishing practices to help ensure the future of fishing in Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking participants to help identify images of eastern indigo snakes, listed as federally threatened, from a database of digital trail camera photos. This project, the Indigo Snake Watch, aims to improve understanding of the reintroduced snakes’ activity and distribution while providing volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of North America’s largest native snake species.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking Floridians to report all sightings of wild turkeys between now and Aug. 31. This includes hens, with or without poults, and bearded turkeys.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has released its 2024-2025 manatee and sea turtle decals. These illustrated decals can be placed on watercraft, vehicle bumpers, water bottles, coolers, tackle boxes, and laptops.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will conduct aquatic plant management on Lake Okeechobee starting August 12. The project is expected to last two days, weather permitting.

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ commenced at 12:01 a.m. on August 9, with participants scouring the Everglades to locate and remove invasive Burmese pythons. Hundreds have registered for the chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes while contributing to the protection of Florida’s native wildlife and the Everglades ecosystem.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will hold a public meeting regarding the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) Management Plan Amendment on Monday, August 26. The hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center, located at 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will celebrate National Shooting Sports Month in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Created to encourage participation in the shooting sports and emphasize firearm safety, National Shooting Sports Month will take place throughout August.

Preparing for a natural disaster can be overwhelming, with many critical details to address. By preparing in advance, you can significantly reduce the risks to both life and property. In addition to safeguarding family and property, Florida’s boat owners and operators must also consider their vessels. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has compiled various informational resources for boaters to assist them with storm preparation and recovery.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is conducting regional workshops to inform local governments about opportunities to conserve gopher tortoises and other state-listed species in Florida.