Outta the woods NEW DEER HUNTING RULES FOR 2019-20 SEASON By Tony Young At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed new deer hunting rules that begin with the opening of archery and crossbow seasons in Zone A on Aug. 3.

Annual statewide bag limit — five deer, of which only two may be antlerless

Antlerless deer are categorized as any deer, except a spotted fawn, without antlers or whose antlers are less than 5 inches in length. However, antlerless deer may still only be harvested during seasons when they are legal to take, such as during the archery season and on antlerless deer days. Florida was the only state in the Southeast without a specified annual bag limit for deer.

Harvest reporting system

New rules require all hunters — including youth under 16 years of age, resident hunters 65 years and older, those with a disability license, military personnel and those hunting on their homestead in their county of residence — to report deer they harvest. However, deer taken with a deer depredation permit or from a game farm or licensed hunting preserve do not have to be logged and reported through the harvest report system.

Suwannee Valley Currents

Changes to private lands antlerless deer permit program

All antlerless deer taken on lands enrolled in the antlerless deer permit program must be tagged with an issued antlerless deer tag, even if they are harvested on a day when the take of antlerless deer is otherwise allowed, such as archery season, within the zone in which the enrolled lands are located. In addition, the deer must be recorded on the harvest log of and reported to the FWC’s harvest reporting system by the hunter who harvested the deer.

Change to youth antler point exemption

Youth 15 years old and younger may harvest only one antlered deer — any deer having one or more antlers at least 5 inches in length — annually that does not meet antler point regulations for the DMU being hunted, and it counts toward the youth’s annual bag limit.

More information

A comprehensive listing of frequently asked questions on these new deer rules and other statewide hunting rule changes can be found at MyFWC.com/ Hunting. 

BLACKBERRYGRAPE PIE

From Jason Smith 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1/2

Dough for double-crust pie pints fresh blackberries cups green grapes tablespoons cornstarch Zest from 1 small lemon egg teaspoon freshly grated ginger teaspoon baking soda cups sugar

Heat oven to 350 F. Spray an 8-inch pie plate and place 1 sheet of dough in it, allowing edges to hang over. In a large mixing bowl, toss the berries and grapes in the cornstarch, lemon zest, ginger and sugar, stirring to coat. Pour into pie shell. Place the other sheet of dough on top, and crimp the edges of the 2 sheets of dough together. Then, using a sharp knife, make 4 slits in middle of top to let steam escape. Brush with egg wash (one egg whisked with a little cold water) and place pie on cookie sheet. Tent pie with a sheet of aluminum foil and bake 30-45 minutes. Remove foil and bake a few more minutes to brown the top.

Do you have a great recipe? Email a copy of a recipe you’d like to share to communications@svec-coop.com.

May 2019 | 3