News Release

Seashore Eliminates Park Specific Waterfowl Hunting Permits

Several ducks take off from water.
American Wigeon take off from water.

FWC Photo by Andy Wraithmell

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News Release Date: October 4, 2018

Contact: Brent Everitt, 850-934-2600

Gulf Breeze, Fla. – Gulf Islands National Seashore will no longer issue park specific Waterfowl Hunting Permits. However, hunting within the national seashore during the state designated waterfowl hunting seasons is still authorized. Hunters must still follow all rules and regulations and may not hunt in certain closed areas. Unless exempt, hunters must carry a valid State of Florida hunting license, Florida Waterfowl Permit, Migratory Bird Permit and a signed federal “Duck Stamp”.

In accordance with the Superintendent’s Compendium and through an interagency partnership with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, waterfowl hunting is permitted in the national seashore during the corresponding state hunting season, with the exception of marine areas adjacent to high visitor use areas in Florida. National seashore rules, regulations, and hunting closure maps are available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/waterfowl-hunting-regulations.htm. The enabling legislation establishing Gulf Islands National Seashore specifically allows for waterfowl hunting within the boundaries of the national seashore in coordination with the state of Florida. No other hunting is permitted within the boundary of the national seashore.

“The seashore provides numerous recreational opportunities for visitors, including waterfowl hunting. By eliminating the park specific permit requirement, we are reducing the added administrative requirement and burden for hunters while still providing the same protective measures for resources,” said Superintendent Dan Brown.  

State hunting licenses and permits, along with Federal Duck Stamp, may be obtained at county tax collector’s offices and license agents, or online at, www.MyFWC.com/License.
 
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslands_NPS.

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 413 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice and Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice.

-NPS-



Last updated: October 4, 2018

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