Night poaching violations of deer, wild hogs and alligator seen during August
During the month of August 2023, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers issued citations to several people for illegally taking wildlife at night. Targeted animals included deer, wild hogs and alligators.
On Sunday, August 6, in Osceola County, FWC officers cited a person shining a flashlight mounted to a crossbow during closed season in a Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
On Monday, August 7, another individual was arrested and charged with taking a deer at night in a WMA, possession of one deer out of season, use of gun and light at night, taking from the roadway and take of deer by rimfire cartridge.
On Friday, August 11, in Osceola County, two more individuals were charged with illegally taking a wild hog from the roadway at night.
On Monday, August 14, in Seminole County, FWC officers cited three individuals for not having CITES tags and for taking alligators prior to their harvest phase and outside of their assigned Alligator Management Unit (AMU). The following night, four individuals, poaching from two separate vessels, were cited for taking alligators outside of their assigned AMU.
“Continual patrols of lakes and WMAs are critical in maintaining wildlife resources. Poached wildlife does not get reported enough, and it skews numbers for harvest reports and biologist data,” said Lt. Garrett Mendelson, FWC Northeast Region. “Catching night poachers is a huge win for sportsmen and women nationwide, and for conservation as a whole.”
Each season, species and WMA has specific regulations, and it is an individual’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with these regulations to ensure compliance. This information is provided at MyFWC.com/Hunting.
The public can report wildlife, fishing or boating violations or concerns by calling the FWC’s hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922), texting Tip411 with the keyword “FWC,” followed by the information, or online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert. If the information provided results in a citation or arrest, reporters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.