From FWC

This report represents some events the FWC handled April 5 to 11 in the Northwest Region. (No cases were reported in Wakulla County)

FRANKLIN COUNTY

  • Officer Hartzog was on patrol at Patton Drive in Eastpoint and observed an individual fishing from a paddleboard on the south side of the Eastpoint channel. Officer Hartzog observed the individual exit the paddleboard and begin harvesting large clusters of wild oysters from the channel’s edge and putting them on the bow of his paddleboard. The subject paddled back across the channel and when the officer approached to conduct a resource inspection, the subject began discarding the wild oysters back into the water. Officer Hartzog instructed the individual to stop discarding the oysters and then detained the individual. The officer advised the individual he had observed him harvesting unculled wild oysters from a prohibited area. Additionally, the Apalachicola Bay system is closed to recreational and commercial oyster harvest per Executive Order. The subject also did not possess a current saltwater fishing license or any safety equipment on his paddleboard. The violations were cited accordingly.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

  • Investigator Pifer was on patrol in the Eglin Wildlife Management Area when he inspected an individual returning to the check station who was participating in a special opportunity hunt. The individual had harvested an antlered deer that did not meet the minimum antler point regulations. The subject was issued a citation for the violation.