Wild Hog hunting in Osceola Forest

For some reason, I'm losing an appetite for what I can get away with and am becoming more concerned with what's actually "legal". I drive through the Osceola Forest all the time with a variety of weapons that I'll shoot at the free range just East of Lake City. The thought has crossed my mind on multiple occasions that a feral hog should be legal to be harvested while driving on the trails. Feral hogs have an open season year round that doesn't require a hunting license or quota on private land, but it gets a bit blurry when it comes to public land like the Osceola WMA. I have found reference to following the specific guidelines of the actual season in which you are hunting, and this transposes onto hog hunting. But I can't confirm any of this as it's all old forum chatter from years ago. I'm also showing that it's "small game" season right now, which only allows for rimfire rifles. I kept finding reference on the FWC pages to paying the "access fee" to actually hunt on the WMA's, but again I have not been able to find details on Osceola.

Does anyone have any experience with hog hunting in Osceola and have any input?

 

I would recommend contacting FL Fish and Game to make sure you get it straight from them.

 

Their websites are incredibly cumbersome and just LOVE to take the user in circles. Every bit of information that I find on an official website only uses generic language and provides a link to a similar website with similar language. It's like navigating the DMV.... The damn regulations in this country are out of control.

 

Ok, here we go. I finally tracked down REAL PHONE NUMBERS for the regional FWC offices: http://www.eregulations.com/florida/hunting/fwc-regional-offices/

When I called to ask about wild hog hunting inside the Osceola WMA, I was informed that it is not open season all year. Instead, the specific WMA's guidelines must be followed (this was hinted at on the 47 different government websites). Right now is Small Game season that runs through March 6th. Wild Hogs are allowed to be harvested during this time frame, but with a restriction on centerfire ammunition. Rimfire and shotguns with slugs are allowed. But here's the real kicker: ALL HUNTING ON ANY WMA REQUIRES A $26 WMA "PERMIT". Wild hogs do not require a hunting license.

All of this just because I'm usually tooling around in those woods in my truck and didn't want any negative attention if a hog shows it's face.

So many ways for someone to get themselves in a bad spot here. This is what our state taxes are paying for...

 

That's interesting, I didn't know about the WMA permit. Hog hunting is fun, lean meat, but skinning is a pain due to the dirt on the hogs and the thickness of their hide and dulling knives quickly.

 

Yeah, this was a sidebar question that had crossed my mind for years, but I was never able to find any solid answers. I usually shoot in the free Lake City range in the early morning, then cruise the trails in Osceola on my way back to Jax. The combination of having a means to harvest a wild hog if spotted combined with knowing that hunting is allowed in those woods was just too much. I needed to find a solid answer. Now that I have one, I feel slightly more comfortable about this.

Ironically, I've never spotted any wild hogs while driving back there, but have seen plenty of signs of their presence. I just knew that because I had been questioning this scenario for so long, it was bound to present itself. I would've been PISSED to be sitting there and yelling at myself because I didn't know if I could blast some nasty hog that was just staring at me; daring me to do something.

 

What time are you driving around back there? Most of the hogs I've seen have been at night, but that was only after I saw their area during the day where they were rooting around near my yard.

 

All WMAs in Florida have specific hunting dates... Oddly enough the season dates for each season may differ dramatically. While wild hog doesn't have a season, it is still regulated on WMAs so that you can't be back there deer hunting and if caught just say that you're hog hunting. I believe it helps keep poaching to a minimum. The WMA permit is funds upkeep of the WMAs etc.

If you want a hog, come to jax. Tons of public land by my house and we get them regularly


Trey

 

Usually from mid-morning until early evening, depending on sunlight. I'm not really "looking" for them either. I'm usually exploring trails and messing around in the woods, so I'm making plenty of noise. And unless it's a sow, I'm not cleaning it for food. I just have a distinct despise of hogs due to the destruction they cause and the real game animals they run off. I feel that any time you spot a hog and don't attempt to drop it, that's a wasted opportunity.

 

That's part of the info that I kept finding, but didn't like piecing it all together and trusting my interpretation of the rules. But I called the man and obtained the confirmation that I was looking for.

What part of Jax? I live in Jax too, out at the beaches.

 

Just remember also that if you shoot a hog and let it lay without cleaning and taking the animal it is against the law. I believe it's called wanton and willfull waste!!! If you shoot it eat it!!!

 

Technically if you get caught with firearms inside the ONF then you will get arrested unless it is hunting season, you have a permit and correct firearms and are following the rules. You might even get arrested for carrying while camping,fishing, hiking even though technically it is allowed. Wanna go "shoot some guns" in the forest, you will also get arrested. Don't try to bend the rules in national forest, even read up a bit.

 

Where are you getting that? I feel that you're pulling together several different regulations into one overly general statement. In Florida, you are able to transport firearms to and from the range without hassle. Additionally, ONF allows for firearms, but simply places restrictions on the discharge of the firearms: http://myfwc.com/hunting/wma-brochures/nc/osceola/ . Let's also not forget the CCW rules that also apply on public land while hiking/camping/fishing.

I'm not looking for an argument here, I was asking if anyone had any knowledge of the rules around shooting a wild hog in the Osceola National Forest. I located my answer by calling the regional FWC and posted it here. All the other sidebar comments can continue, but let's keep them factual.

 

I live In St johns now... just south of racetrack road.

Trey

 

Heck, its not even CCW rules..

I keep a copy of chapter 790 florida statutes in my truck.

790.25 allows you to openly carry when : A person engaged in fishing, camping, or lawful hunting or going to or returning from a fishing, camping, or lawful hunting expedition.

I'm an avid hunter and gun enthusiast.... a large magority of folks don't genuinely know the rules, only what theyre buddy said

Trey

 

Are you t

Are you talking about 3 Lakes WMA in Osceola? The Sportsmans Gold Military License at the DMV will pretty much cover all your bases except quota permits.... That I'm totally unable to get for some reason.

 

No, I'm talking about Osceola WMA. Three Lakes WMA is in central Florida.

 

Sounds like youre good to go now. the WMA permit money literally goes back towards managing the land so its money well spent......and probabaly the least of hunting expenses. 26 bucks a year and if youre on WMAs often, basically comes down to less than a dollar each time