CHILDREN AND FAMILY
• Only two (2) immediate family members (defined
as a spouse or child 17 years or
younger) may accompany a permitted hunter. Family members must show proof of
having completed a Hunter Safety Course.
• Children
under the age of 18 cannot possess a permit and are required to accompany a
permitted adult. (Only two children per permitted adult.)
• Children
participating in the Youth Hunt must
have completed a Hunters Education Course and be in the presence and under
the supervision of an adult. F.S. 790.22 and 784.05.
HUNTING SAFETY
• During Muzzle-loader season
firearms may be discharged at the Check
Station
area. Please notify staff first.
• Please follow ethics and safety practices learned as provided by State Hunters
Safety Education Course.
DOGS
• Only
leashed dogs suitable for trailing wounded game will be permitted during
the Big Game season. Dogs must be placed in owners’ portable kennels and left
at the Check Station with food and water until needed.
• During
Small Game hunts, only bird dogs (pointers and retrievers) will be allowed.
• All dogs
must wear collars bearing the name and address of the owners and have proof of
current rabies vaccination.
• In all cases owners are responsible for their dogs and their dogs’
actions.
STANDS and TRAIL CAMERAS
• All stands
and trail cameras must have the name and phone number of the hunter clearly
marked within 5 feet of the ground. If this information is not on the stand,
Department staff will remove the stand from Duette Preserve.
• Only two
stands per hunter allowed. Stands include climbers, ground blinds, chairs, etc.
• Climbing
stands and ground blinds may be placed or moved before or after the Quiet Time
during Big Game hunts. No other hunting stands may be moved during Big Game
hunts.
• No permanent
stands or stands that will damage vegetation will be permitted.
• Driving
a metal object into any tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object
has been driven is prohibited.
• Prescribed
fire is applied year-round. Staff are not responsible for personal property
left on site.
• No hunting is allowed within 100 feet of mapped trails, which
includes sitting in vehicles or blinds. Trails are not to be used as shooting
lanes.
VEHICLES
• Any vehicle entering Duette Preserve must have a current
registration, meet federal and state safety requirements, and be operated by a
licensed driver with appropriate insurance.
• Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner
as to obstruct roads, gates, or fire lanes.
• Vehicles may be
operated only on vehicle trails. Trails can be closed at any time.
• With prior authorization of staff, hunters may drive on fire breaks
for game removal only.
• The presence of a ‘CLOSED’ sign restricts access to foot traffic
only.
• Vehicles must be operated in a safe manner for the condition of the
vehicle trails.
• Maximum speed limit is 20 mph.
CAMPING
• During hunt weekends,
permitted hunters wishing to camp must register at the
Check Station.
• Trailers, tents, and
equipment must be removed by Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on each hunt weekend.
• Campground quiet time is 10:00 p.m. till 3:00 a.m. and will be
strictly enforced.
• Generators may be used if properly muffled, but must be turned off
at 10:00 p.m.
• Fires are permitted in grills and fire rings only.
CHECK STATION
• Hunters must check in and out at the Check Station. Violators may
lose hunt privileges.
• Hunters may enter the preserve through the check station at 5:00
a.m. for Big Game hunts, and 5:00 a.m. for Small Game hunts.
• All game must be checked in by staff at the Check Station. If a deer is shot on Saturday and not
recovered, the hunter must report the event to staff on Saturday before
leaving the property. If not, the penalty for violation of closed buck quota
will be assessed.
• During hunts, the preserve closes at 9:00 p.m. Anyone exiting after 9:00 p.m. may
lose hunt privileges.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & ACCESS
• Equal Opportunity and Access requests must come through the Parks
and Natural Resources Department Duette Preserve Office, 941-737-2661. Requests
must be made no later than 30 days prior to hunt for which access is being
requested.
SALES
• Sales
will be determined on a first come first served basis.
- Payment in full is required with each
application.
• Permits are non-transferable from person to person or to a
different date.
• Fees are non-refundable and do not include the mandatory 7.0% sales
tax. Please calculate the 7.0% tax and include it with your payment.