The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has scheduled a public meeting on June 3 to receive input on rule-proposal recommendations for prohibiting hunting from permanent duck blinds on four large public lakes in Leon and Jefferson counties.

Due to an increase in territorial conflicts among duck hunters and concerns expressed by the public, FWC staff is considering a rule proposal that would prohibit waterfowl hunting when the person is within 30 yards of any permanent duck blind on Lake Miccosukee, Lake Iamonia, Lake Jackson and Carr Lake.

Permanent blinds cause problems because the people who build them often claim ownership or priority use of the area around their blinds.  Also, the placement of such structures is in violation of Florida Statutes and the Board of Trustees sovereign submerged lands rule and results in boating hazards. 

Interested people, especially those who hunt waterfowl on any of these waters, are invited to attend this meeting to share ideas and help make recommendations to the proposals.

The meeting will be held in the cafeteria at Lawton Chiles High School, 7200 Lawton Chiles Lane in Tallahassee at 7 p.m.

Results of the public input process will be presented to the Commission at its June 11-12 meeting in Dania Beach.  However, any final adoption of these rule changes by vote of the Commission will not take place until the September meeting in Jacksonville.  If approved, the rule would take effect for the 2008-09 regular waterfowl hunting season.

Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should advise the FWC at least five days prior to June 3 by contacting Cindy Hoffman at 850-488-6411.  If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (voice).

Those who cannot attend but would still like to comment can do so online at MyFWC.com/commission/RuleChanges/DBR_Comment.asp before June 3.

For more information, contact Diane Eggeman at 850-488-3831 or Diane [dot] Eggeman [at] MyFWC [dot] com.